I just recently got interested in container indoor gardening, mostly with tropical plants; have learned a lot here already, but am interested to join a get-together, a club or a class of some kind where we can get down and dirty with some projects, so that I can learn more by looking and doing, not so much by reading. I've heard Brooklyn Botanical Garden has some classes and talks - I'll look there. What else is available in New York City? I can host a small group in my apartment close to Coney Island for a project or two.

Hi - I have a site bookmarked that lists some of the garden clubs around the Twin Cities area. I'm not sure how often it's updated though. I tried emailing two of the addresses, and one came back as invalid. (I did double-check to make sure I didn't key it in wrong). http://www.northerngardener.org/districts.asp?id=5 As far as classes, I check the newsletters of various cities around me, as well as local newspapers. Even some garden centers have free seminars and workshops too, so that may be an option. Or check out the U of M Extension - they run the Master Gardener program. Hope this helps - happy gardening!

Hi all. Thank you for good sugestions. Claire Trypod is very usefull tools. able to lift and set boulder up side down, sideway up or any position. Boulder or large tree can be move with trypod where heavy equipment can't to be use. Once trypod is elected, 1 to 3 ton boulder can be handled by 3 men over 3 ton, 4 men can handle larger than 3 ton. This is not thing that I cann't explain in writing. To handle heavy boulder need to know how to make knots, how to plece wire cable right way,or place. boulder can go over 2~ 3 feet hight wall, Go steps up and down without damaging surounding/shurbs, hard scape. I can set extion ladder 20 feet high not touching tree branchs. or use ladder where no other type of ladder cannot be use, edge of pond, steep hill side. If gate has 32 inch wide and boulder width 30 inch, I can move boulder without touching the gate. I taught Cady how to use rope to accend and decend in tree. When She came to my class, I asked Cady if you want to climb up tree with tree sadle and rope. I showed her how to use rope and use own body to climb into tree. Cady took about 20 minutes to climb half way to large oak tree. Showed her how to split bamboo, how to identify age of bamboo, how to transport bamboo and prune, how to make bamboo fence, how to tie. Make some tool with bamboo, such as trowel, pin, nail, knife, bamboo broom, flower vase, sheath for sharp knife or hachet, scraper, how to bent large diameter bamboo or small piece. How to make bamboo bonsai etc. Gardening is not rocket science. If you see it and do it your self, it is easier than most people think. When you do something new or need to have safty of work, then you need to have some guidance from expierenced people. If middle aged Cady can climb up tree( sorry Cady ), you can climb up tree too. Christian who came form GreenvillSouth Carolina, to every my Japanese garden class in 2003, 200 miles away , Scott from Birmingham, Ala 120 miles a way, Cady from Salem, Mas 1100 miles away, Edzard was also going to come From Albert Canada but he snowed out. Shortly after I showed Christian how to make bamboo fence, not only showed him, he made bamboo fenfe with Cady and Richard, then he made bamboo fence him self. I can give him A+. Some of bamboo fence called " Nanako gaki " is very simple to make. Every one can make it once you see it. Thank you every one of you who responded to my question. I should to respond to your posting much earlier. Some how I am limied to access to PC and I am very slow to type and am sorry for it. I posted usefull hint today in other thread. I am thinking to write about wisteria. how to transplant, potting , controle growth and make it more flower, how to prune, hint for arbor, how to identify flowre bud.perhaps how to make wisteria bonsai etc. If proper to do it. Japanese Wistria " Texas pride" one of wisteria I had from Monrobia nusery Cal....... Sorry I am making many misspellng/ writing without dictionary . I will use dictionary next time ............................... mike

Thank you for posting pictures of your tour! The gardens are lovely and the pictures are great. It is so much fun going with a group. Will you ID the people in the group photo? I especially enjoyed seeing all the succulents and the fountains, especially the fountain made from repurposed metal pieces. I'd like for the San Antonio folks to go together to visit the Japanese Tea Garden. How about it S. A. peeps?