Did you know that in 1999, National Garden Clubs partnered with Habitat for Humanity to offer gardening and landscaping information to new Habitat homeowners? This program is still sponsored by NGC, and clubs can help design landscaping or purchase plants for new Habitat homes.

The program emphasizes the use of native plants to provide food for local pollinators. Local businesses and nurseries may be willing to donate funds or plants to help with your club’s project. Nancy Bahn is the NGC Chairman for the Habitat for Humanity Landscape Program. Contact Nancy for more information.

Examples of what garden clubs have done in the past are:

  • Florida Federation of Garden Club members who completed the NGC Landscape School taught a class providing information to new Habitat for Humanity homeowners about maintaining their landscaping so their plants would grow successfully.
  • For many years, on Arbor Day, the Pecan Grove Garden Club in Yuma, AZ, purchased at least one tree that was planted at a new Habitat for Humanity home.

NGC’s goal is to have all states participate in this worthwhile program. If your garden club has participated in this program in the past, please send a blog about your project and at least one photo to azgardenblog@gmail.com. Give credit to the photographer for each photo.

Debby Boone once said, “Dreams are the seeds of change. Nothing ever grows without a seed, and nothing ever changes without a dream.”

Habitat for Humanity helps make families’ dreams of homeownership a reality. Garden clubs can plant seeds, shrubs, and trees to make those homes as pretty on the outside as they are on the inside.

Karen Bowen

AFGC Blog manager

Volunteers planting native shrubs at a Habitat for Humanity home—join the movement to beautify communities and support pollinators with your garden expertise.

Photo 1 Habitat for Humanity homes provide families with a wonderful home at not charge.

Tree planting ceremony at a new Habitat home—get involved and help create eco-friendly yards that make a lasting impact on families and the environment.

Photo 2 Karen Bowen One year, Willene Calvert, Pecan Grove Garden Club, presented a program about native plants that grow well in Yuma. (Sharon Jessup’s imaginary friend, Dorothy, attended the program and arrived early).