Knowledge Cultivates Great Gardens

A garden life does not exist in a vacuum. Even the most scholarly of gardeners, sequestered in their labs, herbariums or greenhouses, share their discoveries with others. Much of that new garden knowledge finds its way into Horticulture. Horticulture magazine is a vessel of garden knowledge. For over 100 years we have been disseminating the latest news about garden design, plants, cultivation, garden science and garden communities. With winter approaching, it’s the perfect season to use the time out of the gardens to build our garden life.

Master Gardener Classes: University extensions across the country offer intensive study culminating in Master Gardener Certification. The classes are quite diverse—touching on everything from soil science to grafting. Perhaps the best part of the program is the social community of gardeners who work together to create master gardener programs to accumulate volunteer hours—a yearly requirement to maintain one’s standing as a master gardener.

Volunteer Opportunities: The best way to learn is to do. Volunteer opportunities allow gardeners to expand their garden know-how while working side-by-side with horticulture experts and other garden volunteers. It is not only a social garden venture but also an educational experience. Places to contact for garden volunteer opportunities include: botanical gardens, arboretums, large cemeteries, parks, retirement centers, schools and hospital grounds.

Continuing Education: Horticulture is dedicated to offering our garden community—that’s you—educational opportunities. In addition to the publication Horticulture, we offer: the Smart Gardening eNewsletter and HortMag.com where you will find our podcasts, Online Smart Gardening Workshops, and countless articles on a wide range of garden topics as well as educational PDF downloads.

Community Gardens: Are you low on space, lacking sun for a proper edible garden or looking to garden in the company of others? Then you will want to explore community gardening. Most community gardens charge a modest fee to rent a raised garden plot.

Social Media: Garden blogs and Facebook pages established by the experienced and the new-to-gardening are easy to find. Many garden blogs focus on a particular type of gardening or garden zone. Connecting with gardeners via social media is an easy way to befriend gardeners from across the country and around the world.