why do you choose Daves Garden

I'm new to the forums here. Trying the 2 months deal. I've read the testimonials and know that many of you have VERY strong feelings about how great this site is.
What I would like to know is why do you feel that this site is better than other online forums. Cause we only have so much time to be on the computer, well..those of us with dial up access..it takes a while to get around.
I would appreciate any helpful responses.
charlotteda

I love DG, but I also visit many other gardening sites.. I enjoy many..

Larkie

I like DG because it has very nice people on it & everyone is very helpful. I can't recall anyone flaming anyone else or being nasty, like I've seen on other forums. I think it is perhaps smaller & a more sense of family. I cruise other forums too, but like DG the best.

howdy Charlotteda....and Welcome to DG!

This is THE place to be...whether you're a gardener, farmer, craftsperson, wannabe, or a myriad of other titles!

DG has many avenues and brings in people from around the World, all of them in a sharing caring mode. The variety of forums is very attractive to everyone...they cover many areas and topics AND if there isn't a particular topic covered then a simple request to Dave is usually all it takes to see if others are interested in it. If so, voila, so be it!

On another note, there are no banner ads, no pop-ups, no behind the scenes sneakies (sending you junk mail, exposing your email address, no sharing/selling your personal info, etc) as in many other sites. It's a safe haven here!

There are just too many positive things to say about DG. Were I to elaborate fully this post would go on and on and on and....well, you get the picture!

I used to frequent other gardening sites, too, but there aren't any that really have everything that Dave's has. There is more information here than you'll ever be able to read and the people are much more friendly and helpful than anywhere else I've visited. Many of the people on this site are more than gardening buddies - they're good friends.

In addition, the Plants Database is an extraordinary resource and it gets better everyday as new information is being added.

This site is an oasis. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, have a seat and wander around awhile. You'll soon see why so many folks feel as strongly as they do.

Shoe said, "On another note, there are no banner ads, no pop-ups, no behind the scenes sneakies (sending you junk mail, exposing your email address, no sharing/selling your personal info, etc) as in many other sites. It's a safe haven here!"

That's a big plus, and I agree. For my husband (Howie at DG and in real life) and I, this is the first site we've ever participated in where we actually wanted to meet the members face-to-face and felt safe doing so.

Another thing we appreciate is that both seasoned gardeners and newbies are treated with respect here. Dave and the other adminitrators work really hard to make DG an approachable, friendly and helpful place. There's a feeling of kinship here we've just not experienced anywhere else.

I picked DG because I just started to really take an interst in gardening and what I was planting. I had 4 books from the 60-70 and started a notebook with all the plants I had, writing down all the information I could about them. I ran into some plants that weren't in the books and decided to get online to look them up. This was the first site I got a hit on and it was helpful. I decided to try the 2 months. In the last 3-4 days so many have been helpful and nice that I feel like I have a whole new family. I talk about this site to everyone. Whenever i have a question--several helpful responses come my way. I am so happy here and hope to somehow connect to all of you. I hope I can be as helpful one day to somebody and all have been to me. Are ther other sites?? LOL Liz

Dave's is like an extended family or a small town that reaches 'round the world. India, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, Europe and all over the United States. There are people to answer your silliest or most serious questions about plants and soil and how much sun and who had luck with what, where.

Have a perennial that won't thrive? Perennials, or Garden talk will fix you up with solutions from a dozen sources. Find a lizard in your backyard? wanna know it's name? Wild Life will help yu find out. Got a plant that just appeared, courtesy of some bird? Identification will get you answers.
Bored, can't sleep, Jokes & Chat will enlighten or amuse.

I've only been a member for a few months and Dave's has become a regular part of my daily routine. A stroll around my garden in the morning and then a stroll thru Dave's to see what's new. Welcome. Hope to see you around.

I came here at first because I loved the format - very user friendly, nice type faces, good file system, nice search engines, etc..... What keeps me here now, more than all of those features that I love, are the people here!

