Clubbing It, Garden Style

This landless gardener knows how to get down. When I want to hang with my peeps, see what’s fresh and what’s fly I go clubbing!

Get down? The jig is up. I may be a bit behind the times with some things, but one thing this cool cat is on top of is hitting the garden club scene. All gardeners know the garden club circuit is a must and heck of a lot of fun. It is the most logical way for us to socialize without having to shelve our garden life for a night out. We are expected to chat about gardens and plants. It’s a gardener’s dream; mandatory garden conversation.

I was recently invited to join the tree-geek club in my area (the founder’s description, not mine!). The invitation included the rules of the group: We see a lot of plants, talk about plants, have a beer and enjoy a meal. What’s not to like about a group like that? At first I was a bit intimidated by the idea of joining. The members themselves are not intimidating; in fact they are very welcoming and funny. What intimidated me was their knowledge. The group is made of experts, seasoned professionals, the best-of-the-best and me. Hmmm, one of these members is not like the others. The wealth of knowledge these men and women possess is amazing. They inspire me to learn as much as I can about all aspects of gardening and the plant world, and to never lose my excitement about plants.

That is what makes garden clubs invaluable. Be it a group dedicated to trees, herbs, daylilies, hostas, roses, insert your plant of choice here, you are certain to meet enthusiasts whose knowledge far surpasses your own. And that is a good thing. I doubt there is a gardener out there who is wishing for the day when he can sit back and say, “I have done it! I have learned everything there is to know!” Far from it. We have learned, often the hard way with failed plants and garden designs, that there is always something new to learn. Isn't that what makes gardening so appealing?

And it is our insatiable appetite to know more about gardening that drives the garden club. The garden club is a place to converge with our peers and indulge in all things gardens and plants. So slip on your garden boots, grab a few cuttings to share and head to your local garden club and enjoy!

Jenny Koester, AKA The Landless Gardener, is the author of the garden blog The Garden Life.