organic gardening

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

(normal price: $245)

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.

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.

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.

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

Note: you can also pay for this course by our monthly instalment plan. Normal instalment price £265: Deposit - £55; four monthly instalments - £52.50 each. If booking on-line: £228.25; deposit - £55; four monthly instalments - £43.31. (This includes an administration fee of £20.) You will only be charged the deposit when you enrol.

For telephone enrolments call: 01896 860661. For postal enrolments click here.

Learning Curve is one of the UK's leading distance learning providers. All of our home study courses include study material, which is sent out in an attractive, hardwearing folder, essential course books and full tutorial support. We are accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council, members of the Association of British Correspondence Colleges and the British Learning Association, and registered as providers with the Learning Skills Council. For more about Learning Curve click here.