Community Garden Club: History of JaJa Culture

What is Hügelkultur? Hügelkultur, “mound culture” in German, is, simply put, a raised garden bed. The centuries-old technique uses wood, leaves, and other landscaping debris that would otherwise end up in a landfill to build a nutrient-rich mound for gardening. Interestingly, Hügelkultur starts with dry logs placed in a trench-like gap in the ground that will form the horizontal size of the raised bed. Materials are layered and piled high, creating a tunnel-shaped hill that provides years of nutrients for itself through sustainable, natural processes. There’s more than one way to build a hügel bed, and each method yields the fertile earth necessary to suit a gardener’s needs.

Hügelkultur was the basis of the presentation “History of JaJa Culture” by “Urban Farmboy” Joe Berezoski at the November 17th meeting of the Community Garden Club. Hostesses were Marjorie Fiola and Sheila Lawson.

The emphasis is on efficient, practical, and successful gardening for health. Growing one’s vegetables means having fresh vegetables grown without chemicals. 

At the end of the program, Mr. Berezoski gave CGC members an envelope of arugula seeds. Now is an excellent time to container garden arugula!

The Community Garden Club of Marlin is over 100 years old. It is the oldest registered and continuously operating garden club in Texas. It consists of 15 members: Cynthia Derry, Irv Hurden, Sheila Lawson, Maggie Majors, Beth Mullins, RamonaWatson, Mildred Wilson, and Mary Wilson. Plus, 2023-2024 Officers are President Susan Byrd, Vice President Terri Glover, 2nd Vice President Letitia Estep, Recording Secretary Marjorie Fiola, Treasurer Letitia Estep, Publicity Sara Payne, Historian Terri Glover, and Parliamentarian Ramona Watson. 

Members enjoy learning how to grow African violets from a single leaf and the importance of flowers and pollinators. Programs include “Eating Smart/Being Active”. Others are environmental healthy composting and water conservation education. The Community Garden Club maintains Falkner Park, shrubbery and plant beds at city hall and the statue garden at the local hospital. Members planted the pink roses at the Triangle of the Falls County Courthouse.  

Community Garden Club members support the Falls County Youth Fair and the Marlin Historical Society (Allen House). Members contribute and recycle plastics. Various members help distribute food at the Central Texas Mobile Pantry sites and help Meals on Wheels, Palace Theatre, Civil Air Patrol, and many other volunteer organizations.

They are eligible to participate in Flower Show, Gardening, Environmental, and Landscape Design courses. Members are invited to attend the National Garden Club Spring Convention in Denver and the Texas Spring Convention in Abilene. 

A yearly fundraiser provides the Marlin community with wondrous articles, plants, and fellowship, while producing funds for club projects and responsibilities. 

A favorite activity is the Annual Christmas Party held at Marlin’s Historic Allen House. 

The Community Garden Club meets on the third Friday of the months September through May, at 2 p.m., at the Marlin Senior Civic Center on 104 Hays Street.