BOLTON –By this time of the year, it may seem like winter will never end. Many of us are eager to start gardening knowing that spring is right around the corner. While we can’t make the calendar pages turn more quickly, we can get ready for the upcoming gardening season while having some fun with friends and neighbors by hosting a garden party.
Hosting a garden-themed gathering is a great way to start planning for the upcoming garden season, swap seeds, exchange houseplant cuttings and share favorite recipes using garden delicacies. Consider inviting all the green-thumbed friends in your life for a couple of hours of sharing, networking and fun.
Make your guest list, including family, friends and neighbors. Many public libraries have spaces that can be reserved for gatherings if you are not able to host at home. If using a public space, consider posting the event so more people may be able to join in the fun.
Sort through a seed collection and set aside extras to share. Double-check to make sure they are in good condition and likely viable. If not sharing the whole seed packet, clearly label an envelope with all the critical information such as plant variety, planting, growing and harvest information.
Costs can add up when ordering gardening seeds and supplies. Bring seed catalogs and organize a group order to share larger packets of seeds and cut down on shipping costs. Even if no orders are placed, it is fun to see catalogs from new seed companies and all the different plant varieties available.
A number of houseplants are easy to propagate from cuttings. Some of the easiest to propagate in water are pothos, philodendron, Christmas cactus, pilea (Chinese money plant), geranium and spider plant. Snip a stem off any of these plants just below a node and place it in water. Within a couple of weeks, roots will form and the cutting will be ready to plant.
A gathering of gardeners can be a tremendous resource. Brainstorm solutions for issues experienced in the garden, share tips and tricks and discuss successful pest control strategies. Recommend to guests to bring their garden journal if they keep one. There might be some new ideas to jot down.
A fun way to engage guests and lighten the responsibilities of the host is to organize a potluck. Ask attendees to bring a snack or appetizer to share, preferably using ingredients that can be grown in the garden. Have copies of the recipe available to take home. Maybe there are seeds to share for the produce as well.
A winter garden party is more than a fun gathering. It’s a way to strengthen a gardening network, share knowledge and build excitement for the upcoming gardening season.
Andrea Knepper is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from Bolton.
