The Occasional Gardener

A nice blog that really shows the joys of gardening.  The unique graphics make this blog an especial treat to read and the photography is excellent.

-Marie

Hello Fellow Gardeners,

I have been a member of a garden club for several years now and I must say I enjoy it immensely! Here are ten great reasons you should join a garden club (or start one yourself!)!

1. Save Money! Why pay for new plants when you can trade plants you don’t need for what you really want! Your garden club can hold a plant exchange and have a lot of fun bartering for the latest n’ greatest in the wonderful world of plants!

2. Get Some Help! Got in a little over your head this year? Maybe ordered one to many roses and simply can’t bear to dig all those holes (this is hypothetical you understand– I have not done this…this year)? Get some help from your fellow gardening club members! You can get it done in a jiffy and have fun gossiping and laughing while doing the unpleasant chores! Don’t forget to make yourself available when someone else needs help!

3. Save More Money! You can save a lot by buying in bulk, but what are you going to do with a truck load of fertilizer? Why not see if other members are willing to split the cost and the load?

4. Get a great name! My garden club calls themselves the Perennial Optimists! Other names that were discussed were the Shady Ladies and the Gardening Gals!

5. Hold meetings! Meetings are a great way to find out all the latest information about gardening in one fun spot! Tour each others gardens, talk about new handy helpers for the garden, and just generally kick back and relax with some friends!

6. Take gardening trips! Not only can you get some great travel deals but you can also save money by rooming together, sharing the costs of cabs or shuttles, and more! Some garden clubs even collect dues, hold plant sales, and do other great money makers, saving the money for a great garden tour of England, or maybe just a jaunt to another state to visit a new Botanical garden!

7. Attend a class or a conference! Make a day of learning about one of America’s favorite pastimes even more fun by bringing along a few friends! Also, these are great places to keep a lookout for possible new members!

8. Get inspiration! Chances are not all of the members will have the same tastes in garden designs. One may like cottage gardens while another may be strictly formal! Get some inspiration from your fellow members for your own garden!

9. Get great tips! Got a plant you just can’t grow? Need some advice on perking up a plant? Many gardeners have specialties, yours may be roses, but if you want some help growing daylilies chances are there is a member with some great helpful hints and tried n’ true techniques that they are willing to share!

10. Hold a garden tour or a plant sale for a great cause! If your passionate about cancer research or want to save a few furry friends, get your garden club involved! Members are often willing to donate plants and time to help out! The money you make could go a long way towards helping humanity!

I hope you liked our design! We just decided to kick back and have a bit of fun with this article!

Check back for the final part of our Dying from Drying Series coming soon!

Happy Gardening,

Marie Suzanne

Doug Green’s Garden Blog

I love this site! So much good information. I am a fan of Doug Green and his book on growing roses in cold climates and I have tried some of his ideas and they work!

I now have Mr. Lincoln as a perennial rose based on his recommendations.

-Marie