Garden with Nature as Your Guide
Since 2003, Gaia College has been offering holistic horticulture education to students all over the world. Our courses integrate essential knowledge of ecology, permaculture and organic gardening to build a solid ecological foundation for your career and/or personal life.
Online courses, on your time
We work to make Gaia College courses accessible and affordable. Our courses are offered in a continuing education format and can be completed while attending to your other priorities. You can take individual courses to earn a certificate, and/or work towards the Diploma in Organic Land Care program. Courses start in January, May and September
Continuing education credits and certification
Our courses qualify for many professional and industry continuing education credits (CECs). As well, you can qualify for the SOUL Organic Land Care Practitioner and Certified Organic Land Care Professional qualifications
Have lifetime access to course resources
Gaia College students receive lifetime access to the online learning resources and discussion forums.
Get to know like-minded people
All of our courses are instructor-led and offer many opportunities to participate in interesting and engaging discussions with like minded classmates. Students from all over the world come to Gaia College to learn how to garden with nature as their guide.
Accessible and affordable
We are proud to have kept our professional courses affordable. Course fees are $795 (plus applicable tax), payable upon registration. We accept credit card, e-transfer or cheque. If you require financial assistance please see our Funding Opportunities.
Certificate and Diploma courses
All of the Gaia College courses can be taken as stand-alone, certificate courses and/or can fulfill the requirements for the Diploma in Organic Land Care. For students who are interested in the Diploma program, there is no need to register for the entire program when signing up for the first course or any subsequent course. Currently, there is also no time limit on the completion of the Diploma.
Core Courses
Our fundamental, and continually most popular course.
Ecological Plant Knowledge 1 - Natives
An exploration of plant and ecosystem relationships as they relate to choosing and planting a variety of native plants.
Landscape Design Basics with Sketchup Pro
This is our introduction to the language and tools of landscape design.
Ecological Landscape Design
Learn the principles and practice of ecological landscape design.
Elective Courses
Build a framework addressing the administrative, operational and marketing requirements for your business.
Growing Food
Learn organic gardening techniques and essential and applied permaculture to grow an abundance of nutritious and delicious fruits and vegetables.
Ecological Plant Knowledge 2 - Ornamentals
Learn to understand plants in the context of their ecosystem.
Living Green Infrastructure
This course is designed to help professionals and practitioners use living green infrastructure.
Rainwater Harvesting and Management
Learn the concepts, principles and practice of rainwater harvesting and management.
Other Courses
The Art of Online Facilitation is a course intended for training educators as online facilitators of fully online and blended delivery courses.
Course design is critical to good online course facilitation and this course is intended to guide the educator in using an already developed online course as the basis for example.
Learn how to register for your next online course with Gaia College
Learn with industry professionals
“In the long run, I envision a world where organic land care is the industry standard."
-Gaia College Instructor, Christina Nikolic
Gaia College instructors, staff and students are pioneers at the forefront of the organic land care movement across North America. Gaia College has delivered educational programs online and through education partners and industry groups, with more than 5000 student enrolments since 2002.
Gaia College Instructors teach ecological landscape design and gardening practices in a way that supports healthy soils, healthy plants and healthy ecosystems. Gaia College is cultivating a community of professionals, farmers and gardeners to grow awareness of the principles and practice of organic land care.
Gaia College is part of a growing community working to bring about a new standard of care for our environment.
