In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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September 7, 2007

Join a garden club

I spoke to the Folsom Garden Club this week, and was thrilled to see 75 or more members in attendance. I arrived a tad early, and was able to listen to members discussing their various projects in the community. They had a variety of projects going designed to beautify the area and teach others the love of gardening. I came away convinced more than ever that joining a garden club is a wonderful way to meet like-minded people, do something good for the community and have a great time doing it.

California Garden Clubs, Inc. has a huge network of clubs all over the state. According to their website, CGCI is the “online home of over 21,000 California gardeners.” Chartered in 1931, CGCI lists it goals: “create, promote and further interest in horticulture, gardening, floral and landscape design, plant and bird life, and appreciation of the natural beauties of the State of California; encourage civic beautification and roadside development; assist in projects for the conservation of our natural resources; coordinate and centralize the work of the various California garden clubs and bring them into a relationship of mutual helpfulness, and cooperate with other agencies in furthering interests in educational areas .”

In the Sacramento area alone, for example, it lists 17 clubs with 730 members, as well as eight youth gardening groups. Some of the clubs are specialized: there are clubs devoted to growing geraniums or flower arranging, for example. Others are more general in their interests.

Log onto their web site and find a garden club in your area.

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