By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

The recently conceived Candia Garden Club is quickly in full bloom.

When master gardener Judy Siemonsma moved to Candia from Bedford late last year, she asked if there was a garden club in town.

“People told me ‘No, but you can start one,’” said Siemonsma.

Siemonsma then contacted garden clubs in area towns and also got guidance from the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs.

“I did a lot of research because I had no idea what to do,” said Siemonsma.

Candia’s club first met in June and now has a regular roster of 14 members and counting. Two of the members are master gardeners, though the group features a range of skill levels.

“We do have people who are new and just want to learn some things,” said member Deb Giffen.

The club has been meeting regularly and touring some area gardens.

Two of the club’s early projects are to refurbish the gardens around Candia’s town hall and to fill in three vintage horse troughs around town with some eye-pleasing flora.

The three solid granite troughs, dated between 1904 and 1907, are on Main Street, Old Deerfield Road and the intersection of Langford Road and Depot Road.

Many of the flowers already on display in the troughs and at town hall were donated for the club’s use by Candia’s Pleasant Hill Landscaping & Nursery.

“We were going to buy everything, but (the owner) said he would be insulted if we didn’t take all these plants,” said Siemonsma.

Plans for the town hall gardens, which have traditionally been maintained solely by club member and Town Clerk Christine Dupere, include some new shrubs, flowers, boulders and garden art.

Club members suggested working outside town hall is a good way to keep in touch with the community.

“It amazes me how many people go in and out of there,” said club member Fran Hutchins.

“It’s true ­ you do get some of the gossip,” added Siemonsma.

While some club members said they certainly appreciate the social aspect of the club, the primary interest is still getting dirt under the fingernails.

“The dirt is great,” said Giffen.

“To me, it’s all very therapeutic,” said Siemonsma.

The Candia Garden Club welcomes new members to attend its regular meetings on Wednesdays, at 7 p.m. at the Smyth Public Library. Meetings focus on specific aspects of gardening and often feature speeches from specialists.

The club will also have a plant sale at Candia’s Old Home Days in September.

For more information on the club, contact Siemonsma at 483-2369.