From Samantha’s Gardens to SG Botanicals—Our Late Summer Update

From Samantha’s Gardens to SG Botanicals—Our Late Summer Update

Samantha's Gardens Fall 2024 Newsletter
Samantha's Gardens Fall 2024 Newsletter

Fresh Faces, Fall Colors & Family Moments: From Samantha’s Gardens to SG Botanicals—Our Late Summer Update

Fresh Faces, Fall Colors & Family Moments: From Samantha’s Gardens to SG Botanicals—Our Late Summer Update

The shift from a rainy spring to a hot, dry summer may have tested our resilience, but it hasn’t dampened the spirit at Samantha’s Gardens. We’ve welcomed an inspiring group of new team members whose passion for nature and design is already enriching everything we do.

Meet Our New Team Members!

SG-AdinaAdina, our indoor plant expert, is stretching her wings as she apprentices with Jack in landscape design. Her knack for creating peaceful, plant-filled interiors is now spilling into the garden, where her thoughtful eye and artistic style are already making a beautiful impact.  

SG-JustinJustin’s calm, thoughtful presence fosters a sense of trust and ease, making every interaction feel grounded and respectful. Paired with his charisma and playful spirit, he brings an uplifting energy that brightens the team and makes collaboration genuinely enjoyable.

SG-JennyJenny is a driven go-getter and a positive force on the team, known for her uplifting energy and can-do spirit. Lately, she’s been finding serenity through gardening—reconnecting with nature in a grounding and meaningful way that adds a quiet strength to her vibrant presence.

SG-MaureenMaureen (Mo), formerly in the hotel industry, now channels her PR finesse into all things garden. Her ability to connect with people, spot opportunities, and spread good energy makes her a natural fit in our outdoor world. Mo’s can-do spirit and infectious positivity keep projects moving and morale high.

SG-SaraSara is always the first to arrive, starting each day with quiet dedication and a deep care for our plants. With her background in greenhouse management, she brings a steady hand and expert eye not only to our nursery but to everyone’s gardens—ensuring every plant is watered, healthy, and thriving.

SG-LeannLeann,my amazing daughter-in-law, is joining the SG office team. She brings a strong corporate background in Human Resources, along with excellent organizational skills that will be a wonderful asset to the team and—most importantly—me, as I’m always in need of a helping hand! And she’s not coming alone… she brings with her my precious granddaughter, Adalyn. The future of Samantha’s Gardens glows brighter with Adalyn in it, and just thinking of her makes my heart melt.

Sam-grandkids

Watching Adalyn brings back sweet memories of my early gardening days with my own little ones—who’ve since grown into the hardworking adults many of you know, my son John and my daughters Casey and Mary. It’s a full-circle moment, and I’m so grateful to share it with all of you.


My youngest daughter, Mary, welcomed her beautiful baby girl, Elizabeth, on Friday, July 25th. I’m beyond grateful to now be “Nonna” to my two precious granddaughters, Adalyn and Elizabeth.

 

Team Member Showcase

Douglas-updateOur very own Douglas continues to shine—now managing accounts with glowing client feedback and handling photography and video for our ever-growing social media presence. (If you haven’t already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see what the team’s been up to—over 1,200 followers and counting!)

Karen and Bill have been outstanding behind the scenes—coordinating schedules with precision and care to make sure every client’s garden receives the attention it deserves. Their dedication keeps the rhythm of SG flowing smoothly, and their thoughtful planning makes a real difference

Jenna has stepped into the Lead Gardener role with confidence and care—and she’s doing a fantastic job. Her communication skills are excellent, and our clients have truly enjoyed working with her.

Enhancement-and-design-installations
Enhancement-and-design-installations

A huge shoutout to Maxwell, Juca, and Wes—their dedication to our enhancement and design installations is nothing short of inspiring. They’ve been putting in incredible effort, bringing creativity and craftsmanship to every garden they touch.

As for Jack—what a gift he is. His architectural genius and artistic vision have truly elevated Samantha’s Gardens. With every design, Jack continues to transform outdoor spaces into breathtaking experiences. Vlasta and I count ourselves incredibly lucky to have such remarkable talent on our team.

Vlasta (Boss Lady Too), has seamlessly stepped into managing the staff and our local accounts and she’s doing an outstanding job. After 17 years of working side by side, we’ve built a partnership rooted in trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. I truly value our friendship and admire Vlasta’s dedication, leadership, and grace—and I know our clients and team feel the same. Thank you, Vlasta, for everything you do, I’m so grateful to have you by my side.

