MGV Book Club
The 2026 virtual Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Book Club read is “Garden for Life: Strategies for Easier, Greener, More Joyful Gardening as We Age” by Rhonda Fleming Hayes.
We will be reading and discussing the book this summer (June 1 – August 14) and you do not have to be a Master Gardener Volunteer to join. Weekly discussion questions will be posted on Fridays in the Florida MGV Book Club Facebook Group. Then we’ll wrap up the summer with a Zoom interview with author Rhonda Fleming Hayes, where you can get even more inspired by her gardening philosophies. The registration link will be posted in the Facebook group as we get closer to the event.
From the author
“In ‘Garden for Life,’ Rhonda Fleming Hayes brings a lifetime of gardening experience, research-based advice and collective wisdom to older gardeners who are looking for inspiration and practical strategies. This delightful comprehensive guide presents new techniques and tools to make gardening less strenuous, and highlights plants that ‘multitask’ to make a garden more sustainable — for both the gardener and the environment. It also advises on how and when to ask for help to lighten the load so we can focus on the life-enhancing aspects of spending time in the garden.
‘Garden for Life’ reminds us that gardening is a simple way to answer the human need to connect with nature, a craving called biophilia, while highlighting its many proven health benefits. Gardening offers a low-intensity workout with a variety of natural movements, provides a sense of purpose while nurturing a meditative state that decreases stress, fosters improved nutrition and better brain health, and grows social connection and community. In short, gardening is excellent for health and longevity!”
2026 Book Club Schedule
The schedule runs Monday through Friday except where noted
- June 1 – 5: Chapter 1
- June 8 – 12: Chapter 2
- June 15 – 18: Chapter 3 (note that Friday, July 19 is a holiday)
- June 22 – 26: Chapter 4
- June 29 – Thursday, July 2: Chapter 5 (note that Friday, July 3 is a holiday)
- July 6 – 10: Chapter 6
- July 13 – 17: Chapter 7
- July 20 – 24: Chapter 8
- July 27 – 31: Chapter 9
- August 3 – 7: Chapter 10
- Friday, August 14, 2:00-3:00 pm: Virtual chat with the author
How do I join the book club?
You can join the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Book Club by sending a request to our Facebook group. This is where you will check for the discussion questions and leave comments to your fellow book-club members. You do need a Facebook account to participate. We hope you join us, it would be wonderful to read with you this summer!