Friday, December 8, 2017

A gift idea and a giveaway, membership in the Pacific Horticulture Society!

It's that time of year, lists of gifts suitable for gardeners are popping up everywhere. I'm going to make it simple though and focus on just one idea... give the gift of membership in the Pacific Horticulture Society...

Not only are you giving your friend, or loved one, a years worth of Pacific Horticulture magazine, but you're be supporting an active horticultural organization..."We believe in the power of gardens to enrich people’s lives and inspire environmental stewardship. A strong voice for West Coast gardeners since 1976, Pacific Horticulture Society is a community of avid gardeners passionate about exploring the many facets of garden making and creating nature-friendly environments."

I've been a member since, oh gosh, I'm guessing here...2010? When I became a member it was strictly for the magazine, I had no understanding of the larger society. That all changed in 2015 when I attended a day long lecture series here in Portland; Drawing Nature into the Urban Landscape. Then, about a year ago, I was asked to join the board of directors, which I was honored to do. That's when I really came to understand what this organization is all about — it's also when I began to comprehend why I was periodically asked to give more than just the cost of membership (currently $32). There's no big bank account or wealthy sponsor bankrolling this organization. Nope. It's funded by memberships (which only cover a fraction of of the operating costs) and donations. Every dollar helps. Seriously. That's not hyperbole, I've seen the books!

So as one garden lover to another, I encourage you to give the gift of membership in the Pacific Horticulture Society this holiday season (details here, towards the bottom of the page). And because I want you to be a part of the fun, I'll buy you a membership...

Now it's true, the magazine is largely written for, West Coast, USA, gardeners, so it may not appeal to everyone reading this. Still, I am confident a garden lover is going to love it, no matter where they live. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity for someone outside the natural geographic area to give it a try? Or, if you're currently a member and so would like to give away the winning membership that's okay too. If I contact you saying you've won just let me know you'd like the membership to go to a friend.

So...how do you enter? First go over here and sign up for the newsletter. If you're already a subscriber no problem, you're ahead of the curve.


Then just leave a comment below about how you support the power of gardening, ah come on it's not a test...it's just for fun.

I'll draw the random winner of the membership next week, on Wednesday the 13th and announce it on that day's blog post. As always you must give me a way to contact you. If your comment doesn't link to an active blog then be sure to leave an email, alternatively you can email me at — spiky plants at gmail dot com — and give me your email there. Also this giveaway is limited to continental US addresses only — but that shouldn't stop you from subscribing to the newsletter or perusing the online archives.

Again, and I can't stress this enough, consider giving the gift of member ship in the Pacific Horticulture Society this holiday season! It really is an amazing gift.

Weather Diary, Dec 7: Hi 50, Low 37/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden — with the exception of PHS website screenshots. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

16 comments:

  1. Oh Yes Please! The Power of Gardening...for me, it's means the opportunity to educate others about what everyday people can do to enjoy an urban yard and garden. For example, on FB...neighbors a few blocks away were joking about whether the garbage man would take the bale of hay the family had used as part of a decorative autumn porch display. I jumped in and said I'd take it. This family was shocked..why would I want this??? And then the conversation turned into how I would use it to cover my raised veggie beds and suppress weeds in the winter months. People I don't even know in the neighborhood were interested in talking more about raised bed veggie gardens, which I take as a WIN for the power of gardening. Cheers - Jenni - jennig13 at hotmail dot com.

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    1. I love this story Jennifer, you're awesome!

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  2. Hey there, I'm excited to have discovered your blog! What a great giveaway! I'm new to Portland and the West Coast in general, so I'd love to have the magazine to help me learn more about gardening out here! Love the concept of the Power of Gardening! The Power of Gardening has helped me meet my neighborsand connect with people in my new community, and I think I support it by tending my own garden and sharing the bounty from it with my friends who aren't able to have a garden plot. I'm subscribed as well! Thanks so much!

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    1. Hello and welcome to Portland and the West Coast! Sounds like you've jumped right in and are inspiring others who've lived here longer. Thanks for commenting.

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  3. I'm not even sure how long I've been a member ...20 years ? 30? A long time. Sometimes I throw a little extra in the kitty. I urge any of your western readers who are not members to join. The journal includes actual science, and science should be supported; especially in the current climate--so to speak.

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    1. Thank you for your support of the PHS, and reminder that we need to support the truth speakers, espcially when others refuse to hear it.

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  4. I'm a member but I'd love a membership to pass along to a friend. The magazine is great.

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  5. I was a member for a couple of years when we first moved out here, but I let it lapse. So, I'd like a chance to become a member again. The Power of Gardening has helped me relax from the craziness of life and the world. It's the most therapeutic activity in my life.

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    1. I spent a coupe of hours wrapping up my "winterization" work last Monday. It's the first time I'd worked outside in awhile. I felt so much better when I came inside, I agree! It's amazing therapy for everything that ails us.

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  6. Ah.. the power of gardening. Well for me it's hugely about connections with people, from my mom and sister, to the insanity that is Facebook plant groups, to my neighbors, all of whom I've met thanks to gardening. But underlying all of that is the idea of gardening as an ecological and, dare I say it, a political one. Any tiny piece I can do to promote better stewardship of the earth becomes something I *must* do.

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    1. missed a word - should read "ecological act"

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  7. I've also given family memberships to our local botanical garden.

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  8. The power of gardening...for me it's like stepping into the way things should be...beauty, birds, bees, butterflies, water sparkling, moving, leaves fluttering...and anticipating the renewal of all things.

    Sadly, I am a little clueless about this Pacific Horticulture thing. I definitely need to get with it.
    Stacey
    edensgate3 at gmail dot com

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  9. I've grown up gardening with my parents, but recently returned to it for myself as it brings me great comfort in otherwise turbulent times. I concentrate on low-water gardening (I'm in drought plagued California) and I've found the community of plant lovers and gardeners to be lovely. I meet so many neighbors when I'm out working in my front yard and social media has helped with meeting like-minded plant pals beyond my neighborhood. Building community while growing gardens!
    Laila (lailapublic at gmail dot com)

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  10. So happy to hear about The Power of Gardening. I just started my Master Gardener classes and look for quality gardening information to share.

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