SG Botanicals Logos_SG Botanicals Tagline & Samantha_s Gardens Company
SG-Botanicals

For years, I’ve dreamed of sharing more joy with our community year-round. Inspired by the warmth and magic of our holiday workshops, we’ve opened SG Botanicals—a haven for creativity and calm. At SG Botanicals, there’s something for everyone, from crafting your own custom floral arrangement to sampling or blending teas tailored to your mood. Wander in and you’ll find a heartwarming collection of candles, books, and little treasures—each one chosen to brighten your space, lift your spirit, or spark a moment of quiet joy. The magic doesn’t stop there, our cozy consultation suite is now open for weddings and events, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome you in!

SG-Botanicals

It’s a thoughtful space where your vision can come to life—whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, we’ll work together to craft something truly special. To top it all off, we’re thrilled to invite you to our lineup of creative workshops—whether you’re looking to build a custom centerpiece for your home or help your little ones craft their very own fairy garden, there’s something magical for everyone.

Our workshops evolve with the seasons, so be sure to check in monthly for fresh themes, new projects, and more opportunities to create something beautiful together. For full event details and to reserve your spot, visit our Instagram or Facebook page and tap the link to Eventbrite.

Preparing for Falls Arrival

As the golden days of summer wind down and autumn begins to make its graceful entrance, it’s the perfect time to shift focus in our gardens and landscapes. This seasonal transition offers a chance to rejuvenate outdoor spaces, prepare for cooler months, and embrace the rich textures and colors that fall brings. Mums, pumpkins, and gourds have already been ordered, and we’re excited to showcase our seasonal flair at SG Botanicals, Andover Days, Suffolk Downs, and Bentley University. If you’re a new client and would love to add autumn color to your containers, mailbox, light poles, or front porch, we’d be happy to include you! Please reach out soon to get on our Fall installation list.

UMass Extension Landscape Update: Bug, Weather & Soil Watch 

Bug and Invasives Watch: Box tree moths (2nd gen), cicada damage on Cape Cod Oak Trees, and powdery mildew on roses and crabapples. Japanese knotweed’s nearing bloom—ideal time for control. 

Weather & Soil: 

 Soil temps: low 70s°F
➔ Drought update: 17% abnormally dry, 5% moderate drought 
 Lawns are going dormant—hang tight!

This summary is based on the UMass Extension Landscape Message from July 25, 2025. 

We’re truly grateful to you for choosing us to enhance and care for your outdoor spaces. Your trust and support mean the world to us. As we look ahead to the fall season—and the upcoming launch of our Christmas shop—we invite you to reach out with any suggestions or service requests. We’re here to help bring your seasonal visions to life.

Thank you for being part of the SG Family!
– Samantha and the SG Team

Holiday Shoppe Photo Contest 2024

Holiday Shoppe Photo Contest 2024

Holiday Shoppe Photo Contest

January 29, 2025

First, thank you to everyone who sent in photos for our Holiday Shoppe Photo Contest. The contest absolutely exploded this year! We were blown away by the amazing submissions you shared. Each one captured such special moments. It is always so fun seeing all your photos and getting to see happy families. We even got some really creative shots this year that let us see the Holiday Shoppe in a whole new light.

This year we had 80(!) photo submissions. HOW do you expect us to decide on the winners with that many submissions?! Well, picking winners this year was nearly impossible. Our team kept going back and forth, “But look at this one!” “No wait, this one!” Every single photo brought back wonderful memories of the season and reminded us just how special our community is.

For those who might have missed it, we’ve announced this year’s winners (check them out below!). Winners, you should have received an email about your prizes and how to claim them for next year. If you haven’t seen that email yet, give us a shout – it might be playing hide-and-seek in your spam folder!

Thank you for sharing your special moments with us. We can’t wait to see what memories we create together next holiday season!

First Place:
Jill White
“How Do You Like Your Hot Cocoa?”

First-Place-Photo-Contest

Second Place:
Lenox Weber
“Golden Hour Smiles”

Second-Place-Photo-Contest

Third Place:
Justin Throwe
“Silent Night”

Third-Place-Photo-Contest

Runner Up:
Melanie Saryan Cosgrove
“Can I Ride This?”

Runner-Up-Photo-Contest

Honorary:
Haley DeNave
“Just a Boy and a Truck”

Honorary-Photo-Contest
Fall Newsletter 2024

Fall Newsletter 2024

Samantha's Gardens Fall 2024 Newsletter

As the season winds down and the holiday season aproaches, we wanted to share with you what is happening at Samantha’s Gardens. We just finished up the last of our fall plantings, bringing some bright color to all our wonderful clients!  We will be wrapping up the last of our garden renovations, tree, shrub, and perennial plantings within the end of the month. After that, it will be time to plant bulbs and begin prepping our gardens for a long winter nap! If you are not already on our fall cleanup and winter preparations list, let us know. It’s extremely important your gardens are prepared for the cold winter months. Anti-desiccant spray, composting, salt marsh hay, and burlapping are some of the preparations that should be done before Winter to ensure a healthy garden come Springtime. Please reach out to join the list!

