On Thursday, October 21st, the Windham Garden Club (the “WGC”) held its second meeting of the 2021 – 2022 membership year, with a featured presentation called “Gardening is Murder”. Nearly every seat in the Town Hall was filled with members or guests, including several spouses, members of the Manchester Garden Club and the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs President, Sue Miner of Salem, NH.
As our presenter, Neal Sanders, delivered a humorous talk on the spouse’s point of view on gardening, attendees laughed, sympathized, and walked away with some new information. More importantly, the gardeners in the audience gained insight into the thoughts of their helpers (in this author’s case, the mind of her husband).
Some of Neal’s words of wisdom included:
- The fundamental gardening principle that the size of the rock you will encounter while digging a hole is directly proportionate to the importance of the plant you intend to put in that location
- How it is impossible to do just one thing in the garden
- Cautions about the dangers of internet gardening advice
- Cautions that the squirrels in your yard have never seen a Disney film and thus are likely to misbehave
Our lecturer, Neal Sanders:
Neal Sanders
- Serves as “The Principal Undergardener” for his wife, who is a Lifetime Master Gardener. His title is inspired by the hierarchy of gardeners on traditional British estates.
- Is the author of 15 mystery novels, many of which use horticulture as a plot point. These books include The Garden Club Gang, and A Murder at the Flower Show.
- Writes the blog “The Principal Undergardener”, with thoughts on gardens, gardening, and gardeners – available at theprincipalundergardener.blogspot.com.
- Delivers similar lectures to groups around the country.
The Windham Garden Club’s mission is bringing together people who are interested in all aspects of gardening, horticulture, and conservation. Membership meetings run September through June on the third Thursday of the month in the evening and are open to the public.
Be sure to join the WGC at one of its upcoming meetings:
- November 18 – “Herb Gardening” by Master Gardener Sarah Marcoux, on growing and using culinary herbs. Windham Town Hall
- January 20 – “The Heirloom Gardener” by author and garden historian John Forti. Zoom
- February 17 – “State of the Loon – The Natural History, Challenges, and Successes of Loons in New Hampshire” by biologist Harry Vogel. Windham Town Hall
- March 17 – “Exploring Nature’s Ability to Teach and Heal!” by Lisa Burris, Executive Director of Turn Back Time, a nature education program.
- April 21 – “Attracting Birds, Bees and Butterflies to Your Yard” by Betty Sanders, a lifetime Master Gardener.
Membership in the Windham Garden Club is open to gardeners of all levels and is only $20. If you are interested in joining, visit www.windhamgardenclub.org/membership/ or email info@windhamgardenclub.com.