Like the plants that the members of Los Cerros Garden Club tend to, the organization of women who love to garden has grown. From its North Side roots in 1959, the club has branched out to many areas of the Tucson metropolis.

The club of about 20 members has endured “because of the friendship and a real interest in decorating our homes,” says Diane Tretschok, a 30-year club member and a former club president.

Details: Members vote on whether to accept a new-member application to join the club, which is affiliated with the Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs. Annual dues are $20. The club meets every first Friday of each month at a member’s home.
Sample meeting topics: Patio gardening, decorating pottery containers, preparing soil.
Year’s biggest event: A spring auction of white elephants, decorated pots and handmade goods to raise money for the club.

Other fun stuff: Community service projects and tours of public gardens.
Latest buzz: The Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs Southern District Flower Show, to be held Friday and Saturday at Crate and Barrel in La Encantada shopping center, 2905 E. Skyline Drive. Members are learning how to make winning floral designs to enter in the competition. “Our club has not been in an official show since 1994,” Tretschok says, “so we’re rusty.”
More information: 529-2789.

Easy gardening for older gardeners: The club’s aging members find that tending potted plants provides an easy way to add beauty to the patios and entryways of their smaller retirement homes, Tretschok says. Sticking with desert landscaping also eases the gardener’s work. “A lot of desert stuff takes care of themselves,” she explains. “That’s the way to garden.”
● Contact freelance writer Elena Acoba at acoba@dakotacom.net.

source : www.azstarnet.com