All of the above... but in truth I can't give you a reason. It just feels good to come here and enjoy the forums when I have time. New people are joining everyday and it is great to see them fit right in with those who have been around awhile

Thank you Zanymuse, I joined for the same reason. I'm new, and wasn't sure how I was going to put it into words, when, lo and behold, you did it for me. It just feels good to come here, and everyone is welcome.

Blooms..., You reminded me. When I first came to this site I asked about a plant in my garden that I had no idea what it was..Yall told me, yellow summer crook-neck squash. That is what sold me. So many were there to help and give advice. I looked for the place to subscribe. I love how all are so eager to lend a hand and some advice. I feel like I have a whole new bunch of friends. Thank you for the welcome I received, I will definetely repay the graditude. Liz

I came here over 3 years ago looking for gardening help. What I got was SO much more.

DG has proffered a sense of 'family' and given me lots of friends I have actually met face-to-face. It has given me countless new plants for my garden via trades and outright gifts. The generosity astounds me, be it plants or advice.

I get 'withdrawal' if I'm away for a long time, like a vacation trip, unless it's to a Roundup.

Darius: I have heard "round up" several times, what is it and how do I sign up. I am with you with the "family" and friends. I love it here. So many have reached out to me. I am slowly starting to know everyone. It's great. As a matter of fact..I'm surprised I haven't met you till now. I'd recommend DG to anyone. I talk about it all the time. Liz

Liz, check out the forums called "Roundup" and "Roundup Pictures". You can subscribe to those forums by clicking Preferences on the sidebar to your right and then clicking Forums.

We get together all over the country (all over the world, actually) and swap plants, share potlucks, hug, laugh, sing and so forth. Some are one-day events, and some - like the Kentucky Roundup coming up the last weekend of September - are weekends. We'll have some folks camping, some staying in cabins, and some in rental condos.

I ran across DG by running a search for something about gardening. All I know is I looked it over for a few minutes and joined. I have never joined another forum and especially have never been inclined to PAY for one, but I could see DG was well worth it.

The people are AWESOME and so friendly!! In today's world, it's great to know that in fact there are nice, kind people out there just like yourself. I rec'd a very warm welcome!

Welcome to DG and I hope you sign on for longer! You won't regret it!!

This message was edited Jul 8, 2004 12:22 PM

A very wise member commented to me last year at the KY Roundup that it's no longer about the plants...it's the fellowship that ties us all together.

If you will let it happen, DG folks can become an extended family. So many of us have formed bonds and friendships that are priceless.

In this world where so much happens that you can't control, this place is a safe haven to gather with other loving people who care about you.

We are a community in a true sense, even though we are scattered around the globe... we are the 'garden fence' that neighbors chat across. We are the community that pulls together in times of need. DG is one of the first places I tell good news...or bad. I know that my friends will celebrate or weep with me.

We have our wonderful web master and his wife to thank for this feeling of community. This site is not run by some 'hired hand'. It's creator is here every day taking part in conversations and making improvements to the site. Dave is a gardener and loves growing things as much as we do. It just so happens that he's a pretty good whiz at computer programming and can make any reasonable request happen very quickly. Dave has created a juggernaut (he likes that word...don't ya Dave?) But his philosophy of treating people like you would want to be treated makes this place stand head and shoulders above the 'other' sites out there.

I've been here almost since the beginning.....about 300 members or so, and it still has that small town feel about it. It's where I have my cup of coffee in the morning and it's the last place I visit in the evenings.

Melody,

That was the most eloquent description I have ever heard. You have a gift with words. You explained the exact feeling that most of us have about being with one another here at Dave's.

Perfect.

Good posts! Thanks Melody also for your nice post.

