“Hi, My name is David and I live in the San Francisco bay area. I recently started reading All About Roses and decided to look up your website. I really love Diana’s story and this email is in hopes of asking for advice from her.

I recently realized my passion for roses and it’s my dream now to have a rose garden + farm. Other than the aesthetics, fragrance, and symbolism of roses, I’m passionate about growing them locally and contribute to the environment and economy. A little about me: I’m 41 and have been working in Silicon Valley as a UI designer. So, the world of roses (and farming) is brand new to me. But I started volunteering at a rose garden 2 months ago and have been doing research on roses, farming, soils, etc.

I’d like to ask Diana: What’s the best way for me to start and learn? What else should I think about before I venture further into roses as a business? My gut instinct says “Go work at a rose farm and learn on the job”, but at the same time, I could invest some time in education, some kind of certification, attend a farm school, etc. and make myself more valuable before working for a farm.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for sharing your knowledge about roses in your book.  Cheers,  David”

MY RESPONSE:  Hello David … I’m not sure whether I wrote it in the book, think I did … “I used to take rose catalogues and journals to read in bed!!!  I closed my eyes for years and years, dreaming of roses and knowing their names and being a part of who they are!”
You don’t need certification, you don’t need to attend school … you need a burning passion and love for the ROSE … the rest all comes naturally.  I also love animals and humans … I have a good, friendly attitude about life generally … I’m positive even when the weather is 48 degrees C and my roses are cooking, I can love them and know they’ll pull through and be beautiful in their own time!
You are welcome to email me – go to the local rose farm and get clues … I’ve had staff work with me in the past 32 years – one of them set up her own business but only lasted a few years … it takes stamina and passion of the ultimate … do it and love it and you will be eternally happy sharing your love of roses and caring for the environment. Talk soon perhaps … best wishes and thank you for telling me how much you enjoyed my book!  The world NEEDS more passionate gardeners!!!  Cheers … DIANA