A group of 25 gardeners is not content with making their yards enjoyable. They have been spreading their love of playing in dirt throughout the South Shore.

On Aug. 14 the South Tahoe Garden Club will be sharing 50 years of gardening history with anyone who wants to listen. The free event is at the Tahoe Tallac Site from 10:30am-12:30pm. Walks will be given through the gardens, and stories of the lawns and gardens of the past will be told.

Gardening club members at the Tallac Site. Photo/Provided

The group formed in the 1960s by a handful of women seeking a social activity with a purpose. They chose gardening. Ideas were shared, speakers brought in, and trips to nurseries and gardens near and far were typical doings. Many public programs have been presented to the basin in the past years and over time, the women (sometimes with help of husbands) landscaped Happy Homestead Cemetery, Barton Memorial Hospital, a small shade area at the county library and the garden planted next to the Baldwin Museum at the Tallac Site.

The Baldwin garden was difficult because of the multitude of rocks found. They have been used to create a dry creek bed. Colorful birdhouses are found at the garden, too. This keeps with the history of the site because Dextra Baldwin put a dry creek bed in her garden along with an abundance of birdhouses.

For the last 10 years, the club has maintained this garden and in 2011, planted trees in memory of members who have passed on.

New this year is the Gathering Garden installed by the Washoe people and the Green Team of the U.S. Forest Service helping with gardening.

The group sticks with 25 members and has five on the waiting list.

The Tallac Site is on Highway 89, past Camp Richardson if headed north. Turn right at the sign saying Tallac Historic Site.