Garden Clubs are created by people who join together because they are fond of some aspect of gardening. I’ve been in clubs with as few as 8 members and as many as 75 members. I’ve enjoyed them all.

I’ve been a member of the following clubs:
Lansing Branch Woman’s Farm and Garden Club, Lansing, MI
Lake of the Ozarks Garden Club, Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Blue Spruce Garden Club, Colorado Springs, CO
First Capital Garden Club, St. Charles, MO
Garden Guild, St. Louis, MO
Boone Country Garden Club, Defiance, MO
Design Concepts, St. Charles County, MO
Cadillac Garden Club, Cadillac, MI
West Michigan Flower Arrangers Guild, Jenison, MI
Morning Glory’s Garden Club, Luther, MI

Many members join for the social aspect, and it is a great way to meet people. I’ve been in many clubs because I’ve moved around so much. By joining the local garden club I feel I become part of my new community.

Garden clubs, however, provided so much more. During the year the club has speakers on gardening, ecology, or conservation, or workshops for making garden related projects. Then the members do fun things like visit member gardens, arboretum, botanical gardens or nurseries. These events help members learn about local gardening conditions and what grows, but if the club is a member of a state organization members have the opportunity to learn at specialized ‘schools’ about gardening, landscaping, and flower arrangement. So education is an important component of each club.

Some garden clubs put on flower shows, so that both members and the general public learn about horticulture and floral design. If you’re new to an area, go to a flower show to see what type of plants grow in your location. Garden tours, which are lots and lots of work for the participating garden owners, usually attract huge crowds.

There is work to be done, too. Public gardens are often maintained by local garden clubs — the club might also sponsor projects such as poster and essay contests for students, garden therapy projects, placing Blue Star Memorial markers to honor our military, supporting public gardens, home tours, flower shows, or helping garden clubs in other parts of the country devastated by natural disasters.

One of the most enjoyable activities is eating. Gardeners are often good cooks. And members appreciate these food offerings with coffee, tea and treats at each meeting, or by just sharing a recipes while planning a fund raising luncheon.
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