I interviewed landscape horticulture apprentice Lynda after she completed level one of her program. You can read that blog post here.
I thought it would be logical to catch up with our apprentice after she completed her level two. Not only is she more experienced and knowledgeable, she is also happily married and no longer living in sin. Congratulations!
I asked Lynda a few simple questions. Let’s take a look.
Vas: 1. How different was level two from one?
Lynda: The biggest difference in level two would be soils class. You go much more in depth of what the soil is made of, what is good for the soil, and the chemistry behind it. Compared to going to the Burnaby Continuing Education center for level one, going to Kwantlen was a much different feel. It felt more like an actual program. Going to Burnaby was great, but if I had to choose again, I would choose to go to Kwantlen. The resources there for learning are amazing and all the teachers are very willing to help in any way they can.
[The key to soils is the life inside them, not just its components.- VAS]
V: 2. What was the best part about level 2?
L: The best part was our trip to Specimen Trees. A nursery that specializes in growing selling all sorts of different trees. The owner took us on a tour of their field and even though it was winter and the trees had no leaves on them, it was beautiful to see all these trees growing for acres. It was also neat to learn that they have greenhouses for growing ground covers and other plants.
V: 3. What was the worst part about level 2?
L: The worst part would be trying to wrap my head around all the chemistry. I’ve never been all the great at chemistry so it was a bit of a struggle for me.
[Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott’s book “How plants work” is full of biochemistry. It was a struggle for me too.-VAS]
V: 4. I personally have an uneasy relationships with big machines. How did you handle this part of the course?
L: All the teachers are very supportive and give lots of encouragement to get past your uneasiness. You just need to be honest with them. All of my classmates were also very supportive and helped a lot where needed and asked. Knowing all of that gave me the confidence to be able to get past my uneasiness in operating big machines. The teachers also did not force us to operate anything we did not feel comfortable with.
V: 5. You’re moving to an isolated tropical island. Which of your instructors would you bring to keep you company for 12 months?
L: My Horticulture education teacher or my soils teacher. Either one of their knowledge would be able to help me establish a livable place.
V: 6. What advice would you give to candidates about to attempt level 2?
L: Brush up on your periodic table, it will help with the chemistry side of soils by one million.
Good luck in level 3!
