Who Can Join the Edmonton Horticultural Society and What Does Membership Offer?

The Edmonton Horticultural Society (EHS) is open to Edmonton gardeners of all skill levels and interests, and membership is aimed at people who want to learn, share, and grow through talks, workshops, garden tours, and community projects. The site presents membership as a way to access member discounts, the annual garden tour, the Speaker Series, the Perennial Exchange, and volunteer opportunities that support public green spaces.

Who the EHS Is For

The EHS describes itself as a volunteer-run, non-profit society where “Edmonton gardeners of all skill levels and interests can learn, share and grow.” That means you do not need to be an expert or have a large garden to take part. The society frames its activities around members’ needs, interests, and gardening enjoyment, and around contributing to the beauty of the community.

If you are deciding whether to join, the practical question is whether you want a mix of learning and community involvement. The site’s own emphasis is on education, sharing knowledge, and giving back, rather than on a single product or service.

What Membership Offers

The site lists several member-facing benefits and activities. These are the concrete things to look at when judging fit:

• Member discounts — listed as a membership benefit, though the site does not specify which retailers or how large the discounts are.
• Annual Garden Tour — an EHS event that members can take part in.
• Speaker Series — scheduled talks; the events listing shows a Speaker Series date on Oct 26.
• Perennial Exchange — a plant-sharing activity listed among member offerings.
• Neighbourhood in Bloom — a community program referenced on the site.
• Workshops and events — for example, a Crabapple Canning Workshop listed for Oct 5, with a full events calendar available.
• Photo Contest — promoted on the homepage.

The site does not publish prices, membership fee amounts, or a detailed list of discount partners in the material available, so those specifics would need to be confirmed directly with the EHS.

Volunteer and Community Involvement

Community work is described as a long-standing EHS tradition. The society says its partnerships with the City of Edmonton enhance public spaces, support local horticulture, and educate and encourage gardeners. The site also references EHS involvement at the Muttart Gardens and the Zoo Gardens, and a “Neighbourhood in Bloom” program.

For someone who wants more than lectures, this is the part of membership that offers hands-on contribution. The site’s framing — “Learn, Grow, and Give Back to the Community” — puts volunteering alongside learning as a core reason to join.

How to Decide If It Fits

Use these questions to judge whether the EHS matches what you want:

If your main interest is a specific discount or a fixed fee comparison, the site does not provide enough detail to decide on those grounds alone. If your interest is learning, meeting other gardeners, and participating in local horticulture, the listed activities give a clear picture of what membership involves.

Where to Start

The homepage offers a “Join Now!” link and a “Learn more” path for the About section, plus a full events calendar for upcoming dates. Checking the events calendar first is a practical way to see whether the current workshops and talks match your interests before joining.