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How to find an outstanding garden mentor
Connecting with other gardeners is an essential factor in success when starting a garden. Experienced gardeners are often happy to help out and can point you in the right direction by answering your gardening questions! Even an experienced garden mentor will have lots of their own questions to investigate, so don’t be shy about asking for advice.
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The importance of finding a local garden mentor
Gardeners in your local area are incredibly valuable resources. They have experience growing plants in your climate and can point you towards types that will do well where you live. Recommendations from an experienced local garden mentor will save you both money and labor, as you’re less likely to choose plants that won’t survive in your climate.
General gardening books and websites can’t provide the level of climate-specific detail that a local gardener can provide. Local gardeners can also recommend reputable seed companies and plant nurseries in your area. If you don’t already have a local garden mentor yet, here are some places you can start your search:
Where to find a local garden mentor:
- Neighbourhood/Community Garden
- Master Gardeners Chapter
- Organic Gardening Community Group on Facebook
- Gardening Club
- Permaculture Club
- Botanical Garden or Arboretum
- University Horticulture Department
- State Extension Office (USA)
- Experienced Gardeners and Growers
- Local Organic Farmers & CSA Market Gardeners
- Vendors at the Farmers Market
- Family Friends
- Neighbours
- Employees at Reputable Independent Garden Centres, Nurseries, & Floral Shops
When discussing your plans with potential gardening mentors, be sure to specify your vision. Tell them your goal for your garden. Also, let them know that you’d like to garden organically rather than using chemicals on your plants.
When you do find a great local gardening mentor, be sure to thank them for helping you get started. Get their contact information so you can ask future follow-up questions throughout the season. Most gardeners are very willing to help you if you ask!
Connecting with garden mentors online
Outside of your local area, the easiest place to connect with other gardeners is online. This is especially true if you don’t know any other gardeners yet and are not part of a club such as a town garden club or a community garden. There are lots of Groups on Facebook and forums around the web (like Quora) where you can ask questions!
Another great place to find inspiration is on Instagram. It’s a great platform for finding new plants to grow. Whenever I see something inspiring on Instagram, I’ll comment on the photo with questions about how to grow the plant.
Other gardeners on Instagram are usually very helpful, especially when you’re trying to grow a specific plant for the first time. If you have questions about growing a plant, why not check out the hashtag for the name of the plant and see what’s out there!?
Using a garden planner to stay organized
Once you’ve found your garden mentor or mentors, record their contact information in your Garden Planner. Keeping their contact details on hand will allow you to ask a quick question when the need arises. You’ll likely have questions for your mentor throughout the season…from the planning process, to planting, to harvesting, and then preserving.
Keeping all your garden info in one place will save you a great deal of time! If you don’t already have your free copy of my free planner, get your free copy here.
Now that you’re on track with finding your gardening mentor, it’s time to move on to the next section of the Garden Planner….discovering your growing zone!
Social media is a great way to find gardening mentors that relate to the same climate as you! If you want to learn more about how to connect with others and become a master gardener, click here!
FAQ’s about garden mentoring
How do I become a garden mentor?
To become a garden mentor, you can follow these steps:
Develop your gardening skills and knowledge by reading books, attending classes, and gaining hands-on experience.
Find a local community garden or gardening organization that offers mentorship programs.
Contact the organization and express your interest in becoming a garden mentor.
Complete any necessary training or certification programs required by the organization.
Begin mentoring other gardeners and sharing your knowledge and experience with them.
Continuously learn and improve your skills as a garden mentor by attending workshops, conferences, and other relevant events.
Can garden mentors be trusted?
As with any mentor or teacher, it is important to evaluate their credibility and trustworthiness. In general, garden mentors who are affiliated with reputable organizations and have a track record of successfully mentoring others are likely to be trustworthy. You can also look for certifications or other forms of recognition that demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in gardening. However, like any human being, garden mentors may have their own biases or limitations in knowledge, so it’s always good to do your own research and consult multiple sources when making decisions about your garden.
Resources
- Gardening statistics
- How to start a gardening blog?
- The Science of Gardening: An online gardening course for plant lovers
- 7 great gardening tips and tricks for new gardeners
- Online gardening courses: 40+ garden classes to take at home
References
Gardener mentor
Gardening is such a fun and creative way to show who you are. For ideas and tips to become your own garden mentor, click below.
