{"id":6001,"date":"2025-04-15T16:16:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T20:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/?page_id=6001"},"modified":"2026-05-27T13:59:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:59:08","slug":"mgv-book-club","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/get-involved\/mgv-book-club\/","title":{"rendered":"MGV Book Club"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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MGV Book Club<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Cover<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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The 2026 virtual Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Book Club read is \u201cGarden for Life: Strategies for Easier, Greener, More Joyful Gardening as We Age\u201d by Rhonda Fleming Hayes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn ‘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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Rhonda
Rhonda Fleming Hayes<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

‘Garden for Life’ reminds us that gardening is a simple way to answer the human need to connect with nature, a craving called biophilia<\/em>, 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!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2026 Book Club Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Each week from June 1- August 14 we will post discussion questions in the Facebook group at 9:00 am on the last business day of the week (Thursday or Friday depending on the state holiday schedule as noted below). You can participate by leaving your written responses in the comments at any time. Note that these are not live meetings. However, the virtual author chat in August will be a live discussion. A registration link will be posted in the group as the date nears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n