02-05-2025
The Modesto Garden Club, at 101 years, is planting the seeds for another century
From large clay pots with seasonal selections to blooming bursts of color adorning the giant flower clock in front of Centre Plaza, Modesto is abloom with beauty.
The flowers and foliage around town didn't just sprout, they were planted and are managed by the dedicated members of the Modesto Garden Club.
'As I think of all the different kinds of flowers that go into making a beautiful bouquet, so it is with our club,' President Nancy Robinson said. 'There is a harmony in a variety of flowers in a bouquet much like the harmony of our personalities and unique talents that makes our garden club a beautiful organization.'
Fresh off its centennial celebration last year, the club has accomplished much since its founding in 1924 by Frederick 'Pop' Knorr, who was the first professor of agriculture at Modesto Junior College.
In addition to the pots downtown and the flower clock, the club has installed a drinking fountain and other greenery at the McClatchy Square Rose Garden, planted and maintained the gardens of the McHenry Mansion and created a rose garden on the Virginia Corridor. It has helped to restore parks in the city, including Graceada Park, and established memorial rose gardens at the Stanislaus County Courthouse for crime victims and at the club's office to honor members who have died.
The club also hosts the popular annual Spring Garden Tour, which raises money for scholarships for students studying horticulture and landscape design.
'I refer to the club as a philanthropic-social organization,' Robinson said. During monthly meetings, members discuss club activities, hear from guest speakers and share gardening tips.
Robinson sees it as her mission to help keep the club going for another 100 years by appealing to a younger audience.
'A lot of the members are in their 60s, 70s and 80s, but I'm working diligently to try to get some interest from younger people, because if we don't, in 10 years, we won't have a club,' she said.
At one time, the club had the largest membership in the country, with close to 500 members. The number has decreased to 381, but Robinson said it's still the largest club in California.
Robinson plans to reach out to a younger audience by creating more content on the club's Instagram and Facebook pages and exploring other platforms, like TikTok. She also plans to reach out directly to schools. 'My next project is to get a hold of the high schools and the ag teachers and see what we can do to coordinate with them,' she said.
The aim is to have a new generation not only carry the club legacy but carry materials and the physical burden of gardening. It is getting harder for members to maintain some areas around Modesto due to challenging landscapes, Robinson explained.
'I am also looking at MJC, and maybe giving the students extra credit that helps our club because they're younger, and working on that clock is next to impossible for any of our members because it's on the hill,' she said.
Membership for the club is $50 per year. It includes access to the monthly meetings, events and opportunities such as private tours of gardens near and far. On the calendar over the next few months are trips to the California State Capitol Gardens, Leland Stanford mansion, the de Young Museum in San Francisco.
New members can sign up on the website To meet current members and to get more information, the garden club is having a plant sale and vendor fair this Saturday, May 3, at Modesto Covenant Church, 913 Floyd Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Robinson said there will be 20 vendors in addition to food and fun. Mostly grown by garden club members, there will be annuals, perennials, vegetables, succulents and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit the club website or call 209-529-7360.
