Veggie/Herb subgroup members on May garden tour
Mary Jane Wilson
Cacti, succulents, citrus, fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, roses, flowers—you name it and someone in SaddleBrooke probably has experience growing what you are interested in. Club members’ gardening experiences run the gamut from Master Gardener to new in town and just starting out, to “been there, done that.” They will be glad to show you what I’m talking about. Four subgroups offer like-minded members breakout meetings and garden tours:
The Vegetable and Herb subgroup members recently toured Kara Adam’s Tubac garden. Kara is a writer, a YouTube producer of Sow Arizona, and a Master Gardener who has transformed her adobe brick home and property into a magical garden. Gail Bohlman, subgroup coordinator, reports: “Kara welcomed us with coffee and treats before touring us around her garden. She generously answered questions and inspired us with her practical knowledge. Her garden has in-ground beds, containers, raised beds, fruit trees, grapes, espaliered apple trees, and worm and heat composting. There is something continuously growing in all seasons. We learned strategies for building and maintaining healthy soil. After our tour, we enjoyed lunch together at Stables Ranch Grill. We all agreed that it was one of the best days ever!”
Our Cactus and Succulents subgroup members were recently invited to a joint home garden tour with the Flower and Rose subgroup, as many of our members have a wide variety of plants in their yards. This was one of our most interesting tours to date and not just due to the extensive knowledge and graciousness of our garden host. Let’s just say that calling 311 works, and the four Golder Ranch firemen who extracted our uninvited guest were greatly appreciated!
Flower and Rose subgroup members have been getting to know each other and enjoying learning from the monthly home garden tours members have hosted this spring. We are hoping for some garden parties on shaded patios as the heat picks up here.
Citrus and Fruit Tree subgroup members have enjoyed citrus tasting events at local nurseries, home garden tours, and the fruit they have picked from their own trees this spring.
The SaddleBrooke Gardening Club (SBGC) website at sbgardeningclub.weebly.com continues to expand with great gardening information supplied by our members. The Upcoming Events section is continually updated with new postings for plant sales, educational seminars, farmers markets, and garden tours all around Tucson. Member contributions make the SBGC website your “go-to” place for all things gardening in SaddleBrooke and the Tucson area. If you see a gardening event happening in the Tucson area that is not on the SBGC website, please send this information to SBGardeningClubAZ@gmail.com so we can add it to the website for the benefit of all our members.
More than 170 gardeners have joined the SBGC so far to learn from each other’s gardening experiences. This is truly a members-helping-members club! Membership applications and information about the club and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.sbgardeningclub.weebly.com. Dues for a basic membership are $10 a year.