Do you know how to keep your citrus trees happy and thriving?

Do you know what to do with those beautiful amaryllis bulbs you got for Christmas?

Steve Sheard has a huge garden full of trees, veggies, and flowers, and he’ll share what he’s learned after gardening for 40 years at our next meeting, which is on March 15 from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m., followed by an optional lunch at the Sun Lakes Country Club.

Steve Sheard was born and raised in Zimbabwe around both roses and fruit trees. When he got married, he and wife Sue relocated to England where they lived, grew roses, and gardened for more than five years. These plants looked after themselves, and they enjoyed them immensely. Then they moved to Tempe in 1980. He planted 20 rose bushes the first year—and 18 died! He learned that gardening in the desert is different.

In 1993 Steve and Sue built a home and designed it around growing roses, flowers, and fruit trees. Today he has about 150 rose bushes. He does seminars on growing roses, fruit trees, and on budding and grafting.

Visitors are always welcome to attend a meeting or field trip before deciding to join. Members with no previous gardening experience are welcome, and they’re not required to live in Sun Lakes.

We meet every third Tuesday of the month, all year. Attendees gather at 9:30 a.m. to socialize and enjoy amazing refreshments and coffee. During this first half hour, we greet visitors and check out gardening books from our reference library and purchase any raffle tickets. We also have a “Free Stuff” table where members donate citrus or herbs or plants for other members. The meeting is called to order at 10 a.m.

Check out our monthly newsletters and Resources section on our website SunLakesGardenClub.org. There is an option to join online under the “Membership” option. Club memberships are only $20 per year, and a spouse or second member in the household is only $10 per year. The meeting location is the Chapel Center (house next door to Sun Lakes All Faiths Community Church and across the street from the Sun Lakes Country Club), at 9230 E. Sun Lakes Blvd. N., in Sun Lakes.