How to Start a New Garden Club
- Are you and your neighbors interested in beautification of your neighborhood or town?
- Do you want to learn how to grow your own vegetables – even on your patio?
- Are you concerned about environmental issues facing your community?
- Do you wish you knew how to landscape your yard, plant a container garden on your porch or make a floral centerpiece?
Then Start A Garden Club!
- Find Members
- Post flyers where gardeners hang-out:
- Nureries
- Garden Centers
- Botanical Gardens
- Libraries
- Book Stores
- Parks
- Organic Restaurants
- Food Co-ops
- Environmental Stores
- Feed Centers
- Community Gardens / Centers
- Take out a small classified ad in small local newspapers or neighborhood newsletters
- Ask neighbors and friends to join
- Post flyers where gardeners hang-out:
- Select a Meeting Place & Time
- Be as flexible as possible to accommodate busy schedules
- Set the date and time for the first meeting; then club determines what day and time works best.
- Free meeting rooms are often available at libraries or community centers.
- Local nurseries might be willing to donate space in exchange for free advertising to club members.
- Determine Club’s Purpose/Goals
- Will the club purpose be singular or multifaceted?
- If a singular purpose, what will it be?
- Landscape Design
- Floral Design
- Community’s Environmental Issues
- Horticulture
- Church members who do floral design for worship services and landscaping of the church
- Retirement community members who are interested in landscaping of the church
- Educate the community about specific gardening practices
- Beautification of the local community/park
- Work with youth to ensure the next generation of gardeners
- How often will the club meet to accomplish these goals
- Will the meetings be informal or formal in format?
- Organization of the Club
- Elect officers
- Determine the amount of dues based on expenses of programs, rent and projects
- Write By-laws
- Join the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs
- By joining a state garden club, the club also becomes a member of National Garden Clubs. These affiliations bring educational benefits of access to conferences, workshops, tours and speakers for further education. Awards and grants programs of Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs and National Garden Clubs can provide funding for club projects and programs.
- Network with Local Resources
- After your club forms, make sure you introduce yourself to the community. Network with local resources like country extension agencies, colleges and universities and local nurseries and garden centers. Let others know what your club is all about and who can be contacted to answer questions or respond to inquiries. Find out what resources may be of benefit to the members of your club, and what your club can offer to others in the community.
Whether starting your own club, or joining one that is already established, you will enjoy the encouragement you receive from others, learn better ways to beautify your environment and get acquainted with like-minded.
For more resources Contact the VFGC Membership Chairman.