A shared love for gardening
There are five garden clubs in Delta County. Each has their own agenda, programs, and field trips.
Some share responsibilities at Horizons and Pioneer Town. Some are joining forces to hold a Plant Fair each year. All meet together once a year for a themed luncheon and program where each club takes a turn as host, rotating in a five-year cycle.
Four Seasons Garden Club was formed on Jan. 24, 1984. Members have visited greenhouses, taken fall tours with monthly programs planned to reflect spring, summer, fall and winter.
The club has participated in the planting of the area in front of the Cedaredge Community Center and joined with other garden clubs to plant and care for flowers at Horizons. The planting of the strip along the sidewalk outside the west door at the Welcome Center was also a joint project of the local clubs. No longer involved with that project they now have full responsibility for a flowerbed near the Chapel of the Cross.
Club member Kathy Conlon has helped gardeners at the community garden in Cedaredge.
The club meets at a member's home each month. Contact number is 856-6450.
Paonia Garden Club was organized in February 1950 when several women got together with plans to share gardening information and to help in the community. The club was a member of Colorado Federation of Garden Clubs with members attending state and federal
functions. It soon became apparent that club members could better help themselves and their community by planning and confining their own programs and projects to their local interests.
In 1957 members began creating a Nativity scene as a community project, resulting a Paonia Christmas tradition. The scene was placed on "P" Hill at the end of Grand Ave. Club members have worked diligently, over the past 55 years, to keep it as lovely as when it was first displayed. The local Lions Club now puts it up and takes it down for the Christmas season. The club sets out donation cans during the holiday season. Christmas cards and postcards depicting the Nativity scene can be purchased. Funds collected help maintain the scene.
Poulos Park was given to the garden club. They watered and took care of it for many years. The park was later turned over to the town and is now irrigated with an automatic sprinkling system.
The club meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. New members from Paonia as well as from throughout the county are welcome. Call 929-5350.
Plant & Dig Garden Club began on Oct. 19, 1956. The planned purpose was to learn gardening skills, and to have a knowledge and understanding of horticulture. Members contribute some of their time and energy to the courtyard garden at Horizons and a garden along a walkway at Pioneer Town.
Club meetings are held at 2 p.m. on the third Friday of each month in homes of members. Meetings stress gardening with speakers from the extension service and Master Gardeners. Field trips are planned. Club members provide a horticultural scholarship to a deserving student from either Cedaredge High School or the Colorado State University Extension Master Gardener program. Funds have been raised through yard sales, food sales and plant sales. Phone contact is 835-4343.
Rose Garden Club was originally known as the Rose Birthday Club. The name was changed as the interest in gardening became apparent.
Members are involved in beautification projects including ongoing responsibilities at the Residents' Courtyard Garden at Horizons, a project not only started, but also promoted to the community and other garden clubs by Rose Garden Club member Miriam Hartig. The garden
has provided a restful, colorful spot for residents, their families, and staff to enjoy. The club also shares responsibilities with other garden clubs with the upkeep of a flower garden at Pioneer Town.
Meetings are held in member's homes at 2 p.m. on the third Friday of each month. Speakers, frequently Master Gardeners, offer information on timely topics. Phone contact is 856-4491
Friends and Flowers Garden Club was founded in 1964 and consists of members from the Surface Creek Valley. The women who formed the club shared a common interest in gardening, but also wanted to form a circle of friends for socializing.
An interest in gardening has increased, with several of the members becoming Master Gardeners. Members take an interest not only in their own gardens, but help with a garden at Pioneer Town and another at Horizons Care Center. Club members participate in field trips to enhance their knowledge about all living things. A wildflower trip is planned for the near future.
Club members exchange seeds and plants among themselves and several years ago started a plant fair where the garden clubs involved selling plants to raise funds to be used at the discretion of each participating garden club. Contact number is 856-7251.
Plant Fair history
Dorothy Pedotto had attended a plant sale while living in Evergreen, where she gained valuable advice and plants for her garden. In January 2010, she and other members of Friends and Flowers Garden Club invited the other four garden clubs to meet to find out if they would be interested in planning an annual plant fair.
The Rose Garden Club agreed and together the two clubs held the first fair at the Stolte Shed in Pioneer Town, Cedaredge. Dr. Swift, from CSU, presented a two-hour garden program. Plant club members donated plants from their yards to sell at a reasonable price. After the success of the first event, both clubs decided to continue, leaving it open for other clubs to join if they wished to participate.
Plant and Dig Garden Club joined the other two clubs for the second plant fair. Swift was again the speaker. The event was again well received by the community.
Now there were three clubs involved in the third annual plant fair held this past May. The speaker was Susan Rose from CSU. Local gardeners appreciated the presentation and were able to receive answers to a number of their gardening questions.
The audience, attending the free CSU presentations, has grown and sales have been good. Hopefully the Plant Fair will continue as a regular event. Proceeds are used to invest back into the community.
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