Since 1914, Rumson Garden Club, a member of the Garden Club of America, has promoted the knowledge and love of gardening and the conservation of our natural resources. Our activities in the community include holding informative lectures open to the public, promoting planting and conservation of native trees and plants, designing and maintaining gardens in Rumson and the Two River community, donating holiday wreaths and arrangements to local organizations serving residents in need, and by awarding scholarships to local high school students who demonstrate an interest in environmental studies. Please reach out to us by using our contact form.
Every Spring, Summer and Fall, members of Rumson Garden Club's Civic Committee water, weed and deadhead the perennial plantings at West Park, a visual gateway to the Sea Bright Bridge. In addition, the Club seasonally maintains the plantings around the Rumson town sign, which is visible when entering the town from the Oceanic Bridge.
Local mini-gardeners, aged five and six, enjoyed the Seed to Sprout program, run by members of the Rumson Garden Club at the Oceanic Library. The children learned how to plant and propagate seeds and cuttings. Once the plants are strong enough, the children will see the ‘fruits of their labors” as their plants will help fill and decorate the library’s 10 new window boxes.
This April, Rumson Garden Club (RGC) teamed with the Rumson Shade Tree Commission (RSTC) to hold a Native Plant Sale that was open to the public. Surveying the pots of Echinacea, Monarda, Lavender, Baptesia, Heuchera, Lobelia, Chelone, etc., Liz Card, RGC president, commented: “Native shrubs and perennials help sustain our land and waterways. These native plants not only beautify but also benefit our environment, helping to conserve and filter water, provide habitat for wildlife and protect soil resources. In addition, native plants reduce the costs and environmental impact associated with fertilizers and pesticides.” The plants also were selected for their value in attracting pollinators.
According to Stephen Barrett, RSTC Chair, the sale of native plants was a teaching opportunity: “Any time we can educate the public and make it easy for them to utilize our native resources, Rumson will benefit physically, economically and aesthetically.” Rumson’s Navesink River recently has suffered from pollution, so the plant sale was another way to publicize the need to be aware of how locals can help save the Navesink watershed.
In keeping with the environmental theme, the sale offered composters with proceeds benefiting RSTC.
