Hurry up if you’re keen on joining the Great Grow Along, commencing tomorrow, March 11. The festivities kick off with a welcome “happy hour” starring Marcus Bridgewater, also known as Garden Marcus. Following this, the dynamic ten-day online event unfolds, featuring themes like Small Space Saturday, Sustainability Sunday, Make It Monday (DIY), Transformation Tuesday, and Garden for Wildlife Wednesday, continuing through March 20. Along with an eclectic mix of speakers, this year’s GGA provides virtual journeys to places like Chanticleer, Cheekwood, Naples Caribbean Gardens, Franklin Park Conservatory, and Filoli. These tours will set the tone for each of the five weekday segments.

And the best part? Participation is entirely free. Anyone who’s regularly attended conferences, whether for art, journalism, or gardening, knows that such events usually come with a hefty price tag, not to mention the associated travel expenses. But the Great Grow Along, being an online event, is devoid of such overheads. The only charge is for accessing the recorded sessions post-event, and even that’s a mere $29.95.

If this write-up feels more like an endorsement than usual for the Rant, it’s because GGA genuinely merits the spotlight. It’s a unique opportunity for gardening enthusiasts who can’t crisscross the country to learn from luminaries like Doug Tallamy, Debra Prinzing from the Slow Flower Society, or Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening – and that’s just naming three out of over 30 speakers. Many of these experts might be new to some, as several have risen to fame via platforms like YouTube, podcasts, and Instagram. Although traditional authors feature in the mix, it’s clear that a sizable group of gardeners are now seeking knowledge outside of books. GGA offers this fresh, structured experience, ideal for those who prefer digital learning without the distractions of platforms like Facebook. The event also has a pronounced focus on houseplants, featuring several 8 p.m. happy hour sessions, perhaps indicating a connection between houseplant enthusiasts and celebrations.

The inclusion of the five tours is commendable, mimicking what one might expect at classic gardening events, and adding a touch of inspiration.

LaManda Joy from City Grange, a series of nurseries based in Chicago, is the primary force behind Great Grow Along. In a televised chat in Chicago, Joy emphasized that the festival targets the vast audience who discovered gardening in 2020. Here’s a glimpse of the inaugural festival that took place last year.

Lastly, a quick note: While I’m scheduled to give a regional gardening talk on the concluding day, this article isn’t about self-promotion. It’s more about spotlighting this delightful and enlightening event, which became all the more relevant when traditional spring garden shows were halted in 2020-21. Even without such restrictions, gathering this many experts at a single physical venue would have been a logistical challenge, let alone doing it without any charges.