Month: March 2020

What’s On with GardenComm!

Hop into spring with GardenComm by submitting for the exciting opportunities we have to offer!

2020 GardenComm Director Nominations
Deadline Monday, March 30

The GardenComm Nominations Committee is soliciting nominations from members to be considered as candidates for director positions for GardenComm Leadership.

Serving as a GardenComm leader is both an honor and a commitment. To work with other distinguished members of our industry in leading and shaping this organization is a productive and immensely enjoyable experience. Please submit a self-nomination or recommend people whom you know will demonstrate the energy and innovative spirit we need to build on our momentum!

For more information, click here.

Deadline Tuesday, March 31
Click here to submit your entry today!

honors

2020 GardenComm Honors Nominations
Deadline Monday, June 1

Each year, GardenComm recognizes industry excellence and service to the association with its Honors program in seven distinct honoree categories listed below. As the chairs of the Honors program, we encourage you to submit a nomination, which can be made by or on behalf of any qualified nominee. Self-nominations are also welcome.

For more information, click here.

 

Planting Opportunity

Your yoga classes, meetings and concerts are canceled. The kids are out of school and you’re being encouraged to stay home. In this time of #Covid-19, GardenComm members are thinking about how people can use this period to cultivate something good. Here are a few suggestions.

  • Take this time to groom or repot houseplants. Remove dead leaves, refresh the soil, take cuttings of favorites so that later you can share the wealth with friends.
  • Start some seeds. Nothing is more life-affirming than checking each morning to see if something spouted.
  • Plan a vegetable garden. Grow the veggies you love the most. Read about which varieties to plant from seeds and which ones are better if you purchase plants. Consult garden blogs and books.
  • Plan to grow flowers that make you happy. Suggestions: sunflowers, nasturtiums, zinnias or marigolds. These are #EasyFromSeeds and you can grow many plants for less money.
  • Create a new indoor display of plants. Make a row of small pots in bloom on your kitchen counter or the windowsill above your sink. Move an unused side table in front of a window or slider, creating a new place for plants.
  • Redesign the plantings in the front of your house. Research plants that grow well in your area, and make a plan for spring renewal.
  • Take an online class about plants or gardens, or watch some YouTube instruction videos. Learn about seed starting, taking cuttings, or how to grow vegetables.
  • Plan an herb garden. What herbs do you like to cook with? Which herbs make the best cocktails or tea? If you don’t have in-ground space, grow herbs in pots. #foodies #aromatherapy
  • Pull out the garden or plant books you bought in the past and read them…maybe for the first time! Revisit those copies with lovely garden photos and be newly inspired.
  • Take a walk in a nearby natural area: woods, field, desert, beach or park. Look closely at leaves, bark, mosses and flowers. Notice the number of plants that grow in a community. Look up, look down.
  • Go to on-line seed and plant companies and learn about varieties you’re not familiar with. Join plant or garden groups on social media. Search for posts about the flowers and plants you see listed.
  • Order a new book about plants or gardens. Once it arrives, hold a #GardenRetreat hour or afternoon. Sip your favorite beverage, read and make a list of garden inspirations.
  • What plants remind you of family members or friends? Write those memories down. Consider turning those recollections, along with photos of the plants and people, into a small book that can be passed to others in your family.
  • Decide to plant a tree. Research which varieties grow well in your area. Look to see where you have the right amount of space and sunlight.
  • Get a head start on the growing season by removing plants that died last season or over the winter. Prepare those spaces for planting, and research to find the perfect varieties for these spaces.
  • Plan a new group of containers for your deck, porch or patio. Flowers, herbs and vegetables await your creativity…go for color, fragrance and flavor.
  • Help to get a young person out into the natural world. Plan a garden for your kids or grandchildren. Donate supplies to a local children’s garden or school garden.
  • Plan a garden vacation. Decide on an area of the country, and research public gardens, national parks, and plant destinations that are in the region. (If you’re a garden communicator, come to GardenComm2020 in Williamsburg!)

View found time as a #PlantingOpportunity, keep it  #GardenStrong and #LifeAffirming.