October Monthly Meeting

Integrating Native Plants into Neighborhood Landscapes

Thursday, Oct. 8, 11:30 am

Ann Arbor City Club

We know that native plants offer tremendous benefits, but how do we successfully incorporate them into our neighborhood landscapes? Lindsey Kerr, MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator, will discuss plant selection, structural elements, and techniques to prevent a flopping, weedy appearance. At the meeting, learn where to find native plants, which aggressive native species require caution, and how to integrate annual flowers that can support pollinators. Leave with practical tips and resources for creating attractive, sustainable landscapes that balance ecological value with curb appeal.

Registration is open now and closes Thursday, Oct. 1 at midnight.

Applications now open for 2026-27 grants and scholarships

Nonprofit garden, farm projects invited to apply for Ann Arbor Farm & Garden grants; scholarships available to college students

Ann Arbor Farm & Garden is now accepting applications for grant funding from nonprofit garden- and farm-related projects in Washtenaw County. Grant applicants must be nonprofit or 501(c)3 organizations. Projects must further the mission of Ann Arbor Farm & Garden to promote and support local gardens, farms, and environmental stewardship through education, community service, and financial grants and scholarships.

College students pursuing studies in horticulture, environment, and related fields are invited to apply for scholarship funds.

Download the application forms below. The application deadline is November 30, 2026. Award decisions will be announced in February 2027. Please direct questions to Ann Ringia, Foundation Chair, at AAFG.Foundation@gmail.com.

2026-27 AAFG Grant Application 2026-27 AAFG Scholarship Application

Delightful Dahlias Garden Chat

(Members Only)

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2-4 pm

If you attended our Fall 2025 Pop-up Garden event, you experienced AAF&G member Si Chen’s beautiful garden featuring dahlia beds bursting with amazing varieties, colors and sizes. They are so amazing, in fact, that Midwest Living is visiting this fall to capture them in their September glory!

Join your fellow members for a close-up look at these fall-blooming beauties, and learn how to grow and maintain them in your own garden from our very own dahlia expert.

No fee, but registration is required by 5 pm Thursday Sept. 24. Limited to 18 participants.

Sign me up!

Dig into Composting with Fall Classes

Do you want to divert food waste from your trash? Learn how to compost this fall. It’s simple! You can:

Become a Certified Master Composter.

Meet one Tuesday evening a week for five weeks from September 15 to October 13, 2026, then pass a take-home exam, and volunteer 10 hours of community composting service. Course is designed for everyone. The cost is $69, which includes a PDF of the compost manual. This program is coordinated by Project Grow.

Click here for more information; click here to register for the class.

OR, just learn the basics.

The “Magic of Composting” hands-on workshop is a one-day, two-hour class for busy adults who can’t commit to a full course. It consists of 1.5 hours of in-class instruction and a half hour of outside hands-on demonstrations. Class meets on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10 am to 12 pm. Fee to be determined. The class details are still being finalized; registration information will be available her e soon. Stay tuned!

Questions? Contact Lisa Perschke at lperschke5567@gmail.com .

Get to know Ann Arbor Farm & Garden!

We’re a welcoming, active group of learners, doers, explorers, and leaders,

passionate about sharing and promoting the many benefits of gardens and gardening with each other and our community.

We raise money for annual grants and scholarships, expand our gardening and environmental knowledge,

and share beauty with others through garden tours and flower therapy. In the process, we create strong social connections and lifelong friendships.

Flowers – Friends – Food – Gardens – Giving

AAF&G members enjoy them all. Join us!

Get to know Ann Arbor Farm & Garden!

Flowers – Friends – Food – Gardens – Giving

Giving

Membership

Learning

Flower Therapy