On podcast Cultivating Place, talking about Garden Bloggers Fling and finding community
Garden bloggers have been meeting up and touring gardens with Garden Bloggers Fling for more than a decade. Today I’m interviewed along with Judy Seaborn, organizer of this year’s Fling in Denver, by Jennifer Jewell on the podcast Cultivating Place about what the Fling means to those of us who attend, how it got started, what’s planned for Denver, and more! It’s all about growing community, which for most gardeners is as rewarding as growing plants.
I hope you’ll listen. The direct link to the podcast is here. You can find show notes and photos from the Fling here. After you listen, I invite you to share in the comments below what the Fling means to you, if you’re a blogger who has attended, or tell me about a gardening community that you’re a part of. And by the way, there are still spots available for Denver Fling. If you’re a blogger who’d like to see gorgeous gardens and meet fellow garden bloggers from across North America and beyond, come join us! Registration info can be found here.
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Digging Deeper
Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!
All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I’m saving this this episode of Jennifers podcast for my road trip trip next month, which as usual will be quite horticultural in nature. I love listening to ‘Cultivating Place’ and ‘Slow Flowers’ when I travel. Attending Fling (I’ve been to 4) has been such an enriching experience for me. What can be better than stepping down off the bus , camera at ready to view and photograph another great garden with a group of friendly , enthusiastic, like-minded people.
Kris, I couldn’t agree more. I’m so glad you’re a Flinger, and I look forward to seeing you at future Flings!
For me, the Garden Bloggers Fling is the reason that my love of gardening went from a solitary hobby in my own backyard to an immersive social experience with like minded individuals throughout North America and beyond. While online blogging friends are wonderful, there really is nothing that compares to spending a few days with other gardeners, face to face, and experiencing the joy of gardens all over the country together. When I attended my first fling 5 years ago, I knew no one and it took a bit of courage – I’m so glad I did…it was, without doubt, one of the best decisions I ever made.
I’m glad you took that leap, Margaret. The face-to-face experience is invaluable in really getting to know fellow bloggers, and makes it all so much more fun too.
I thoroughly enjoyed the interview. I am so glad that the Fling is alive and well. It is such fun to meet other bloggers. I loved the way you described gardeners as introverts. I think that is so true yet our passion for our gardens need to be expressed. The feedback from others is so comforting and encouraging. Thanks for keeping that train on the tracks Pam. I also want to mention that Judy’s seed packets are worth the purchase even if you don’t use the seeds. Of course all gardeners would use those seeds Judy, not to worry. 😉
Lisa, it’s always so funny to me when I hear fellow bloggers describing themselves as introverts, and yet we all throw ourselves into a bus full of strangers and emerge as friends soon after.