Private Gardens of the Potomac and Chesapeake
2023-10-24 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Mill Creek Parish United Methodist, 7101 Horizon Terrace, Derwood, MD, 20855
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
7 pm – 8 pm
Guest Speaker: Claudia Kousoulas
Provided by: Mill Creek Towne Garden Club
Location:
Mill Creek Parish United Methodist
7101 Horizon Terrace
Derwood, MD 20855

Free

Light Refreshments

Join Mill Creek Towne Garden Club on Tuesday, October 24th and learn about “Private Gardens of the Potomac and Chesapeake” from our guest speaker, Claudia Kousoulas, a freelance writer and editor whose work focuses on design, architecture, urban planning, and culinary history. She is the author of Contemporary Architecture in Washington, DC; Bread & Beauty: A Year in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve; and A Culinary History of Montgomery County, Maryland. She lives in Washington, DC.

Book Summary:

Embark on a captivating journey spanning the vast expanse from the vibrant Washington, DC, Metro Area to the serene Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Delve into the enchanting realm of 15 exquisite gardens, carefully crafted by renowned designers, as they unveil the captivating landscape style of the Capital region.
The book includes urban, suburban, and estate gardens, from the DC to the Eastern Shore. And while it’s fun to get a peek into these private Edens, the book also includes good information about design, plant materials, and sustainability.

RSVP: info@mctgardenclub.org

Please do NOT attend this event if you are or have been experiencing symptoms of illness.

THIS EVENT IS FREE, BUT DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!
Donations pay for landscaping, repair and maintenance of the Mill Creek Towne Entrances, and our garden-related programs at our community meetings.

NOTE: If Montgomery County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the Garden Club meeting will be cancelled.

Getting Ready for Spring
2024-03-26 19:00 - 20:00 | Mill Creek Parish United Methodist, 7101 Horizon Terrace, Derwood, MD, 20855
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Provided by: Mill Creek Towne Garden Club
Location:
Mill Creek Parish United Methodist
7101 Horizon Terrace
Derwood, MD 20855

Free
Light Refreshments

Join us for a gardening presentation with Betsy Kingery, a master gardener with the Montgomery County Master Gardener Program.
This talk addresses getting ready for the Spring landscape gardening season. You will learn what to do at the end of Winter and early Spring and how to plan for later in the year. There is an overview on climate conscious gardening and diverse planting with native and non-native/non-invasive plants.
Please be advised that all Montgomery County Master Gardener talks are the property of the University of Maryland Extension, and that recording of the talks is not permitted.
RSVP: info@mctgardenclub.org
Please do NOT attend this event if you are or have been experiencing symptoms of illness.
THIS EVENT IS FREE, BUT DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!
Donations pay for landscaping, repair and maintenance of the Mill Creek Towne Entrances, and our garden-related programs at our community meetings.
NOTE: If Montgomery County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the Garden Club meeting will be cancelled.

FREE Native Tree & Shrub Giveaway - Fri, April 12, 2024
2024-04-12 16:00 - 18:00 | C. Randall’s Home, 7617 Warbler Lane, Derwood, MD, 20855, United States
Friday, April 12, 2024, 4-6pm
Pick Up Location: 7617 Warbler Lane, Derwood, MD 20855
The Mill Creek Towne Garden Club is pleased to offer FREE native trees and shrubs provided to us by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
We are giving away 100 native trees and shrubs starting at 4pm and ending at 6pm on Friday, April 12, 2024. First come, first serve.
For questions, please use the contact form below. Thank you!
Mill Creek Towne Garden Club - Free Native Tree & Shrub Giveaway Name:*FirstLast Phone* E-mail:* Message:This event is Free. Event dates/times are subject to change. Notifications will be sent to registered attendees if events need to be rescheduled. Donations to the Mill Creek Towne Garden Club are appreciated. For details on how to donate, please visit our Donations Page. reCAPTCHASubmitReset
Trees/Shrubs:

