Sources for Beginners
As a beginner gardener, finding information is important for you. Of course, the Internet can be a wonderful source of information. There are many subjects covered right here on Suite101. More traditional gardening information sources can also be a great help to the beginner. Local sources can also be tuned to your particular needs.
The first place to start is the local library. Check out the gardening section as well as information about soils, weather and pesticides. If you're having problems finding in formation, ask the reference librarian. They're a great resource and can help you locate some obscure references. (OK, my sister is a reference librarians, and I'm biased) Many libraries subscribe to several gardening magazines, including the most well known organic one - Organic Gardening. Some of the books available have lots of information about organic gardening in general. And of course, browse those the flower books. Take the time to read about plants before purchasing them. After you find a book you really like, you can head down to the bookstore and purchase a copy for yourself.
Local newspapers also have columns on gardening that can help you determine when you should be doing what. It's fine if someone 100 miles to the north needs to put in peas now, but you need to know when you have to do it. I've also found useful information about invasive plants and which indigenous locals to use instead. This is important if we are to preserve our wilderness. Invasive species can overrun an area quickly. Local gardening columns can also help you determine which plants and which varieties can work well for you. Some of these columns are better than others, so if something doesn't sound right, don't hesitate to ignore the advice or find more information.
Another good local source is your local gardening club. In our small (10,000) town, we have three gardening clubs. Some of these people have been growing plants for more years than I've been alive. We meet monthly to hear a talk about a plant related subject. Usually the speaker brings samples or slides, so I get to see lots of interesting and beautiful flowers. We have a fall perennial exchange. Other clubs have plant auctions or bulb sales to earn money. If these are local plants you can be assured that these plants can survive in your local climate. The only problem with the garden club is you do have to be prepared to listen to people extol the virtues of pesticides. Don't jump on a bandwagon and lecture. It doesn't work. I always try to give organic advice if someone has a problem, but I try to be low-key. Even better, be an example and show how well your organic garden is doing. Last fall we started a butterfly garden at the local library/senior center and we used a no-till approach. This year, the garden went wild. It convinced some members that maybe this no-till approach was worth trying. And it did a better job convincing people than any a mount of lecturing could.
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