For the love of gardening

Nelson celebrates 65 years with Clear Lake Friendly Garden Club

Janice Nelson says she has always loved gardening— from the days when she would help her mother in the garden to the planting and tending of her own flower and produce gardens.  And as much as she has enjoyed the vegetables she’s raised or the flowers she has grown and displayed, the gardening brotherhood she has found in a local club has been the most satisfying.

Today, just like she has done for the past 65 years, Janice will attend a monthly meeting of the Clear Lake Friendly Garden Club.  The group has deep roots in the community.  At this meeting members will share memories, as well as continue to plant the seeds of gardening success with each other and the community.

Mirror-Reporter archives trace the history of the club back to 1937 when ladies from Fertile, Iowa started a group.  In 1941 there was so much interest that Clear Lake women started their own club.  The mission of the club was the education of its members, through speakers and sharing.  As it evolved, service projects, such as the planting and tending of local flower beds became common club activities.  Flower shows and educational programs were also calendar highlights, along with the social connection the club provides for women in the community.

Nelson says she has made many friends through gardening— not only with members of the club, but with neighbors and others who have stopped by to admire her gardens over the years.

“I’ve had many, many gardens— vegetable and flowers.  Gardening has always stayed with me,” said Janice.  “It’s where I have found peace.  I talk to myself and to the Lord.”

Like most, Janice got her start gardening from her mother, who grew vegetables for the family table.  “I remember her telling us we needed to shuck a pail of peas before we would get to go swim-

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ming,” she smiled.  Although she has grown her share of garden produce, Janice says she has always preferred flower gardens.  Her frequent mention as a winner in local flower shows is testament to her green thumb.

“Our competitions, once or twice a year, always had a theme and each category was judged.  We all looked forward to them and worked and planned.  Back then, practically every town had a garden club.  Clear Lake had about 36 members, or so.”

Janice said she has seen membership dip through the years, but believes a resurgence is underway.

“There is a great deal of interest in growing your own produce, canning and freezing, along with caring for the earth in general,” she said.  “Now clubs meet at night because so many members work.  We want to make the club work for everyone.  I’m so pleased to see more young people involved.  That’s why we’re growing.”

Although Janice says she needs to enlist some help these days to tend her flower gardens, she still takes pride in planning and planting.  Much of her garden is on the north side of her home, suspect to the harsh winter weather; plants on the south side must endure heavy wind off the lake.  Her favorite flower, the Daylilly, thrives at her North Shore Drive location.

“I have an old grandma’s garden,” she jokes.  “But I’ve tested many and I like to find interesting varieties.  I think I have about every color, except white (which she doesn’t like).  The two-tone are my favorite.”

She doesn’t even mind weeding that goes along with gardening.

“I like to weed— you get real satisfaction from that.  I like the feel of the black dirt.”

The Clear Lake Friendly Garden Club meets the third Wednesday of each month.  Those interested in learning more about the club are invited to contact Gail Harringa at 357-4797.

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