Men's gardening clubs alive and reasonably well in the 21st century
http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-fa ... ell-in-the (http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/mens-gardening-clubs-alive-and-reasonably-well-in-the)
QuoteWhat's your mental image of a gardener? Do you see gardening as a woman's hobby? Or is it more of a guy thing?
Truth is, no one seems to know exactly who gardens more, men or women. In fact, the National Gardening Association in Williston, Vt., which tracks national gardening trends, doesn't even survey gardeners by gender. They survey gardening participation by households, according to NGA Research Director Bruce Butterfield.
If, in an information-driven Internet age, it seems surprising that a reliable ratio of men-to-women gardeners isn't available, here's something that may be even more startling. A men-only garden club is still alive and, if not completely well, it has at least survived 85 years, a new millennium and a world of changes in social acceptance after the idea to form it was conceived in 1928. The organization, the Men's Garden Clubs of America (MGCA), was officially founded in Chicago in 1932.
Membership hit its peak in the 1980s when there were about 10,000 members in 143 clubs in 31 states. But like many volunteer groups, since that high water mark the organization has felt the effects of competition for discretionary household income. While there are still clubs in large cities, suburban areas and towns of every size, especially in middle America, the number of clubs has fallen to 39 in 15 states and membership has dropped to about 2,800.
Huh. I knew men had a lot of clubs, but never gardening. Every day I learn something new...
I garden and I have a club....so technically....
I like gardening.
My patio garden 2013 (//http://www.flickr.com/photos/pr126/sets/72157633475444592/)
I always considered gardening a guy's thing, so I guess I'm not surprised.
Makes sense to me as well, all the gardeners I knew were men.
I have a garden and a green house because I hate store bought tomato's that taste like waxed fruit. Until you taste home grown vegetables and fruit you have no idea how bad store bought ones are. Yuk! Fresh vegetables and fruit. =P~ Solitary
Best gardener I ever met was my sister. Shows what you people know. Women are these sensitive beings who are in touch with mother nature, don't ya know?
They're obviously all gay.. Real men don't garden, they 'landscape'.
All except my dad and both grandfathers and the millions of farmers throughout history and my manly self of course. :D/
This whole thread is sexist! Oh wait..... Smarzie started it. Oops. (leaves quietly)
Quote from: "AllPurposeAtheist"They're obviously all gay.. Real men don't garden, they 'landscape'.
All except my dad and both grandfathers and the millions of farmers throughout history and my manly self of course. :D/
"Real men?" And here I thought they were Mexicans. :shock: #-o Solitary
Quote from: "stromboli"Best gardener I ever met was my sister. Shows what you people know. Women are these sensitive beings who are in touch with mother nature, don't ya know?
*Burps loudly*
Yeah! Donch y'all know we're all delicate little fuckin' flowers?!?!
*sips beer*
I know gardners of either sex. I've never understood it to be a gendered thing.
Quote from: "pr126"I like gardening.
My patio garden 2013 (//http://www.flickr.com/photos/pr126/sets/72157633475444592/)
That's really pretty PR
Quote from: "pr126"I like gardening.
My patio garden 2013 (//http://www.flickr.com/photos/pr126/sets/72157633475444592/)
Really awesome PR!!
God hates gardeners! :evil: --The Westboro Baptist Church
Saw this and felt the need to click on it. Well worth it hahahaha
Well with all the women in the kitchen of course the men would have to garden...
*runs like hell*
Quote from: "pr126"I like gardening.
My patio garden 2013 (//http://www.flickr.com/photos/pr126/sets/72157633475444592/)
Beautiful flower garden. I saw your pics and thought, "Yep, he's either gay or a British."
Your photos are simply amazing. Good work.
Way to turn a veggie garden into a sausagefest.
Quote from: "Jack89"Quote from: "pr126"I like gardening.
My patio garden 2013 (//http://www.flickr.com/photos/pr126/sets/72157633475444592/)
Beautiful flower garden. I saw your pics and thought, "Yep, he's either gay or a British."
Your photos are simply amazing. Good work.
I love gardening too! Your garden is simply amazing and beautiful. Also your pictures are fantastic. What kind of camera did you use? Solitary
pr126, nice garden! =D>
If the club is worried about membership, then why in the hell do they stay "men only?"
My mum and dad are both keen gardeners. That part of the genome missed me completely. I grew some chillies once and I keep the odd pot of basil and coriander around, but that's about it....