Grow Your Own Sustainable Vegetable Garden from Udemy

Growing vegetables is easy, fun, and very rewarding - as long as you know how.

This course is a kick-starter for growing veggies in your own garden, using methods inspired by the revolutionary ecological practice of Permaculture. The lessons can be applied to any site, large or small and are suitable for almost all climates.

What skills will I learn?

Learn how to assess your site, and to position and design your garden for the best results.
Learn about soil and the soil food web in a practical way, how to build soil and how to make and use compost.
Learn how to build vegetable beds, how to plant them up and how to care for your vegetable garden.

You will learn how to grow delicious organic vegetables from scratch.

How is the course presented?

The course is made up of a series of short videos, which lead you through a practical step-by-step process from zero, to planting, to maintaining your vegetable garden.
You will be encouraged to participate by doing these practical steps yourself in your own garden, after each lesson, so that by the end of the course you will have your garden up and running.

Who is hosting the course?

Dan has grown food for 9 years, and has taught more than 200 people the basics of natural food growing in person. Take a look at his instructor bio to learn more.

Is this course for me?

Do you want to harvest fresh organic vegetables from your own garden?
Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint by reducing your food-transport-miles?
Do you want to be guided through a step-by-step process from zero to harvest?
If so, then look no further, this course is definitely for you.

Up-skill yourself, make something of your backyard, eat fresh, eat organic, eat cheap, reduce your carbon footprint, save water, understand soil, build compost and create a thriving food ecosystem.

Sound good? Don't wait, sign up and start your food growing journey today...

We’ll see you there.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand and map sectors (climate, geography & other forces) acting on your property
Position and design an effective, productive and sustainable vegetable garden for your property
Understand basic soil biology and composting techniques
Know how to build and distribute compost in your garden

Know how to build and plant a sustainable vegetable garden from scratch
Understand the basic maintenance requirements of your vegetable garden
Gain basic insight into permaculture and holistic design

Understand and map sectors (climate, geography & other forces) acting on your property
Position and design an effective, productive and sustainable vegetable garden for your property
Understand basic soil biology and composting techniques
Know how to build and distribute compost in your garden
Know how to build and plant a sustainable vegetable garden from scratch
Understand the basic maintenance requirements of your vegetable garden
Gain basic insight into permaculture and holistic design

Syllabus

Permaculture design basics, understand your micro-climate, plan your garden and learn about the soil food web.

Welcome

Apply what you have learnt:

Create a base map and map out your zones

Get the most out of this course:

Check out (even print out) the downloadable worksheet for each lesson
Re-watch the video if necessary
Complete the quiz after each lesson

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches permaculture-inspired methods, which can be applied to gardens of any size and in almost any climate, making it accessible to a wide range of learners

Provides a step-by-step process from the very beginning to planting and maintaining a vegetable garden, making it suitable for individuals with no prior experience

Encourages learners to actively participate by implementing the practical steps in their own gardens after each lesson, fostering a hands-on learning experience

Promotes practices that reduce carbon footprint, save water, and build a thriving food ecosystem, appealing to environmentally conscious individuals

Explores soil biology and composting techniques, which are essential for establishing and maintaining a healthy and productive vegetable garden

Examines companion planting and succession planting, which are useful for maximizing garden productivity and promoting biodiversity

Reviews summary

Practical sustainable vegetable gardening guide

According to learners, this course is a practical step-by-step guide that is excellent for beginners looking to start their own vegetable garden. Students particularly appreciated the focus on soil health and composting techniques and the introduction to Permaculture principles. While many found the video lessons clear and actionable, a few mentioned that the course might be too basic for experienced gardeners. Overall, it's seen as a great foundation for growing your own food sustainably.

Offers a fresh perspective using ecology.

"The Permaculture perspective added an interesting layer to simple gardening advice."

"I appreciated the brief introduction to Permaculture principles and how they apply to a home garden."

"Understanding zones and sectors from a Permaculture view helped me plan my space more effectively."

Ideal starting point for new gardeners.

"As someone who had never gardened before, this course was the perfect starting point. It covers all the fundamentals clearly."

"It's pitched just right for beginners, not overwhelming but provides enough detail to get going successfully."

"If you're new to gardening or sustainable methods, this course is exactly what you need."

Deep dive into healthy soil practices.

"The section on soil biology and composting was incredibly insightful and changed how I think about feeding my plants."

"Learning how to make and use compost correctly was a game-changer for my garden."

"I gained a much better understanding of the soil food web and why healthy soil is crucial for organic gardening."

