Your local extention service’s Master Gardener program might be a good start.

http://www.ahs.org/master_gardeners/index.htm

The program is fun, the ‘classes’ are mixed from school aged to seniors, and odds are your instructors or fellow students would have great suggestions for further study.

Specifically related to Landscape Architecture is the American Society of Landscape Artists, who may also have ideas for courses of study:

http://www.asla.org/

Ditto Botany specifically at the Botanical Society of America:

http://www.botany.org/

The American Horticultural Society has a lot of addition links with information on local groups/programs:

http://www.ahs.org/horticulture_internet_community/association_sites.htm

Additionally, as other posters pointed out, you may be eligible for a course at a local college. Try looking up your nearest university’s Science dpt. or outreach studies. Local gardening shops often have gardening/landscaping specific classes as well.

If you’re homeschooling yourself I’m sure you know that the most valuable tool involved in learning anything is getting info on the subject and reading! For starters:

http://www.botany.com/

http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/www-vl/

And while I wouldn’t recommend it as an in-depth or perfectly accurate source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botany

has some terrific off-site links and ideas throught the article for additional study.

Best of luck to you – sounds like a lot of fun!!

You might want to check out your county’s forest preserve and see what kind of programs they might offer. You may be able to get some real hands on experience doing some volunteer work and learn how the plants work with the local environment. Best of all this one would be free and probably look excellent on your resume.

Check with an online College. There are a number of them that offer decent courses that are likely available to you. Have a wonderful school year!

Thanks,

Eds (Former Instructor)

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