DESIGN INQUIRES:

We are beginning to take on new Winter Design projects. If you want us to design your dream garden or landscape, please reach out soon so we can make your vision come to life in the Spring time! Please contact us Below!

What’s Next?

The holidays are right around the corner and we could not be more joyous. Samantha’s Gardens’ Christmas Shoppe and Tree Stand have grown every year, and this year it will be even bigger and better! Once again, we’ll be hosting holiday workshops for Thanksgiving and Christmas and we can’t wait to see everyone there! For Thanksgiving, we’ll be hosting centerpiece workshop sessions on the 24th and 25th. Join us for the opportunity to wow your entire family with a beautifully handcrafted centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.

Our Christmas workshops for wreath making, arrangement making, and outdoor container classes are also beginning to fill up so please call or visit our Eventbrite page to schedule a class for Thanksgiving or Christmas. We’ll be limiting our workshop classes to 15 people to ensure you have the most enjoyable time with Karen and myself! Feel free to bring beverages, snacks, and holiday cheer! If you would like to impress your family with a centerpiece that you’ve created with love, please reach out or click the button below to book one of our workshops. They fill up fast so don’t miss this fun and exciting opportunity!

If you are interested in booking a private event, please contact our office at (978)-409-2079 or email us at info@samanthasgardens.com. We’re happy to entertain a magical night out with friends or family!

Samantha's Gardens Fall 2024 Newsletter

Christmas on the Horizon

Samantha's Gardens Fall 2024 Newsletter

The SG family is already in that spectacular holiday mode! Christmas trees and wreaths have been ordered along with decorations for all your holiday needs. We can’t wait for everyone to visit the SG winter wonderland to pick out the perfect Christmas tree! While you’re here, feel free to grab a cup of hot cocoa and sit by the fire while the kiddos are making crafts and eating s’mores. Santa had so much fun playing with our dogs, Lilly & Colby, and reading to the kids last year that I’m sure he’ll return for another visit! Thank you to Santa’s hard-working elves who make it possible for everyone to enjoy our Christmas wonderland!

We have a couple additions coming to our holiday wonderland this year! Our neighbor Charlie gifted us a jumbo vintage popcorn machine, so on top of the hot cocoa and s’mores, you can enjoy a yummy bag of freshly popped popcorn! We also have new backdrops for your holiday family photos. Our holiday photo contest is growing every year so please submit your holiday photos to photos@samanthasgardens.com. We would like to ask everyone to refrain from bringing professional photographers so we can preserve the family atmosphere we’ve created. Rosie, our vintage truck, will be decked out in holiday attire for your family photos and will make an appearance at the Andover Holiday Market on the 7th of December. Alex and Cailey will be joining Rosie at the market for wreath decorating, so feel free to stop by and say hello!

Holiday-Season

Changes to the SG Family

This year, SG had the amazing opportunity to add three new gardeners to the team. Jenna, Samuel, and Alberis have been great additions to the team and we are excited for them to continue to learn and grow in your gardens.

Thanks!

We’re so proud to be a part of our community and are grateful for the community gardening opportunities given to us. We’ve enjoyed working on the new garden beds behind the old town hall, Andover center, the Ballardvale fire station, NAPD sign, and many more. We want to thank you all for having us be a part of such great stuff! We also want to thank our existing customers for your ongoing business and smiles you bring to our teams everyday. We are grateful for you and look forward to continuing to work with you as part of the SG family.

Thank you for another amazing year and we look forward to many more! See you all at the SG winter wonderland!

Garden Blessings,

Samantha, Vlasta, and the whole team at Samantha’s Gardens

Winter Newsletter 2024

Winter Newsletter 2024

Winter-Newsletter-Blog-Post

Happy New Year!!!

February 16, 2024

We’re kicking off the new year with a big burst of excitement here at Samantha’s Gardens! With the gardening season just around the corner, we’re all abuzz like busy bees, getting everything prepped and primed for some serious green-thumb action.

Laurel’s been working her magic in the greenhouse, tending to our tropical and citrus trees, and gearing up for the big veggie seed planting extravaganza. Meanwhile, Vlasta’s been hard at work tidying up our client folders and making space for all the wonderful new clients who’ve been patiently waiting to join our gardening family. We’ve even made a little pact among ourselves that this year is going to be stellar!

Veggies-Greenhouse

Reflecting on Loss, Growth, and New Beginnings

The past couple of years have thrown us some curveballs, with losses on both Vlasta’s and my sides of the family, including our dear bookkeeper, Teri. Not a day goes by without us thinking of her – especially as tax season rolls around and I can practically hear her gentle scolding for buying that new truck (which, let’s be honest, we totally needed). But with Tonya stepping in and doing an absolutely stellar job, along with the support of our fantastic accountant, Joe, things are looking brighter already.

