The Alternative Garden Club is a social and educational organization open to persons committed to equality for all who share an interest in horticulture and landscape design.  The Club meets regularly for lectures, the exchange of ideas, field trips, special events, and the development of service projects throughout the community. More information about our organization can be found on the About Us section in the navigation menu above.

The Club meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at The Garden Center, 1602 East 2100 South, at the northeast corner of Sugar House Park. Click Here for a map of our location.

May
26
9:00 am

Spring City Heritage Days is a newer tradition of the AGC, and is, as I’ve often said here and elsewhere, the highlight of the season. The whole town really does go all out, and unlike our more provincial (dare I say prosaic) and more or less stereotypical smaller Utah towns, Spring City offers a vibrant community of artists and artisans dedicated to the historic past and an inclusive, creative future. Explore the historic pioneer-era homes from May’s lecture, visit art galleries, eat great food and discover antiques and locally produced wares, from pottery to paintings. The Spring City tour is self-guided. Wear comfortable shoes that slip on and off easily, as many of the homes do not allow shoes to be worn inside.

This year there are three parts to Spring City Heritage Days.

Dan Bethel’s Mount Pleasant Home/Farm
Dan Bethel has graciously invited all tour members on their way to Spring City to stop by his place in Mount Pleasant for light breakfast-like refreshments beginning at 9:00am. Dan owns a farm he’s spent the last twenty years remodeling after completing a remodel across the street. For those heading down to Spring City a little later, Dan’s home will be open for much of the morning and early afternoon (no later than 3:00pm), so stop by and enjoy the pastoral setting. The house is located at 600 North on 500 West; see the map below for specific directions.

The Spring City Heritage Day Tour
Official your times are from 10:00am – 4:00pm. More information about Spring City Heritage Day can be found on their official website here.

Bruce and Jim’s BBQ
Bruce Spiegel and Jim Baker, long time and valued members of the AGC, have offered to once again host the AGC BBQ party/picnic/social at their Spring City home. Last year was an absolute blast, with great food and great company. Their house is located at 257 North Main Street (West side of street). We’ll meet at their place around 4:00pm at the conclusion of the tour.

For those unable to attend the afternoon festivities at Bruce and Jim’s, lunch is available from 12:00 – 1:30pm at the Old Spring City School. The cost of lunch is $7.00.

Date: Saturday, May 26th
Times: 9:00am – 3:00pm: Stop by Dan’s home and visit a local farm on the way to Spring City; 10:00am – 4:00pm: Spring City Heritage Day home tour; 4:00pm – 7:00pm: BBQ at Bruce and Jim’s
Where:
Spring City Main Street
Cost: Spring City Heritage Day is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Tickets can be purchased at the Old Firehouse (north side of town, main street)

For more information, please visit the event site here.
Salt Lake to Spring City:

For step-by-step instructions, please: View Larger Map

To Dan’s home on way to Spring City:

View Dan Bethel’S Mt Pleasant Home in a larger map

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May
2
7:30 pm

Gardens and landscaping are specific to time and space. The arrangement of plants and minerals surrounding a man-made structure become the stage that evokes a response when experienced. Sometimes the structure is purely utilitarian with no thought going into the space around the building. Most times, however, some effort has been made to present the structure in a way that complements its features and the personalities of those that occupy the building. In a way, this is our most intimate connection with the Earth, as we express and share an idea through structure and place it within the context of our view of the natural world.

In preparation for the May 26th Spring City Heritage Day Tour, Alan Barnett will be lecturing on Utah Historic Homes and Architecture, with some information on historic landscaping as well.

The historic town of Spring City has been designated as a National Register Historic District because it is such a well-preserved example of what Mormon towns used to be like all over Utah. Alan will be talking about what people can see in Spring City that is so typical of Utah towns 100-150 years ago. There are a variety of elements that combine to give a Mormon town its unique and recognizable character. These elements include things like the layout of the town, the water sources, the agricultural buildings, and the types and styles of architecture. Alan will give an overview of these elements in order to help people better understand what they are seeing in Spring City and in other Utah towns they visit.

Date: Wednesday, May 2nd
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Sugar House Park Garden Center, 1602 East 2100 South

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May
4
1:00 pm
May
5
9:00 am

Spring is finally here. Mostly. And with the season comes the planting. Of course, you need plants to do this, and several locations across the Wasatch Front are offering plant sales. Red Butte Garden is one (see below for a list of plants), holding their sale on  Friday and Saturday, May 4th and 5th. Wasatch Community Gardens, as posted Here, is having their plant sale on May 12th. As you plan your garden this season, please remember to support your local gardens and nurseries.

