This is a little story why I call myself the misfit gardener.

I began gardening as a hobby when I was in my teens. I never fit in with classmates at School so in my free time I decided to learn about plants and make the outside of our neglected house look alive again which in turn attracted more wildlife and insects which is another interest of mine. I self taught myself everything I know through growing and experimenting.
Now in my 30's and being unable to attend a state college for horticulture and entomology which was my dream, but due to a disability that isn't possible, I tried to find my place in doing what I love.
I've volunteered and farms and garden centers, hoping to connect with people interested in what I grow and to create friendships. Unfortunately that did not work out, and very few people where I live were interested in what I grew.

I'm smack dab in the middle of Long Island (refer to photo) I'm located at the red mark. NYC (blue mark) has lots of plant swaps and community gardens, but is too far away from me. The right end of Long Island in Suffolk county (other blue mark) is referred to as "out East" aka where all the farms are. That's where there are plenty of people who love gardening and growing crops, but they tend to stick to heirloom and pure varieties of veggies and flowers, they don't want peoples own creations. Then you've got people where I live that worship Home Depot and Lowes and just buy plants without any knowledge of how to grow or care for them and are uninterested to learn anything, and believe pesticides and weed killers are good to use in our yards. I'm an organic gardener and hate being surrounded by people with the mindset using anything that kills is a smart idea unless all other organic options have been tried first.

I'm living in a place surrounded by people I can't relate to, and who don't share my passion for botany and growing our own plants. There are no plant swap events near me either and nobody is interested in attending them as I've tried to organize one and nobody showed up. I end up tossing out most of my extra plants and flowers because nobody wants them.

That's my story. If you read this and happen to know anyone living in NYC or Long Island that likes what I do, I created my own plant sale and trade group on Facebook for those of us "misfits" looking to connect with one another https://m.facebook.com/groups/...

Hi Keith,

Welcome to the Northeast Forum. And thank you for that heartfelt story. It sounds like it is frustrating for you. Unfortunately, I no longer live in the greater NYC area. I moved to PA 27 years ago, but there are two members of the NE Forums that live on LI, and perhaps they might have some insight/be able to help you. I will call their attention to this thread.

I grew up in New Rochelle (Westchester County) just above NYC. My father always had a great vegetable garden. After college, I live in situations and apartments where I had little ability to garden. It wasn't until I moved to PA that I started gardening in earnest. I now have various vegetable gardens, flowers gardens, a greenhouse, and am creating an 8500 square foot food forest.

I try, as much as possible, to grow organically, and am always interested in new plants. Unfortunately, again, I do not have a Facebook account, so I can't access your site.

Hopefully, others will come along and be able to help you out.

Jim