Connecting with local gardeners

whimsicaldrift · January 17, 2013

How do you guys connect with vegetable gardening junkies in your community? Any forums or other social media platforms?

I'm a relatively new gardener, and I've googled, to no avail... the local garden clubs do monthly meetups, but I have an irregular work schedule, and that is not workable for me. But I would love to connect with local people who share my interest in gardening... In this age of social media, I'm hoping there's, well, an app for that. :p

Any ideas would be appreciated!

Redbaron · January 17, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by whimsicaldrift

How do you guys connect with vegetable gardening junkies in your community? Any forums or other social media platforms?

I'm a relatively new gardener, and I've googled, to no avail... the local garden clubs do monthly meetups, but I have an irregular work schedule, and that is not workable for me. But I would love to connect with local people who share my interest in gardening... In this age of social media, I'm hoping there's, well, an app for that. :p

Any ideas would be appreciated!

http://tomatoville.com/forumdisplay.php?f=104

habitat_gardener · January 17, 2013

Is there a really good independent garden supply store (not a big box) or nursery in your area? Sometimes they have events or even (gasp) bulletin boards.

Many states have master gardener programs. If they hold classes or events, go and talk with the people who attend them.

Also visit local community gardens and talk to people, and see if there are any plant exchange groups or garden shares. One of the local garden shares occurs monthly; people bring things to share and take what they can use. I know of 2 local seed banks (located in libraries), but haven't met any gardeners there. Food-gleaning groups and food banks are another possibility -- some people at the community garden grow food just for the food bank.

I have a local gardening group that meets once a month, but it's more of a social group and I haven't found anyone who is as, um, intense about planting a variety of OPs as most t-villians seem to be. People take turns giving presentations. I talked about beans last year and offered samples, and few people took any. The people who are doing a lot of experimenting and spending time in their gardens are either retired or underemployed. This group started about a decade ago at a food-growing conference, where people met each other in small groups based on the town/neighborhood they lived in.

If there are places to volunteer such as nonprofits that have vegetable gardens, or school gardens, you may meet people there.

I think there needs to be some sort of future farmers of america for the over-40 folks.

Finally, you may have to start something yourself!

Hotwired · January 17, 2013

I sell Strawberries & Jams at the local Farmer's Market, and I met a huge number of gardeners, as well as professional organic growers there. I'm constantly emailing and making & taking calls from them relative to gardening ideas, problems, etc. I do a huge amount of bartering there too. I trade strawberries & blueberries for all the fruits & vegetables that I don't grow as well as for free-range chickens and eggs. I even bartered for a half pig this year. I'd suggest that you hang out there one weekend start some conversations. You'll find these people love gardening and love to talk. They also have events there. We just had the International Rutabaga Curling Championship http://www.rutabagacurl.com/ .

Hotwired
Ithaca, NY 5b

kilroyscarnival · January 17, 2013

I am working on the same thing. The growing conditions are different in every area, plus there's the desire to find out and share sources for local supplies, sales, and news. I searched in vain for an Orlando gardeners list on Yahoo groups and the usual places. Met a gardener at the horse place, and mentioned that I was going to try to create a group, but I haven't gotten started yet.

Central Florida growers, stay tuned, I'll mention it here when and if I get it going. I'm not trying to compete with any other boards or lists for anyone's time, but mainly create a uniquely local network.

I also met a very nice local farmer (CSA) after I found her blog online. I went to the farmer's market where she sells some of her crops, and also seeds and eggs. Her blog has been very informative to me.

January 17, 2013

Hey hotwired, you gonna start a league? We will need a beauty contest limiting entrants to fifty years old and up plus a beginners beauty contest limiting contestants to forty nine years old and down.

Are you allowed to wax your rutabagas? Will there be a Worlds Champion decided. You could probably expect a lot of travel to be involved. At least fifty miles. Maybe Disney can arrange a cruise for the World Rutabaga Curling Championship. We would just be tossing those rutabagas down the promenade on-board.

The beauty contests would be judged the same way you judge rutabagas, by plumpness and firmness.

Just curious!

Ted

January 17, 2013

Since I have a tendency to strike up a conversation with anyone I meet, I've met gardeners in the hospital during my wifes surgery, in line at the grocery store, at the checkout register at the local auto parts store, in line to vote, waiting in line for a flu shot, and at church. My local farm store even has a couple of benches in front of the counter for folks to sit and visit. It reminds me of a small town courtroom with people sitting on the benches and the owner sitting on his throne at the register pontificating on world events. It seems to be the only place left where one can openly discuss religion and politics without anyone getting angry. A significant amount of gardening advice is also exchanged while sitting on those benches. About the only place I am reluctant to visit with folks is when I am standing in front of a urinal at Walmart. Conversations often start when you retreat to the sinks to wash your hands. I don't know why urinal conversation is frowned upon by our society.

