April 2003

by Chemene Lorentz

In 1960, the Laramie Garden Club was organized by Mrs. Mae Urbanek, the state president of the Wyoming Federation of Garden Clubs, of Lusk.  A handful of Laramie residents helped form the club.  Otto Dahl and Arthur Strouts brought gardening expertise to the club.  Both men were former gardeners at the University of Wyoming.  Lloyd Ayres was the state horticulturist and was another gardening expert in the group.  Membership to the club was open to anyone and the club grew quickly.  Experts in gardening planned for soil preparation, garden pest control, greenhouses, and flower shows.  A club that was formed with only four members is now flourishing with 75 members.

  Mexican Hat

     Over the years, the garden club has headed a variety of gardening projects designed for the best results in high-altitude regions like Laramie.  One was a "tree and shrub" project to help gardeners pick those trees and shrubs that will grow at 7,200 feet.  Another was a "roses for the high plains" project that stressed the importance of protecting roses from cold winters and spring winds.  Many amateur gardeners benefited from the advice and information that the garden club has provided in past years.  Herbert Gundell, a guest speaker at one of the garden club meetings, told those in attendance that the floribundas roses are the best suited for the high-wind areas of Laramie.

     The Laramie Garden Club has remained intact for 43 years and its members continue to plan gardening projects.  The club's projects are tailored to the gardening needs of Laramie and other high-altitude regions.  Club members continue to conduct research and experiments during planting seasons.  One new member, Amy Fluet, was accustomed to gardening in Florida.  But Laramie is a completely different growing environment.  With Laramie's long winters and short growing seasons, Amy has made some adjustments by starting her plants in the basement of her house.  She uses seed shelves with cool-blue light for warmth.  Once the weather is nice enough, she transplants the herbs and flowers from her basement to her outside garden.  This process is called "hardening off," which gets the plants used to the change in temperature and natural elements.

     According to Amy, crops like zucchini, spinach, and lettuce grow well in Laramie.  Other plants like tomatoes and cucumbers need more care.  They must be protected from the cold winds and harsh weather with a cover.  She is also experimenting with herbs that she uses for everyday cooking.  Those herbs that like warmer weather are chives, basil, oregano, and rosemary.

African Violet

     The garden club has come a long way since 1960.  The newest addition to the club is this Web site.  It's filled with helpful gardening tips and scientific information that can help even the beginning gardener produce an amazing garden.  Visit the drought-tolerant plants page for a list of plants by zone and scientific name or common name.  Whether you are interested in flowers, trees, or herbs, the Laramie Garden Club Web site is here for your gardening needs.

TIP:  Put plants together that have the same watering needs.  Then separate your treasure plants in their own little space.  The treasure plants take more attention and care, but give a gardener a sense of accomplishment and the awe of beauty.