Trichocereus cactus (photo by Robert Kumza)
Mary Jane Wilson and Gail Bohlman
The new SaddleBrooke Gardening Club (SBGC) is organized into four subgroups: Vegetable/Herb, Flower/Roses, Citrus/Fruit Trees, and Cactus/Succulents/Other. Initial subgroup meetings were held in August where like-minded gardeners started forming connections, learning from each other’s experiences, and suggesting future subgroup activities, including home garden tours, presentations, and field trips. Some members brought giveaways to share with their subgroup, including aloe vera plants, hens and chicks, and rose magazines.
We learned a little about who we are, where we are from, how long we’ve been in SaddleBrooke, what we are excited to grow in our gardens, what we want to learn about, and activities we’d like to participate in. A number of members have vast gardening experience in our unique climate, and others are anxious to get started. We hope that several members will volunteer a tour of some aspect of their garden, from worm or hot composting to raised beds to growing in numerous pots. Some garden by instinct, and others take a scientific, carefully logged approach, while still others are somewhere in between. We have much to share and learn from each other and are excited to get started!
Subgroups will meet once a month to talk about current issues or go on a tour of someone’s garden or to an offsite location. There will be a schedule of future meeting dates and times coming out on the Upcoming Events section of the website www.sbgardeningclub.weebly.com.
Many ideas were shared, and lively conversation was spontaneous by members of each group. Members expressed their extreme satisfaction with the new SBGC website and all the great gardening information available there. The rooms were filled with an “electric enthusiasm” that made us appreciate that subgroups are key to this club’s success.
Zucchini Tomato Pie
A favorite recipe submitted by Lynne Kumza, member of the Vegetable/Herb subgroup:
2 cups chopped zucchini
1 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1-1/4 cup milk (I used a little less)
3/4 cup Bisquick
4 eggs
Dash salt
Grease a 10-inch pie plate or quiche dish. Spread zucchini, tomato, onion, and cheese in pie plate. Beat remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour into plate. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes (or until knife inserted into center comes out clean). Cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Membership applications and information about the club and subgroup events can be found at www.sbgardeningclub.weebly.com. Upcoming event dates are listed under the Upcoming Events section of the website. To have your name added to the roster of the new SaddleBrooke Gardening Club, send an email to [email protected]. Once you are on the active roster, you will automatically receive all the club news and invitations to club events. Dues for a basic membership are $10 a year. Dues paid now include membership privileges through the end of 2025. This new club will reinvigorate your enthusiasm for gardening and make you a much more successful Arizona gardener.