...to the online home of over 22,000 California civic-minded gardeners, plant enthusiasts and floral designers.

Chartered in 1931, California Garden Clubs, Inc. (CGCI), is the statewide organization of garden clubs and plant societies throughout the state who work together to....

• create, promote and further interest in horticulture, gardening, floral and landscape design, plant and bird life, and appreciation of the natural beauties of the State of California
• encourage civic beautification and roadside development
• assist in projects for the conservation of our natural resources
• coordinate and centralize the work of the various California garden clubs and bring them into a relationship of mutual helpfulness
• and cooperate with other agencies in furthering interests in educational areas

Gardening has quickly grown as one of America's favorite hobbies. Being a member of a garden club helps you learn about what grows well in your neighborhood with educational programs on a wide variety of horticulture topics. Monthly programs may include native plants, ornamental grasses, roses, container gardening, vegetable gardening, etc.

Learn how to propagate plants for your own garden as well as the club's plant sale; learn how to choose the right tree for a specific spot in your garden; learn about plants that may be beautiful but deadly and learn about garden safety. Whether you've been gardening for many years or just discovered the joys of gardening, you can learn from featured programs, activities and events as well as each other simply by joining a garden club!

Flower arranging is an art form in which the medium is plant material.

Learn to create beautiful, creative designs in a variety of ways:

• garden club programs;
• floral design workshops;
• NGC's Design Study units (available for purchase) that include Basic Flower Arranging, Basic Table Settings and Designs, organizing the elements of design with plant materials and other components according to the principles of design.

Join a garden club to learn with fellow beginners, intermediate and advanced designers. Sharing knowledge and skills is what makes being a member of a garden club an educational, rewarding adventure for everyone involved!

Garden club members through out California help beautify and improve their communities. Whether it's planting a tree at a local school to celebrate California's Arbor Day (March 7, commemorating Luther Burbank's Birthday) or maintaining planters, hanging baskets or median strips downtown, the majority of clubs in CGCI are busy with community projects.

Additional examples include plantings at public buildings such as schools, libraries, museums, etc. parks, historic sites, gateways to cities or towns, roadsides such as medians, roadways/by-ways, etc. If you're interested in beautifying your community, get involved with your local garden club!

There are numerous ways to practice conservation in one's own garden:

• compost yard clippings;
• plant specific plants to attract bees, birds and butterflies;
• conserve water by planting drought tolerant plants and/or California natives;
• mulch to conserve soil moisture and control weeds, etc.

As garden club members, we pledge to protect and conserve our natural resources and educate ourselves as well as the public so we may become better caretakers of our air, water, forest, land and wildlife. Join a garden club to find out additional conservation ideas you can implement and make a difference in our gardening world!

From fellow gardeners and garden club programs you can learn about the principles and theories of landscape design for various types of gardens. Whether your interest is your whole yard or a just a backyard habitat, a rose garden, perennial border, herb garden, or even container landscape, CGCI members can help you learn the basics. Gardeners love to share their knowledge that you'll never find in a textbook.

In addition, clubs are encouraged to recognize individuals, developers and civic groups for efficient, attractive and good land use through the presentation of certificates or letters of recognition.

CGCI offers gardening related courses developed by National Garden Clubs. The curriculum for these courses has been tested around the country and perfected & refined to impart the most important information in the least amount of time.

The schools offerred are Gardening Study, Flower Show School (where you learn to be a flower show judge and how to run a blue-ribbon show), Environmental Study and Landscape Design. Click here for more information.

The CGCI Fall Boad meeting is being combined with a "Tri-Refresher" meaning any Gardening, Landscape Design or Environmental Consultant can refresh their certification in Grass Valley on Sept. 8-11.

Click here for the CGCI Fall Board Meeting Schedule