From the Red Butte Garden Website:
Red Butte Garden’s Annual Benefit Plant Sale

Red Butte Garden Members Only Sale (Memberships may be purchased at the gate!):
Friday, May 4th, 1pm to 8pm

Public Sale:
Saturday, May 5th, 9am to 3pm

It’s time once again to support the Garden at the annual benefit plant sale!

WHAT YOU WILL FIND: The Garden offers an impressive selection of herbs, specialty annuals, vegetables (including heirlooms), sun and shade perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs, conifers, roses, vines, trees, and the best selection of native plants and drought tolerant plants! You’ll find high-altitude plants for Park City residents. We also offer a variety of Organic gardening products such as fertilizers, sprays, and coco-fiber, that when mixed into your garden or container soil, aids water retention. There are so many plants – in variety and quantity. Several plants are grown from Garden cuttings making it so that you have a little bit of the Garden in your own yard!

EXPERTS ON HAND: Once again, representatives from several local plant societies will be on hand to answer questions; including Wasatch Rock Garden, Utah Rose Society, Utah Hosta Society, Water Garden Club, Utah Community Forest Council, Tree Utah and Utah State Extension Master Gardeners. With these experts as well as our Garden staff, you have plenty of qualified help to answer your plant and gardening questions as well as sources for information from that society/club that shares your particular passion in plants!

WHERE: The Plant Sale is held in Cottam’s Grove, located on the way to the Garden Amphitheater. From the four-way stop sign at Chipeta and Wakara Way, turn left (or North) and follow the signs.

WHAT TO BRING: If you have your own wagon, bring it! We have a few shopping carts and plenty of cardboard plant trays.

PARKING: On Friday, the plant sale coincides with the University of Utah commencement. Even this far east of campus, parking will be impacted during the early hours of the sale. To ease the inconvenience, Garden staff will operate a passenger shuttle from the sale entrance to overflow lots (see map) from 1 pm Friday as long as needed. We also protect a “loading only” area near the sale entrance/checkout for loading plants after you are able to collect your vehicle. Note too that there are few handicapped parking stalls in this particular University lot.

This annual plant sale and fundraiser is always fun and a great way to welcome planting season!

2012 PLANT LISTS*:
Annuals
Fruit
Grasses
Ground Covers
Herbs
Natives and Waterwise
Perennials
Roses
Trees and Shrubs
Veggies
Vines

Support the Garden and get some great plants. Plan ahead for Mother’s Day by purchasing a hanging basket planted with annuals. See you at the sale!

*These lists represent our best information regarding plant availability. Some variation in actual selections will occur. The plant sale is for Red Butte Garden members and our local public. For the best selection, attend the member’s sale but,note that Saturday has plenty of variety and quantity. Red Butte Garden is unable to hold or ship plant material.

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Red Butte Garden Tour

April 16, 2012

Really, the day could not have been more perfect -except, as someone suggested, if wine and/or cocktails had been provided at strategic points along the way. Thanks to everyone who came, it was a great time with fantastic company in a wonderful garden. Congratulations Lance for winning the Conifer Challenge. We’ll see everyone in a few weeks for Alan Barnett’s presentation on Utah Historic Homes and Architecture.

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Jun
6
7:30 pm

As many of you know, Thom and Millcreek Gardens have been exceptionally supportive of the AGC, and we really can’t thank Thom enough. Join us then for June’s lecture, presented by Thom Sawyer, buyer for Millcreek Gardens, and a guest grower/expert, covering the newest plant additions to hit nurseries this year, the more unique introductions from the recent past (that we might not have heard of but should know), and what we can expect in the future.

Few things usher in the changing season like the arrival of the seed and plant catalogues in mid-winter. And with each catalogue comes a crop of new plants, usually introduced for wide distribution for the first time. Like fashion, plants come and go, falling into and out of favor with a select few becoming classics while many others are fated to fade into obscurity. Enjoy an evening discovering the latest trends in plant offerings and what to expect in the future. Of course there will be plenty of examples.