Pin Oak
Serviceberry
Redbud
River Birch
Hazelnut
Black Cherry
Indigo Bush
Silky Dogwood
American Sycamore

The trees and shrubs will be available for pick up at 7617 Warbler Lane, Derwood, MD 20855. Please limit your selection to two plants per household. If you want more than two, please provide your name and contact information so we can contact you. The trees come bareroot – they need to be planted as soon as possible and you will need to provide deer protection unless they are inside a fenced area that the deer do not frequent. Please bring damp newspaper to wrap the roots up until they are ready for planting.
For more detailed guidance on planting and caring for bare root trees visit: https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Documents/Planting-Guide-Brochure.pdf
Dealing with deer…Deer management and Tree cages: Watch for the presence of deer. Use repellents during installations and cage ALL trees and shrubs to prevent deer browsing and rubbing. I cannot emphasize this enough – cage immediately upon planting to avoid catastrophe! For guidance on caging see this handy guide: https://mywoodlot.com/images/supporting_information/installing_tree_cages.pdfDeer fencing material: I have had excellent success using Tenax brand deer fencing. This material is UV stable and sturdier than the usual flimsy mesh typically available at Home Depot and Lowes. The flimsy stuff will tear more easily and I have repeatedly found snakes stuck in this mesh. To avoid the snake problem and for a sturdy product, be sure to purchase Tenax with 1-¾” by 2” mesh size. Zip ties work well to secure the Tenax to a stake and to itself.
Donations
These plants are free to the public, but we do welcome donations to the Club to help us continue to beautify our neighborhood and provide quality programming. To donate and consider joining the Mill Creek Towne Garden Club, please visit:
Donate Today!
Resources

Planting Guide Installing Tree Cages

Pin Oak
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris): Growing up to 80 feet tall, the Pin Oak is a majestic addition to any landscape. Its deeply lobed leaves turn a fiery red in fall, while its tolerance for various soil conditions makes it an adaptable choice.
Photo Credit: Bruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 2.5

Serviceberry
Eastern Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis): This charming small tree, reaching heights of 15-25 feet, is a showstopper in spring with delicate white flowers. Edible berries follow in summer, attracting a variety of birds and pollinators, making it a favorite for wildlife gardens.
Photo Credit: Walter Siegmund, CC BY-SA 3.0

Eastern Redbud
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): A fast-growing delight, the Eastern Redbud bursts with vibrant pink blossoms in early spring before its heart-shaped leaves unfurl. This 20-30 foot tall tree is a guaranteed conversation starter and adds a pop of color to any yard.
Photo Credit: Downspec, CC BY-SA 4.0

River Birch
River Birch (Betula nigra): This fast-growing favorite can reach heights of 70-100 feet. Its most striking feature is the cinnamon-colored bark that peels in papery layers, adding year-round interest. Thriving in moist areas and tolerating occasional flooding, it’s a perfect choice for wetter landscapes.
Photo Credit: By Jgwil2 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89413687

American Hazelnut
American Hazelnut (Corylus americana): A shade-tolerant understory hero, the American Hazelnut grows 8-15 feet tall. Not only does it provide delicious nuts for wildlife and people in fall, but its contorted branches add a unique charm to your yard.
By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78618200

Black Cherry
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina): Reaching heights of 60-80 feet, the Black Cherry is a haven for pollinators. Fragrant white flowers erupt in spring, followed by clusters of dark, sweet cherries enjoyed by birds and people alike. This fast-growing tree offers both beauty and delicious treats.
Katrin Schneider, korina.info – CC-BY-SA-4.0, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Indigo Bush
Indigo Bush (Amorpha fruticosa): This low-maintenance gem grows 8-12 feet tall. A true pollinator magnet, it explodes with vibrant indigo flower spikes in summer, adding a burst of color and attracting butterflies. Easy to care for, the indigo bush offers season-long visual interest.
Photo Credit: Аимаина хикари, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Silky Dogwood
Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum): A delicate shade-lover, the Silky Dogwood reaches 6-8 feet tall. Clusters of white flowers grace the branches in spring, followed by attractive red berries in fall. Its reddish stems add a touch of winter beauty, making it a captivating addition to shady areas.
Photo Credit: Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

