Sustainable Gardening Program
The Sustainable Gardening program has been developed to appeal to those who wish to master the skills necessary to create a garden that provides for your needs while staying true to the natural conditions of the site. Thirty sessions will teach you current and reliable information. In keeping with the philosophy of the Horticulture Center of the Pacific, the emphasis is on responsible gardening practices.
The Sustainable Gardening Program focuses on an environmentally responsible approach and reflects the underlying philosophy of the Horticulture Center of the Pacific. This is that we are stewards, not owners, of the land and that we only work with nature, not control it. Furthermore, we will lead, enrich and educate our community in sustainable horticulture.
The Sustainable Gardening Program Curriculum
The Sustainable Gardening Program curriculum is a combination of classroom instruction and field trips. These teachings are augmented by home study and assignments. Local experts will add their particular knowledge with in-class lectures. The program texts are:-
- Sustainable Gardening and West Coast
- Natural Insects
- Weed & Disease Control
The gardening course is relevant and up-to-date and covers all the gardening basics:-
- Botany – including plant structure and physiology
- Soils – including texture, structure, fertility, pH, amendments and cultural practices
- Plant Health
- Site — specific plant identification
- Pruning
- Turf Management
- Berries & Orchards
- Vegetables
- Weed identification and control
- Plant pests and diseases – causes, identification and control
- Design your own site using the principles of sustainable gardening
- The use of ornamentals in the landscape
- Propagation – including cuttings and seed cultivation
- Landscape installation
- Container gardening
- Xeriscaping
- Use of native plants in the landscape
As the course progresses field trips are arranged to study practical applications of the gardening principles.
This course is designed both for beginners and for those wishing to increase their existing knowledge. It will appeal to anyone with a keen interest and will be of particular use to anyone new to the Pacific Northwest and its unique gardening challenges.
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