I've been a member of this site since it's inception and I've always thought of garden.org as a learning site for plant lovers with all levels of experience; a place where everyone is made to feel comfortable about asking questions, chatting, sharing photos and gardening experiences and learning from one another and I find it very sad that some new members may never return to the site due to condescending, negative sounding replies that they've received to their questions. We were all new to plants and gardening at one time or another and should try to be kind with our answers to those who are are new to the hobby. Sometimes we need to think twice before typing a reply and hitting the finished/send button.

I realize that as humans, we can have different personalities, our circumstances may be different, we may have different levels of education and knowledge but even with those differences, we should always try to be kind to one another. I know it's sometimes difficult to interpret the written word in the manner in which it was truly meant but it really bothers me when I see a comment that comes across as blatantly snarky, mocking, or irritable in nature, especially when the comment is made to a new member who may have just acquired their very first plant and joined garden.org to seek helpful advice.

As another member recently commented, "Please ... educate gently."

Thank you Lin. We all need to be reminded about this periodically. I'm sorry for all of my posts that have come across like that. I know there've been a few.

@CPPgardener, I too have come across in a not so kind manner with my replies at times. We are all human and I do sometimes have to proofread my comments before I reply.

I recall 15 or so years ago, the first time I ever posted on a gardening website and I was so taken aback by a member's response to my question that it was a very long time before I felt comfortable enough to post again. The particular member posted that she was so tired of newbies asking the same question that had been answered time and time again and that if I'd just go back through all of the old threads and read that maybe I'd find the answer to my question! It was unfortunate but many threads on that site became nothing but back and forth shouting matches, with name calling and negativity flying everywhere ... not a very friendly learning experience at all!

My post here was just meant as a reminder for us all, to try to be kinder in our responses to newbies.

One can only hope that those that need to see this, do.

I think everything going on with Covid is making people a lot more grumpy than usual. Too many things are way outside the norm.

Thanks for posting this, Lin. I think this is why a few members have either left or asked for their accounts to be deleted recently, and we all need to be reminded to, as that anonymous member stated, "Educate gently."

Being a new and amateur gardener myself, I sincerely hope I've never made a new gardener feel like they don't belong here. Deep apologies to anyone reading this if they think I have. As I said, I'm very new to plants/gardening and just a seedling (sorry for the bad joke) in this area of life as well!

I am not active in any social media but here. I cringe when I read snarky comments. I try to speak kindly because some that post here (new or existing) may be just that gardening is their only outlet or interaction at this pandemic time.

I know for one, gardening and coming here helps me de-stress with the daily grind of my hectic schedule. And my DD is just starting to appreciate plants.

Overall though we are still a better group than some other gardening forums. But still, I do appreciate the reminder. And if I made anyone upset with any of my comments or response that's never my intention at all. Being kind will cost us nothing but will make our forum more fun.
And share the love, don't just read comments. Hit the like button, and give an acorn (if you can) when you appreciate something. It makes any person feel welcome and know someone read their posts. I see a lot of posts gets multiple views but only one or 2 hits the like button.

As a NEW NEW NEW member I just want to tell you all, you have been nothing but welcoming, kind and helpful to me. I appreciate all of your knowledge and advice. I am super glad i found this forum. Don't let A few bad eggs ruin this or discourage you from doing what you do. You are making the world a better place on plant at a time!!

Thank you all so much for being you! And sharing your knowledge with me

@Twinning21!

I really like this post. I joined last year because I wanted to get into growing peonies and have experienced the condescending, rude, and snarky comments by a few members. It's refreshing to see a post like this. I still ask my questions and post my posts and to this day I still get a few comments where the intention is questionable. It's hard to continue to be a contributing member in that circumstance. I thank the kind people in that forum who answer questions, as other new questions by others have helped me as well.

@Twinning21! Great to have you here