American Sycamore
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis): A true giant of the forest, the American Sycamore can reach heights of 100-130 feet. Providing ample shade with its massive leaves, it’s a perfect choice for large landscapes. The distinctive bark adds a dramatic touch, making it a statement tree for any yard.
Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Resources

Planting Guide Installing Tree Cages

Friday, April 19th Mill Creek Extreme Cleanup
2024-04-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Mill Creek Towne Local Park, 17401 Shady Grove Rd, Derwood, MD, 20855, United States
Please join the Mill Creek Towne Garden Club, Rock Creek Conservancy, and Montgomery Parks for our 2024 EXTREME CLEANUP of Mill Creek Stream on Friday, April 19, 2024 for a litter removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Trash is the visible form of stormwater pollution, a major threat to water quality and park health and its removal makes the parklands cleaner, safer, and more beautiful for all. Event location, directions, and information will be sent prior to the event. This annual event is a watershed-wide cleanup movement with the goal of total trash removal throughout Rock Creek, its tributaries, and surrounding neighborhoods and parklands. Information is included in this link:

https://www.rockcreekconservancy.org/extreme-cleanup

We will update you the week of April 14, 2024 with instruction and locations of where you can pick up supplies and leave your trash. It’s a campaign clean up event, so go with your children, family or friends, pick out a point in the creek area where you can pick up trash, and spend as much time as you want. Every little bit helps.

We hope you’ll join us!

Registration required. See below for registration link for this event.

Fri_19Apr_Mill Creek Extreme Clean Up 2024 Registration

Mill Creek Stream Extreme Clean Up
2024-04-20 09:00 - 11:00 | MD
Please join the Mill Creek Towne Garden Club, Rock Creek Conservancy, and Montgomery Parks for our 2024 EXTREME CLEANUP of Mill Creek Stream on Saturday, April 20, 2024 for a litter removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Trash is the visible form of stormwater pollution, a major threat to water quality and park health and its removal makes the parklands cleaner, safer, and more beautiful for all. Event location, directions, and information will be sent prior to the event. This annual event is a watershed-wide cleanup movement with the goal of total trash removal throughout Rock Creek, its tributaries, and surrounding neighborhoods and parklands. Information is included in this link:

https://www.rockcreekconservancy.org/extreme-cleanup

We will update you the week of April 14, 2024 with instruction and locations of where you can pick up supplies and leave your trash. It’s a campaign clean up event, so go with your children, family or friends, pick out a point in the creek area where you can pick up trash, and spend as much time as you want. Every little bit helps.

We hope you’ll join us!

Registration required. See below for registration link for this event.

Mill Creek Extreme Clean Up 2024 Registration

Easy to Grow Houseplants
2024-04-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Mill Creek Parish United Methodist, 7101 Horizon Terrace, Derwood, MD, 20855
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Provided by: Mill Creek Towne Garden Club
Location:
Mill Creek Parish United Methodist
7101 Horizon Terrace
Derwood, MD 20855

Free
Light Refreshments

Join us for a gardening presentation on “Easy to Grow Houseplants” with Bonita Condon, a master gardener with the Montgomery County Master Gardener Program.

This demo/talk discusses some common house plants with information on the tools required; the selection of plants, locations, and containers; the maintenance and propagation of your plants; and common pests and diseases.
Please be advised that all Montgomery County Master Gardener talks are the property of the University of Maryland Extension, and that recording of the talks is not permitted.

Bonita’s Bio:

Bonita became a Master Gardener in 2014 after retiring from the National Institutes of Health. She is an avid vegetable gardener, loves perennials, and combats non-native invasive species in our parks and grasslands. Her special interests include working with individuals with mobility limitations, raised garden beds, and tools that accommodate special needs. She is a certified Weed Warrior, and an advisor on the Town of Kensington GreenScape committee.
RSVP: info@mctgardenclub.org

Please do NOT attend this event if you are or have been experiencing symptoms of illness.