Date: Wednesday, June 6th
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Sugar House Park Garden Center, 1602 East 2100 South

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Apr
15
3:30 pm

Update 4/11/2012:  The weather should be decent for the tour. There’s a slight chance of rain in the forecast, with an expected high of 55 – 60°F, so please dress accordingly.

One way to celebrate the first few weeks of the official astronomical spring is by going on a tour of one of the superlative gardens in Utah, Red Butte Garden. Please join us on Sunday, April 15th, for an afternoon tour of Red Butte as we meander through beds of colorful flora, getting some fresh air and hopefully some warm sun. If it looks like we might be rained out by a serious downpour (we can brave a April shower), we’ll reschedule for the 22nd. Admission is provided by the AGC and officers, so there’s no cost other than getting to the garden (see map below). We hope to see everyone there!

In order to secure a group rate, we need an accurate count of those planning on participating, so if you plan on going, please RSVP no later than Wednesday, April 4th. Please RSVP to one of the AGC officers (see the member roster for contact information).

RSVP: RSVP date has passed as of April 4th. This doesn’t mean you can’t attend, we just can’t guarantee free admission. You will still be able to enjoy the group rate, however.
When: Sunday, April 15th
Time: 3:30pm
Where: Red Butte Garden Visitor Center (see map below for directions). A PDF map of the gardens can be downloaded here.
Cost: Free! The AGC and officers will provide the entrance fee for all members that have RSVP’d.

From 500 South, 1300 East:


View Larger Map

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April Potluck

April 4, 2012

Thanks everyone for making our Annual Spring Potluck such a success! We had some new members tonight, so a huge welcome to them. Also, we’d like to once again express our gratitude to Thom and Millcreek Gardens nursery for providing the beautiful plants and samples for all of us to enjoy.

 

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Apr
7
9:00 am
Apr
8
9:00 am

For those of us that enjoy orchids, Red Butte Garden is hosting an orchid show this weekend. The show goes from 9:00am to 7:30pm Saturday April 7th and 9:00am to 5:00pm Sunday April 8th. The show is presented by the Utah Orchid Society. Orchids will be available for purchase. Normal admission rates for the Garden apply.

Date: Saturday and Sunday, April 7th and 8th
Time: 9:00 – 7:30 Saturday, 9:00 – 5:00 Sunday
Where: Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT

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Apr
4
7:30 pm

After the long winter, it’s time to celebrate spring. Please join us on Wednesday, April 4th for our Annual Spring Potluck dinner.

For those of you that have never been to an AGC potluck, they are events not to be missed and are seasonal highlights if for no other reason than for the pure social fun of it. Bring a dish (whether it be a starter, side, entrée, or dessert) to share with your fellow members and guests. We’ll have a brief business discussion during dinner, and the rest of the time will be devoted to great food and wonderful company. Plates, utensils, napkins, cups and drinks will be provided. We hope to see everyone there for this excellent occasion!

Date: Wednesday, April 4th
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Sugar House Park Garden Center, 1602 East 2100 South

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Notes from the March Meeting: The Keeping of Chickens

March 9, 2012 Gardening

Another great lecture! Thanks to Dean and Jim for answering the many questions we had. The keeping of chickens is a fairly expansive topic, and trying to cover everything from county/city ordinances to health, food and species selection is simply impossible in just a few hours. We hope the lecture and Q&A provided some answers [...]

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March Monthly Meeting: A Primer on the Keeping of Chickens

February 16, 2012 Events

[ March 7, 2012; 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. ] Having kept chickens for the better part of two decades, I can attest to the joy they bring to even a small suburban yard. This month’s topic, appropriate as we begin our journey into spring, will be Urban Poultry: Rules/Regulations, Coop Design, Care and Considerations. Jim McCormack will lecture on the necessities, challenges and benefits [...]

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Brief Website Outage: Resolved

February 15, 2012 Organization

Today at approximately 3:30pm MST, the Alternative Garden Club website went offline. The website was down for several hours as we worked to restore the site from backup. We have resolved the underlying cause and should now be fully functional again and for the foreseeable future. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
If [...]

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Wasatch Community Gardens: Annual Plant Sale

February 14, 2012 Activities

[ May 12, 2012; 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] Wasatch Community Gardens is an invaluable resource that seeks to generate resilience in our local communities and improve the overall health of the people and landscape. Supporting this organization is thankfully both fun and rewarding. Please plan on attending the WCG Annual Plant Sale this May. From the Wasatch Community Gardens website:
Wasatch Community Gardens’ annual [...]

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