Organic Gardening

This 10-module course explores the reasons for organic gardening, as well as key practical principles. Includes course book, The Complete Gardener, all course materials and full tutorial support.

Study topics include: history of the organic movement; organic gardening and the environment; soil cultivation and management; organic cultivation of fruit and vegetable crops; the herb garden; an organic diet; accreditation of organic crops; greenhouse gardening; controlling pests and diseases; weed control; conservation and the gardener; encouraging wildlife; the garden pond; planning your organic garden.

Students have up to three years to complete this course, allowing them to work through the modules at their own pace. On average, however, it takes students around 6 - 8 months to complete the course, based on 2 - 3 hours study time per week.

why choose us?

Our tutorial support is second-to-none! You'll be assigned a personal tutor as soon as you enrol who will work with you all the way through. You can contact your tutor directly at any time if you have any questions or problems, or if you would just like a chat about how the course is going. Tutorial support is by e-mail and/or telephone

detailed course outline
Course book -The Complete Gardener, Monty Don.

Module 1: Introduction. History of the organic movement. Organic gardening and the environment. Health benefits.

Module 2: Composition of soil. Deficiency symptoms. Soil conditioning. Organic matter. Humus. Soil organisms. Organic manures. Digging methods.

Module 3: Organic cultivation of fruit and vegetable crops. Propagation, seed/seedling sources, pruning, maintenance, harvesting.

Module 4: The herb garden. Selecting and cultivating herb species. Harvesting Herbs. Dietary and culinary value of herbs.

Module 5: An organic diet. Organic meat. Fruit and vegetables. Organic groceries. Accreditation. Organic food for children. Suppliers.

Module 6: Greenhouse gardening. The heated greenhouse. Ventilation, heating, shading. Irrigation. Propagation.

Module 7: Pests and diseases 1: principles, biological control, crop rotation, companion planting.

Module 8: Pests and diseases 2: protecting fruit and vegetables. Advanced biological methods for greenhouses.

Module 9: Conservation and the gardener. Encouraging wildlife. The garden pond - maintenance, care, stocking.

Module 10: Bringing it all together. Planning your organic garden. A year-round maintenance plan.

spreading the cost of your course

You can spread the cost of your course over 4 monthly payments by choosing our instalment option. There is a £20 administration fee if you choose this option.