IfIOnly Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Was taking a course worth your time and money? I have much to learn still and would mostly be, at this time, taking this for my own education. I could use some help and further know how with my raised bed soil. Also, our area is a tricky place for gardening, and most books and online resources can only be so helpful. I like learning, classes, and getting to know others, but the cost isn't cheap at $275 for 10, 8 hour classes at the community college from Jan-April and continuing hands on education until September (not exactly what the further hands-on training entails) and textbooks and supplies. It does seem like a good value though for my money and like it would be a fun experience. Worth it IYE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 I have NOT taken the course. I have a good friend who signed up and paid the tuition, and then went to the first class and never went back. He gave me his massive binder- which was the textbook from the course. It really and truly does not contain any information that cannot be found elsewhere, and that was why he did not continue with the course. Where it would be helpful is if you wanted to learn about more than one area of expertise. So if you're a vegetable gardener, but want to learn more about trees, or if you want to learn more about grafting fruit trees or planting a perennial garden. It's a broad course that only dips a toe into all of the different areas of gardening. My friend was really disappointed because he was hoping that it would go more in-depth. He really didn't need to go sit in an 8 hour class to learn that beans, corn and tomatoes are summer crops in our area. I think there's also a volunteer hour requirement in order to receive the certification, so you might want to see what that entails before diving in. Honestly, I would see if there's anything in your area more specific to what you want to learn, but maybe the Master Gardener course in your area is more thorough. I would ask to see a course outline and the textbook materials before signing up and forking over the fee. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Our course is a joke. I had issues not only with the lack of quality information but the promoting of using pesticides. I would not waste the money on it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted November 12, 2015 Author Share Posted November 12, 2015 I have NOT taken the course. I have a good friend who signed up and paid the tuition, and then went to the first class and never went back. He gave me his massive binder- which was the textbook from the course. It really and truly does not contain any information that cannot be found elsewhere, and that was why he did not continue with the course. Where it would be helpful is if you wanted to learn about more than one area of expertise. So if you're a vegetable gardener, but want to learn more about trees, or if you want to learn more about grafting fruit trees or planting a perennial garden. It's a broad course that only dips a toe into all of the different areas of gardening. My friend was really disappointed because he was hoping that it would go more in-depth. He really didn't need to go sit in an 8 hour class to learn that beans, corn and tomatoes are summer crops in our area. I think there's also a volunteer hour requirement in order to receive the certification, so you might want to see what that entails before diving in. Honestly, I would see if there's anything in your area more specific to what you want to learn, but maybe the Master Gardener course in your area is more thorough. I would ask to see a course outline and the textbook materials before signing up and forking over the fee. Bummer for your friend. I am wondering about the depth of the course. too The volunteer part is only required if you want certification. The topics covered are: Climate of our city Composting Integrated Pest Management Wildlife Management Vegetable Gardening Soils Botany Plant Damage Weed I.D./control Pruning Water Management Plant Nutrition Pesticide Safety Insect I.D./control Plant Disease Our course is a joke. I had issues not only with the lack of quality information but the promoting of using pesticides. I would not waste the money on it. Yeah, I'm def. not into pesticides either. Sorry about the financial loss. My dd took it and really enjoyed it. Can't say she uses her knowledge a whole lot, as it didn't cross over into helicopter flying very well. :lol: But now that they have a house and a yard, perhaps it will. She was able to take it for almost free, for agreeing to a certain number of volunteer hours. One of the reasons it was valuable to her, was being able to take it with adults. She was enrolled in our local college, but lets just say, those students are more interested in skiing than learning. She liked taking a class with townspeople. Thank for this! I'm sure I would enjoy the community, but my main motivation for taking the class is actually growing in gardening knowledge. I would be super bummed if the class ended up not being valuable in that regard. I do have experience gardening, and I wonder if this course if more for beginners or for those who really want the certification to help others. Although there are topics that will be taught that I could use some instruction in. I could just Google them though. Hmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 I have NOT taken the course. I have a good friend who signed up and paid the tuition, and then went to the first class and never went back. He gave me his massive binder- which was the textbook from the course. It really and truly does not contain any information that cannot be found elsewhere, and that was why he did not continue with the course. Where it would be helpful is if you wanted to learn about more than one area of expertise. So if you're a vegetable gardener, but want to learn more about trees, or if you want to learn more about grafting fruit trees or planting a perennial garden. It's a broad course that only dips a toe into all of the different areas of gardening. My friend was really disappointed because he was hoping that it would go more in-depth. He really didn't need to go sit in an 8 hour class to learn that beans, corn and tomatoes are summer crops in our area. I think there's also a volunteer hour requirement in order to receive the certification, so you might want to see what that entails before diving in. Honestly, I would see if there's anything in your area more specific to what you want to learn, but maybe the Master Gardener course in your area is more thorough. I would ask to see a course outline and the textbook materials before signing up and forking over the fee. I don't know though that it is usually a text that is the most useful part of any course, nor do they usually contain any really hard to find information. Typically it is either the commentary from the instructor, or that hands on aspect, that is what you take a course for. Otherwise, people would just read text-books. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Around here, the Master Gardener course/certification is for serious gardener types. I looked into it a few years ago because gardening in one of my passions. At the time, I was still homeschooling at least one... in high school, no less. The volunteer hours requirement killed it for me. No way could I have done all that. And, frankly, I think that is one reason you learn...if you work along side one of the top horticulturist this week and another one next week, etc....you will have a chance for lots of hands on learning. I'm a lifelong gardener...I also love to read. I hung out in the gardenweb.com forums for a long time. Join a local garden club is also a good thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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