Four Seasons
To keep you updated with the latest news and reviews on gardening topics, the Gardeners' Circle WA Inc. offers a magazine, 4 times a year. This magazine is called 'Four Seasons' and is free to members (AU$3.00 to non-members). An edited transcript of speakers presentations, seasonal tips and 'Jobs to do' for each month, a general events diary and information on discounts to members can be found in the magazine.
This page features some articles from the Four Seasons, edited by Suzanne Marsh, with assistance from Jacques Maissin, Ellie Collins, and Frances Docherty.
'Letters To the Editor' can be emailed to Suzanne Marsh (magazine editor) at [email protected]
This page features some articles from the Four Seasons, edited by Suzanne Marsh, with assistance from Jacques Maissin, Ellie Collins, and Frances Docherty.
'Letters To the Editor' can be emailed to Suzanne Marsh (magazine editor) at [email protected]
president’s perspective
president’s perspective
Have you ever thought of the Gardeners’ Circle as a community?
You may have, as discussions related to communities are plentiful.
The term ‘community’ is a collective noun referring to a group of people
who share a common interest, background or purpose, giving them
a sense of cohesion. Therefore, gardening groups create a
community of individuals who are interested in gardening. Apparently
humans are hardwired to be part of a group. With this inbuilt need to
belong, communities provide safe places to feel at home and to
experience a sense of belonging, which is vital to our well being. Being
part of a community helps us feel connected and to find like minded
people.
Enormous benefits have been observed in people who are part of
strong healthy communities. They are generally healthier with lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol
and have a lower risk of obesity. Furthermore, belonging to a community tends to reduce stress, anxiety, depression plus enhances resilience.
So there is more to a gardening community than merely garnering tips for success. These communities bring people of different ages, backgrounds and experiences together, uniting them via gardening to cultivate social connections. They can become a
safe space, where members feel valued and appreciated for their contributions, be it sharing seeds or cuttings to propagate, bringing plants for the display table, providing advice or simply turning up. A gardening club is about more than growing plants, it’s about growing relationships, resilience and community.
While the practice of gardening is frequently a solitary activity, garden clubs such as the Gardeners’ Circle create communities by connecting practitioners, and their value should never be underestimated. In addition to our regular activities; plant sales, plant display, plant raffle, talks, library, pop-up shop, quarterly magazine etc., the Gardeners’ Circle represents a dynamic community which benefits us all. Let’s strive to nurture the community we belong to.
To conclude with a personal anecdote: recently I experienced a non life-threatening, but very painful health issue that reduced my mobility and independence. As word of the situation spread, my communities (neighbours, urban bushland volunteers, other friends and family) rallied to help me by chauffeuring me to appointments, for tests, procedures, collecting prescriptions etc. The chickens were cared for, eggs collected, the garden watered, floor vacuumed, sheets changed, meals provided and best of all people regularly popped in for a chat or communicated digitally. What could have been a lonely three plus weeks wasn’t. Instead it was practical, supportive and social, involving some of the communities to which Ibelong; an exceptional experience.
Jill Adams