For the last two years, I've started a variety of seedlings, mostly vegetable, but also some annuals, perennials and herbs, in my very inexpensive hardware store-bought greenhouses. In May, I've held a "garden party" and have asked my guests to bring some potting soil and pots, and have sent them home with goodies for their gardens. The easiest vegetable items for transplanting have been lettuce, onions, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, beans and peas. Since most of my friends aren't as fanatical as I am about gardening, the party becomes instructional, also. When I originally sent out the invitations, I told them how to prepare their soil. This is a very fun way to spread the love of gardening and the joys of fresh eating, not to mention giving a little boost to the environment and to your friends' pocketbooks come harvest time. I figure I spent about $60 or so, which was money well-spent. I re-used the little plastic nursery tubs, filled them with potting soil and planted the seeds. It was a labor of love. Just wanted to pass this idea along in case any of you are looking for a fun way to spread the love of gardening and combine it with a fun get-together. Enjoy!
What a fantastic idea for a Garden Party Rosie!! :-D I'll bet everyone has great fun at yours as well as learning about growing plants. I think I'll pinch your idea, with a little twist, to fund raise for our favourite charity. I could charge a small amount for each plant taken home with those who attend plus hold a raffle. Thank you.
Welcome from coastal NC, Rosie. I think this is a great way to have fun and meet neighbors. Congratulations.
It is a great idea. This year I am raising a selection of plants for our local hospice plant sale to raise funds and I will be helping out on the day of the sale as the ladies that host it have decided they would like someone there who has a little bit of knowledge. Don't know why they asked me then!!!! hehehehe
How fun! I think I'll try it too. Most of the people I'm around do very little gardening, but always want my strawberries in June!
What great ideas about using these parties as charity fund-raisers, work parties and getting to know neighbors. In regards to these parties being fund-raisers, I have served as much home-grown-derived food as is possible here in May (most preserved from the past year), and folks might be willing to pay a bit more for lunch at a fund-raiser. Also, our church has a table for surplus produce. Anyone can bring in surplus and congregants can purchase it. The funds and any extra surplus are donated to our local food bank. At the party, it might be fun to suggest people try doing something like that (a gift that keeps on giving?), although if they are just starting out, that could be overwhelming.
