Welcome to the Garfield Park Master Gardener Association (GPMGA).

The goals of the GPMGA are to share knowledge about gardening with our members and others and offer volunteer opportunities.

GPMGA Next Meeting:  November 12

The Garfield Park Master Gardeners will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, at the Garfield Park Conservatory to hear GPMGA Program Co-Chair Debra Boyer present Gardens on Screen:  Films to Warm Your Winter.

Do you survive winter with only seed catalogs to feed your gardening habit? How about some virtual gardens to pass the time? In her presentation, Debra  will bring together her love of gardening and film. There will be something for everyone in the presentation including genres such as drama, comedy, animations, documentaries, educational series and even a reality show competition.  Debra will include information on where to stream these shows, many available for free.

Debra’s love of films began at an early age—thanks to her father who grew up in Indianapolis during the golden age of cinema houses. By age four, Debra would stay up with her father, both night owls, to watch the late-night movie offerings. He also introduced her to classic films and actors such as W.C. Fields. In college, Debra took an “Introduction to Film” class and subsequent film series.

Although she has a BA in Biological Sciences from Indiana University, Debra took no botany courses and developed her love of plants after college. As a research assistant to an IU professor, she learned to hand-pollinate and harvest corn for genetic studies. Over the years, Debra has pursued gardening of houseplants, vegetables, herbs, perennials and native plants. She was the personal gardener for a residential and commercial client for 11 years and managed her own community garden in Fountain Square. Her tiny lot in that neighborhood is home to over 50 native species.

Debra completed her Master Gardener training in 1999, has been a member of GPMGA since 2004, and has served as Program Chair for 18 of the last 21 years. She looks forward to “officially” attaining Gold Level status.

2025 GPMGA Meeting Dates

December 10

GPMGA Meetings and Locations

At present, the meetings occur  on the 2nd Wednesday of the month February through December and feature both a program and a business meeting. We meet either virtually or at the Garfield Park Conservatory(accessible through the entrance by the Children’s Garden).  Exceptions include off-site field trips (typically in April and September) and our annual picnic (typically held in July at the shelter near the Arts Center in Garfield Park). If you require an accommodation or special assistance to attend these meetings due to a disability, please contact us at 317-275-9286. Some accommodations may require a 2-week notice.