Love gardening? Join the club!
If you love to garden, you already know what a terrific hobby it is. Gardening is an easy way to get in touch with nature, it's an enjoyable way to get some heart healthy exercise, and it can be a fantastic stress reliever. But gardening needn't be a strictly solitary pursuit. Joining a gardening club can be a great way to share your passion with others, while learning more about your hobby and making your garden grow.
A harvest of information
Garden clubs often have a social component, so they can be a way of meeting others who share your interests. You'll also acquire in-depth knowledge about a particular type of plant or about gardening in your specific climate.
Depending on the club's purpose and structure, you may be able to attend meetings where you can exchange tips with other members, exchange or purchase plants, seeds or cuttings, hear guest speakers, enter competitions, attend social events and go on excursions.
Garden club varieties
Here are some ways that you can get involved with the gardening community:
- Local gardening clubs. You'll learn about issues and solutions specific to your area and microclimate. To find one near you, just enter your location and "garden club" into your search engine.
- Dedicated groups. There are many clubs that specialize in a specific type of plant. Rhododendrons, peonies, African violets are some of the plants that have attracted fan clubs.
- Horticultural organizations. You're fortunate if you live near a botanical garden, nursery or horticultural school. Many offer public lectures, speaking series, author visits, classes or workshops.
- Online communities. Gardening websites with online forums can be a great way to troubleshoot or get practical advice from fellow garden enthusiasts.
- Sharing with neighbours. Informal gardening alliances can be just as helpful. When your perennials become overgrown and need dividing, offer to swap with a neighbour, friend or office mate. You'll keep your gardens in check while expanding the variety.
- Garden tours. Gardeners love to showcase their hard work. Many neighbourhoods offer open house style tours in the spring and summer. This can be a great way to see real-life gardens in your area and get new ideas for landscaping.