Many members of the silent majority land on websites via google, and don't necessarily want to become involved (obviously, that isn't how OUR minds work!). I've noticed that whenever I google something garden-related, gardenweb is usually one of the top links returned. This is probably because ivillage puts some effort into their html metadata, so the pages are indexed optimally with the search engines.

Soooo ... if people don't respond to this invitation, it may be because the people you're aiming at never get to this thread or to the main NE-GW page.

At least, that's the way I see it - it will be interesting to find out how this works out.

I am curious and want to give this one a chance so...bump

Here's one happy lurker, I always learn something here. I promise to pop up someday w/ a question.
/waves

Another happy lurker here... I've started posting a little bit on one or two other forums. I learn tons just by reading all the back posts, and usually manage to get my questions answered via the search function.

:o)

I look/lurk here but don't post. I'm not gardening in New England at the moment, but have a home there and a garden that I'm sure is suffering in my absence. So when I'm homesick I come here to read about the weather, the pests, new plants, zone denial...it keeps me connected.

seagrass

Waving to all the lurkers! :-)

Gosh, I was a regular poster. These days I've been working two jobs and other volunteer stuff. It is true that many questions can be answered by looking at back posts. Of course, nothing beats great advice from the regulars on a regular basis. I feel as though what goes for "normal" isn't happening this year with the weather in a tizzy. At least, if we aren't going to have snow, I do hope it stays warm so we all don't lose plants like we did a few years ago.

I am a lurker. I've been heavily reading all of gardenweb in anticipation of my new garden. I container-gardened for a couple of years several years ago at my old apartment and am thrilled at the prospect of finally getting to have a real garden (sorry container gardeners - lugging soil up to the third floor just ain't that thrilling!). :)

I bought a house this year, and everything is different! I have picked out most of the seeds for the garden, and will hopefully start planning stuff once I get my packets. I am hoping not to screw things up too badly!

My house is lovely during the spring but the rest of the warm season it has nothing going for it (and fall and winter are just dreary). My main goal is to work with what's already there (lots!) and add some color for the other seasons and FRAGRANCE! (nothing currently planted smells at all really!)

We are also planning to do some vegetable gardening with a few plants in our garden, and make use of the local community gardens located not far from us. Right now we are composting like maniacs to try to have extra stuff to add to all the new beds we'd like to make in the spring. Of course said beds aren't planned out. I've been looking everywhere for ideas, but mostly just intend to go around the edges and add flowers. If you would like to make any suggestions, pictures of the house are linked through my profile!

I pop into this forum and read the threads from time to time and post on rare occassions. I'm more of a regular on a couple of other forums.

Hello lurkers!

Brandyk, congratulations on your new house. I'm trying to avoid cleaning my house so I checked out your garden photos. It's a wonderful garden! You've set a good goal for improving it by adding plants that bloom later in the season and ones that have winter interest.

Please consider joining us at the spring swap (date and location to be determined, but there probably will be one, somewhere, sometime).

Cheers - DtD

I'm always too intimidated by all the knowledgeable folks here to post much. I have so much to learn, bite off too much to handle, and am always in way over my head! Y'all all seem to know what you are doing.

But, hi.

Lisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Mack Hill Farm

Hi Lisa - and LOL! We only sound like we know what we're doing - at least that's true of me! Talk about being in over our heads; yes I think that's true of a lot of us.

Is that your farm? That's amazing! Llamas, sheep, chickens, eggs - wow. I guess you must be pretty busy. I'm looking forward to reading all about it on your site.

Lisa, what a wonderful farm. I enjoyed reading about it on your site.

I love the story of the sheep breakout, and the way the other sheep and the llamas sounded the alarm (maybe with jealousy). I didn't know that some sheeps are leaders - the stereotype is a species of followers.

I'll be sure to visit again.

Claire

Ok, I'll admit I am a Lurker. I love reading all the posts and have learned so much in the past 3 years. From lurking I have learned how to build a potting bench, an indoor (16 flat) light setup and a 12 X 16' greenhouse, not bad for someone who was clueless about a drill. I have gone from plant killer to plant grower. I am just not a writer.

You all share so much. Thank you.