Yes, juggernaut is an excellent word. In fact, I used that word just the other day to describe a 500 pound cedar log, suspended 3' up by a rope, that came crashing down (onto Trish, who is now okay) THAT was a juggernaut! :)

best,
dave

WHEW! I'm glad that the JUGGERNAUT spared Trish!! LOL

I am know all over Dave's Garden as the one who does not garden....but I will tell you this...I have met over 90 Dave's Garden members in person....and have enjoyed each of them...and looking forward to meeting you...and you....and YOU!!!

Even though I tell everyone I don't garden...I have still had lots of people send me plants and I am "FORCED" to enjoy each and every one of them...including the one that Tombstonejan gave me when I went to see her at her house today!!

Love to all of you. Jo

The first thing that drew me to DG was my friend Ginger_H. She raved forever about the people here and Dave and his wife. Well- I got to browsing and saw all the information to be had here. Ginger was kind enough to buy my first year-

The second thing (you see right off) is how nice people are here. Of all the people posting here, there have only been two I don't care for. That is very small for such an active forum.

Third- any problems we have- most of the time the members handle them before Dave ever has to. Like stated earlier- it is one big family here. If a problem gets out of hand- Dave fixes it really fast.

NO ADS!!! THAT is wonderful.

Let us not forget all the plants, hehe.
Knowing that when you send something out- the people really enjoy it! They LOVE what they get and are so happy for a cutting or a single seed of some new plant. We give plants away just to be nice and make people happy.
This place is wonderful- and very cheap to subscribe to.

:-) Cheap is good!

Oh yes- you dont get banned if you belch/toot/laugh out loud or ask a question. ;-)
Well, maybe if you toot....

Then I will most definately try to NOT do any of those things ! :) :) :)

thanks for all the responses.

Is there any choice in the first place !!? I don't think so! At least for me, I have very less time since I'm a "cyberslacker" and within the spare time I create myself, I just hang on to DG mainly and for mails and google-searches at times. Though I did venture at other sites, none of them are as exhaustive, informative, friendly, homely and family-like. DG is one place where you can open your heart out because there are so many lovely people, caring people. So, DG is my only choice, thanks to the Garden Angel who has/have kept me going, though I'm half way round on the other side of the earth. I sometimes miss the American humour but that does not deter me from taking part in threads in my own way. Sometimes, I find it difficult to convert my thoughts into words but then, people here are so understanding. I'm enjoying every second of my login time here. It's one of the most beautiful things happened to me till now and that is not an understatement! I've made my feet wet and it is difficult to take them out. I don't visit all the forums regularly, but am content with just a few, given my limited time. One thing - my colleagues know what I'm doing in front of the puter (aside from mail). I have learnt quite a lot - gardening and otherwise too, here on DG. I don't think anyone have regretted putting their feet into DG. Have they?

Dinu....I always read your posts...they can sometimes be so poetic. Jo

Gosh I think Dinu said it!!! "I don't think anyone have regretted putting their feet into DG"! Perfect!

Isn't it really AMAZING that SO many people SO many miles apart feel the same way?

There may be HOPE for this planet afterall!

I like it here because everyone actually gets their fingers dirty & are willing to share their experience with me. I have been gardening for over 45 years & I'm still learning!

DG gardeners love to trade plants and are generous. I've never had a trade I didn't like--I can't say that about ebay or elsewhere!

I've actually met some of these wonderful people at the May Iowa Roundup. We had such a good time that some of us toured gardens in Des Moines together last month.

Unlike my neighbors & most of my family, DGers understand my "garden addiction" and think it is a GOOD thing!

I joined after being pushed/shoved/etc etc by my friend Echoes. have had lots of fun on DG, plus learnt tons and tons.

Wish there were more Canadians here. Would like to swop some of those great californian bulbs/seeds/plants that nobody up here grows. The So. African flowers drive me CRAZY. Want them all. Of course, Canada Customs would get them first, sending me a little note to say that unsalfe plant material addressed to me has been destroyed.

Cheers to all, Ginny who has also had the odd raccoon adventure.