Laurie - First off, let me say that I am glad that you have joined this wonderful gardening site!
Dave, Trish, and now their son, Jon, have given us a place to come to for plant information, methods of gardening, styles of gardening, photos galore, and friendship! I think the #1 thing that makes this site so special is the people involved in this site. The owners/managers of this site, the longtime members who have been a part of Dave & Trish's various online forums/websites, and all the new members who have joined. Everyone has become involved in one way or another, whether it be a small contribution of photos or questions posted on a thread to someone who is the admin of a particular forum. And yes! we do have experts here as well. Many very knowledgeable people. But I believe that most of us are just every day gardeners who come here to learn something. In the process, we often wind up sharing information (whether we realize it or not). And many of us develop friendships with other members here on NGA.
I've been following Dave's blazing trail for a long time, but others here have been doing so even longer. I am by no means any kind of gardening expert. And what I may know about one species of plants, I know nothing about so many others. If I stepped into any forum as a "newbie" to any topic or plant species .... I'd be welcomed and folks there would be kind and helpful. I truly believe it is the people, that this site attracts, that makes it very special. So .... every time a newbie joins and decides to get involved (besides just lurking), they have added something to this site. Most don't even realize it, but it is true!
So let me say that I am glad that YOU joined! I welcome all others who may be reading this and have yet to make their presence known. We love meeting new people and hearing what you have to say!
Any changes that Dave makes to this site is evaluated by it's members and fine-tuned to make it as easy and user-friendly as possible. I still don't know all that this site has to offer, but every day that I am on this site, I correspond with some of the nicest people that I've never met (but wished I did)! And don't forget .... the joy is in the journey! Learning is a joy if you don't let it intimidate you. Learning one piece of this website at a time will open up a whole new world for you! Enjoy the experience and all the wonderful people here!!!
