The Country Gardener’s Club made its grand appearance at the Monterey County Fair this year. We entered three collaborative mini gardens created by committee members Kay, Lamorah, Patricia, and Priscilla. We won two first-place and one third-place awards. The making of the 70th Anniversary wagon garden was very special. The Country Gardener’s Club was established in 1955 in the San Benancio and Corral de Tierra neighborhoods. It was a social club for the moms and wives focused on gardening. Back then, native plants and vegetable gardens were not in the picture. Instead, delicate begonias, roses, camellias, azaleas, sunflowers, roses and irises represented gardening.  

Club committee member and former president Kay created the “70 Years of Gardening” display, which was planted in a classic Radio Flyer wagon from the 1950s. First, the number 70 was constructed by miniatured echeverias. Kay carefully picked out dahlia and fuchsia for their colors, then added roses, sweet alyssum, mums, and geraniums in front of a white picket fence. A vintage gardening book was the finishing touch.

This creation spoke volumes of the rich history of our beloved club. Those gardening members back then made quite the splash in club works, from county fairs to community projects, charity work, and school events. We have binders of documents to showcase the impressive history of

this local garden club, and are proud to be part of this special organization. As the new blood of these 70-years-young clubs, we aim to bring its liveliness to residents and the community. We have an exciting year planned out for next spring, including fascinating activities and field trips. If you are interested in more information or joining Country Gardeners, please feel free to contact us at countrygardeners68@gmail.com.

1. Select vessel/container

2. Choose a theme: traditional fairy garden, etc.

3. I used a wooden box for my base to provide stability; I cut two holes in it and covered it with layers of moss.

4. Start with succulents from cuttings

5. Gather potential accessories: fairies, mushrooms, butterflies, stones, benches, beads, pedestals

6. Design a basic layout: e.g., moss-covered base, tilted pitcher with plants flowing out, glass streambed, small plants, three fairies

7. Review all available elements and choose the best ones to use

8. Purchase two different ground cover plants

9. Planted basin and pitcher with various plants, placed accessories, including beaded stake, white pearl strings, and air plants, finished off with decorative moss/lichen