I would very much like to start a blog about my start as a gardener and the struggles of starting gardening etc. However, I have been listed as a new member for nearly a month now. Does anyone who blog on this site know roughly how long it will be before I can blog my experiences? Thank you.

If you post, you will get there faster.

@oneeyeluke, not the answer @readysteadysell is looking for.

I don't think the restriction is that long.
@Dave, what is the time limit before new members can start a blog? I

I'm not sure and am not at home right now but I'll check into this as soon as I can.

Ok it's not based on time at all, but activity. You must post at least 2 images to the plants database and make at least 10 posts in the forums and then the blogs feature will be unlocked for you.

That's what I kind of remembered , that it wasn't time based but activity based, just forgot the details. I now bookmarked your post Dave.
Ok, so 2 images and one more post and you're all set @readysteadysell.
This restriction had to be implemented because we had spammers come in and abuse the blog function.

Seems the images requirement could be a bit onerous for those without a good digital camera, (or those who join in the winter )

Is there an appeals process where other 'community service' could be substituted for the pictures?

PlantingOaks said:Seems the images requirement could be a bit onerous for those without a good digital camera, (or those who join in the winter )

Is there an appeals process where other 'community service' could be substituted for the pictures?

You don't need a good digital camera. Do you have a cell phone? Do you have any images from previous bloom seasons? I personally don't think asking for 2 photos could be deemed as "a bit onerous".

Actually, I do have a swanky digital camera (though this is my cellphone:

no, it does not have a camera )

and I honestly haven't run into any restrictions on my account that interfere with what I want to do on the site. (other than I can't figure out how to make a signature - but that's hardly a serious issue)

I was just surprised given I've found plenty of gardeners (even online!) with reams of data and experience tucked away in meticulous antiquated systems and no plan whatsoever to modernize it. I think it pleases me a bit how intentional and sterotypically 'backwards' the gardening community has remained in the era of instagram and facebook oversharing. Which I know, there are garden communities in those places too, but I like the mythos of some of the best data being in a text file, if it's digitized at all, and of enthusiast sellers with extensive plain text catalogs and no online ordering.

I guess I am getting old enough to be a curmudgeon after all. Phone should have tipped me off