To the casual observer, gardening seems to be a seasonal pastime — something you do when the weather is favorable. But local gardeners do not let a little cold, snowy weather stand in the way of their passion.

There are catalogs the seed and bulb companies send just as the gardens are fading. There are articles in the newspapers highlighting what worked this year in Chicago and what didn’t.

Conservatories — both Lincoln Park and Garfield Park — are open all year. And one spot close to us that offers seasonal beauty at little cost is Morton Arboretum — a lovely place to walk and talk or bike in the summer months.

Another way local gardeners stay in touch is the community garden clubs.

The Garden Club of La Grange Park is affiliated with the Garden Clubs of Illinois Inc. Marilyn Pulaski, president of the club, says that when she moved to La Grange Park in 1970, she was looking for a way to meet new people. Having lived in apartments before moving into their home, Pulaski knew virtually nothing about gardening. Her aunt lived in Florida at the time and had a neighbor whose daughter-in-law lived in Elmhurst and was active in the garden club. When the club member called and invited Pulaski to a meeting, she thought “Why not?” She found the group to be a bit older than she but was interesting in learning about gardening and thought, “Who better to learn from than these ladies?”

Through the years, she has found the community of the members wonderful.

“We all have something in common and it’s fun,” she said.

The Garden Club of La Grange Park has its annual plant sale the Saturday before Mother’s Day at Memorial Park. Plants are from member’s gardens.

Members do not have to reside in La Grange Park to join. Meetings are held at noon the first Monday of each month from October through June at the La Grange Park Village Hall, 447 N. Catherine Ave.

The Western Springs Garden Club meets at 12:30 p.m. the third Monday of every month at First Congregational Church, 1106 Chestnut St., Western Springs. Membership is $25 per year and the membership chairman is Diane Cwiak, who can be reached at (630) 887-9839.

An annual sale is held the Saturday before Mother’s Day at the Tower Green. Proceeds from the sale go to scholarships for high school students who live in the District 204 area. Last year, the club awarded two $1,000 scholarships to area seniors.

Pam Zadak of La Grange Park learned about the club through a former co-worker and friend, Pat Pate. Having attended the annual plant sale for a few years, Zadak was aware of the club. She attended three meetings before deciding to join the group.

“I wasn’t intimidated at all,” she said. “Members are very friendly and welcome newbies with open arms.”

Zadak was impressed with the number of activities available. There are a lot of opportunities for member involvement. Spring, of course, is the busiest time for the garden club. There are plant digs where volunteers meet at members and nonmembers’ homes to divide and dig plants for the plant sale. The Western Springs Garden Club also maintains two gardens at Spring Rock Park.

Joining a garden club gives the members an opportunity to see many beautiful gardens, get new ideas as to what grows best in the area, provides a source of information about civic, state and national horticultural and conservation affairs, and provide an outlet for creative expression and the camaraderie of new friends who all have a common interest.

As Zadak says, “Buying and growing plants based on books and plant catalogs has been hit or miss for me. I like to see what has been successful in gardens in the area and apply those lessons in my own garden.”