BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Container Gardening Garden Club membership

Hello Everyone,

Do you belong to a Garden Club? If yes, how often do you have meetings etc.; if no then have you considered joining one?

Do you go to 'open garden' weekends?

Let us know, thanks

Hi Lestie,

No I don't belong to a garden club. I have thought about joining one though.

As a beginner gardener, I want to do container gardens outside instead of planting a full ground garden like I did a few years ago.

What kind of garden clubs are there for container gardens? Or do I join a regular garden club?

What have your experiences been like?

Enjoy your week,

Bluedolphin

Hello Bluedolphin and all,

My best first off advice is for you to join a club as soon as you can.

Remember nothing is written in stone these days and if you don't like it then you just leave and find another one. But, why will you not like it? I couldn't say except for the people you may encounter ... and as with everything in life you find those that stand in the same queue with you and those who don't.

Another small comment is not to feel overwhelmed by the knowledge you may find. You know how it is! People like to show off a lot and may inhibit your asking questions or you may get confused by those who insist on only using latin or scientific names for plants etc. etc. and so on.

For instance, there is a really nice plant called Impatiens. It is an easy example as many know it anyway because it is such a versatile and popular multi-coloured flower. Do you happen to know what its popular name is? It's Bizzie Lizzie. Now sometimes you will ask for a Bizzie Lizzie and at others you will ask for an Impatiens ...and so what. Know that most plants have popular names anyway.

Your plans to start a container garden outside sound good, I just advise that you assess your space that you set aside a specific area for your pots and draw up a plan of sorts.

If you go to a nursery or garden centre I am sure they will be very pleased to help you - in fact talking to your friendly nurseryman is a good intro to joining a gardening club. Many nurseries have them attached anyway and you will feel more at home.

I have had much more pleasure than not of going to my garden club meetings. I have learnt oh so much, seen it all happen in real terms, gained experience via other people, seen their successes and learnt from their failures. I have been inspired and I have made a few fine friends - people I would invite to my home with pleasure. Don't be shy, be open-minded, tell them that you are a 'newby' of sorts and then sift through the advice you get as you go along.

Good luck Bluedolphin and anyone else who has a similar goal ahead. Ah, the choice, now there's a thing! Cheers

Thank you Lestie,

Great advice and help. I really appreciate it.

You're welcome Bluedolphin, let us know how you get on even if you don't get on if you know what I mean.

You could also just google garden clubs and you may find an online one that you like. I just prefer speaking to people and seeing with my fingers as they say...like preferring a book to Kindle and all and all.

Cheers now

Hello there all...

Or you could subscribe to your local monthly gardening magazine, there are so many you would be spoilt for choice BUT will certainly find one to suit you.

They range from specialist magazines to organic planting to you name it. I love receiving my gardening mags regularly, they keep me updated, I am reminded by extra specialist authors and gardeners about what's in season and I get to learn about new products and so on from the advertisements and articles.

Cheers now