Sue

Another lurker here.....
I stop in an read a bit when I can but I am just a novice so I don't have much to add. I bought my house a few years ago and have been trying to transform it ever since. When I moved in I barely had any topsoil and just some 15 ft tall rhododendrons. Now I'm trying to make it into a garden. Thank you all for your wonderful knowledge that you share here. Wouldn't be able to do it without you!

Jennifer
Billerica, MA

I don't think beginners should hesitate about posting. It's fun to share knowledge and fun to hear a new approach to a familiar subject. Plus we all gain from the conversation. Everyone was a beginner once and it will encourage others to post as well. Welcome to all!

Katie et al:
What an inspired post. It feels like the world has been enlarged, with all these folks making themselves visible. Don't you think we could come up with a better word than "lurker"...I know its compu-speak, but it is really has an ominous feel. Here's one to date me "Casper" for Friendly Ghost. totally kidding.
idabean

You and me both.

If you spend (for whatever reason) as much time in the same room with Nickleodeon as I do, Danny Phantom goes to Casper High School.

I have tried and tried to explain the significance of this to DD.

I've been following this thread for a while now and been feeling guilty to keep on lurking as I have been for several years. Although I've gardened for many years, I am not as organized or informed as most of the posters, so I read and learn. Often, I would not even know what questions to ask, but I often take notes about plants I want to try out. Many thanks to all of you who do post.

Donna

slug_hollow,
What a perfect name...I'm looking forward to the next time you stop by so we can compare notes on living with slugs. Although...I've noticed a dramatic decline in my slug population at the same time I have had a big rise in my snail population...hmmm I wonder if there is a connection?
nightingalemom,
What a great idea about resourcing back posts. I don't know why I don't think to do that more often. Then again I am sure there are quite a few things I've said that I would rather forget.
seagrass,
I don't think your the only one living out side of NE that likes to visit this forum. Just in case you've missed it on the news for weeks that seem more like years it has been unbearabley COLD, COLD, COLD.
hostaz6a,
Well I guess we know now your wish for continued warm weather didn't come true. I for one have officially become a hermit. I think your right some of the more confused plants have probably been hit hard...it will be an interesting spring.
brandyk,
I love your new place, I think the back shrub border is wonderful. I am particularly attracted to the shrub that appears to be a weeping variety of white pine abutting the side of your house. I think you were very fortunate to find a home that had some great existing landscaping.
lunamoon,
Hope you stop by more often.
lisanh,
I loved reading about your life on the farm. Clearing the wooded area for your sheep reminded me of a program MA had/has this was 2004 the State Forest in my community has had a substantial amount of tree loss and as a result is a luming fire hazard. In an attempt to save money clearing the fire lanes of extremely dense scrub the state brought in a Shepard and small heard. I was amazed how quickly they cleared the lanes.
goffmode,
Wow it sounds as though you are a hands on gardener. I don't think I will ever be able to say with much conviction that I am no longer a plant killer. I am a tough love kind of gardener and that doesn't always work with some of the more demanding plants. Good for you to build a green house your going to have a blast. The greenhouse forum has a really talented and extremely nice group of folks.
bstnhokie,
15' Rhododendrons your soooooo fortunate I bet you already know if you wanted to propagate more of them that layering is a very easy method. Next spring take one of the branches closest to the soil and about a foot from the green leaves bury the branch in soil without cutting or removing it from the trunk. Once roots develop you can cut the branch and plant it where you would like another Rhody.
Thanks everyone for reminding us all that someone is listening. kt

Ok, I have a question...if I may?
How far is it from the Fairfield Inn in Woburn, MA to the New England Flower Show??
I didn't think it warrented it's own post, so I snuck in here...
Sissy

Hi Sissy.
According to mapquest, it looks like you will drive about 14 miles south on rte 93 to reach the Bayside Expo Center. They suggest it will take about 25 minutes -- but 93 is infamous for traffic, so I'd give myself twice as long!
Enjoy the flower show!
ML

It will take a little longer than that, even without traffic. And it definitely depends on what time of day you go. I have the best luck going to the flower show around 3pm. Not much traffic and when I get there the buses and day-trippers are leaving. It is very quiet there in the late afternoon and early evening--very pleasant.

I am coming with my hubby, he's on a business trip and I will have to keep myself busy during the day. I am hoping I can catch a bus or something, I don't want to drive, really!!
Thanks for your help!

