“Get a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life”. This quote has stayed with me throughout my career, and it stands as true today as it was 40-plus years ago. The incredible subject of horticulture, and the happiness it has given me, is why I am so pleased to support Garden Organic with its new organic growing online certificate. We want this course to help shore up your passion for sustainable gardening, whether as a career or a pastime.

The unique thing about gardening is it’s the perfect blend of physical, practical skill and science. As an apprentice and a student, I remember my week being mapped out as four days on the tools and one day in the classroom. This combination balances perfectly - the study part giving the reasons behind the practical part i.e. why am I mulching, why am I saving seed? The two halves make the complete gardener.

What you will learn

The online certificate therefore covers all aspects of organic gardening and is delivered by a range of experts with decades of organic gardening knowledge – including me! I love that it can be studied at your own pace, whether you’re a professional gardener working in housing association grounds or a botanic gardener, or a passionate weekend allotment gardener determined to grow heathy organic food. This comprehensive course will bring the subject to life.

Covering a range of subjects, we’ve split the course into six modules aimed at maximising use of all of a gardens assets. The crucial subject of soil health and the science behind it planning a plot, encouraging biodiversity, growing veg throughout the year, the joy of seed saving, and the vital commitment we must make to biodiversity in our outdoor spaces.

Further to this, we aim to create a community around the course. Through the course forum, we can discuss, enquire, and set up conversations - all around our love of organic gardening.

Webinars will be held at intervals during the year, where an online community can get together and discuss elements of the course and swap ideas. This interaction between gardeners is a really fundamental principal of Garden Organic.

Once completed, Garden Organic will issue a certificate that can be added proudly to any CV - and the knowledge gained will be invaluable in your organic gardening practices. I guarantee this will enhance your love of the subject and encourage anyone thinking about it to sign up. Come and join our organic gardening community.

Find out more about the course and how to enrol here.