GUELPH – When we think of gardening, we often picture soil-stained hands, the satisfaction of homegrown tomatoes, or the quiet peace of tending to your favorite flowering perennials.
But beyond the personal joys and therapeutic benefits, there is an often overlooked element: community.
Especially in today’s world, with an ever-changing climate – both ecological and political – the role of community in gardening is more vital than ever. Gardening has long been celebrated for its physical and mental health benefits.
Even without scientific journals, gardeners around the globe will tell you of the joy, fulfillment and physical wellness it brings.
It’s a deeply grounding activity, connecting people to nature, the seasons and a sense of purpose. But perhaps just as valuable is how gardening connects people to one another. In nearly every region, there are opportunities to turn a solitary hobby into a shared passion.
Joining horticultural societies or garden clubs allows individuals to exchange knowledge, seeds, tools and friendship. In the geographic area of this newspaper there are several active horticultural societies, each offering events, tours, plant swaps, and shared enthusiasm.
For those looking to expand both their skill set and their social circles, joining the local Master Gardener group is a fantastic option.
These groups not only offer ongoing education but emphasize volunteering, allowing members to contribute to their hyper-local community, learn with and teach others, and form friendships that last a lifetime.
Beyond the social benefits, a gardening community can be a powerful resource when it comes to practical challenges. Gardening is inherently tied to landscaping – and landscaping is about more than aesthetics.
A thoughtfully designed landscape protects your home’s foundation, manages stormwater, reduces erosion, and offers shade in extreme heat. But with rising costs in labour and materials, it can be overwhelming to take on such projects alone. That’s where the community steps in again.
By connecting with other gardeners and local enthusiasts, it becomes easier to find people willing to barter services, share materials or lend a hand.
Whether it’s exchanging plants over coffee or teaming up on a weekend to install a new bed, the collective effort not only saves money, but strengthens local ties.
In the end, gardening is about growth – growth of plants, of knowledge and of relationships. By rooting ourselves in community, we ensure that this growth is supported, sustained and shared.
So while the soil may start in your own backyard, the harvest reaches much farther when we garden together.
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Kiki Alwan is member of the Guelph-Wellington Master Gardeners.