Whether you need some advice about azaleas or just want to talk tomatoes, garden organizations are a great way to meet growers of all skill levels and abilities. Here’s a list of some of my favorites.
American Community Garden Association – Works to promote and support all aspects of community food and ornamental gardening, urban forestry, preservation and management of open space, and integrated planning and management of developing urban and rural lands.
American Horticultural Society – One of the oldest national gardening organizations in the country. Since 1922, they have provided America’s gardeners with the highest quality gardening and horticultural education possible.
American Rose Society – Members of the American Rose Society encompass all levels of experience with roses and are committed to promoting the rose in all its diversity. If there’s one thing that all American Rose Society members have in common, it’s a love of roses.
American Society for Horticultural Science – Founded in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) is the largest organization dedicated to advancing all facets of horticultural research, education, and application.
Garden Club of America – Stimulates the knowledge and love of gardening and works to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment.
Garden Conservancy – A national, nonprofit organization founded in 1989 to preserve exceptional American gardens for public education and enjoyment.
Herb Society of America – Focuses on educating its members and the public on the cultivation of herbs and the study of their history and uses, both past and present. The motto of The Society, "For Use and For Delight," is taken from the 17th century herbalist, John Parkinson.
Local Harvest – Provides a website to find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.
Men’s Garden Clubs of America – Offers a variety of gardening programs which make members better gardeners and lovers of green spaces.
National Arbor Day Foundation – Inspires people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
National Garden Clubs – Provides education, resources and national networking opportunities for its members to promote the love of gardening, floral design, civic and environmental responsibility.
National Gardening Association – An extensive gardening resource that promotes home, school, and community gardening as a means to renew and sustain the essential connections between people, plants, and the environment.
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) – Funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, ATTRA provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
New York City Compost Project – Develops and conducts many innovative programs to encourage residential and institutional composting.
North American Native Plant Society – Dedicated to the study, conservation, cultivation and restoration of native plants.
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides – Protects the health of people and the environment by advancing alternatives to pesticides.
Pesticide Action Network – Works to replace pesticide use with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives.
Plants For A Future – A resource center for rare and unusual plants, particularly those which have edible, medicinal or other uses.
Rodale Institute – Works with people worldwide to achieve a regenerative food system that renews environmental and human health working with the philosophy that "Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People.
Royal Horticultural Society – Established in 1804, the Royal Horticultural Society is now the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening.
Seattle Tilth – Inspires and educates people to garden organically, conserve natural resources, and support local food systems in order to cultivate a healthy urban environment and community.
Seed Savers Exchange – A non-profit organization of gardeners who save and share heirloom seeds. Since 1975, their members have passed on approximately one million samples of rare garden seeds to other gardeners.
The Cucurbit Network – Dedicated to promoting conservation, and understanding of the plant family Cucurbitaceae through education and research.
U.S. Composting Council – Dedicated to the development, expansion and promotion of the composting industry based upon science, principles of sustainability, and economic viability.
USDA Plants Database – Provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the U.S. and its territories.