The Department of Horticulture’s online Organic Gardening course is designed to help new gardeners get started and help experienced gardeners broaden their understanding of organic techniques for all kinds of gardens.
The course runs February 24 to April 24, and covers one topic during each of the 9 weeks. (See course outline below.) With a strong foundation in soil health and its impact on plant health, we then explore tried-and-true and cutting-edge techniques for all different kinds of garden plants including food plants, trees and shrubs and lawn.
Participants view recorded presentations, read assigned essays and book excerpts, participate in online group discussions with other students, complete reflective writing/design work and take part in some hands-on activities. Most students spend 3 to 4 hours each week with the content, though there are always ample resources and opportunity to do more.
Partial scholarships may be available for CCE, Cornell-affiliated people or students in need. Please contact the instructor, Liz Falk, for information: erf59@cornell.edu.
Course syllabus outline:
- Introduction: What is Organic Gardening?
- Your Garden Site
- Soil, Compost, and Mulch
- Managing Pests Organically
- Vegetables and Flowers: Planning and Early Season
- Vegetables and Flowers: Mid-Season and Harvest
- Trees, Shrubs, and Herbaceous Perennials: The Long-Term Landscape
- Organic Lawn Care
- Advanced Topics for the Adventurous Gardener