JACKON MEN'S GARDEN CLUB CULTIVATING GOOD GARDENING

For nearly 30 years, the Jackson Men's Garden Club has cultivated a simple goal good gardening.

But since the club was formed in 1963 it has evolved, making its name wrong on two counts: members come from Advance to Altenburg and women now make up about half the membership.

Moniker aside, members say the club offers expert knowledge about growing and gardeners who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty.

The membership roster sounds like a who's who of local horticultural experts: Charles Korns, horticulturist at Southeast Missouri State University; O.D. Niswonger, international iris breeder; Carl Penzel, known for his azaleas and rhododendrons; Fred Naeger, holly enthusiast.

But, Naeger said, the club has its share of "regular" gardeners also.

"I think some of the members actually don't have anything but maybe grass growing," said Naeger, past president.

The club was formed nearly 30 years ago as a project of the women's garden clubs, said Naeger, one of four charter members still active today.

The organization is the only men's club in this area. The nearest similar organizations are in St. Louis. It is part of the Garden Clubs of America.

After years of somewhat stable membership, recently the numbers began trailing off. In an effort to build it up, the club held a gardening symposium in February and asked for new members. The size of the club nearly doubled and many of the new members are women. The club now has over 50 members.

"We are the strongest we've ever been now," Naeger said. "We were very happy when most of those members turned out to be ladies."

James McHaney, president of the club, said, "We asked the new members if they wanted to change the name, Jackson Men's Garden Club, but they said to leave it."

McHaney said members meet once a month, almost always at a garden or other horticultural site. They have toured greenhouses, orchards, commercial vegetable farms, and gardens cultivated by members.

In addition to the formal program, the meetings often include a lot of information being shared.

"Many of these people are experts," McHaney said. "These people really are gardeners."

Naeger said, "We do have quite a few of the members who have expertise in specific areas. But we also have some experts in vegetable gardening, and that covers the field."

"It's not really a social organization," McHaney said, then reconsidered. "Well, I guess it is social."

Members share success stories and brainstorm problems.

"If you want to know something about soil pH or what's wrong with a plant, someone at a meeting probably knows," McHaney said.

"My wife and I are into gardening and are interested in the culture and propagation of roses and also boxwood shrubs," McHaney said.

Naeger said, "I've found that members don't hesitate to say they have a problem. It will be kicked around and discussed and may be solved right there."

The August meeting will be hosted by Charles Korns at the All-American garden at Southeast Missouri State University. The garden tests new seeds that are not yet on the market.

Korns said he enjoys getting together with other horticulturists to talk shop.

"When I started, I was giving quite a few programs," he said.

He said the membership is varied. Some have a lot of formal training, like himself. Others are self-taught, like Carl Penzel. "No one is any better than the others," Korns said.

"We have a lot of retired members who have a little free time. But there are lots of young ones," Korns said.

In addition to helping each other, the club does a variety of community beautification and education projects.

Cape Girardeau has started its own men's garden club twice, but both times the club folded. The Jackson club continues.

"I think one thing is the meetings we don't make them too long and we always do things," Naeger said. "We get out and visit other gardens and other places that, on our own, we wouldn't be able to get into. This club gets up and gets their hands dirty."