Ted

kilroyscarnival · January 17, 2013

Whimsical -
Did a quick search and found "Master Gardeners of Ontario" at http://www.mgoi.ca/
- caution, there may be a hazing process. Naturally, if there is, we want to hear all about it.
Also http://www.ontariogarden.com/index.htm which seems not to be linked to Ontario Gardening magazine.
I also found: http://freshvegetablesontario.com/ - while this seems more for commercial producers, I didn't do the research, so maybe it'll be useful too.

whimsicaldrift · February 1, 2013

Thanks very much for all the suggestions!

January 17, 2013	#1
whimsicaldrift Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 11	Connecting with local gardeners How do you guys connect with vegetable gardening junkies in your community? Any forums or other social media platforms? I'm a relatively new gardener, and I've googled, to no avail... the local garden clubs do monthly meetups, but I have an irregular work schedule, and that is not workable for me. But I would love to connect with local people who share my interest in gardening... In this age of social media, I'm hoping there's, well, an app for that. :p Any ideas would be appreciated!

January 17, 2013	#4
Hotwired Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ithaca, NY - USDA 5b Posts: 241	I sell Strawberries & Jams at the local Farmer's Market, and I met a huge number of gardeners, as well as professional organic growers there. I'm constantly emailing and making & taking calls from them relative to gardening ideas, problems, etc. I do a huge amount of bartering there too. I trade strawberries & blueberries for all the fruits & vegetables that I don't grow as well as for free-range chickens and eggs. I even bartered for a half pig this year. I'd suggest that you hang out there one weekend start some conversations. You'll find these people love gardening and love to talk. They also have events there. We just had the International Rutabaga Curling Championship http://www.rutabagacurl.com/ . Hotwired Ithaca, NY 5b __________________ Give a man a fish and he eats for a day - Teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

January 17, 2013	#6
tedln Guest Posts: n/a	Hey hotwired, you gonna start a league? We will need a beauty contest limiting entrants to fifty years old and up plus a beginners beauty contest limiting contestants to forty nine years old and down. Are you allowed to wax your rutabagas? Will there be a Worlds Champion decided. You could probably expect a lot of travel to be involved. At least fifty miles. Maybe Disney can arrange a cruise for the World Rutabaga Curling Championship. We would just be tossing those rutabagas down the promenade on-board. The beauty contests would be judged the same way you judge rutabagas, by plumpness and firmness. Just curious! Ted Last edited by tedln; January 17, 2013 at 12:56 PM.

January 17, 2013	#7
tedln Guest Posts: n/a	Since I have a tendency to strike up a conversation with anyone I meet, I've met gardeners in the hospital during my wifes surgery, in line at the grocery store, at the checkout register at the local auto parts store, in line to vote, waiting in line for a flu shot, and at church. My local farm store even has a couple of benches in front of the counter for folks to sit and visit. It reminds me of a small town courtroom with people sitting on the benches and the owner sitting on his throne at the register pontificating on world events. It seems to be the only place left where one can openly discuss religion and politics without anyone getting angry. A significant amount of gardening advice is also exchanged while sitting on those benches. About the only place I am reluctant to visit with folks is when I am standing in front of a urinal at Walmart. Conversations often start when you retreat to the sinks to wash your hands. I don't know why urinal conversation is frowned upon by our society. Ted Last edited by tedln; January 17, 2013 at 01:42 PM.

January 17, 2013	#3
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	Is there a really good independent garden supply store (not a big box) or nursery in your area? Sometimes they have events or even (gasp) bulletin boards. Many states have master gardener programs. If they hold classes or events, go and talk with the people who attend them. Also visit local community gardens and talk to people, and see if there are any plant exchange groups or garden shares. One of the local garden shares occurs monthly; people bring things to share and take what they can use. I know of 2 local seed banks (located in libraries), but haven't met any gardeners there. Food-gleaning groups and food banks are another possibility -- some people at the community garden grow food just for the food bank. I have a local gardening group that meets once a month, but it's more of a social group and I haven't found anyone who is as, um, intense about planting a variety of OPs as most t-villians seem to be. People take turns giving presentations. I talked about beans last year and offered samples, and few people took any. The people who are doing a lot of experimenting and spending time in their gardens are either retired or underemployed. This group started about a decade ago at a food-growing conference, where people met each other in small groups based on the town/neighborhood they lived in. If there are places to volunteer such as nonprofits that have vegetable gardens, or school gardens, you may meet people there. I think there needs to be some sort of future farmers of america for the over-40 folks. Finally, you may have to start something yourself!

January 17, 2013	#5
kilroyscarnival Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 614	I am working on the same thing. The growing conditions are different in every area, plus there's the desire to find out and share sources for local supplies, sales, and news. I searched in vain for an Orlando gardeners list on Yahoo groups and the usual places. Met a gardener at the horse place, and mentioned that I was going to try to create a group, but I haven't gotten started yet. Central Florida growers, stay tuned, I'll mention it here when and if I get it going. I'm not trying to compete with any other boards or lists for anyone's time, but mainly create a uniquely local network. I also met a very nice local farmer (CSA) after I found her blog online. I went to the farmer's market where she sells some of her crops, and also seeds and eggs. Her blog has been very informative to me.

February 1, 2013	#9
whimsicaldrift Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 11	Thanks very much for all the suggestions!