Albert - the "Botany online - The Internet Hypertextbook" link could be dangerous. I spent way too much time surfing from one page to another when I should have been working, but I actually found a former graduate student buddy along the way. There are also links to online keys that will be useful. I wish I'd had those a couple of months ago when someone posted asking for plant ids for a school project.

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!

Hi, I came across your fairly old post while searching similar info for myself on becoming an MG. I am scheduled to begin MG training in Jan 2011. Like you, I also have a four year degree in psychology, but did not complete advanced training in it for a variety of reasons. I am looking into horticultural therapy (an area you might want to google and explore if you are not familiar with this field). I am also interested in historical horticulture, such as working on gardens for historical sites. While I certainly don't expect to a huge immediate career change for myself after earning this credential, I do plan to use this certification as a stepping stone for personal exploration, increased knowledge, and who knows, maybe a career change down the road. Because the MG programs are volunteer-oriented, your biggest benefit will be your increased knowledge of something you love, and networking, both of which could eventually land you a job or perhaps a business of your own in some aspect of horticulture that appeals to you. It's not a huge time commitment, nor a lot of money as compared to graduate school, so if you are looking to do something different, in a field that interests you, just go for it, and build upon it as you can or as you see fit down the road. I would love to hear back if you did decide to complete the program and where you are at with it in your life.

