The Garden Club of Johnstown meetings are usually held the 2nd Monday of the month at the Westmont Presbyterian Church, 601 Luzerne Street in Johnstown, 15905. They begin with a light refreshment at 9:45 am followed by a program/meeting at 10:15 am. Check the information below for any changes to the usual time and/or location. Our programs for each fiscal year begin in May.

Monday, May 12-

9:30 AM          Plant Sale

                           10:00 AM        Light Refreshments

                           10:30 AM       Program/Meeting

It’s time to divide your overgrown perennials and repot your extra plants to share at our Annual Plant Sale, hosted by the Horticulture committee.  Please label all plants with the name (common and botanical, if known) and their growing conditions. Please arrive early with plants and plan to make purchases for gifts or to plant in home garden spaces.

Program: Butterfly Magnets

Barbara Rosenberg, PSU Master Gardener, will share best host and nectar plants to attract butterflies to your yard and garden.

Monday, June 16- (3 rd Monday of June)

Program: What Critters Like in your Lawn

Jackie Rytko, Resource Supervisor at Cambria County Conservation District, handles watershed issues throughout the county and coordinates environmental education programs. Learn about the habitats in your lawns.

Monday, July 14- 12:00 Noon Luncheon with Somerset GC

Where: The Home of GCJ Member, Andy Fedore, 160 Engbert Road, Johnstown, PA 15902

Join in the fellowship and meet new garden friends as we share a summer afternoon with the Somerset Garden Club.

Program: Tour the home and grounds of Meadowbrook School

GCJ Member and 1 st Vice President, Andy Fedore, and his wife, Mary Lou Astorino will provide a brief history of their home and gardens before a guided or optional self-guided tour. Wear appropriate shoes for walking on uneven paths and lawn.

Monday, August 11-

Program: Unique Pole Beans from Plants to Harvest

Shannon Eckenrode, PSU Master Gardener, will share her passion about growing pole beans on teepees. Planting and harvesting green beans and dried black beans from Cherokee Trail of Tears beans will be featured.

Monday, September 8-

Program:  Pruning 101

Ron McIntosh, Horticulturist and “Green Grower,” will present easy pruning practices to improve trees and shrubs in the home landscape.

Monday, October 13-

Program:  Centerpieces for Multiple Seasons Workshop

GCJ Club Members, Charlotte Crissey and Mary Jo Gardill will share the basic principles of design and demonstrate how to replace key components for an October to January table design or centerpieces.  Check The Seeder for details.

Monday, November 10-

Program:  Gingerbread House Primer

Local artist Sarah Gayle Silwones will conduct a Gingerbread House workshop and demonstrate the process and procedures to construct and decorate gingerbread houses.  Members will participate in a “make and take” session in preparation for the displays at the December Home for the Holidays Tour.  See The Seeder for additional details.

Homes for the Holidays

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Westmont Presbyterian Church

601 Luzerne Street, Johnstown, PA  15905

11:30 – 4:30

In a new fundraising event, The Garden Club plans to partner with the Old Westmont Neighbors’ Group Holiday Home Tour.  This event will replace our long-standing (33 years) Welcome the Holidays fundraiser.

GCJ Members will assist with tour registration and light refreshments and assemble a “Christmas Market.” Tentative plans include selling raffle tickets, Ways & Means, seasonal centerpieces and garden-related items. A display of gingerbread houses is also anticipated.

All members are encouraged to participate.  The monies raised provide the necessary funds to continue our community projects. Please see The Seeder for more information as details become available.

NO Meeting in January

Monday, February 9-

Program:  Home Grown National Park Initiative

GCJ Conservation/Environment Committee Co-Chairs, Jackie Johnson and Karlice Makuchan will share the “ditch the lawn” program described by noted entomologist Doug Tallamy.   Practical solutions to transform lawns into thriving ecosystems that support and prevent the loss of biodiversity will be discussed.

Monday, March 9-

Garden Auction – Arrive early to donate your items and purchase tickets.  Thank you, Ways & Means for organizing this fundraiser!

Program:  What Ticks You Off?

GCFP Assistant Director and Ligonier’s Weeders & Seeders GC Member, Dr. Wilma Light will share simple steps to deter ticks from finding your skin and clothing.

Monday, April 13-

Program:  Gardens for Birds & Butterflies

Rani Murali and the Birds & Butterflies Committee will share favorite perennial choices to attract regional birds and butterflies.