Is there any future for a scientifically-sound gardening magazine?

(You’ll see two posts from me today.  This first one is easier to do at 6 a.m.)

One of the efforts I’ve been involved with is serving as science editor (and writer) for MasterGardener Magazine.  We started this quarterly publication in 2007 (take a look at it online at it here) – not just for Master Gardeners, but for anyone interested in sustainable gardens and landscapes.  Sadly, the publication went to an annual issue last year because of the economic downturn and now may be eliminated altogether.

Yes, this is a Washington state publication so when native plants discussed they are local natives.  But the information itself is applicable no matter where you live.  We had hoped at one time to offer regional issues, so that the magazine would have a local flavor.

Anyway, the publishers are no longer willing to carry a loss on the magazine.  What they really need are advertisers.

Any suggestions out there?  Most useful will be ideas that I can do from my computer or phone.

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Linda Chalker-Scott

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott has a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and is an ISA certified arborist and an ASCA consulting arborist. She is WSU’s Extension Urban Horticulturist and a Professor in the Department of Horticulture, and holds two affiliate associate professor positions at University of Washington. She conducts research in applied plant and soil sciences, publishing the results in scientific articles and university Extension fact sheets. Linda also is the award-winning author of five books: the horticultural myth-busting The Informed Gardener (2008) and The Informed Gardener Blooms Again (2010) from the University of Washington Press and Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens: Good Science – Practical Application (2009) from GFG Publishing, Inc., and How Plants Work: The Science Behind the Amazing Things Plants Do from Timber Press (2015). Her latest effort is an update of Art Kruckeberg’s Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest from UW Press (2019). In 2018 Linda was featured in a video series – The Science of Gardening – produced by The Great Courses. She also is one of the Garden Professors – a group of academic colleagues who educate and entertain through their blog and Facebook pages. Linda’s contribution to gardeners was recognized in 2017 by the Association for Garden Communicators as the first recipient of their Cynthia Westcott Scientific Writing Award. "The Garden Professors" Facebook page - www.facebook.com/TheGardenProfessors "The Garden Professors" Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/GardenProfessors Books: http://www.sustainablelandscapesandgardens.com

4 thoughts on “Is there any future for a scientifically-sound gardening magazine?”

  1. If looking for advertisers, why not check out those in other gardening mags and send them a pitch … or start with local companies then move out to regional and national.
    I’d love to see a national scientifically sound gardening magazine. I’m tired of the ‘you too can grow black plants’ or ‘grow the best garden ever’ approach.

  2. Sounds great.

    Start by publishing it online via subscriptions. That should cut costs.

    If your numbers grow enough you could offer a print version too, or charge a bit more for the print version.

  3. Linda, I just discovered Master Gardener while….well, I’ve forgotten the internet route…probably a book search. I’ve read, in the past hour or two, your posts, posts at gardenprofessors.com, etc. I hope this is not the end of MG…and here I may get a bit personal! I am taking the MG program at Nova Scotia Agricultural College (online) and loving it — should be studying right now!. It seems that MasterGardener serves a most-needed venue with its (and from the articles ‘your’) emphasis in teasing-out the science and presenting it in an accessible manner.
    Well enough..but I could go on…Is there any merit in approaching the various MG programs for support. Since, if i read correctly, your university started the whole thing, couldnt the other’s who have adopted the program contribute?. As A student, I am willing to donate — perhaps with an increment to tuition for the courses. I shall pass this info/reference on to the contact person there… Just a though. Robert

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