Soil-First Gardening: How to Grow Black Gold in the Backyard from Udemy

Grow twice the fruits and vegetables in half the space when you turn your soil into black gold.

Have you noticed the extraordinary flavors and yields that come from even a small garden when the soil is just right? If you’ve ever been envious of your neighbor’s dirt or just curious about homesteading, then this course is the perfect fit for you.

Both raw beginners and gardeners who already boast a green thumb will benefit from this course's focus on hands-on techniques used to boost the quality of your soil on the small scale. Contents include:

Compost - why and how to buy or make and use the very best, including compost worms and black soldier flies
No-till organic gardening - keep the fertility cycling in your soil with chemical-free, no-till techniques likes solarization and kill mulches
Biochar - learn when charcoal boosts your soil and when it's a fairy tale as well as how to turn waste wood ashes into biochar
Hugelkultur - use rotting wood for long-term soil improvement to please fungally-associated plants
Cover crops - grow easy ground covers that build soil, attract pollinators, lower weeding pressure, and much more

Each video tells the how as well as the why to help you follow along easily at home. In addition, printable fact sheets can come with you into the garden as a quick reminder of each step.

This course is brought to you by Anna Hess, author of The Weekend Homesteader and The Ultimate Guide to Soil. Based on 15 years of fruit and vegetable gardening in harmony with the natural environment, her books and courses take the guesswork out of beyond-organic and permaculture techniques.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to make or find and use the best compost, including compost worms and black soldier flies.
Keep your soil improving with no-till techniques like kill mulches and solarization.

Boost long-term microbial health with biochar and hugelkultur.
Choose and plant cover crops to grow darker soil and a healthy garden ecosystem.

How to make or find and use the best compost, including compost worms and black soldier flies.
Keep your soil improving with no-till techniques like kill mulches and solarization.
Boost long-term microbial health with biochar and hugelkultur.
Choose and plant cover crops to grow darker soil and a healthy garden ecosystem.

Syllabus

Introduction

This course is all about growing black gold, turning so-so soil into excellent soil.

Walden Effect is a husband-and-wife team who have been homesteading since 2006. Anna Hess is the data nerd and author whose books help homesteaders and homesteaders-to-be find ways to achieve their dreams. Mark Hamilton is the outside-the-box thinker and DIY master who invented the Avian Aqua Miser, bringing clean water to tens of thousands of backyard flocks.

Compost can be the only trick you need up your soil-improvement sleeve, but it does have some downsides.

Past and present compost systems have included chickens, black soldier fly larvae, and worms.

Topdressing involves adding compost around existing plants.

Why you might choose to till or go no-til.

A hands-on overview of planting into a no-till garden.

Kill mulches use cardboard to block light to unruly weeds, killing them with little effort on your part.

Clear plastic can kill problem weeds in a hot summer garden.

Test your knowledge with this short quiz.

When biochar is and isn't a benefit to gardens.

Using a homemade sifter and a worm bin to create biochar out of wood ashes.

Burying rotting wood boosts soil organic matter in the long term and promotes fungal dominance.

Cover crops are plants you grow for the primary purpose of improving the soil, but they can have secondary uses.

Buckwheat is a fast and easy summer cover crop that most U.S. gardeners can put to use in their plots.

There are four main options for killing cover crops.

A rundown on two winter-kill cover crops and one mow-kill cover crop.

Cover crop seeds are usually cheapest locally but can also be bought online.

A parting message --- pick one soil-building technique and give it a try.

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek into our newest course, DIY Gardening Projects.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores topics such as composting, no-till gardening, biochar, hugelkultur, and cover crops, which are fundamentals for building healthy soil and improving garden productivity

Taught by Anna Hess, who is the author of The Weekend Homesteader and The Ultimate Guide to Soil, bringing expertise and credibility to the course

Suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners, with a focus on practical, hands-on techniques for improving soil quality on a small scale

Provides printable fact sheets to accompany the video lessons, serving as useful reminders and references while working in the garden

Emphasizes sustainable and organic gardening practices, catering to those interested in reducing chemical use and promoting ecological balance

Includes a variety of media, such as videos, printable fact sheets, and a discussion forum, enhancing the learning experience

Reviews summary

Soil-first gardening: grow black gold in your backyard

According to learners, this course is a highly practical and comprehensive guide to soil improvement, offering clear explanations and hands-on techniques. Students praise its coverage of topics like compost, no-till gardening, biochar, hugelkultur, and cover crops, often finding the material transformative for their gardens. Many highlight the value of printable fact sheets and unique insights, such as using black soldier flies. While generally very positively received, a few learners noted minor issues with video production quality and desired more troubleshooting tips or interactive exercises to reinforce the extensive content. It's considered beneficial for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

Provides useful supplementary materials like printable fact sheets.

"I especially appreciated the printable fact sheets."

"The printable fact sheets are invaluable."

"The printable guides are a fantastic addition."

Beneficial for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

"I found this course good for both new and intermediate gardeners."

"I'm a seasoned gardener, but I learned so many new practical techniques..."

