About Us / Join

Welcome!

Welcome to the Mad Gardener’s website. We hope you’ll find it to be a useful and inspiring resource. In addition to the local events listings, we have pages covering environmental alerts, horticultural and environmental issues and developments that may affect your gardening practices, a “special topics” page and much more. Additionally, Mad Gardeners holds garden meetings that are open to the public and an inspiring symposium each spring to get our creative juices flowing in time for the coming growing season. If you’d like to join Mad Gardeners, download the application using the button below. Happy gardening!

Our Mission:

In 1992 a small group of dedicated gardeners joined together and created an organization to “promote appreciation and cultivation of plants, and the creation, conservation and maintenance of gardens and suitable habitats for such plants through educational programs and meetings.” Two decades later and with over 400 members, Mad Gardeners continues to inspire and educate. Throughout the year we offer programs, workshops and symposiums on the design and maintenance of beautiful gardens, with an emphasis on sustainable gardening practices and use of native plants.

Mad Gardeners was incorporated in 2002. We are qualified as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, which allows us to expand our mission to educate the public, support student development and opportunities, increase awareness of significant developments in sustainable landscape gardening and design, and to help cultivate professional skills in the industry. We sincerely appreciate the generous contributions from our members and the community, as that is what continues to keep our mission alive.

Membership Benefits:

• Be part of a diverse group of friendly folks. Our members range from amateur to professional, and we welcome gardeners of all levels.
• Learn from our members’ vast experience. Brainstorm and solve problems with professional and backyard gardeners. Many of our members are horticultural professionals and they include photographers, writers, growers, installers and designers. We consult each other often for information and advice, and sometimes we just call each other to commiserate.
• Access, without charge, to members’ gardens on “open days” from April through September. Each year members receive a booklet of these otherwise private gardens. In addition to the scheduled open days, the member booklet includes a list of gardens open to our members by appointment.
• Annual Mad Gardener Symposium in March, at a reduced fee, in Falls Village, CT. The symposium kicks off the gardening season for us each year, and gives us the opportunity to catch up with other garden enthusiasts and learn something new. We always feature cutting edge speakers and topics, frequently with an emphasis on sustainable approaches to gardening and landscaping. The included, delicious, breakfast and lunch are an added bonus.
• Access to the members-only section of the Mad Gardeners website, where members share information about special events, personal travels and adventures, stories, photos and members-only garden tours.
• Our Membership Directory, available only to members, provides a list of our members with their contact information and areas of expertise, which they are always happy to share with other members. Printed annually, the directory is a wonderful resource for those seeking advice, inspiration and information.

To Join Mad Gardeners:

New and Renewing Members can download the Membership Application/Renewal Form. Follow the instructions to send by mail and pay dues by check. Those requesting membership after September 1 will receive an application for the following year. Membership is open to everyone. Do not hesitate to recommend us to anyone who might benefit from the networking and educational opportunities we provide. As always, any donation sent in with your membership is greatly appreciated!

OFFICERS & ADVISOR:
President—Jonathan Chesler
Vice President—
Treasurer—Angela Dimmitt
Recording Secretary—Ken Monteiro
Corresponding Secretary—Maureen McLachlan
Advisor—David Moran, HVRHS, 860-824-5123 Ext. 357

COMMITTEES:
Membership—Margaret Moebius: moebius122@optonline.net
Garden Tour Booklet—Margaret Moebius: moebius122@optonline.net
Garden Tour Coordinator—Angela Dimmitt: angeladimmitt@aol.com
Newsletter Editor—Kathy Diemer: kathy@agardenforall.com
Newsletter E-Updates—Kathleen Nelson: knelson151@sbcglobal.net
Symposium Committee—to be determined
Symposium Exhibits—Dana Slaughter
Website—madgardener@madgardeners.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Paul Arcario
Jonathan Chesler
Kathy Diemer
Angela Dimmitt
Robert Gambino
Ken Monteiro
Kathy Nelson
Richard Rosiello
Rich Schipul
Lydia Smith
Sharon Tingley
Gay Vincent-Canal