Read Globally, Search Regionally, Plant Locally

First post .... My biggest challenge in gardening or landscaping is finding and nurturing connections to local gardeners, nurseries, and other sources of material and inspiration. Now, this is entirely my own fault - if I were a better steward of my time (work/life balance), I would be able to do more day trips and hook up with other enthusiasts face-to-face rather than online.

Gardening success is an interesting combination of global awareness, regional characteristics, and local micro-climates. Who'da thought that plants from China would do better here than those from England? Regional characteristics are huge drivers. For the Piedmont in the southeast USA, those are red clay soil, high humidity, and warm summer nights. Nearby gardeners will have lots of experience with what works and what doesn't.

Look for links to local resources of interest. Please comment as well.