Gardening, for many, is a lifestyle. When the ground is frozen, and frost is still a valid concern, it’s normal for that green thumb to get itchy.
However, there are many ways to stay active and nurture that green thumb, even if you can’t get your garden started quite yet. Some of it may be hands-on and some may be getting involved with local groups or online communities to share your interests.
If you need a fix, here are some things you can do to stay busy within the gardening world, both at home and in your community.
Start Seeding Indoors
One of the things many people do in preparation for spring is start with growing their plants indoors. Then, when the ground softens enough to allow planting and the threat of a frost that could destroy the plants before they’ve had a chance passes, you transfer the seedlings outside.
This takes a bit of care, especially with more fragile plants. But it’s a great way to get your hands dirty and start planning ahead for the spring months.
Visit a Greenhouse
Greenhouses allow plants to grow year-round, regardless of what season it is. Inside the structure, the temperature and humidity are regulated to provide an optimal growing environment.
If you can’t get your hands dirty at home, you might want to see if your local greenhouse has a need for help, or you can plan a visit to get some ideas for your growing season and new plants you might want to add to your garden.
Take Gardening Classes
There are always new things to learn when it comes to gardening, whether it’s a method you might not have heard of before or a new technology available to help with garden design or propagation. You might even learn techniques for planting in the winter months, so you don’t have to go months without enjoying your hobby.
You can find classes through local gardening clubs, a community center, and sometimes in garden centers as well. You can always ask around, too.
Volunteer with a Community Garden Center
Many communities have a garden center or club that is open to new members or volunteers. It can’t hurt to search for local ones in your area, or if you’re really passionate about it and know like-minded people, you could start your own.
You can use the group to educate others about gardening or share knowledge with each other. Sometimes, you can find community gardens run solely by volunteers for the betterment of the residents, where everyone gets to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Get Involved Online
You don’t even have to leave your home if you don’t want to! Consider joining some online gardening groups or forums and sharing your experiences with like-minded people. You can also discuss hot topics in the field, such as the way the environments have changed, or share tips on how to grow particularly challenging plants.
In participating in these groups, you’ll still be focusing on gardening, just in a different way.