Learn by doing with hands-on steps.

"The step-by-step approach made it easy to follow, even as a complete novice. I felt confident taking action in my own garden."

"I loved the practical exercises after each lesson. It wasn't just theory; I was actually building my garden as I went."

"This course gave me the confidence to start from scratch and actually get plants in the ground. Very actionable!"

Less depth for experienced growers.

"This course is excellent for absolute beginners, but those with some experience might find it covers ground they already know."

"While a solid intro, I was hoping for slightly more advanced techniques beyond the very basics."

"Good for getting started, but it doesn't go into great depth on specific plant issues or pests."

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 Grow Your Own Sustainable Vegetable Garden with these activities:

Review Basic Botany

Show steps

Reviewing basic botany will help you understand plant needs and how to optimize your garden's health and productivity.

Browse courses on Plant Biology

Show steps

Review plant cell structure and function.
Study the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.
Learn about plant nutrients and their roles.

Read 'Gaia's Garden'

Show steps

Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of permaculture principles and their application to vegetable gardening.

View The Permaculture City: Regenerative Design for... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Gaia's Garden'.
Read the book, focusing on design and implementation.
Take notes on key concepts and techniques.

Read 'The Permaculture Garden'

Show steps

Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of permaculture principles and their application to vegetable gardening.

View The Permaculture City: Regenerative Design for... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'The Permaculture Garden'.
Read the book, focusing on design and implementation.
Take notes on key concepts and techniques.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Design a Garden Layout

Show steps

Designing a garden layout will allow you to apply the course's principles of zone mapping and sector analysis to your own property.

Show steps

Create a base map of your property.
Map out zones based on usage and access.
Analyze sectors such as sunlight and wind.
Design a vegetable garden layout incorporating permaculture principles.

Document Your Garden's Progress

Show steps

Creating a visual record of your garden's progress will help you track your successes and identify areas for improvement.

Show steps

Take photos or videos of your garden regularly.
Write notes about planting dates, varieties, and observations.
Compile your photos and notes into a journal or blog.

Volunteer at a Community Garden

Show steps

Volunteering at a community garden will provide hands-on experience and allow you to learn from other gardeners.

Show steps

Find a local community garden.
Contact the garden and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Participate in gardening tasks such as planting, weeding, and harvesting.

Compile a Pest and Disease Guide

Show steps

Creating a pest and disease guide will help you identify and manage common garden problems.

Show steps

Research common pests and diseases affecting vegetable gardens.
Gather information on identification, prevention, and treatment.
Compile your findings into a reference guide with photos and descriptions.

Career center

Learners who complete Grow Your Own Sustainable Vegetable Garden will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Urban Farmer

Urban farmers cultivate crops and raise livestock in urban environments. This course helps urban farmers by teaching them how to assess sites, design gardens, manage soil, and build vegetable beds, all of which are essential for maximizing yields in urban conditions. This course will be very useful for urban farmers looking to create a thriving food ecosystem in their community, while learning about building compost and reducing their carbon footprint with their food-transport-miles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Farmer

Horticulturist

A horticulturist applies horticultural science principles to plant cultivation, often in a garden or agricultural setting. This course helps aspiring horticulturists learn the practical skills needed to grow vegetables from scratch, including site assessment, soil management, composting, and creating vegetable beds. The course's emphasis on sustainable methods and permaculture design aligns well with the modern principles of horticulture, making this course highly beneficial for anyone looking to enter this field in a hands-on way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Horticulturist

Community Garden Coordinator

A community garden coordinator manages the operations of a shared garden space. This course provides the foundation needed to design, establish and maintain a thriving community garden, focusing on site assessment, soil improvement, and practical techniques for growing vegetables. The course's focus on permaculture design also lends itself well to the holistic approach that this role embodies. Community garden coordinators will find that this course is an excellent way to learn the basics of food production.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Garden Coordinator

Permaculture Designer

Permaculture designers develop sustainable systems that mimic natural ecosystems. This course can be very useful for aspiring permaculture designers by introducing them to the core principles of permaculture, with a focus on growing vegetables, understanding soil biology and designing effective gardens. This course is a perfect introduction to permaculture practices for new designers, while also offering practical steps for implementing them, such as preparing the ground, learning how to use compost and building vegetable beds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Permaculture Designer

Organic Farm Manager

An organic farm manager oversees the daily operations of an organic farm, including planting, harvesting, and soil management. This course may be very useful to an organic farm manager, as it helps them gain practical knowledge of soil biology, composting, and sustainable gardening techniques. This course can be valuable for understanding how to build healthy soil and create thriving gardens, from the ground up. Organic farm managers will benefit from the practical, hands-on approach this course offers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organic Farm Manager

Environmental Educator

An environmental educator teaches others about the natural world and environmental issues. This course helps environmental educators by providing a practical understanding of sustainable gardening and food production. The course’s hands-on approach, which involves lessons that lead to the creation of a garden, offers a perfect starting point for instruction, making the concepts of sustainable living much clearer and more accessible to students. This course will help environmental educators teach practical skills.

