Overview
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 Accreditation 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
The on-line version of this course integrates reading, quizzes and discussions with practical, hands-on assignments. Everyone is welcome, no previous experience is required.
Depending on registrations, we may combine students with the Organic Master Gardener course to keep class sizes manageable! The curriculum is identical, but the audience is usually more diverse in the Organic Master Gardener course. Some of the discussions can be quite eye-opening for landscape professionals.
To receive a Certificate of Completion students must contribute to all on-line discussions and satisfactorily complete all assignments and quizzes.
This course partially satisfies the requirements of:
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
Outline
Please download the course outline here: Organic Horticulture Specialist Course Outline.
Time Expectations
Students can expect to dedicate 6-10 hours per week to successfully complete this course.
As well, our courses are offered in the continuing education realm and are designed so students can complete them according to their own schedule. The work is divided up into 14 weekly topics and students are expected to complete their assigned work and quizzes by the given deadlines.
Our courses do not use online meetings, so we are not using Google Meet, Zoom or other online meeting applications.
If you have any questions about studying online with Gaia College please see our FAQs page
Fees
Fees: $795.00
Fees include:
- Textbook (e-book)
- Comprehensive on-line educational materials
- Unlimited access to our on-line course resources, community center, including libraries, discussion forums and much more.
Payment Options
By Mail: Cheque drawn on a Canadian bank; Money order in Canadian funds
On-line: Visa, Mastercard
Policies
Please be sure you are familiar with our policies.
Prerequisites
There are no academic prerequisites for this course, however students must
- be proficient in English (written)
- be comfortable with current computer and internet technology
- have an email account capable of receiving a large number of messages for the duration of the course
- have access to high-speed internet
- have access to a computer capable of running a current version of FireFox or Chrome. Tablets and phones are not supported at this time.
Student Comment
I have to tell you how much I am enjoying these classes. Up to now I've taken other courses which have covered much of the same material, but this time things are really clicking. I'm understanding more and retaining more of the information. I'm more aware of the implications of going organic not just in gardening but in other aspects of my life. It's like an epiphany. It sounds silly when I write it down, but it's made me so much more aware. Thank you.
Barb Bancroft, Vancouver
Thank you again for an awesome Organic Master Gardener Course. I feel very fortunate to be amongst the first graduating class. As I have said to you in person, the course has been life-changing for me, giving me a deeper, richer, more respectful and more aware relationship with my planet, ecosystem, and personal life.
Anne Finlay, Victoria
Evaluations
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 contribute to all on-line discussions and satisfactorily complete all assignments and quizzes.
Student Comment
Thank you so much Heide, for your advice on this matter and also for the fabulous programs you have compiled. This course really sparked my passion for gardening/landscaping into full flame. I look forward to meeting you one day. This course has provided me with a new way to 'dig' my work, a challenging way to look at our whole industry. I think this "Shifting Paradigm" is timely and necessary for those of us who love and honor Mother Earth!
Valerie Deakin
Today was our first class! I'm so impressed with the course material. Lots of substance and no fluff, just the way I like it! We viewed your DVD today on pesticides and it was so clear and concise. Thank you!
Tara Qua, Gabriola Island
Texts
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 (e-book) is included in the course fees and available at the course website, together with comprehensive on-line lessons and other resources – including on-line libraries.
Course Requirement
To complete one of the practical assignments students will be required to collect a soil sample (about 3/4 of a cup) from a garden, area or land of your choosing. If you are taking the course during the winter semester and expect the ground to be frozen you can collect the soil in advance and store it in a plastic bag until it's needed. Alternatively, it may be possible to collect the sample from the base of a southern facing wall where it would freeze later.
Student Comment
The course has given me a larger vision: the ability to stand back and assess those practical aspects of drainage, soil structure, irrigation needs, compaction concerns, site features and utilization, plant health and landscape protection. These practical aspects must continuously be related to the ever-present consideration of nature's need to strive towards a more balanced approach.Working with nature has more meaning for me, and, I hope, for those students with whom I interact.
Laurie Hardy, College Instructor
Credits
Attendance at this program earns you the following Continuing Education Credits (CECs):
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA)
Also applies to B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association
Pre-approved:
24 credits
National Association of Landcare Professionals (NALP) – American
Pre-approved:
24 credits
International Society of Arboriculture: Certified Arborist
Pre-approved:
19 Credits
International Society of Arboriculture: Board Certified Master Arborist
Pre-approved:
10.5 Credits (Science), 8.5 Credits (Practice)
International Society of Arboriculture: Municipal Specialist
Pre-approved:
10 Credits
International Society of Arboriculture: Tree Worker/Aerial Lift
Pre-approved:
5 Credits
B.C. Society of Landscape Architects
As per Society guidelines - eligibility of this program has been confirmed
Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. (MGOI)
Pre-approved:
24 credits
Canadian Society for Organic Urban Land Care (SOUL)
Required for Accredited Practitioner and Certified Professaional Memberships
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Canada
Pre-approved: 5.38 Credits
Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)
Pre-approved: 4 Credits
Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)
Pre-approved: 42 Non-core LUs
This course partially satisfies the requirements of:
How to Apply for Your Continuing Education Credits
For information on obtaining your credits please see:
How to Apply for your Continuing Education Credits
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
