Design is an aspect of gardening that seems to scare people, but don’t let it. If the word ‘design’ scares you, just think of it as planning with a twist. Garden design is just as much about knowing what plants require as it is about creativity and artistry. By combining your knowledge of plants with some basic design concepts, you can make your garden both functional and beautiful. In this module we’re going to look at steps for planning your garden, as well as some of the basic concepts of design that you can incorporate into your planning. We’re also going to look at things like trellises, fencing, paths, raised beds, and containers, and consider ways to incorporate those into our designs.

The fun of gardening doesn’t stop when you put the plants in the ground. In fact, for many that’s where the fun begins. Managing your garden is what gets you outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and indulge in the intoxicating smells and sounds that abound in a garden. Spending time in the garden allows you to really see how your garden is doing. You’ll notice the little things like which pollinators are visiting which flowers, plant placement that works well or doesn't, and where problems may be arising. The more time you spend out there, the more you’ll get in tune with how your garden works. In this module we will explore some of the primary techniques to employ throughout the season to keep your garden healthy and productive: mulching, weed control, watering, and sanitation.

In this module we’re going to turn our attention back to soil and focus on practices that help improve soil structure, encourage biological activity in the soil, supply nutrients to your plants, and even prevent weeds and other problems: compost, fertilizers, and crop rotation. If you're not able to make your own compost, you can always buy it. Garden center and home stores sell bagged compost, and many municipalities offer it free or at low cost to their residents. Check for this in your area. Fertilizers are important even for gardeners who use compost because compost can't always provide all the nutrients your plants need. Remember that a soil test is an important part of choosing and using fertilizers. There are many organic and synthetic fertilizers to choose from, and we have a responsibility to understand them and choose what's best for our gardens and for the environment. We'll also take a look at the practice of crop rotation and explore how this practice can help build and maintain healthy soil.

We cover diseases and pests at the end of the course because we often put too much emphasis on the things that can go wrong in a garden. Of course problems will arise, but that’s nature and this is just a garden, and it’s not the end of the world. We’ve talked a bit about diseases and pests, and also about creating a balanced garden ecosystem that will help prevent problems. When problems do arise you want to catch them early, so you should be on the lookout for problems throughout the season. By simply spending time in the garden you’ll get to know your plants and you’ll notice when something seems off. In this module you’ll discover what to look for when it comes to plant diseases as well as abiotic issues related to environmental stresses, mechanical damage, and so on. Thankfully you don’t to be an expert on all of this because there are valuable resources out there to help us identify problems and devise a strategy for managing them.

As we wrap up the course, we're going to take a look at pest insects and other garden pests. Even the most diligent gardener will end up facing pests at some point, including squash bugs, Japanese beetles, apple maggot, and plenty of others. The good news is, most of these insects are around all the time, but your plants - if they are healthy and vigorous - can often withstand some damage. It's when things get out of balance that trouble starts. On the larger end of the scale, rabbits, birds, deer, and voles can cause trouble in your garden too. Physical barriers are often the only way to prevent damage from these critters. We'll take a look at some of the damage, and how to prevent it. Just like diseases, I leave this section till the end of the course because I want you to focus on all the things you can do to promote healthy, vigorous plants, rather than focusing on what can go wrong. As you've heard again and again, it's a lot easier to prevent damage than it is to treat it once it starts. The greatest tool you have against pests is knowledge of how to identify the signs and symptoms. If you catch these early, you have a much better chance of protecting your plants. In this module we'll explore the signs and symptoms of common garden pests, and determine methods for managing them.