Ecological Plant Knowledge for Organic Gardeners
Course Overview
Overview
Organic gardeners focus on the creation of plant and landscape health.
Plant health starts with the right growing conditions. Most of the plants used in our ornamental gardens did not evolve in our climate – are we able to provide them with the soil, water and climate conditions they need to flourish? What about companion plants?
Over the course of several months you will learn to identify approximately 300 plants. For each plant you will explore its ecosystem of origin, and under which conditions it thrives best, or just marginally survives. You will learn how it adapts to our environment, and how you can provide it with optimal care. Finally you will learn about its non-ornamental uses, such as food, medicine, fiber, etc.
Over three seasons (March - September), plants are viewed in garden settings, focusing on ecologically sound and successful plant combinations.
You will also learn about plant physiology, world biomes and native ecosystems, weeds and invasive plants, gardening with native plants and much more.
This course is open to all who wish to learn more about plants. No prior knowledge or experience required.
Landscape professionals earn generous pre-approved Continuing Education Credits to maintain industry certifications (SOUL, CNLA, NALP, ISA, BCSLA, MGOI, IPM Canada, NOFA).
To receive a Certificate of Completion students must attend at least 90% of all classes and satisfactorily complete all quizzes and assignments.
Student Comment
I learned a lot during this assignment. I’m new to the world of plants and I’m so overwhelmed and humbled by what I don’t know. I feel like there’s a whole world out there I have yet to discover, which is exciting! I’ve learned plants are not ornaments! This has been a huge wake up for me. Plants are members of fascinating interdependent communities that we ‘play god’ with when trying to design ornamental landscapes. Therefore, it is so obvious to me now, which it wasn’t before, that to have success in building ornamental landscapes one needs an understanding of the physiology and culture of the plants; one needs to understand where the plants come , and their environmental needs.. Again I have so much to learn. I think designing an ornamental landscape is about creating a context for the chosen plants to live up to their potential, while also meeting the needs of a variety of players, which includes the stewards of the garden, birds, insects, animals, other plants and wider ecosystems.
Julie R., Victoria
Fees
Fees: $795.00
Fees include:
- Printed and (primarily) on-line handouts
- Unlimited access to our on-line plant database
- Unlimited access to our on-line course resources, community center, including resource library, discussion forums and much more.
There will be additional expenses for entry fees to public gardens. Students are responsible for their own transportation on field trips – carpooling is encouraged.
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.Evaluations
To receive a Certificate of Completion students must attend at least 90% of all classes and satisfactorily complete all quizzes and assignments.
Texts
There are no required texts. Handouts will be provided on-line at the course website. In addition, students will have unlimited access to our on-line resource library andplant database.
Computer access and an e-mail account are essential. All class communication are via the class discussion forum.
This is a paperless course.
Credits
Attendance at this program earns you the following Continuing Education Credits (CECs)
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA)
Pre-approved: 24 Credits
National Association of Landcare Professionals - American (NALP)
Pre-approved: 24 Credits
International Society of Arboriculture: Certified Arborist
Pre-approved: 15 Credits
International Society of Arboriculture: Board Certified Management Arborist
Pre-approved: 12.5 (Bp), 2.5 (Bs)
International Society of Arboriculture: Municipal Specialist
Pre-approved: 12.5 Credits
B.C. Society of Landscape Architects
As per certification renewal guidelines - eligibility of this program has been confirmed
Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. (MGOI)
Pre-approved: 24 Credits
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Canada
Pre-approved: 5.71 Credits
Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)
Pre-approved: 4 Credits
-
This program partially satisfies the requirements of:
- Gaia College: Core course for Diploma in Organic Land Care
- Royal Roads: Core course for Joint Royal Roads/ Gaia College Diploma in Organic Land Care
- CLD designation offered through CNLA. Successful completion of the course may be used toward the achievement of the requirements for the Education component of the recertification process.