Falls Church Garden Club
Calendar of events
Meeting Information
We invite speakers with varied perspectives and expertise to our monthly meetings. These events are typically held on the first Monday of each month.
When
Members begin gathering at 6:30 pm to socialize.
The program begins at 7:30 pm.
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Save the following dates for FCGC meetings in 2026.
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February 2, March 2, April 13, May 4, June 1, July 20
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No meetings in August and January
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September 14, October 5, November 2, December 7
Where
We meet at the Falls Church Episcopal
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115 East Fairfax Street, Falls Church
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Park in the lot on Broad Street or along East Fairfax Street.
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From the parking lot off Broad Street
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Follow the pathway and small sets of stairs to the left around the building.
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Enter the pair of doors on your right.
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The meeting room is on your left.
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From East Fairfax Street:​
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Walk toward the building.​
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Enter the closest pair of doors.
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The meeting room is on your left.
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Upcoming Meeting
May 4th, 2026
Doors open at 6:30. Meeting starts at 7:30.
The meeting is in person and will be recorded for later viewing.
Gardens Without Borders: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Gardening at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
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Steve Conoway, PhD, Director of Horticulture, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
Steve Conaway, Ph.D. joined New England Botanic Garden in December 2024. Steve developed an early passion for plant science and sustainability working in crop diversity preservation on farms in New England. He studied environmental horticulture at the University of New Hampshire where he helped implement the campus-wide composting program. He pursued an interest in tropical plant science and invasive species on the island of Hawaii, working in horticulture and later as a visiting scholar for the Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center. Steve studied plant pathology at The Pennsylvania State University where his doctoral dissertation centered on the control of invasive weeds with naturally occurring fungal pathogens. As Conservation and Outreach Director at Greenwich Land Trust, he led educational programming and directed ecological restoration projects on 800 acres of protected open space. Before joining the team at the New England Botanic Garden, Steve worked as the Associate Director of Horticulture at Wave Hill where he focused on the health and beauty of the gardens, greenhouses, and woodlands.
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This month brings us another “Great Garden of the World”: New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill was rated the best botanical garden in the US from a 2023 poll on the Travel Awaits Website. ​ ​In addition, their annual winter Night Lights display was voted #1 “Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights” in the USA Today 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award.
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In Gardens Without Borders, Steve Conaway shares the formative horticultural experiences that shaped his approach to sustainable garden care: from working on New England subsistence farms, to tropical plant pathology, and public gardens across the Northeast. Drawing from this diverse background, he presents a holistic framework for garden design, planning, and maintenance that informs his approach as Director of Horticulture at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.
Steve will explore how ecological awareness and adaptable stewardship practices can create resilient, beautiful landscapes at any scale. Participants will gain practical insights into how the guiding principles used in a complex botanic garden environment can be distilled and applied to home gardens, supporting healthier ecosystems and more intentional, connected gardening.
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Prior to the meeting, garden club members are encouraged to explore two weblinks:
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New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill website at https://nebg.org/
2. A less than 5-minute YouTube video on the history of the garden here.
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Past Events
April 13th, 2026
GardenTool Maintenance​
Speaker - John and Dona Hardi, Retired Government Employee, Retired Elementary School Teacher, and Avid Gardeners
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March 2nd, 2026
February 2, 2026
Masonry and Stormwater Management: The Unsung Heroes in Your Garden​
Speaker - Paige Conrad, Owner and Designer and Michele Osinski, Designer, both at Bright Shade Gardens, Alexandria VA
Speaker - Annemarie Nagle is a Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostician at Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories in Charlotte, NC
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What's Troubling Your Trees?
Speaker - Annemarie Nagle is a Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostician at Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories in Charlotte, NC
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December 16th, 2025
Lunch at Hill Crest in The Plains
Lunch followed by browsing the holiday market at Oak Spring in Upperville.
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November 3, 2025
Garden Art and a Touch of Whimsy​
Speaker - Donald W. Hyatt, Retired Teacher from Fairfax County Public Schools, Botanical Illustrator, and Nurseryman
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October 16th, 2025
Green Spring Garden Afternoon Tea​
Garden tour featuring the history of Green Springs while viewing the demonstration gardens. The tour was followed by a traditional British afternoon tea inside the Historic House.​​​
October 6th, 2025
Managing Invasive Plants in Your Home Garden​
Speaker - Amy Crumpton, Extension Master Gardener and Virginia Master Naturalist
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September 8th, 2025
Garden Design Tips to Make Your Garden Look and Function Better​​
Speaker- Merrifield Garden Center Designer
September 6th, 2025
Plant Swap
FCGC members met at Roberts Park in Falls Church, 510 Lynn Place.
They brought plants from their gardens and packed lunches. Everyone went home with at least one new plant!
June 14th, 2025
Annual Plant Sale
Due to construction at the Falls Church Community Center, the plant sale, typically held on the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend was held on Father's Day weekend. Members of the public browsed tables filled with plants from the gardens of Falls Church Garden Club members. ​
June 2nd, 2025
Tips for Attracting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects to Your Garden
Speaker - Ann M. Mason, Fairfax County Certified Master Gardener and Retired Science Policy Professional​​​
May 5th, 2025
Gardening As We Age
​Speaker - Mark Dwyer, Garden Manager of the Hospital and Health Services Healing Garden at Edgerton Hospital in Wisconsin. He is also a frequent contributor to publications such as Fine Gardening magazine.​​​
April 27th, 2025
Virginia Historic Garden Week
FCGC members carpooled to Virginia Hunt Country fand toured three historic properties: Ellerslie, Benton, and The Pond House. The tours were followed by lunch outside at a nearby eatery.
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