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Sustainability Consultant

A sustainability consultant advises organizations on environmentally friendly practices. This course may be valuable to a sustainability consultant, providing foundational knowledge in practical sustainable agriculture. They will be able to apply these concepts to their work, particularly in relation to food systems. By learning about carbon footprint reduction, water saving and soil understanding, the sustainability consultant will be able to make a strong connection to the client’s values and long-term goals.

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Landscape Designer

Landscape designers create aesthetically pleasing and functional outdoor spaces. The course helps landscape designers understand how to create vegetable gardens using permaculture principles. The knowledge gained from this course can help landscape designers incorporate food production into their designs, making them more sustainable and useful. Specifically, landscape designers can utilize the knowledge gained from this course to create edible landscapes for their clients.

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Agricultural Extension Agent

An agricultural extension agent provides educational support to farmers and growers. This course may be useful for an agricultural extension agent because it covers a range of practical techniques such as soil preparation, composting, and sustainable gardening methods. Agents can then apply these techniques to the work they do with their clients. By understanding the core principles taught in this course, an agricultural extension agent will be able to better advise farmers on sustainable practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Extension Agent

Food Systems Analyst

A food systems analyst examines the processes involved in food production, distribution, and consumption. While not directly focused on food analysis, this course may be useful for a food systems analyst by providing an understanding of how vegetables are grown using sustainable methods, which forms an important component of a wider system of food production. Through this course, the food systems analyst will gain a better understanding of the practical challenges and solutions in sustainable agriculture. This course introduces crucial hands-on context that can help inform their analysis techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Systems Analyst

Garden Writer

A garden writer creates content about gardening for publications and online platforms. This course may be useful to an aspiring garden writer, as it provides practical first-hand experience in vegetable gardening, including site assessment, soil management, and composting. This course can help them gain credibility and provide real-world insights to their writing, allowing them to speak from experience. Garden writers will benefit from the course's hands-on approach to gardening.

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Nutritionist

A nutritionist advises people on healthy eating habits. While not directly focused on food and nutrition analysis, this course may be useful for a nutritionist by providing a basic understanding of how to grow fresh, organic vegetables. They will gain an understanding of the farm-to-table process. This course can help nutritionists educate their clients on the importance of fresh produce, connecting general concepts with hands-on practice. Nutritionists will learn what goes into the vegetables that make their way to their clients’ plates.

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Arborist

An arborist specializes in the care of trees and shrubs. This course may be useful for an arborist who is interested in extending their knowledge beyond trees to other kinds of plants, specifically those grown in a garden. The study of soil and microclimates in the course will be useful to an arborist. While an arborist does focus more on trees, the principles of soil health and sustainable practices can still be applied to their work.

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Restaurant Owner

A restaurant owner manages the operations of a food establishment. This course may be useful for a restaurant owner interested in sourcing their own ingredients or starting an onsite garden. The practical knowledge of soil management, composting, and sustainable gardening could help them create a high-quality supply of fresh produce for their restaurant. This course will also give them an appreciation for the hard work that goes into growing vegetables and the value of fresh produce.

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Chef

A chef prepares food in a kitchen, usually in a professional environment. This course may be useful to a chef who is interested in learning more about how vegetables grow and where their ingredients come from. The course will also help a chef learn about the value of fresh and organic ingredients. Although a chef may not be directly responsible for growing produce in their day-to-day role, an understanding of the process of growing vegetables can help them have more appreciation for their ingredients.

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Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Grow Your Own Sustainable Vegetable Garden.

The Permaculture City

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Provides a comprehensive guide to designing and maintaining a permaculture garden. It expands on the course's permaculture principles, offering practical advice on creating a sustainable and productive ecosystem. It valuable resource for understanding the holistic approach to gardening.

The Permaculture City: Regenerative Design for...

Paperback

The Permaculture City: Regenerative Design for...

Kindle Edition

Grow Your Own Sustainable Vegetable Garden

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical sustainable vegetable gardening guide

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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