Greenbank Garden Club: A Perennial Green Thumb
— Created April 12, 2026 by Samantha Goodman
Greenbank Garden Club: A Perennial Green Thumb
The Greenbank Garden Club is turning 78 this year, celebrating deep roots in community building going back to the mid‑20th century. Founded by 14 women in 1948, the group first met in private homes. As membership grew, meetings moved to the Greenbank Progressive Club — where the club still meets today on the first Thursday of each month.
The club’s ongoing dedication to nurturing personal and community gardens through education and volunteer activities has made it a valuable asset to central Whidbey. In its early years, the club supported efforts such as 4‑H scholarships, litter cleanups, food drives, and community beautification projects.
Today, monthly membership work parties focus on the care and upkeep of the Greenbank Farm Entry Garden, including weeding, pruning, and planting, as well as providing holiday décor around the barns and shops.
Monthly work parties also maintain the grounds around the Greenbank Club House, along with Meerkerk’s Secret Garden — the original garden planted by Ann and Max Meerkerk adjacent to their woodland home, now surrounded by specimen rhododendrons.
The club’s partnership with Meerkerk Gardens once extended even further through an island‑wide program for school children to visit the rhododendron gardens during peak bloom season. The garden club funded school bus transportation and provided docents from within the membership to lead educational tours. This program ended following the COVID‑19 pandemic.
After an early affiliation with the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs, the Greenbank Garden Club chose to pursue its own goals independently. In 2015, the group became an official nonprofit organization and has made annual community donations ever since, with proceeds largely generated from its annual plant sale.
Today, the club supports local agricultural, horticultural, and environmental projects. Recent funding has benefited the South Whidbey Farm to School Program, Coupeville Farm to School Program, the Good Cheer Garden, Growing Veterans, and Meerkerk Gardens. Donations in 2025 totaled $4,500.
This year’s plant sale will be held Saturday, April 25, at Greenbank Farm’s Barn A from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will feature aisles of perennials, herbs, ornamental grasses, vegetable starts, and shrubs. All plants are grown by club members and priced to sell. Additional highlights include a community raffle, garden art, and special items for indoor gardeners. The address is 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank.
Today, the Greenbank Garden Club has 74 members and meets at 9:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Meetings include a potluck brunch, raffles, guest speakers, flower arranging, horticultural samples, and lively conversation.
In May, the club celebrates the start of the gardening season with a traditional English tea party. During June, July, and August, members tour private and public local gardens. In December, proceeds from the club’s annual silent auction benefit other community nonprofits and causes. In 2025, Island County’s CADA (Citizens Against Domestic & Sexual Violence) received this special funding.
Whether you are an experienced gardener, live in Greenbank, or simply have time to volunteer for community projects, the Greenbank Garden Club invites you to join them.
For more information, email greenbankgardenclub@gmail.com. For meeting announcements, calendar activities, and club news, visit https://greenbankgardenclub.square.site/ or find the club on Facebook.