Here's a bit of my story. I hope it helps you in some way. I majored in biology in college (back in the 60's) and found out I loved botany by my junior year. I wanted to be a botanist. I looked around at where I was going to live, to see just what jobs there were. There was only greenhouse work and landscapers. I'd have to live somewhere else. So I decided to get another degree in teaching, which was smart since they are needed, provide a pension, insurance, time off for family, etc. I joined the Garden Book Club and read about 200 books on horticulture, became a Master Gardener, gave some workshops, and enjoyed my own gardens in the country while having a good paying teaching job with benefits and tenure. I guess what I'm saying is, look for where you want to live and find out where and what the jobs are. A little research will tell you. In the meantime, take a science/liberal arts major and decide later as you grow and learn. A good background in botany makes horticulture so much more interesting, and is really necessary. Whatever you do, enjoy the plants!

The classes are free however, the TMG website says they are from 5:30-6:00 not 6:30.

Thanks Violet I came across some info on growing strawberries in a hoop house. I'm not sure but I think it's basically the same concept. This was in Branson. Here is a link that might be useful: strawberries in hoop house

Just bringing this back to the top as a reminder -- the event is THIS Saturday (1/31). We hope many of you will be able to attend. If you're a total newby, come and learn how to prune and train your roses from some experts; if you're a seasoned rosarian, come and lend a hand in getting Ruth's Rose Garden into perfect condition for the spring growth flush. Contrary to the above blurb, we will likely NOT do any pruning on Friday, but Saturday and Monday, definitely. On Sunday, Stephen will be talking about the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden of the New York Botanic Garden (where he is curator), and about the development of the New York Heritage Rose District and FSC's several years of student service-learning trips, as well as tentative plans for another project there, this spring. Hope to see you there!