About Us
The Sandwich Garden Club aims to stimulate friendships, knowledge, and the love of gardening, and to enhance the beauty of Sandwich and Cape Cod.
The club exists exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Our objective is to advance and encourage the art of gardening and horticultural study with a directive of faithful conservation in keeping with the natural resources of Cape Cod.
To that end, the Sandwich Garden Club is a member of Pollinator Pathway of Cape Cod, "...a regional initiative to increase pollinator-friendly habitats and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects and wildlife...." ​
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We are local gardeners that share our diverse interests in horticulture. We are not affiliated with state and national garden clubs. Our experience ranges from beginner to Master Gardeners. As a result of our active role in gardening, our members refer to themselves as “the Diggers.”
All club members are asked to participate in community work such as the enhancement of local ecosystems, natural habitats, and civic gardens. Members plant and maintain two municipal gardens and the sites of five historic district signs, and we also perform various special projects.
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In addition, the club awards scholarships to support students pursuing careers in landscaping and environmental sciences and donates funding to local nonprofits related to gardening and conservation.
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​We are governed by a board of directors whose members are appointed for a two year period.
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We normally meet on the first Sunday of the month at 1:30pm at the historic Sand Hill School Community Center at 16 Dewey Avenue in Sandwich. Our meetings provide useful information about gardening methods, plant cultural requirements, and local gardening events. Meetings include a raffle, snacks, a horticulture table with featured plants or cuttings, and a book exchange/borrow. You are welcome to attend a meeting to experience the magic of gardener-friends.
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If you're ready to join, fill out our membership form. Or keep scrolling to learn about our committees, board of directors, affiliates, and history. Explore our website to learn about our projects and programs, or go here here if you would like more information about club membership.​​​
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Field trip to
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
Tending the garden at Mill Creek Park
Committees & Coordinators
Civic Committee​
​While all club members are asked to participate in civic work, the Civic Committee consists of the leads of each of our four main focus areas as well as a coordinator that helps oversee it all. Our four civic focus areas are:
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The garden at Mill Creek Park, Rte 130 (Water St.), across from Old Town Hall
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The garden outside the Recreation Building at Oak Crest Cove, Quaker Meetinghouse Road
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The "mini-gardens" that enhance five of the town's historic district signs located at --
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100 Rte 6A (Town Hall, near the Tupper Road entrance)
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128 ​Rte 6A (near Jack Conway Realtors)
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Intersection of Rte 6A & Old Main Street
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Rte 6A near Snowy Owl Coffee
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520 Rte 130 (Sandwich Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center)
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​Special projects - As examples, in 2024 our special projects included the alleviation of drainage issues at Sand Hill School Community Center and the Sandwich Public Library as well as plantings at the Hoxie House. The club also participates in the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival on a periodic basis. When we do participate, an ad hoc committee is formed to coordinate with Festival staff, find people willing to open their gardens for tours, arrange tour docents, and advertise the festival.
​Hospitality Coordinator
The hospitality coordinator oversees the food and beverage services at the club's regular meetings, including recruiting volunteers and monitoring and purchasing supplies.
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Membership Coordinator
The membership coordinator collects dues and membership forms, maintains membership records, provides name tags, and greets members and guests at meetings.
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​Plant Education Committee
Use your plant expertise to help educate others, including club members and members of the general public at special events such as the annual plant sale and SandwichFest.
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Plant Sale Committee
The committee oversees, organizes, and forms subcommittees as needed to help carry out the many aspects of the sale such as soliciting plant donations; potting, pricing, and labeling; scheduling coverage; transporting the plants; and the set-up and breakdown of the event. All members are strongly encouraged to participate in the plant sale, our annual fundraiser, in some capacity.
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Program Committee​
This committee seeks out interesting and informative programs, workshops, and field trips for club members and administers the necessary arrangements.
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Scholorahip Coordinator
The scholarship coordinator oversees the administration of scholarships and the selection of award winners from among Sandwich High School and Upper Cape Tech applicants. In 2024 the club awarded three $1,000 scholarships.
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Board of Directors
Position​
President
Vice President & Programs
Treasurer
Secretary
Civic Coordinator
Membership Coordinator
Hospitality Coordinator
Member at Large
Member at Large
Past President​
Name
Jeanne Nichols
Lisa Sweterlitsch
Mary Marchese
Diane Boucher
Vacant
Linda Fox
Jean Blake
Sandra Mirtl
June Murphy
​Beth Hearn
Our History
In the land of sand and wind, eight women answered a classified advertisement to share information about gardening on Cape Cod in 1997. When faced with the challenging conditions from nutrient poor sandy soil to heavy clay soil, these women wanted a group to help each other unravel the mystery of gardening on Cape Cod. They wanted to know how you apply science-based and organic solutions to our garden challenges.
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Yvonne Kirshaw and Helen Knollmeyer led this inaugural group with Yvonne elected as the first President at the first meeting in 1998.
In these early days, the members planted and maintained a 17th-century herb garden at the Hoxie House and a memorial garden at the Council on Aging on Quaker Meetinghouse Road, Sandwich. They dedicated a bench to founding member Margaret (Peg) Gridley. They also maintained the garden at the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce Information booth on Route 130.
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In 2006 we applied and were accepted as a 503C-7 Social Organization and renamed as The Sandwich Garden Club. Today we have a solid base of members and welcome new and experienced gardeners to our club.