NEIGHBORHOOD GARDEN FOR JANUARY 1, 2005

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LINCOLN HORTICULTURE CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

BY GEORGE EDGAR

          Last week I wrote about the Master Gardener classes as a way to learn more about plants and trees and shrubs, etc.  Another way you can learn year around is to participate in one of the local horticultural clubs or societies.  There are groups for just about any interest, including the African Violet Society, Flower Arrangers Guild, Hemerocallis (Daylily) Society, Herbal Society, Iris Society, Gladiola Society, Orchid Society, Nebraska Nutgrowers Association, and the Rose Society. There are also groups for those of us who have not specialized such as the Lincoln Garden Club, Friends of Maxwell Arboretum, Friends of Pioneers Park Nature Center, Friends of UNL Garden, and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. 

          Some of the Lincoln groups that meet on a regular basis are:

          Lincoln Garden Club

          Meets at Culler Middle School, 5201 Vine Street,

          7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month.

          For more information contact Lynn Senkbeil, President for 2005,

          Phone (402) 423-6524

          The Lincoln African Violet Society

          Meets at Christ United Methodist Church, 46th and A Streets

          7:15 p.m., on the second Tuesday of each month.

          For more information contact B. J. Ohme at (402) 770-2925 or by e-mail at           kiwidazzler@hotmail.com.

          The Lincoln Rose Society

          Meets at the Antelope Park Shelter House (by the Auld Pavilion)

          7:00 p.m. on the third Monday of February, March, May, September, and           October. Other meeting sites are announced.  These are usually visits to           member yards or other rose gardens.

          For more information contact Jane Frisch at (402) 488-0174 or by e-mail at           janemf@peoplepc.com or call Brendan Moore, President.

          The Lincoln Orchid Society

          Meets at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, 56th & South Street,

          7:15 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month.

          For more information contact Tim Janssen at (402) 476-3877 or by e-mail at           tjanssen@lps.org.

          The Lincoln Iris Society

          Meets at the Antelope Park Church of the Brethren, 3645 Sumner St.

          6:30 p.m. on the last Monday of each month.

          For more information contact Dean Douglas, President.

          The Herbal Society, contact Bonnie Bake at (402) 476-1635;

          The Hemerocallis (Daylily) Society, contact Pat Underwood           at (402) 796-2191 in Malcolm, NE;

          The Lincoln Gladiola Society, contact Leroy Schlegel at (402) 489-5264;

          The Lincoln Flower Arrangers Guild may be reached by           also contacting Kay Smith at (402) 488-3081.  She can give you information           about when they meet and where.

          The Hosta Society has no Lincoln group but the Omaha group is           active. Contact Jane Diesen at Landmark Gardens, Plattsmouth NE, (402)           298-8884

          Mary Jane Frogge, Extension Associate at The University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County has written a very good NebFact Sheet on “Local Horticulture Clubs and Societies” (023-02). Mary Jane lists many local (Lincoln) groups and how to get in touch with them. This publication was updated in 2002. This publication is available at the Extension Office or on the internet by going to http://lancaster.unl.edu/factsheets/023.htm. 

          Susan Schoneweis, Extension Coordinator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has also written a very good NebFacts on “A Guide to Plant Societies” (NF94-184). This was updated in September 2002. Susan has also included the addresses and how to contact many national organizations that do not have local chapters such as the “American Hibiscus Society”, “The American Hydrangea Society”, “The Bromeliad Society International, Inc.”, and “The Cactus and Succulent Society of America”. She lists the address of the national office and how to get in touch with the group. This publication is also available on the internet at (http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/search”. In the top box scroll down to Extension Publications.  In the search box type in “Plant Societies” or “NF94-184.

          Gardening is the #1 hobby in America. Birding is #2. Birding includes bird watching and bird feeding.  Many of us are involved in both.  Therefore, do not forget the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife that come and decorate your garden. The Wachiska Audubon Society meets monthly in the Auditorium in Dick Hall at Union College.  Their office is at 4547 Calvert Street.  For more information call them at (402) 486-4846.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! MAY YOU HAVE A YEAR OF GOOD GARDENING WITH FEW RABBITS TO EAT YOUR PLANTS, NO DISEASES TO TURN LEAVES YELLOW WITH BLACK SPOTS, AND A MINIMUM OF BUGS EATING YOUR LEAVES.