Taking Our Cut Flower Garden to New Heights

I’ve made it my New Year’s resolution to take our cut flower garden to the next level, adding in even more fun and fabulous blooms. We’re even having Nolan and Chris from Grade build us a brand spanking new Cut Flower Hut, where we’ll be showcasing and selling all our gorgeous cut flowers and even some veggie plants that Laurel will be nurturing.

Our Flower Hut operates on the honor system, and it’s been an absolute hit with our Andover community. Folks love the beauty of our roadside garden and the freedom to pick their own bouquets whenever they please. There’s something truly magical about seeing folks out there with scissors, crafting their floral masterpieces.

Flowers-Fresh-Cut-Newsletter

Hoping for a Spot at the Andover Farmer’s Market

We’re crossing our fingers for the chance to bring our plant babies and flowers to the Andover Farmers Market this year. Despite not having confirmation yet, we’re optimistic after the success of our wreath decorating workshop at Andover’s Holiday Market. My daughter Mary, along with SG team members Cailey and Alex, loaded up Rosie, our 1947 Dodge pickup with all the wreaths, decorations and ribbon.
They had an absolute blast spreading festive cheer. The vibrant community vibe was sensational, and we’re eagerly awaiting the opportunity to be part of it again. Stay tuned for updates!

We would love to offer not only our veggie plants and cut flowers but we also have big plans to host Garden Talks at the Flower Hut, where folks can stop by, ask questions, and even grab one of our educational coloring books for the kiddos. We’re passionate about spreading the joy of gardening and helping families and kids grow their own veggies. We want to continue our Garden-to-table campaign by helping to build as many vegetable gardens for families and kids as we possibly can.

Step into Our Greenhouse Wonderland

Speaking of vegetable gardens, Laurel has already compiled a fantastic list of veggie seeds for both our gardens and yours, that she’ll be starting in the greenhouse soon. This year’s lineup promises to be extraordinary, featuring old favorites and exciting newcomers like strawberries and heirloom tomatoes.  Check out the full list of offerings on our blog post and if there’s something you’re after that you don’t see, just give us a shout – we’ll do our best to track it down for you. Don’t delay. Things are selling out fast!!

Veggies-for-sale

Start Planning For Spring

The Fall and Winter months might be cold, and your garden dull, but now is the perfect time to start planning for those landscape projects you’ve been dreaming about. Once we’re finished with the last Fall cleanups, our efforts shift toward garden and landscape design. If you’re looking to make any changes to your landscape, reaching out to us in the Fall months ensures your landscape project can be installed the following year! We build our backlog for design work and Spring installations during these months, so plan to schedule a design consultation at your earliest convenience.

Landscape-Design-Blog-Post

Let’s Rewind to Christmas

Wasn’t it just a magical time? We were overwhelmed by the 49 heartwarming photo entries we received for our Christmas contest. With each one sweeter than the last, selecting the winners was no easy task. There were so many enchanting moments from our Christmas Shoppe this past year that we’ve put together a full recap.  

Baby-Post-Holiday-SG-Days

As we eagerly await the arrival of spring, we can’t wait to see you all again – whether it’s at your property, the Flower Hut, or (fingers crossed) the farmers market. Here’s to a bloomin’ marvelous year ahead!

Garden Blessings,
Samantha, Vlasta, and the incredible team at Samantha’s Gardens

Plan For Your Spring Garden Projects Now

Plan For Your Spring Garden Projects Now

Plan For Your Spring Garden Projects Now

    SG-Landscape-Design-Spring

    Are You Looking To Make Changes To Your Landscape?

    The Fall and Winter months might be cold, and your garden dull, but it’s the perfect season to plan for any landscape project you’ve been contemplating. Whether you’re looking to add some simple color to your garden, or even a complete remodel of your outdoor living space, our unique design services are aimed at fulfilling all your outdoor living needs by creating a space that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

    Once we’re finished with the last Fall cleanups, our efforts shift towards garden and landscape design. Our design specialists provide a wide selection of landscape design services including site design, master planning, planting plans, construction documents, and lighting design. Our team has the skills and expertise to conceptualize your vision, including all the details needed to make it happen.

    If you’re looking to make any changes to your landscape, reaching out to us in the Fall months ensures your landscape project can be installed the following year! We build our backlog for design work and Spring installations during these months, so plan to schedule a design consultation at your earliest convenience. If you want to experience your home in a new way, with a beautifully designed landscape or garden, contact Samantha’s Gardens to learn more about our landscape design process.

    Get In Touch