Log in
Forgot password

Organic Master Gardener

"The result is in my garden. I've never produced so much, had so many plantings in a season or had such healthy, vibrant plants. This course is a must for any one interested in food security and creating a sustainable and thriving future."

- Beth Hendry-Yim, Organic Master Gardener


See the world through different eyes with an understanding of the connection between soil health, plant health, human health and environmental health. Be prepared for a major shift in paradigms which some students have called “life changing.”

The science and practice of organic land care means more than simply substituting better products when making decisions on pesticide and fertilizer use. This course provides the holistic decision-making framework needed to help you be a better grower as an environmental ally.

To keep class sizes manageable, students may be teamed with others in the Organic Horticulture Specialist course (the curriculum for the two courses is the same). Home growers, educators and environmental advocates who are more likely to take the Organic Master Gardener course may find the discussions eye-opening with the addition of voices from professional landscaping industry students in the Organic Horticulture Specialist course. 

This Course Prepares You to: 

  • Create thriving food and ornamental gardens without synthetic additives 

  • Understand the ecological principles behind organic land care

  • Work with soil as a living ecosystem

  • Explore how to turn your passion for the environment into a career

  • Share your knowledge with the community through workshops, talks and other creative ways


This course integrates reading, quizzes and discussions with practical, hands-on assignments. To receive a Certificate of Completion students must contribute to online discussions and satisfactorily complete all graded assignments and quizzes.

Welcome to Gaia College's new website!

If you're a new student, please create an account: Create Account.

If you're a returning student, please login (top right corner).

Select your course below to enrol

Course Details

Outline

Please download the course outline here: Organic Master Gardener Course Outline. 

Time Expectations

Students can expect to dedicate 6-10 hours per week to successfully complete this course.

As well, our courses are offered in the continuing education realm and are designed so students can complete them according to their own schedule. The work is divided up into 14 weekly topics and students are expected to complete their assigned work and quizzes by the given deadlines.

Our courses do not use online meetings, so we are not using Google Meet, Zoom or other online meeting applications.

If you have any questions about studying online with Gaia College please see our FAQs page

Organic Master Gardener ®is a registered trademark of Gaia College.

Fees

Fees: $795.00

Fees include:

  • Book (e-book)
  • Comprehensive on-line educational materials
  • Unlimited access to our on-line course resources, community center, including libraries, discussion forums and much more.

As well, our courses are offered in the continuing education realm and are designed so students can complete them according to their own schedule. The work is divided up into 14 weekly topics and students are expected to complete their assigned work and quizzes by the given deadlines.

Our courses do not use online meetings, so we are not using Google Meet, Zoom or other online meeting applications.

If you have any questions about studying online with Gaia College please see our FAQs page

Prerequisites

There are no academic prerequisites for this course, however students must

  • be proficient in English (written)
  • be comfortable with current computer and internet technology
  • have an email account capable of receiving a large number of messages for the duration of the course
  • have access to high-speed internet
  • have access to a computer capable of running a current version of FireFox or Chrome. Tablets and phones are not supported at this time.
Evaluations

There are no formal exams in this course, as the emphasis is on developing practical skills and the ability to synthesize information.

To receive a Certificate of Completion students must contribute to all on-line discussions and satisfactorily complete all assignments and quizzes.

Texts Recommended Text

Hermary, Heide, Working with Nature - Shifting Paradigms, Gaia College. Particularly designed to lead the student through the paradigm shift that is necessary before he or she is capable of truly holistic thinking.

This book (e-book) is included in the course fees and available at the course website, together with comprehensive on-line lessons and other resources – including on-line libraries.

Course Requirement

To complete one of the practical assignments students will be required to collect a soil sample (about 3/4 of a cup) from a garden, area or land of your choosing. If you are taking the course during the winter semester and expect the ground to be frozen you can collect the soil in advance and store it in a plastic bag until it's needed. Alternatively, it may be possible to collect the sample from the base of a southern facing wall where it would freeze later. This article describes how to take a soil sample. 

Credits

This program is eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CECs) with the following:

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA)
Also applies to B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association
Pre-approved:
24 credits

National Association of Landcare Professionals (NALP) – American
Pre-approved:
24 credits

International Society of Arboriculture: Certified Arborist
Pre-approved:
19 Credits

International Society of Arboriculture: Board Certified Master Arborist
Pre-approved:
10.5 Credits (Science), 8.5 Credits (Practice)

International Society of Arboriculture: Municipal Specialist
Pre-approved:
10 Credits

International Society of Arboriculture: Tree Worker/Aerial Lift
Pre-approved:
5 Credits

B.C. Society of Landscape Architects
As per Society guidelines - eligibility of this program has been confirmed

Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. (MGOI)
Pre-approved:
24 credits

Canadian Society for Organic Urban Land Care (SOUL)
Required for Accredited Practitioner and Certified Professaional Memberships

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Canada
Pre-approved: 5.38 Credits

Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)
Pre-approved: 4 Credits

Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)
Pre-approved: 42 Non-core LUs

This course partially satisfies the requirements of:

  • Gaia College: Core course for 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.
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software