Whether you are already a landscape professional, just beginning your education, or simply learning for personal enjoyment, this course will give you the knowledge you need to become a better gardener. You will receive a thorough introduction to the science and practice of organic horticulture, facilitating a profound shift in ecological awareness.

Going way beyond the idea of pesticide and fertilizer product substitution, you will understand the concepts of landscape health management as opposed to pest management, building a holistic decision making framework for creating and maintaining vibrantly healthy gardens and landscapes, including turf.

This course prepares you to

• Grow fabulous, healthy gardens
• Gain essential skills to start or enhance your business in the rapidly growing organic land care industry sector
• Write the SOUL Organic Certification exam for land care professionals
• Earn generous continuing education credits for landscape professionals to maintain industry certifications (ISA, CNLA, BCSLA)
• Become involved in SOUL (Society for Organic Urban Land Care) and share your knowledge with your community through workshops, talks and other creative ways

This program partially satisfies the requirements of the Gaia College Diploma in Organic Land Care and the Humber College Sustainable Landscape Design Certificate

Student Comment

This course has given me a much deeper understanding of garden and agroecosystems, how damaging conventional growing methods have been, and how a holistic organic approach offers many advantages, benefits and opportunities. Particularly, I'm grateful for the way you and the other instructors presented the practice of organic gardening within the context of a bigger picture, including ethical considerations and providing important reminders of the limits of the science.
Ian

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Student Comments

Firstly, my biggest feeling coming away from that marvelous, inspiring course, was a feeling of hope. I truly felt hopeful and convinced that we, us gardeners and farmers, could in fact address the overwhelming insults our beautiful earth is suffering, one garden, farm, public space, purchase, letter, etc. at a time. We are an amazing force, and once we all start learning how great Nature's toolbox is (that kind of knowledge Gaia College is teaching), then it's possible and within our grasp to right all the wrongs. After taking the course, I felt empowered, hopeful and motivated to get the message out to others that we can make a difference and we fix this and we can be a powerful, collective force of change.
Margo

Student Comments

Thanks again for doing such a great job. It’s provided lots of great resources that I’ve been able to pull from. Just recently the local community gardeners were asking us... and whether or not it truly is organic. Between the resources on the Gaia website and Soul, I was able to answer all their questions and provide them with the tools for more educated opinions around labeling. That’s just one example, I use the information the course provided weekly, and my position at LEPS doesn’t focus on gardening! Kim Greenwood
Special Projects Coordinator
Langley Environmental Partners Society

At this time, there are no prerequisites for this course.

Student Comments

I have been thinking about what I learned yesterday during our lecture all day today. I saw the world around me in a deeply profound way today, almost in the same wonderment I felt as a child or young adolescent growing up near the woods, being in them an feeling that deep ecological connection with everything. I felt for a long time something had been misplaced for me. Sometimes we loose that ability to see the wonderment as we did, but yesterday instilled in me a memory and also a new way of appreciating the sacredness I once felt but in a mature way.
Chris Muscat

There are no formal exams in this course, as the emphasis is on developing practical skills and the ability to synthesize information.

To receive a Certificate of Completion students must attend all sessions and satisfactorily complete all assignments and online quizzes.

Student Comment

Gaia College has given a focus to how I've always been wanting to live. Loved the course.
Gillian

Required Text

Hermary, Heide, Working with Nature - Shifting Paradigms, Gaia College. Particularly designed to lead the student through the paradigm shift that is necessary before he or she is capable of truly holistic thinking.

The textbook is included in the course fees.  Some handouts are provided in class.  Additional handouts are provided on-line at the course website.

Access to our extensive on-line resource library is included in the tuition.

Required Supplies

Students require bypass pruners for the pruning practice, and basic gardening tools for the garden bed installation and composting classes. All other materials will be supplied.

Student Comment

The teachings of Gaia College could not be more timely than it is now and I truly hope that one day there will be Gaia "centers/colleges" sprinkled all over North America and beyond. My heartfelt congratulations go to you and your husband for this college and the courses you have created. I would just like to say that as much as I enjoyed learning the course, it was Connie that made it. She was an excellent instructor, passionate about her work and a joy to learn from. I think she's an excellent, inspiring role model for us all and a real asset to Gaia College.
Margo

Attendance at this program earns you the following Continuing Education Credits (CECs):

International Society of Arboriculture: Certified Arborist
Pre-approved:
30 Credits

International Society of Arboriculture: Board Certified Management Arborist
Pre-approved:
30 Credits (Science 15, Practice 15)

B.C. Society of Landscape Architects
As per Society guidelines - eligibility of this program has been confirmed

SOUL Certified Organic Land Care Professional
Full required credits for 3-year certification renewal

Canadian Horticultural Technician
Full required credits for yearly certification renewal

Student Comment

I have found the program extremely helpful in operating my business. I now have a lot more knowledge and the confidence to make the right choices.
Michael Cowan, Organic Landscaper