You can almost guarantee that when any interest starts to generate some buzz it attracts people in droves. However the turnstiles aren't just one-way. After a period of time some of the early adopters may become disenchanted and eventually leave. They'll take up new hobbies or perhaps revisit old ones but this current fad will find a home in the closet along with the exercise equipment and the yo-yo they always promised they would master.

But gardening shouldn't be one of those fads. It's a lifestyle not a fashion accessory.

So why do people quit gardening and how can they be helped to continue pressing on rather than give up as challenges come their way? Gardeners give up for a variety of reasons but mostly they can be pinpointed back to these five;

1. Lack of knowledge - if you've ever tried a new skill you will immediately recognise the exponential learning curve that seems to be associated with it. While every hobby has its basics, these foundational minimums just falsely sedate you for what's needed to progress.

   Suddenly there is a whole new vocabulary to learn, tools to familiarise yourself with and methods of doing things that separate the novices from the gurus. Yet where to start seems unclear and the "How to be a gardener in 20 minutes or less" book that you picked up from Amazon.com is rudimentary at best.

   I wrote a post awhile back titled 21 Skills Every Gardener Should Have with links to various sites that offered some knowledge on the tasks outlined. In it, it features some of the very basics that gardeners should be able to assimilate to and eventually master and holds some value as a way to progress your knowledge, and skill, as a gardener.

2. Life gets too busy - ain't that a fact! Obviously to progress in any undertaking whether it be gardening, knitting or trying to beat your son on PlayStation it takes time. And time is not usually a commodity many of us enjoy. At best, grabbing 20 minutes here, a quick ten there and hopefully an hour on a weekend may be achievable. But the reality is that to master this art will take copious amounts of time and years of sustained effort.

   Yet you shouldn't be discouraged that your dream of subduing several acres of wild growth can't be achieved in the first year. And setting goals beyond your means will always have the opposite effect on whether you will see this new hobby through or take the easy road out. Work on something small first and then graduate into bigger and more complex challenges.

3. Lack of Support - starting a new skill or hobby almost always seems to draw a crowd of knockers - those people who are bent on telling you that YOU can't do it. It might be your mother-in-law, next-door neighbour or the friend from high school you see every three months. They delight in informing you of your past failings, the treacherous road ahead or their own limited experiences.

   You have to stop listening to these people.

   Instead, replace them with people who are already enjoying success as gardeners. Those who consistently keep producing in their gardens are voices you need to be listening to and usually they will be the people who will champion your own efforts.

   Join a gardening club in your area, attend local gardening info sessions, get friendly with your local nursery owner - do whatever it takes to be around people who are passionate about gardening and would give their right eye for you to succeed as well. If you're online, and you probably are if you're reading this post, then join some gardening forums or become a member of Blotanical where hundreds of other gardeners hang out.

4. Expense - now this is a hard challenge to overcome because gardening can become quite expensive. It doesn't have to be but it seems to head that way and often gardeners will quit because they can't afford to continue buying plants or tools or books and magazines.

   Do yourself a favour if this is delibitating your gardening experience and join up with others so that costs can be shared. Allotments, or community gardens, are a great way to get involved without the financial burden. Or, find like-minded gardeners willing to share seeds, split the purchase of gardening tools and trade resources.

5. Fashion - okay...for this one I have no answer other than 'Thanks for playing.' If people take up gardening like they took up collecting Pokemon cards or adopting Cabbage Patch kids then there are no suggestions to make.

   Sadly, many people 'TRY' gardening without really getting into it and after a few failed veggie crops they move on to the next BIG thing. It's a shame to see people do this but in reality there is no sure-fire way to grow people through it.

Quitting gardening should be a last resort and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. It's a great hobby for many reasons and excusing yourself with one of the reasons above is an injustice that can be spared.