THIS EVENT IS FREE, BUT DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!
Donations pay for landscaping, repair and maintenance of the Mill Creek Towne Entrances, and our garden-related programs at our community meetings.

NOTE: If Montgomery County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the Garden Club meeting will be cancelled.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Program
2024-10-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Mill Creek Parish United Methodist, 7101 Horizon Terrace, Derwood, MD, 20855
Join us for a presentation on Montgomery County’s Recycling Program with guest speaker Barbara Fonseca, a program specialist in Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection Recycling and Resource Management Division. In this presentation, we will learn about the latest information and programs aimed to reduce waste in our county.
We invite you to join us and learn more about this program and hopefully be inspired to help make our county a little more GREEN!

FREE
Light Refreshments provided

RSVP: info@mctgardenclub.org
Please do NOT attend this event if you are or have been experiencing symptoms of illness.
THIS EVENT IS FREE, BUT DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!
Donations pay for landscaping, repair and maintenance of the Mill Creek Towne Entrances, and our garden-related programs at our community meetings.
NOTE: If Montgomery County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the Garden Club meeting will be cancelled.

Mill Creek Extreme Clean Up - Saturday, April 19
2025-04-19 09:00 - 12:00 | MD
Please join the Mill Creek Towne Garden Club, Rock Creek Conservancy, and Montgomery Parks for our 2025 EXTREME CLEANUP of Mill Creek Stream on Saturday, April 19, 2025 for a litter removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Trash is the visible form of stormwater pollution, a major threat to water quality and park health and its removal makes the parklands cleaner, safer, and more beautiful for all. Event location, directions, and information will be sent prior to the event. This annual event is a watershed-wide cleanup movement with the goal of total trash removal throughout Rock Creek, its tributaries, and surrounding neighborhoods and parklands. Information is included in this link:

https://www.rockcreekconservancy.org/extreme-cleanup

We will update you the week of April 13, 2025 with instruction and locations of where you can pick up supplies and leave your trash. It’s a campaign clean up event, so go with your children, family or friends, pick out a point in the creek area where you can pick up trash, and spend as much time as you want. Every little bit helps.

We hope you’ll join us!

Registration required. See below for registration link for this event.

Sign Up for Mill Creek Stream Cleanup

Why You Need to Add Water to Your Garden
2026-03-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Mill Creek Parish United Methodist, 7101 Horizon Terrace, Derwood, MD, 20855
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
7pm
Mill Creek Parish United Methodist
7101 Horizon Terrace
Derwood, MD 20855
Join us for a special presentation on an “Why You Need to Add Water to Your Garden”, by guest speaker, Mike Coan, Oasis Water Gardens, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 7pm.

FREE
Light Refreshments provided

Most of us spend a lot of time thinking about plants, color, and structure in our gardens — but water is often the piece that’s missing.
In this talk, we take a practical look at what water actually brings to a garden. Not just how it looks, but how it changes the way a space feels and how people use it every day.
We’ll talk about why ponds and waterfalls naturally become focal points, how they create movement and sound, and why so many people find themselves drawn to sit near water without even realizing it.
We’ll also spend time on the ecological side of things. Even small water features can make a big difference for birds, pollinators, frogs, and other local wildlife. Adding water often turns a garden into a living, active ecosystem rather than something that’s just nice to look at.
We’ll wrap up by walking through the core principles behind building a water feature, starting with small, simple waterfalls and then showing how those same ideas carry through to larger ponds and more complex designs. The goal is to help people understand how water features work at a fundamental level and to demystify some of the questions we hear all the time.
RSVP: info@mctgardenclub.org
Please do NOT attend this event if you are or have been experiencing symptoms of illness.
THIS EVENT IS FREE, BUT DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!
Donations pay for landscaping, repair and maintenance of the Mill Creek Towne Entrances, and our garden-related programs at our community meetings.
NOTE: If Montgomery County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the Garden Club meeting will be cancelled.
