I've been around on Hive for a good four years now, or is it five? I don't keep track, because it doesn't feel like a chore. Even completing the wrap up for the Garden Journal challenge, which takes forever, is a labour of love rather than resentment. I treasure every #gardenjournal post I read.

This months' #creativegarden challenge asks us to reflect on why we love the Hive Garden community. I've been wondering on how to creatively approach this question, without simply gushing. Because gush I can - I'll rave about how great this community is til the cows come home and hopefuly don't stomp all over our newly sown crops.

I feel so lucky that I get to manage this community as best I can, grateful for Hive account@skylinebuds that originally set it up and to Hive account@simplymike for inventing the #gardenjournal challenge in the first place.

Here's five reasons why I love this community.

Hive Gardeners Show Up

Hive account@goldenoakfarm, Hive account@jude9, Hive account@bluefinstudios and many others write consistantly on garden related topics on HIVE and can be relied on to educate, instruct and inspire. I know that every time I visit the community there will be some gem of wisdom for people who garden all the time and know their stuff.

Hive Gardeners are Gentle Souls

I don't know any gardener here who's an asshole. They're consistantly kind, considerate and caring. Anyone who tenderly plants a seed and nurtures it to fruit has to be a good sort in my book.

Hive Gardeners Teach the Future

From the Phillipino teachers with school gardens to the grandparents giving treasured garen memories to their grandkids like Hive account@farm-mom and Hive account@thebigsweed or parents like Hive account@luckylaica, they're teaching kids how to be resourceful, resilient, mindful, and protective of nature. Someone who cares about growing okra or peas are gonna care about trees too, right? And they're gonna teach the youth that nature is worth nurturing and protecting, because they know that life on earth depends on it, let alone the emotional support they get from tending a garden or the skills to put food in their belly. That's legendary, in my opinion.

Hive account@thebigsweed with his favourite vegetable.

Hive Gardeners make me laugh.

Hive account@mrprofessor, Hive account@edprivat, I'm looking at you. Somehow you can make a garden post hilarious.

^{Hive account@edprivat with his nemesis at harvest time, the humble potato.}

Hive Gardeners Do Great Selfies

Many of us Hivers like a degree of anonymity on Hive, or are shy of showing our faces. Not Hive Gardeners - they're not scared of showing themselves smiling amongst the calendula or cornfields! And that makes me smile - a LOT! You all look so happy in your gardens. And because I can put a face to the user name, I start to get to know you more, and you start feeling like family, despite the digital divide!

^{Hive account@sanjeevm and his beautiful wife on a rooftop with calendula plants.}

Hive Gardeners present great posts

When they wash their hands free of soil, take off their overalls and hang up their tools, they write some pretty darn good posts. But hey, if it's it got a garden in it and a bit of enthusiasm, I'm a sucker for it anyway. From Hive account@nikolina's market garden, Hive account@isdarmady's hydroponics, Hive account@sofs-su's succulents and Hive account@umirais's tips for gardening in Indonesia, I'm guaranteed of a good read. There's sooo many of you to mention here I can't even really begin! Thankyou for being amaing!