Overview

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This course helps learners build stronger gardening skills by understanding how different species of garden plants grow, function, and interact with their environment. The course emphasizes practical knowledge that supports confident decision-making in real garden settings. Through a mix of videos, readings, images, and interactive activities, you’ll explore three core areas: cool-season crops, warm-season crops, and fruits suited to temperate climates. You’ll learn how to select appropriate species and cultivars, determine optimal placement in the garden, and support healthy growth from planting through harvest. The course also introduces basic pest awareness and seasonal planning for improved productivity. While developed for northern climates with shorter growing seasons, the principles taught apply broadly. Learners in other regions can adapt plant choices and timing to fit their local conditions. By the end, you’ll have a solid foundation for planning and managing a productive, resilient garden.

Syllabus

Cool season vegetables and herbs

This module focuses on cool-season vegetables and herbs commonly grown in temperate gardens. These plants are cold tolerant, quick to mature, and well-suited to cooler weather, making them ideal for early or late-season harvests. You’ll learn what makes cool-season crops successful, how to choose species and cultivars that fit different garden conditions, and how to plan their placement within a broader garden design. The module also introduces the basics of starting, maintaining, and monitoring these plants throughout the growing season. By the end of this module, you’ll understand how cool-season vegetables and herbs can bring early and late season productivity, variety, and interest to a temperate garden.

Warm season vegetables and herbs

This module focuses on warm-season vegetables and herbs—tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, basil, and other summer favorites. You’ll learn what these plants need to grow well, how to choose the right varieties, and how to plan and care for them to get the best results. By the end of this module, you’ll understand how the right choices and care can bring a summer garden to life with color, flavor, and abundance.

Fruits for temperate gardens

This module introduces fruit crops—some of the most rewarding and long-lasting plants you can grow. You’ll start with berries, then move on to vines and tree fruits, learning how to choose species and varieties suited to your climate and growing conditions. You’ll also explore what it takes to establish and care for these perennial plants so they thrive for years to come. By the end of this module, you’ll see how growing fruit can be both achievable and deeply rewarding, offering beauty and harvests that last season after season.