Los Jardineros is a civic organization and a valuable resource for high desert gardeners. Membership dues, fund raisers, and member volunteer services are the primary means by which grant projects are funded and objectives of the Club are met. The major fund raising event is the annual Garden and Home Tour, held the first Saturday in August.
Meetings are held in Taos on the third Thursday of the month between February and October. At each meeting topics are presented to meet the needs and interests of our high desert gardeners. Past topics have included: creating bird & butterfly havens, flowering vines, selecting the right tree, native and flowering shrubs, raising organic and non-organic herbs and vegetables, xeriscape principles, beneficial insects, beautification and protection of historic and scenic treasures. Membership includes admission to the annual Garden & Home Tour, as well as to our Members-Only Tour.
Brief History of Las Jardineros
On March 3, 1949, a Taos resident, Mrs. Don Secrest, called a meeting of interested people to discuss starting a garden club. In its first year, the Taos Garden Club presented programs on horticulture, conservation, world gardening and flower culture. Local experts, government agents and outstanding state gardeners served as speakers. The hollyhock was selected as the official flower. Club members collected hollyhock seeds for planting along streets, alleyways, and throughout the countryside around Taos. The Club sponsored the selection of the Fiesta Queen. A flower show was held at the County Fair. Gardens were planted and maintained at the then Thorne House Historical Museum. The now infamous “Taos Garden Tour” was initiated. Decorative favors were made for hospital patients at Christmas and 300 trees distributed for planting.
