You Grow Girlâ„¢

After wasting a year attempting in vain to get another Web editor gig, I've decided to change careers. I'm trading in my laptop for a garden shovel.

Starting in September, I'll be attending college again to learn all about horticulture.

I figured I spent so many enjoyable hours researching plants, experimenting with soil amendments and attempting to keep alive some of the most bizarre specimens, I might as well focus on turning this hobby into a career.

My friend Sharon and I are going to start our own landscaping and exotic plant business, so I figured now would be a good time to hit the books and learn all I can about gardening, landscape design and native plants.

I'm taking basic horticulture courses, as well as plant design and soil sciences. I'm pretty lousy at science (hence the English and journalism degrees), but I'll give it a shot.

For the first time since I was laid off from a dotcom last summer, I actually feel like I'm getting my act together and pursuing a career that is rewarding and comforting. I'd rather spend day after day digging in the dirt, planting herbs and flowers and creating unique water fountains, than sitting in front of a computer, writing about things that don't interest me.

I plan on taking classes to earn my Master Gardener's Certificate as well, which you usually need in order to be hired by a nursery or garden center around here. And I'm thinking about getting an apprenticeship at the local organic farm as well. I can't wait!