Healdsburg Gardeners Growing and Going Strong

This is the first installment of a new Healdsburg Patch column, In the Garden Patch.  We’ll be checking out local gardens, gardening resources, the farmers’ market and agricultural resources, too.  We hope you’ll enjoy this new weekly feature.  Let us know what you’d like to see us cover and what most interests you about local gardening, local farmers and local food.

may have the largest active membership of any group in Healdsburg. One-hundred forty-two members strong, the club meets monthly from September through June.  

According to their handout: "The Healdsburg Garden Club is dedicated to the beautification of Healdsburg through membership participation in community landscape projects." 

Their projects include landscaping at the and Healdsburg Airport, the gorgeous daffodils on the Healdsburg on-ramp, The s Healing Patio and Cactus Garden, and projects at local parks and schools.

In addition, the club provides an annual scholarship, offers Good Gardener awards, gives programs and presentations to members and supports the

What's even more remarkable is that members seem to have a great time doing it all.

This is a seriously well-run organization.

The Club’s board of directors includes President Cynthia DeMartini, Vice President Patricia Lewis, Recording Secretary Marilyn Pozas, Corresponding Secretary Gretchen McKay and Carolyn Harrison.  A new board will be installed in the fall.

Many individuals also serve on the numerous standing committees that form the foundation of the Healdsburg Garden Club.

Each meeting also features a raffle and tea time. Floral arrangements grace the tea tables.  Grace and beauty seem to hold an elevated status in the lives of these (mostly) women.

On Monday, there were approximately 90 women in attendance, with a solitary man, John Essman.  , are active club members, co-chairing both the Publicity & Website and Yearbook standing committees. Gardening is what they all have in common.

The subject that occupies most of their time at this meeting is their annual Plant Sale, Flower Show and Luncheon.  The plant sale will offer some of the best prices in town. Four-inch pots start at only $2.50/plant.  They will also offer abalone shells (with their tags to prove they are legal) planted with succulents for only $10 each.

From vegetable starts to succulents to shrubs and trees, the sale offers something for every gardener. 

Carmen Selfridge and Wendy Bertalon are the plant sale coordinators.

A “Jumble Sale” also figures prominently into the same day.  They often offer garden implements, outdoor art, as well as other used items for sale.

A membership perk is being allowed to purchase three plants before the doors open to the public. Membership is only $20.

The luncheon is open to the public, too.

If you’re in the market for some good prices on plants and used odds and ends, come on out to the Flower Show, Jumble Sale and Luncheon on Sun., May 1, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m.

Three generous gardeners graciously offered these gardening tips to Healdsburg Patch readers:

1.  Plant 4” plants on a cool day, in the morning, and water thoroughly so they don’t go into shock. ~ Virginia Tusi.

2.  Before you plant be sure to prepare your soil.  It’s the most important thing you can do.  Add lots of organic material and good nutrients. ~ Theresa Wistrom

3.  Take weeds right down, then sprinkle the soil with a pre-emergent product, and add mulch, such as oak leaves, over the top.  The weeds won’t come back. ~ Adele Dicke

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