I do think that the new social networking side of this adds value if you actually socialize. I know far more people go to other peoples’ blogs from my links than my own. I am fine with that, because I can’t tell the whole story myself, and none of us can see and know everything ourselves. I have found far more people like you on blog rolls and via tweets than I ever would have found on my own. For this to work, you must actually socializing, find real communities, actually read, and not just tweet everything you see. However, there are those that don’t really share the love, just like to soak it all in, and like to build themselves up. In the end that is not gardening to me because gardening requires conversation with nature and each other. I don’t think you can be a good gardener or garden educator unless you are learning and sharing just like the gardeners who have taught us. For me blogging is a way to keep gardening when the sun goes, and we have all gone home.

On the other hand, not all gardening blogs are there for the purpose of educating the public. Many are simply online garden journals for the author’s own use and they are letting it be seen publicly. Mine actually started out that way (it was for my girls, who no longer live at home), but evolved into something more, as others discovered it and started commenting. I grew as a gardener and a blogger as the result of those comments and interaction.

What you say is just one of those valuable “rants,” as you call it, and you’re absolutely right to call it to our attention.