After a notably wet season, the hues of spring have arrived, and the Glenwood Springs Garden Club is ready to showcase some spectacular sights at their upcoming garden tour. Happening this Saturday, June 6, attendees will spread like the seeds of a dandelion throughout Glenwood Springs to visit various commercial and residential gardens.
“This is a nice way to get the word out about our club and that we are still very active,” said Garden Club board member Carolyn Meadowcroft. “It’s a way to generate funds to enable us to do some great community projects, afford plants and support other organizations with similar goals.”
The ticketed event begins at 10am at the Wulfsohn Community Garden, where attendees can grab a map and proceed on the self-guided, nine-stop tour. In addition to Wulfsohn, the tour will include the Frontier History Museum’s garden, Sixth Street and six private homes located around downtown Glenwood or just outside of town.
“We maintain the Frontier Museum garden and the herb garden in the back. The museum [team] is just so excited and people can go inside if they want to,” said Meadowcroft. “We included Sixth Street … because they’ve done such a wonderful job with low water and sustainable plants. You don’t need to buy a ticket to see that, anyone can go, but we wanted to include them as a nice option.”
At each location, Garden Club members will welcome visitors, provide light refreshments and share tidbits about the gardens and the plants. Earlier than usual this year, Meadowcroft noted that people may see vibrant spring gardens and be inspired to try new methods at their own homes.
“One of the benefits of a garden tour is seeing what your neighbor is able to grow, and what they planted, how they are displaying their gardens and how they are saving water,” said Meadowcroft. “A few of our gardens are very water-wise. We are all going to deal with this and [on the tour you] can see how someone else has a beautiful garden but it doesn’t require much water.”
As an added incentive, attendees can turn in raffle tickets at each site for the chance to win some fabulous prizes.
“It’s very casual; it’s relaxing,” said Meadowcroft. “You go in the order you want, and you can spend as much time or as little time as you can fit into your schedule.”
Operating as a key fundraiser for the nonprofit, the funds will help amplify the club’s mission to enhance community and enrich the lives of others through gardening. Historically, the club has jumped in to help local organizations, from beautifying neglected planter boxes at the Glenwood Springs Post Office to supporting the installation of a greenhouse at Mountain Valley Developmental Services. The club continues to maintain the Cardiff Glen Community Garden.
“A lot of people contact us to beautify something, add flowers or weed. Sometimes the organization pays for the plants, other times we pay for them. The [Garden Tour] funds will be used for plants, mulch and fertilizer to maintain those projects,” said Meadowcroft. “We work with other organizations like Advocate Safehouse. We want them to know we’re here supporting them.”
In its 95th year, the club has made its mark as the longest running club in the community. Since its establishment, the club has accumulated over 70 members. They meet on the second Thursday of every month to enjoy a craft or learn from guest speakers. On occasion, the group embarks on informative field trips, including an upcoming visit to the insectary in Palisade, the oldest biological pest control facility of its kind in the U.S.
Meadowcroft emphasized that anyone can join, from the novice to the master, as everyone has something to offer. A self-proclaimed novice gardener, Meadowcroft shared she was able to help the club navigate its nonprofit status.
“We all have the same respect for nature and there’s a great camaraderie from having the same interest. It’s so rewarding,” said Meadowcroft. “If people are interested, they don’t have to attend everything. For $20 you can become a member. Even if there’s one thing you want to learn, that’s enough. You make some friends and talk about plants!”
Tickets for the garden tour cost $30 and can be purchased at the Wulfsohn Community Garden. To learn more about upcoming events and meetings, including the June 13 plant sale at Sopris Elementary, visit www.bit.ly/GWSGardenClub