All the Buzz about E-Gardening

by Kelly D. Norris

E-everything has caught our society by storm in this technological age.  Some would argue that electronic technology has expropriated us of our humanity driving us ever further down a path shared with zombies.  But this is ludicrous.  E-gardening is my retreat from the sharp winds of winter, the slick sidewalks, and snowy byways.  My computer is my garden, especially in winter.  The Internet offers a tremendous cache of resources for gardeners.  Let’s break it down.

Forums & Blogs: Calling all gabby gardeners

Many of these online venues have developed a near religious following.  They’ve created the opportunity for online communities in which gardeners can connect with fellow green-thumbs from around the globe.  Many, like one of the earliest and still thriving GardenWeb (www.gardenweb.com), aggregate the congregation by topics ranging from rock gardening to peonies and even by regions of the country like New Jersey Gardening or Ohio Valley.  And when you’re talking about online garden forums who could forget the inimitable Dave’s Garden (www.davesgarden.com)?

Blogs are another terrific element of e-gardening.  In fact, anyone can be a blogger!  If you want to post musings about plants in your garden all you have to do is sign-up for a free account with WordPress or Blogger, or any other push-button publisher, and you’re on your way.  My blog at my website (www.kellydnorris.com) is certainly incomparable to veteran garden bloggers like Kathy Purdy’s Cold Climate Gardening (www.coldclimategardening.com) or the venerable, and at times irascible, troupe of women who blog at GardenRant (www.gardenrant.com).

Online Catalogs:  Buyers beware

You should only beware because it might lure your credit card right out of your wallet.  Many nurseries have developed high-quality websites for online grazing by soon-to-be customers.  Characteristics of good websites include high-quality images, information about shipping, order preparation, and plant size, as well as reasonable pricing and good selection.  Some websites operate as a portal to the business, a landing point for those inspired enough to pick up the phone or dash off a good, old-fashioned letter.  But this is a little archaic.  The best websites cater right to your mouse’s pointer leading you to the most-expensive item on the website which you surely cannot live without.  It’s called marketing.  My favorites include Garden Crossings (www.gardencrossings.com) and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (www.rareseeds.com).

A Few Good Sites:  Just a few I promise

While websites are the heart and soul of the Internet, and to list a few of them might seem trite, I can’t help but tell you about where my browser has been lately, aside from those mentioned in categories above.

Hort.net (www.hort.net) is a vast archive of postings from over 20 mailing lists that it hosts.  From ferns to veggies, aroids to irises, a plethora of grassroots data can be found using their search engine.  A top stories link bar also displays botanical and horticultural news stories that have surfaced across the major news sites.

Many plant and gardening societies have great websites that have often been developed to attract members but promote information about their passions as well.  Some fine examples include the American Iris Society (www.irises.org), the International Bulb Society (www.bulbsociety.org), the Pacific Bulb Society (www.pacificbulbsociety.org), and the American Fern Society (www.amerfernsoc.org). 

I’ll post plenty more on my blog.  Grab your mouse, don your hat and clogs and let’s get to the e-garden.

Kelly D. Norris is Farm Manager at Rainbow Iris Farm and, when not in the garden, can be found roaming the greenhouses of Horticulture Hall at Iowa State University.  Check out his blog, the E-Garden Almanac, at his website www.kellydnorris.com.