I'm kind of a Lurker, but I do post once in a while... And even attended a plant swap. This place is a great place to gather information, knowledge and even trade plants.. Thanks Everyone

Burnthill,
No need to feel guilty about not posting but please keep in mind (and I am certainly speaking for myself) that I am far from being organized and informed so please keep in mind that your voice whether in form of a question,statement,photo, ect would always be a great addition to the forum.
Bigdaddybondo,
What a great name you'll have to share how you came up with it the next time you stop by.

Hello from the "worst" kind of lurker, one from
Out-Of-Your-Region. . .my reason for dropping in every
so often is simple: I was born and raised in Massachusetts
and you can't stop being a Yankee just by heading south of Connecticut! While I've been gardening in New York, North
Carolina and New Jersey for years, I learned all my basics
up there, and still use a lot of nurseries in CT (you've
got some real corkers!) and even VT, where I visit regularly. Lurking on your Forum occasionally has been
sort of like "hanging over the back garden fence" with your
neighbors. . .you folks are SO much more fun and interesting than my own State Forum. Thanks for letting
me be the garden fly on the wall !

Carl

I'm more of a "seasonal" poster, but thank you, Katy, for your warm welcome to all of us lurkers. That's a nice way to let people know that there are no dumb questions.
Note to Lisa: Love your website. And...my compost pile looks very much like yours right now.

Hello all. . .anyone here from NW Connecticut? I've been gardening most of my adult life (which is a lonnnng time) and just discovered the gardening forum. Oh, I'll be posting in due time; I always come up with a problem. Stay warm all!

Ive been lurking here for about 4 years now. I bought a house in worcester county and never did any gardening before. So I looked on the web about hostas or something and this site with tons of information popped up. I never had specific questions to ask, but rather enjoyed the subject matter and banter of the regulars. During the active posting spring/summer/fall, I log on every morning, but in the winter once a month or so. I have slowly converted my 50 year old neglected yard into my own lush little oasis...learning here what plants go well together, who likes sun, who is drought tolerant, how to build a patio, etc. Yesterday, I cut some forsythia and flowering quince to force inside...all learned here! So thanks, and peace to all.

Hello. I'm Gillian and I'm afraid I'm a lurker :-).

Actually, I did post at least one question here well over a year ago, and got some very kind and informative answers. All my other questions, so far, have been answered by searches. Thanks!

I moved in June 2003 am dealing with a very neglected (70+ year old) yard. I am way behind with my plans my hopes to turn it into my dream woodland garden. I do, however, have a fantastic map of light, shade, and swampy areas, and longish list of plants that might grow in this environment. Thanks again!

So far I've been concentrating on largish two beds at the front of the house, and want to develop the front yard a lot more. The deer fenced back yard (mostly occupied by the septic tank leach field) has been turned into a racetrack by my two retired racing greyhounds. Yes, they run laps around the septic tank. Sigh. But I love them!

So, now I'm going to formulate and post a couple of questions for all you wonderful gardeners. Give me a moment . . .!

Carl18
Having spent my formative years in the garden state we really are on opposite sides of the fence peaking over. There is nothing better in my mind than a Jersey peach or tomato. Welcome
Schenley
Thanks for the nice thoughts. In regards to composting I have finally bit the bullet and bought a shredder for my soft garden waste and leaves so this will be the year I become a successful composter (I hope). I still feel a little uneasy about running a chipper ( I canÂt get a news story out of CT many years ago when an airline pilot used his to dispose of his wifeÂyikes). Welcome
ctyankee_40
I donÂt know if there is anyone from NW CT but you might keep your eye on the Tie That Bonds thread for other nutmegers in your area. Welcome
sunshineboy
Your lush little oasis sounds like a true labor of love. I would love to hear more about your gardenÂwhat tips that you picked up on GW that worked or didnÂt work for you. Welcome
gillianma
I thought your thread was very interesting and certainly a problem that more and more of us will be facing as title 5 catches up with more and more homeowners. In regards to your woodland garden have you read Rick Darkes "American Woodland Garden" ? It is a fabulous book he has an extraordinary understanding of light in the garden. Welcome

Thrilled beyond mere words that sunshineboy will be joining in on the fall swap/Arnold arboretum fall plant sale/NEWFS 75th anniversary celebration/plant sale. Is anyone else up for the adventure?