Advanced Master Gardener and Accredited Organic Land Care Professional Michelle MacKinnon (pictured) will present a program on Wednesday, October 13, at Newtown Senior Center, 8 Simpson Street.

MacKinnon will be hosted by The Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown. A general meeting will start at 6 pm, with the program to begin at 7.

MacKinnon’s presentation will cover various methods of fall maintenance that will help safeguard valuable pollinators throughout the winter and then provide them with healthy and supportive soil in the spring.

Though many gardeners are concerned about essential pollinators, which are diminishing in large numbers, most still do not know what should or should not be done during fall clean-up to help them survive.

Michelle MacKinnon is a UConn-certified advanced master gardener and a member of Connecticut Chapter of Northeast Organic Farm Association. Her talks, presentations, and articles have inspired hundreds of area residents to dig in, enjoy their gardens, and employ methods that will help protect pollinators.

When she is not digging in the dirt, MacKinnon stays connected to her passion through ongoing classes, lectures, podcasts, books, movies, social media, webinars, and garden tours. She lives in Sherman.

The Town & Country Garden Club designs, plants, and maintains the three traffic islands on Queen Street and Glover Avenue. Members are also active in many community endeavors that promote sound gardening practices.

Evening programs are free and open to the public. Reservations are not needed, but additional information about the program and the club is available by contacting Denise Rod at denise-marierod@yahoo.com.