I think my garden style could be called, Greedy Guts, or, Quart into a Pint Pot style. I have been used to a much bigger garden than this one, and have yet to learn that there simply is not going to be room for everything I want to grow. I keep trying to squeeze more and more in. The poor roses and other plants have to take big breaths in to accommodate their neighbours. I still haven't laid the paths or steps. At this rate, the paths are getting narrower and narrower, but there will be plenty of flowers! Daisy

I'm pretty active in the Raleigh gardening scene and I have to say the two favorites are: the one you're reading right now and the local arboretum (JC Raulston Arboretum - Friends of the Arboretum). Having the plant swaps has proven to be the perfect kind of garden club for me. No monthly meetings. No politics. No dues. Simply chat to your hearts content online and get together twice a year to exhange plants. Can't get any better.

Woodyoak..I'm very sorry you got the response you did from your visit to the local garden club. I know it may seem that you'd be tattling like a kid does when somebody does wrong, but I think you need to write a letter or call the President of that club and bring this matter to her attention. It is possible that she was not aware of what you encountered. Does that club have a monthly newsletter that goes out to all its members? If she is any kind of a person/President, she would mention this in that newsletter to prevent it happening to somebody else that has disabilities. I'm sure you are not the first one that has come there with a disability, so it's obvious that it should be addressed. Are there other Garden Clubs in your area that you could check out? The lady that you said walks by your house, is she in the same Garden Club as you? If so, bring up the subject one time she is visiting? Invite her in for a cup of coffee/tea while she tours your gardens. I am on our hosptiality and worship committee at our church, and our leader has taught us to walk up to people we don't normally recognize or act like they are new, and start a conversation by introducing yourself and say "I don't think we've met before but I'm so and so and ask if this is their first time visiting with us? Sometimes it turns out to be somebody that is not a regular attendee and they've belonged to the church for many years. At least, that introduction breaks the ice and you'll remember that person and vice versa the next time. If you can't remember that person's name the next time, you'll probably recognize his/her face. A smile and a friendly Hello does wonders. I know a lot of people are reluctant to join groups or organizations because they fear not knowing anybody. That's a cope out, I'm sorry! I hope that this helps. Don't give up!

In the Garden Web Directory there is a list of garden clubs.Is there something specific you are looking for a club to offer? I am a garden club member and highly recommend it. Our club also does a gardening program in a nursing home, awards a scholarship to a senior going into horticulture or related field, exchange plants with each other, holds an annual plant sale and provides arrangements for holidays and civic events. We have monthly speakers to increase our knowledge about gardening and flower arranging and best of all we are connected to other gardeners. Here is a link that might be useful: Our pond and gardens