Woman Invites Strangers to Her Garden to ‘Do My Chores for Me.’ Now More Than 400 People Have Signed Up (Exclusive)

In a remarkable turn of events, a simple TikTok invitation from Veronica Sykes has blossomed into a vibrant community initiative known as Gardening Club in Los Angeles. What began as a casual appeal for gardening assistance quickly escalated, capturing the attention of thousands and leading to the establishment of a group that now boasts 500 members and several sold-out events.

On September 7, Sykes posted a video on TikTok, tentatively inviting a few locals to join her for a casual gardening session at her home. She hoped only for a modest turnout, maybe seven participants to share some food, music, and gardening tips. However, the response she received exceeded all expectations. Within just 11 days, her video not only reached thousands of viewers but ignited an enthusiastic desire for communal gardening. “There are so many comments and almost every single one is positive, which you just don’t see on the internet,” she noted.

Sykes said the diversity of those reaching out was no surprise to her, as she has long understood the universal connection many have with nature. “What was actually crazy and very unexpected to me was that it not only reached that many people, but that they actually took action and responded and engaged,” she recounted. This opportunity resonated with her, bridging a gap between her lifelong passion for gardening and a desire to cultivate community.

Raised in the Bay Area, Sykes developed her love for gardening at a young age, assisting her mother with rose bushes and experimenting with various plants. By her teenage years, she was already trading rare bulbs and had studied landscape architecture at UC Berkeley. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Florish Technologies, an online marketplace that connects customers with plants suited to their individual spaces.

Despite her extensive background in gardening, the prospect of creating online content was not particularly appealing to Sykes until she noticed other people leveraging TikTok to cultivate real-life connections. Encouraged by this trend, she decided to take a leap of faith when one commenter suggested she film a garden tour. Initially unsure, she ultimately shared her backyard with the world, leading to a remarkable response that turned her casual invitation into a substantial community project.

Within 48 hours of launching the initiative, Gardening Club was up and running. Sykes organised her first gathering, which attracted about 400 RSVPs and ultimately brought around 25 attendees to her home. The atmosphere was intentionally laid-back, with participants donning makeshift name tags created from blue painter’s tape. Amidst hot dogs, drinks, and music, Sykes shared her gardening knowledge, covering essential topics from tool selection to pest management.

“This combination of learning something and meeting people is a significant part of Gardening Club’s appeal,” Sykes remarked. Many newcomers have echoed feelings of having a “black thumb,” expressing uncertainty about their ability to care for plants, a phenomenon that inspired the creation of Florish Technologies. Yet, alongside these concerns, Sykes noted a growing desire among attendees for friendship and an outdoor sanctuary, a self-described “third space” away from the screen.

Recognising the compelling balance between digital interactions and hands-on experiences, Sykes reflected, “You’re looking at a screen, but the screen isn’t life.” With Gardening Club, she aims to encourage participants to engage with nature directly, enriching their lives through sensory experiences.

As Gardening Club continues to grow beyond her back garden, Sykes has planned a range of educational and interactive events. These initiatives will enable members to prune, weed, and beautify community spaces while drawing upon the collective expertise of its members rather than positioning herself as the sole authority on gardening.

Her aspiration extends beyond simply nurturing plants; she envisions instilling confidence in beginners so they can eventually pass along their newfound knowledge to others. “The people who came to learn have something to teach the next person,” she said, observing how the group fosters connections and shared experiences.

Although Gardening Club has achieved significant milestones, Sykes remains particularly optimistic about its future potential. “As far as it’s come, I’m much more excited about how far it still might go,” she concluded, hopeful for the growth of a community that thrives on the shared joy of gardening and mutual support.