Meet Bettylou Sandy, Owner of Bettylou's Gardening

Bettylou Sandy is the owner of Bettylou's Gardening at 38 Somerset Dr. in town. 

Timothy Becker: Bettylou, what gardening services do you offer?

Bettylou Sandy: I offer gardening consultation, including a home walk around with the homeowner to discuss their dreams. I make a sketch of the area of interest and make recommendations on moving existing plantings to make a low maintenance and more relaxing landscape.

Timothy Becker: When did you start your business?

Bettylou Sandy: I started in April of 1987 in Wilton. Next year will be my 20th year in business. I left a corporate IT department to start my own business. I began by gardening for seniors who were not able to do their own gardening any longer. I also began teaching seminars at a local nursery. I was teaching to promote my consultations for the do-it-your-selfer and personal training of gardening skills. I have been doing it ever since.

Timothy Becker: I understand that you are also an adjunct faculty member at Manchester Community College. What do you teach at the College?

Bettylou Sandy: I teach gardening classes every semester in the continuing education department. The courses range from a two- to three-hour seminar to a five session course. I teach organic lawn care, growing vegetables in the cold weather, how to become a professional gardener, and perennial and vegetable gardening.

Timothy Becker: Do you only teach in a classroom?

Bettylou Sandy: All of my summer classes and some of my spring and fall classes are held in the community garden. Four years ago, four of my students asked for a teaching garden on campus. I spoke to my director, who brought the idea to the Sustainability Committee. That Committee discussed the concept with the Facilities Department and President (Gena) Glickman approved it. In addition to being a teaching garden there are 39 garden plots available to community members. People can grow all year long in our community garden.

Timothy Becker: What do you have coming up?

Bettylou Sandy: On Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. I will be giving a talk about historical gardening, and about the types of food and flowers that were grown at the Cheney Homestead at 106 Hartford Rd. In addition,  I'll be speaking about how food was preserved before refrigeration was available. The public is invited to attend and in the event of rain, the talk will be held in the schoolhouse building at the Homestead.