Nine years ago, I put an ad in the local newspaper just after Christmas. It read: “Is there anyone who likes gardening and would like to meet and talk about it during these cold, non-gardening months? If so, why don’t you meet with me at ……” I think about ten people showed up. We just sat around and got to know each other, and then we shared what kind of gardening we did. We discussed gardening books that were helpful (and not just pretty pictures) …. which magazines we’ve found to be useful …. what we loved to grow.
Would you believe that most of that original group is still meeting?! We call ourselves A Gathering of Gardeners, and, while we have morphed and changed during the nine years, our format and enjoyment has remained the same. Everybody talks and shares, we learn from each other, and we leave the meetings energized and anxious to garden again. We average 15-20 people at the meetings now, and we usually have a holiday get-together and a couple of visits to our gardens during the warm months. But mostly it’s Jan./Feb./Mar. that we meet.
Whereas a Federated Garden Club tries to improve the community, provide scholarships, and do other good things, our Gathering meetings are totally self-serving! But not in a bad way. We love learning. You know, every Master Gardener is supposed to be ready to give a 20-minute presentation on some aspect of gardening, so we often ask one of them to give us their “spiel.” That way we always have fresh topics to discuss as well.
Our Gathering people are very precious to me. And each has a different story to tell. Patsy sent us all this picture in May with an Email describing the swarm of bees (is that how you would describe it?) that she nearly hit while she was out mowing. She sells her homemade soaps at fairs and other gatherings. Mary Jo, under whose wisteria, we posed, plants and plants and shares and shares. Margie ended up opening a garden gift shop right after she got a greenhouse, where she now starts her herbs and annuals. June came as a Master Gardener to talk to us about garlic and other alliums and just never left. Her farm is burgeoning with bloom! Steve inspired me to grow more columbine. Dave is wild about lilies. Jay just started a local hosta society, and is active with Hobby Greenhouse Association as well. HGTV liked the greenhouse he built! Dolores helps her son pot up plants to sell at his farmstand. Ron and Thelma just moved from a house where he had 18 raised beds in the back for both vegetables and flowers. Roberta loves lavender. Catherine specializes in shade gardening. Gretchen and Skip have dog-friendly beds, and Sue gardens in a large community garden. Is it any wonder that our conversations are lively?!?
Why don’t YOU start a Gathering? I’m wild about the concept …..and especially all the great people who come to ours. Write me. I’ll be happy to help you start too.
Would you believe that most of that original group is still meeting?! We call ourselves A Gathering of Gardeners, and, while we have morphed and changed during the nine years, our format and enjoyment has remained the same. Everybody talks and shares, we learn from each other, and we leave the meetings energized and anxious to garden again. We average 15-20 people at the meetings now, and we usually have a holiday get-together and a couple of visits to our gardens during the warm months. But mostly it’s Jan./Feb./Mar. that we meet.Whereas a Federated Garden Club tries to improve the community, provide scholarships, and do other good things, our Gathering meetings are totally self-serving! But not in a bad way. We love learning. You know, every Master Gardener is supposed to be ready to give a 20-minute presentation on some aspect of gardening, so we often ask one of them to give us their “spiel.” That way we always have fresh topics to discuss as well.
Our Gathering people are very precious to me. And each has a different story to tell. Patsy sent us all this picture in May with an Email describing the swarm of bees (is that how you would describe it?) that she nearly hit while she was out mowing. She sells her homemade soaps at fairs and other gatherings. Mary Jo, under whose wisteria, we posed, plants and plants and shares and shares. Margie ended up opening a garden gift shop right after she got a greenhouse, where she now starts her herbs and annuals. June came as a Master Gardener to talk to us about garlic and other alliums and just never left. Her farm is burgeoning with bloom! Steve inspired me to grow more columbine. Dave is wild about lilies. Jay just started a local hosta society, and is active with Hobby Greenhouse Association as well. HGTV liked the greenhouse he built! Dolores helps her son pot up plants to sell at his farmstand. Ron and Thelma just moved from a house where he had 18 raised beds in the back for both vegetables and flowers. Roberta loves lavender. Catherine specializes in shade gardening. Gretchen and Skip have dog-friendly beds, and Sue gardens in a large community garden. Is it any wonder that our conversations are lively?!?Why don’t YOU start a Gathering? I’m wild about the concept …..and especially all the great people who come to ours. Write me. I’ll be happy to help you start too.
3 comments:
Jane, Let me be the first to say THANK YOU for the opportunity to GATHER with our group. It is a no preasure group without an adgenda other than having a good time and sharing fun stuff. Thanks again,Jay
Ah-h, Jay, you're kind. We DO have a great time, don't we?!! And we're constantly growing as a result of all the learning that goes on at the same time.Thanks for being a part of it all.
"Proper" garden clubs with state and national affiliations have their place, but the Gathering is so personal and involves no red tape, dues, duties, etc. We love our group for the gardener-to-gardener interaction, the direct flow of information between us. If I come in with a question or problem chances are it will be answered or solved by the end of our meeting! If not, I will get several e-mails on the subject within a few days... that is friendship with a common bond!
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