"As a beginner, this course was exactly what I needed."

Demystifies complex soil science with clear and engaging instruction.

"Anna breaks down complex topics... into easily digestible lessons."

"The instructor's passion for soil health really comes through."

"This course demystified so many aspects of soil building."

"As a beginner, this course was exactly what I needed. It broke down complex soil science into simple, actionable steps."

Offers actionable methods for immediate use in the garden.

"Absolutely loved this course! Anna breaks down complex topics like biochar and hugelkultur into easily digestible lessons. The 'how-to' videos are super helpful..."

"I learned so many new practical techniques, especially about using black soldier flies and proper biochar application. The real-world examples and practical projects truly set this apart."

"This course empowers me to take control of my garden's foundation."

Some reviewers noted inconsistent video and sound quality.

"My only minor critique is that some video quality could be a bit better, but the content makes up for it."

"Content is generally good, but the production quality of some videos could be improved. Sound was sometimes inconsistent, and visuals were occasionally shaky."

Some learners wished for more practical exercises or troubleshooting advice.

"Some of the segments felt a little rushed, and I would have liked more troubleshooting tips for common issues, especially with compost worms."

"I felt a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information without enough hands-on exercises to reinforce it."

"I wish there were more community interaction options."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Soil-First Gardening: How to Grow Black Gold in the Backyard with these activities:

Review Basic Grammar and Usage

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Review grammar rules
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Organize Course Materials

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Gather and review course materials
Create a system for organizing materials

Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

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Examines one of the most significant events in medical history, the use of Henrietta Lacks's cells for medical research

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Read and understand key concepts

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Review: Black Women, Identity, and Cultural Theory

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Provides a critical examination of the experiences of Black women in the United States

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Practice Identifying Literary Devices

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Complete practice exercises
Analyze literary texts

Participate in a Peer Review Workshop

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Share writing with peers
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Create a Character Analysis Essay

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Develops analytical and writing skills through character analysis

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Gather evidence from the text
Develop an argument
Write and revise the essay

Career center

Learners who complete Soil-First Gardening: How to Grow Black Gold in the Backyard will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Soil Scientist

Soil Scientists are responsible for studying the properties of soil, which includes soil fertility, soil chemistry, and soil biology. They also study how soil is affected by different factors, such as climate, land use, and pollution. This course can help Soil Scientists by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for soil management and conservation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Soil Scientist

Agronomist

Agronomists are responsible for studying the production of crops, including the selection of crops, the management of soil, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides. They also study the effects of different agricultural practices on the environment. This course can help Agronomists by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for crop production and management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agronomist

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists are responsible for studying the environment, including the air, water, and soil. They also study the effects of human activities on the environment. This course can help Environmental Scientists by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for environmental protection and conservation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects are responsible for designing and managing landscapes, including parks, gardens, and other outdoor spaces. They also study the effects of different landscape designs on the environment. This course can help Landscape Architects by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for landscape design and management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Horticulturist

Horticulturists are responsible for studying the cultivation of plants, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They also study the effects of different horticultural practices on the environment. This course can help Horticulturists by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for plant cultivation and management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Horticulturist

Urban Planner

Urban Planners are responsible for planning and managing the development of urban areas. They also study the effects of different urban planning policies on the environment. This course can help Urban Planners by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility in urban areas. It can also help them to develop new techniques for urban planning and management.

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Conservation Biologist

Conservation Biologists are responsible for studying the conservation of biodiversity. They also study the effects of human activities on biodiversity. This course can help Conservation Biologists by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for biodiversity conservation.

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Ecologist

Ecologists are responsible for studying the interactions between organisms and their environment. They also study the effects of human activities on ecosystems. This course can help Ecologists by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for ecosystem conservation and management.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers are responsible for designing and managing systems to protect the environment. They also study the effects of different engineering practices on the environment. This course can help Environmental Engineers by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for environmental protection and conservation.

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Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants are responsible for providing advice to businesses and governments on environmental issues. They also study the effects of different business and government policies on the environment. This course can help Environmental Consultants by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for environmental consulting.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for managing the sustainability of organizations. They also study the effects of different organizational practices on the environment. This course can help Sustainability Managers by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for sustainability management.

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Farming Manager

Farming Managers are responsible for managing the production of crops and livestock. They also study the effects of different farming practices on the environment. This course can help Farming Managers by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for farm management.

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Nursery Manager

Nursery Managers are responsible for managing the production of plants in nurseries. They also study the effects of different nursery practices on the environment. This course can help Nursery Managers by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for nursery management.

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Garden Designer

Garden Designers are responsible for designing and managing gardens. They also study the effects of different garden designs on the environment. This course can help Garden Designers by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It can also help them to develop new techniques for garden design and management.

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Landscape Contractor

Landscape Contractors are responsible for constructing and maintaining landscapes. They also study the effects of different landscape construction and maintenance practices on the environment. This course may help Landscape Contractors by giving them a deeper understanding of how to improve soil quality and fertility. It may also help them to develop new techniques for landscape construction and maintenance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Contractor