Open House Opens Doors, Makes Long-Lasting Impression

Posted in Learning Experiences, Programs and Events on March 12 2009, by Plant Talk

Carol Capobianco is Editorial Content Manager at The New York Botanical Garden.
I recently completed a New York Botanical Garden Continuing Education course, Soil Science for Gardeners, with instructor David Bulpitt.

While that’s not remarkable in itself, it’s noteworthy because I had first become acquainted with David Bulpitt and his passion for soils at a Continuing Education Open House and promised myself that one day I would take his course. That was nine years ago!

It was the spring of 2000 when I attended the Open House to learn about taking classes so that I could finally gain some theory for the seat-of-the-pants home gardening I’d been doing and to investigate the various certificate programs offered at The New York Botanical Garden—the definitive source of everything related to plants.

At the free Open Houses, which are held twice a year, on a single day you can wander in and out of ongoing mini-classes on subjects related to seven main disciplines, some of which can lead to a career change such as Landscape Design or Horticultural Therapy, as well as hear about the School of Professional Horticulture. The setting is informal, you meet some of the instructors and program coordinators, and you feel a kindred spiritedness with the other searching, prospective students.

That day I was determined to at least poke my head into each of the rooms hosting the different topics so I could sample all the possibilities. I hesitated, however, when I came to the Horticulture presentation titled “Soil Science.” Oooh. That sounded boring. But, the curious sort that I am, I took a deep breath and walked in. Arrayed on tables were several samples of soils and testing paraphernalia. David, who led the session, was talking animatedly about soil texture and structure and permeability. I sat there fascinated. It was an hour later when I finally dislodged myself, knowing that I wanted to make my way to other classrooms and subjects.

After that Open House I registered for several classes, mostly in gardening and botany, all of which I completed with high marks. At the time, David Bulpitt was teaching Soil Science only as a two-course offering in the Horticulture program, which was too intensive for my needs. And so, I put the encounter in my memory bank. However, when I perused the Continuing Education Fall 2008–Winter 2009 Catalog and realized that he now teaches a more condensed, less-extensive class for the Gardening discipline as well, I immediately registered for the course.

Four weeks and lots of weighty information later, I’m feeling a great sense of fulfillment, and I’m armed with important new knowledge to take into my home garden this spring. The experience has renewed my excitement to learn, and I’ve begun skimming the newly released Spring–Summer Catalog and even the online version to find new courses to take. I invite you to attend this weekend’s Open House and begin your own journey.