Summer Programs offered by the Monmouth County Park System at Deep Cut Gardens, 352 Red Hill Rd., Middletown, NJ. Register by phone at 732-842-4000 ext. 1 or online at www.monmouthcountyparks.com. Questions? Call Deep Cut at 732-671-6050 or e-mail dallen@monmouthcountyparks.com. Vegetable Gardening 101 (adults) It isnt too late to start a vegetable garden, and there are many reasons to do so! This series of classes takes the beginner through the growing season, from starting a no-dig garden through plant selection, controlling pests & diseases, extending the harvest, to using & preserving the harvest. Emphasis will be on environmentally friendly methods. One 2-Hr Session $10.00 Per Person Sat, Jun 6 10am-12pm H1193A Sat, Jul 11 1pm-3pm H1293A Sat, Aug 8 10am-12pm H1393A Vegetable Gardening in Small Spaces (adults) You donÂt need a lot of space to have fresh, home-grown produce. Learn about a variety of small-space gardening techniques like container gardening, incorporating edibles in the ornamental gardens, and plants that do well in less than full sun. One 2-Hr Session $10.00 Per Person Sat, Jun 13 10am-12pm H0293A Stretching for Gardeners (adults) Working in the garden is good for body and soul, but it can put stresses on the body that leave us with aching, sore muscles. Instructor Mare Akana will show you some ways to stretch, relax and massage those hard-working muscles. Please bring a yoga mat or towel to sit on, plus one additional towel. One 1-hr Session $15.00 Per Person Sat, Jun 6 1:00-2:00pm H2893A Growing Roses in Monmouth County (adults) Considered the Queen of Flowers by some, roses may be more hardy than you think. Diane Wilkerson, President of the Jersey Shore Rose Society and ARS Consulting Rosarian, will dispel some of the mystique with advice on selection, planting, pest management, pruning, disease-resistant varieties and tips for organic gardeners. Weather permitting, a tour of the new rose garden with discussion of selected roses will follow. One 2-Hr Session $15.00 Per Person Sat, Jun 13 1pm-3pm H1793A Fairy Houses in the Gardens (all ages, under 18 with adult) Spend an enchanted morning creating tiny fairy houses out of natural materials found at Deep Cut. We will begin with a story for inspiration, learn about fairies favorite plants and review fairy "building codes" before going outdoors to build. Bring your imagination, a blanket for relaxing outdoors, and any natural found objects (bark, pebbles, shells, etc.) you would like to include in your creation. One 2-Hr Session $7.50/Adult $5.00/Child Sat, Jun 20 10am-12pm H0393X Daylily Day at Deep Cut Gardens (all ages) The Monmouth County Park System and the Garden State Daylily Growers present Daylily Day at Deep Cut Gardens, Saturday, June 27, 2009 10am-2pm 352 Red Hill Road, Middletown, NJ. Daylily displays with experts on hand to answer questions. Come enjoy our large selection of daylilies on the grounds. Admission is free. What is Plein Air Painting? (adults) Judy Stach, President and Founder of the Plein Air Painters of the Jersey Coast will present a talk and demonstration on Plein Air Painting  painting in the open air. After the talk, members of the PAPJC will be painting at various locations in Deep Cut Gardens where you may visit the artists to see them in action. Works will remain on display in the Horticultural Center through July 16. One 1-Hr Session $10.00 Per Person Sat, Jul 11 10am-11am Summer Garden Camp (ages 6-8) A week of garden and nature-related crafts, projects and stories, including a garden safari. Five 3-Hr Sessions $85.00 Per Child Mon-Fri, Jul 20-24 1-4pm H1493A Mon-Fri, Aug3-7 1-4pm H1593A Mon-Fri, Aug 17-21 9am-12pm H1693A Garden Kids (ages 7-10) An introduction to gardening through fun activities! Five one-hour classes include: seeds  dissection & germination, plant anatomy, soil composition and composting, plant propagation, and insects. Five 1-Hr Sessions $50.00 Per Child Mon-Fri, Jul 27-31 10-11am H0493A Plein Air Painting in Watercolor (adults) With the grounds of Deep Cut Gardens as inspiration, the student will learn how to see as an artist and depict the light, color and perspective of the landscape. All experience levels; all materials supplied. For your comfort, bring water, sunscreen and sun hat. Instructor: Lizzie Schippert, NJWCS One 3-Hr Session $30.00 Per Person Wed, Jun 3 9am-12pm H0793A Wed, Jun 10 9am-12pm H0893A Wed, Jun 17 9am-12pm H0993A Wed, Jun 24 9am-12pm H1093A Botanical Art Series for Teens (entering grades 7-12) All art materials supplied. Many classes will be held outdoors; for your comfort, dress appropriately and bring water, sunscreen and sunhat or visor. One 2-Hr Session $22.00 Per Person Botanical Drawing Students will learn about the different plant structures, flowers, leaves and roots. Using pencils and paper, they will be able to explore them through drawing. Tue, Jun 30 9-11am H1993A Drawing Trees with Charcoal Learn how charcoal is made and how to use this ancient medium. Become familiar with art history, make tree rubbings and learn about different kinds of trees. Thu, Jul 2 9-11am H2093A Basics of Watercolor Painting Learn how watercolor paints are made, become familiar with watercolor art history, materials, techniques and different subject matters while creating a painting. Tue, Jul 7 9-11am H2193A Watercolors of Natural Light & Shadows Learn to apply the secrets of painting natural light and shadows by learning how to look at these features on subject matter. Thu, Jul 9 9-11am H2293A Watercolors of Pond Plants & Water Explore examples by noted artists and learn how to see the way light and colors play off water before creating your own painting. Tue, Jul 21 9-11am H2393A Watercolors of Skies & Clouds Explore art that shows the skies at different times of day, learn painting techniques and how to look at the skies and clouds artistically while creating your own painting. Thu, Jul 23 9-11am H2493A Pastel Class Exploring OÂKeefe, Van Gogh & Pissarro Learn how to use simple media to explore landscape in the styles of these artists from different eras and places. Students will get to experiment with their own imagination as well as reflecting on art history. Tue, Aug 4 9-11am H2593A Pastel of Still Life Learn about pastel drawing and how to use this medium to explore colorful subject matter. Learn about different fruits and vegetables and explore them through your drawing. Review pastel art history and still life painting. Thu, Aug 6 9-11am H2693A Sumi Ink Landscapes Learn how to use this different medium through an examination of Asian art depicting nature. Explore the different plants and styles of Asian art and how water, sky and land are portrayed. Tue, Aug 11 9-11am H2793A