I was just reading a small piece by <a href="http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2006/06/doing_the_math_.html" target="new" rel="noopener">Amy Stewart</a> based on this article in the San Francisco Chronicle and I thought I might have a little rant of my own.

In the scheme of bloggers I’ve only been on the scene since October 2005, a mere shadow compared to some bloggers. However, as I have progressed my blog and read posts from many other great gardeners I find I’m continually frustrated with the lack of discussion that happens.

A quick scan of the daily <a href="http://voices.gardenweb.com/" target="new" rel="noopener">Voices</a> listing shows gardeners displaying photos of plants, talking about knick-knacks and which gardening tool they have just bought. My blog does all this as well so I’m not pointing the finger.

But what I find gardening blogs lack as opposed to other blog categories is meaningful and continued dialogue. This is what builds community. While there are a few bloggers I interact with on a regular basis there have only been a few topics where the gardening blogosphere has become involved and shared their passions.

Wouldn’t it be great to track a discussion about the effects of climate change, the merits of natural pest control or even suburban guerrilla gardening and the push for more inner-city parks. These topics have been discussed but I’m yet to see a conversation extend further than comments or a follow-up post on someone else’s blog.

Is this just the ‘nature of the beast’or will garden bloggers become more soap-boxish in the future, extolling their gardening passion rather than just quietly walking by?