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Mark Shorter

Gardening for beginners

I know when I started out doing my garden, I found the world of planting a labyrinth of one disaster after another. To start with, plants are not the cheapest things in the world, and if you don’t know what you’re doing with them, buying plants can become a large expense – especially if you end up killing them. Secondly, when you buy a plant it looks one way, but after a few weeks or months of growing, it can either grow completely out of control or, worse, it can die.

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Gardening for beginners

I know when I started out doing my garden, I found the world of planting a labyrinth of one disaster after another. To start with, plants are not the cheapest things in the world, and if you don’t know what you’re doing with them, buying plants can become a large expense – especially if you end up killing them. Secondly, when you buy a plant it looks one way, but after a few weeks or months of growing, it can either grow completely out of control or, worse, it can die.

Over the years, after a lot of trial and error, I have learnt a lot about which plants to buy at which times of year, and how to care for them so that you end up with a beautiful floral display throughout the year.

This is a course to give you some ideas about simple, easy to care for plants and grass care that will make your garden into the envy of your neighbourhood and won’t require hours and hours of hard work.

5 succulents for beginners and how to take care of them

There is one collection of houseplants that are very easy to look after called succulents. Succulents are ideal for everybody especially if you don’t have a green thumb. So, if you want to get in on the houseplant craze but don’t think you could keep a peace lily alive for more than a few weeks, then turn your hand to these hardy little succulents.

Succulents are plants that store water in their leaves. The name “succulent” comes from the Latin word “sucus”, which means juice or sap. You’ll notice that their leaves are much thicker than other plants, and they are native to deserts and very dry areas.

Succulents are so varied that there is something for everybody no matter what your taste. Plus, studies have been done showing that not only are houseplants, including succulents, visually beautiful, but they’re also good for your health. We all know that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, therefore freshening up our air and eliminating harmful toxins, but just by having a few plants around the house, we can also reduce our stress levels and boost our mood.

So, in this course, we’re going to look at five beautiful and easy-to-care for succulents that are perfect for the beginner who wants to get green fingered. This course is aimed at any age and any level of expertise, and its full of hints and tips on how to keep our green friends happy and healthy. Plus, I’ve made sure to include succulents that are easy to come by, meaning you shouldn’t have much trouble trying to track them down.

5 houseplants for beginners and how to take care of them

In recent years, houseplants have been gaining in popularity. Compared with just twenty years ago, the number of people of all ages becoming interested in bringing the outdoors in is enormous.

Studies have even been done showing that not only are houseplants visually beautiful, but they’re also good for your health. We all know that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, therefore freshening up our air and eliminating harmful toxins, but just by having a few plants around the house, we can also reduce our stress levels and boost our mood.

So, in this course, we’re going to look at five beautiful and easy-to-care for houseplants that are perfect for the beginner who wants to get green fingered. This course is aimed at any age and any level of expertise, and its full of hints and tips on how to keep our green friends happy and healthy.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Gardening for beginners gives you some ideas about simple, easy to care for plants and grass care that will make your garden into the envy of your neighbourhood
  • 5 houseplants for beginners, in this course, we’re going to look at five beautiful and easy-to-care for houseplants that are perfect for the beginner
  • 5 succulents for beginners, in this course, we’re going to look at five beautiful and easy-to-care for succulents that are perfect for the beginner
  • The 3 courses will give you lots of hints and tips to have some beautiful plants inside and out of your home

Syllabus

Part 18 Spring bulbs
Learn all about all different types of garden plants and how to grow and take care of them, also, learn all about lawn care and how to restore your lawn back to a lush green carpet.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides an introduction to various garden plants, houseplants, and succulents, making it suitable for individuals with little to no prior gardening experience
Focuses on easy-to-care-for plants, which helps learners avoid common pitfalls and build confidence in their gardening abilities
Covers lawn care, which is a fundamental aspect of gardening and helps learners create a well-rounded outdoor space
Includes a section on spring bulbs, which allows learners to plan and execute seasonal planting for continuous blooms
Offers guidance on what to do throughout the year, which helps learners maintain their gardens and houseplants in different seasons
Features a section called 'My other courses,' which may indicate that learners can deepen their knowledge through additional learning resources

