Vegetable gardening is a favorite pastime across America, with millions of individuals cultivating their own plots of land or containers to grow fresh produce. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or an enthusiast gardening newbie, having access to reliable resources is essential for success in vegetable gardening. Here we’ll explore a variety of American vegetable gardening resources, including societies, websites, books, communities, and retailers, to help you enhance your gardening knowledge, skills, and experience.
Vegetable Gardening Societies
Vegetable gardening societies play a vital role in connecting gardeners with resources, information, and networking opportunities. These organizations often host meetings, workshops, and events where members can share knowledge, exchange seeds, and learn from more experienced gardeners.
The National Gardening Association: Founded in 1973, the National Gardening Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting gardening education, research, and advocacy. The association offers a wealth of resources for vegetable gardeners, including articles, guides, and forums where members can connect with fellow enthusiasts.
The American Horticultural Society: The American Horticultural Society is a national organization that promotes gardening and horticultural education. The society hosts an annual Garden Day event, as well as lectures, workshops, and plant sales throughout the year.
Vegetable Gardening Websites
The internet is a treasure trove of information for vegetable gardeners, with countless websites offering tips, advice, and inspiration.
Food Gardening Network: The Food Gardening Network is the premier resource for food gardeners of all skill levels, to create your own food garden at home—with the advice and information you need to ensure that you grow, harvest, and enjoy fabulous food.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac: The Old Farmer’s Almanac is a venerable source of gardening wisdom, offering planting calendars, how-to guides, and articles on a wide range of gardening topics.
The University of California Cooperative Extension: The University of California Cooperative Extension website provides research-based information on vegetable gardening, including pest management, soil health, and water conservation.
Vegetable Gardening Books
Books are an invaluable resource for vegetable gardeners, offering in-depth information and guidance on a wide range of topics.
The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible by Edward C. Smith: This comprehensive guide covers everything from soil preparation and planting techniques to pest management and harvesting tips.
Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew: Square Foot Gardening is a popular method for maximizing space and productivity in the vegetable garden. This book provides step-by-step instructions for planning, planting, and maintaining a square foot garden.
Vegetable Gardening Communities
Joining a vegetable gardening community is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals, share knowledge and experiences, and find support and encouragement.
Reddit’s r/vegetablegardening: This subreddit is dedicated to all things related to vegetable gardening, with members sharing photos, tips, and advice on a wide range of topics.
Facebook groups: There are countless Facebook groups dedicated to vegetable gardening, where members can ask questions, share successes and challenges, and connect with fellow gardeners. Find a group or two in your area to get regional gardening advice.
Vegetable Gardening Retailers
Retailers that specialize in gardening supplies and equipment are valuable resources for vegetable gardeners, offering everything from seeds and plants to tools and accessories.
Burpee: Burpee is one of the oldest and most trusted names in gardening, offering a wide selection of vegetable seeds, plants, and gardening supplies.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds: Johnny’s Selected Seeds is a family-owned seed company that specializes in organic and heirloom vegetable seeds, as well as tools and equipment for small-scale vegetable production.