Anyone take a gardening course through county extension office??

[cx3]

My local county extension office is offering a Master Gardener course.Its about a 30hr course designed for beginning gardeners. The $165 cost is my main concern. I'm wondering if I will learn enough to justify the expenditure. I do consider myself a beginner gardener. Have read several books on gardening but I seem to be a hands on learner.
Has anyone had any experience with these type of courses? I'll need to sign up by this Friday if I'm going to attend,so quick responses would be appreciated.

[catherine]

I live in Central Jersey and Rutgers' Cook College hosts a Home Gardener's School AND a Master Gardener's School.

The Master Gardener's school is $200, so that's pretty much in line with your $165, given the cost-of-living differential between IN and NJ. I considered taking that class for the exact same reason you are--for hands-on learning experience. I know that the Rutgers Master Gardeners have active roles in advising people, so I'm sure the education is pretty sound.

If you can afford the $165 without undue hardship, and this is really an area you want to explore, I'd go for it, as long as you're confident in the quality of the education. I know I'd get a good education from Rutgers--I've taken their Home Gardener's course, and it is really fun--and I actually called on the advice of a Master Gardener when I was there, and she was really helpful.

[KayLR]

That's about in line with the costs of it here, too. Also here, if you finish the course, you are expected to volunteer x number of hours at farmers mkts., etc. to share the info you've learned.

[razz]

Holy smoke!!!!! That is cheap. Take it and enjoy.
I took the full MG course through the University of Guelph and it cost $675 and now it is offered through an Agricultural college in Nova Scotia for $1500.
I thought that I knew a fair bit before starting but learned a lot and had a much better approach to helping answer questions from the public. Unfortunately, life got so busy I had to give up some volunteer activities and the MG role was one of them.

[new2oregon]

I have never taken a master gardening course but if you can afford it go for it. 30 hours of fun for 165.00 sounds like a good deal.

[Blackdog Lin]

I haven't, but a former co-worker of mine did it last year and she just raved about all she learned. And she's just like me - been gardening for years, felt pretty confident about knowing the essentials, did canning and pickling and all.....but she said it was well worth the expense, for all she learned.....

[Birdie]

I am a Master Gardener in California and took the course in 2005. For my program, we received a nice stack of reference books that justified the $150 I paid. If you are interested in gardening, I highly recommend the program. My program requires 50 hours of volunteer time the first year and 25 for subsequent years. Most of us volunteer much more than that because we enjoy the program. Some extension offices have a Master Food Preserver program also, separate program with separate requirements.

[cx3]

Well,I took the plunge and signed up.Had my first class last night,topic was soil types.Think I'm really going to like it. Looking forward to being a part of the Master Gardening community once I complete the course.

[razz]

Cx, you will find this link very informative about soil biology. I loved reading it and learning so much more.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/health/biology/

[Gregg]

I am signed up for that course from our extension office. Starts in February and cost $180 so it sounds reasonable compared to others. CX3, have you checked into scholarships that might be available? I know its a possibility in my area because there is a box you can check on the application if you want to try for that. I don't know any details, but it might be worth a phone call.

[Gardenarian]

I did, it was $300 and I would say it was worth it to me - not so much in practical terms, but in just increasing my plant knowledge.
It's a good way to meet other gardeners and serve the community, if you're interested in that aspect of it.

[befree]

I know you've already signed up for the course and attended the first night, but I'll just add that I took the course several years ago, and was told it was the equivalent of a college-level course. I learned a whole lot, specifically about gardening in our climate, and I appreciated the focus on water conservation and using native or naturalized plants. The county ag. extension ofc here also periodically hosts workshops on topics like composting, landscape design, etc. It's a great resource.

[cx3]

Completed the course last night. Worth the $165 price. Not near as much hands on as I had wished for,but did meet several like minded people. Looking forward to meeting other gardeners through the monthly meetings.

[razz]

Congrats on completing the course! You will find that, with your increased knowledge, you will enjoy even more learning from every contact, nursery and garden event.