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Reviews summary

Beginner guide to gardening & houseplants

According to students, this course is a highly recommended starting point for absolute beginners interested in gardening, houseplants, and succulents. Learners found the practical tips and easy-to-follow advice particularly helpful for getting started and keeping plants alive. Many appreciated that the course covered multiple areas (garden plants, houseplants, succulents) in one package, making it a convenient bundle. However, some students noted that the course only covered a limited selection of plants and that the content was quite basic in depth, suggesting it is best suited for those with no prior knowledge looking for fundamental guidance.
Includes garden, houseplant, and succulent basics.
"Covers gardening basics, houseplants, and succulents."
"Useful information on garden plants and also indoor ones."
"Appreciate having garden, houseplant, and succulent info in one place."
Offers useful, actionable advice.
"The tips were practical and easy to follow."
"Full of hints and tips on how to keep our green friends happy and healthy."
"I learned so much about easy plants... The tips were practical."
Perfect for those new to plant care.
"This course was perfect for a complete beginner like me!"
"Its a decent starting point if you know absolutely nothing."
"Perfect for the beginner who wants to get green fingered."
Information is foundational, not in-depth.
"Didn't go into much depth."
"Found this course too simple."
"The content felt quite basic."
Focuses on a small, specific selection.
"Wish it covered more types of plants."
"Only covers a tiny selection of plants."
"Felt like I needed more information beyond the 5 plants listed in each section."

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 3 courses, Gardening, house plants, succulents for beginners with these activities:
Review Basic Plant Biology
Reviewing basic plant biology concepts will help you understand the needs of different plants and how to care for them effectively.
Browse courses on Plant Biology
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos on plant cell structure and function.
  • Review the process of photosynthesis and its importance for plant growth.
  • Familiarize yourself with basic plant anatomy (roots, stems, leaves).
Read 'Gardening for dummies'
Reading this book will provide a broader understanding of gardening and troubleshooting common issues.
View Orchids For Dummies on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Gardening for dummies'.
  • Read the sections relevant to the gardening topics covered in the course.
  • Take notes on key care requirements and troubleshooting tips.
Read 'The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual'
Reading this book will provide a broader understanding of houseplant care and troubleshooting common issues.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual'.
  • Read the sections relevant to the houseplants covered in the course.
  • Take notes on key care requirements and troubleshooting tips.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Identify Plants in Your Local Area
Practicing plant identification will improve your ability to recognize different species and understand their specific needs.
Show steps
  • Take a walk in your neighborhood or a local park.
  • Use a plant identification app or guide to identify different plants.
  • Research the care requirements of the identified plants.
Answer Questions in Online Gardening Forums
Mentoring others reinforces your own understanding and helps you identify areas where you need more knowledge.
Show steps
  • Find online gardening forums or social media groups.
  • Browse the forums and identify questions you can answer based on your knowledge.
  • Provide helpful and accurate answers to the questions.
Document Your Plant Care Journey
Creating a visual journal will help you track your progress, identify problems, and reinforce your learning.
Show steps
  • Choose a format for your journal (e.g., blog, social media, notebook).
  • Document your plant care activities (watering, fertilizing, etc.).
  • Take photos of your plants and note any changes or problems.
  • Reflect on your experiences and what you have learned.
Design a Succulent Arrangement
Starting a succulent arrangement project will allow you to apply your knowledge of succulent care and design principles.
Show steps
  • Research different succulent arrangement styles and techniques.
  • Select a container and choose a variety of succulents.
  • Arrange the succulents in the container, considering their size, color, and texture.
  • Care for your succulent arrangement and monitor its growth.

Career center

Learners who complete 3 courses, Gardening, house plants, succulents for beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Interior Plantscaper
An interior plantscaper designs and maintains plant displays in indoor settings. This course is a good fit for those who want to be interior plantscapers, as it focuses on houseplants and succulents. The course specifically highlights five beginner-friendly options for indoor plants and succulents, giving important information for a career focused on indoor plants. An interior plantscaper could use the course's tips on how to care for indoor plants to make their designs thrive. An interior plantscaper benefits from this course's focus on plants' health and the positive effects that plants can have on their environment.
Plant Nursery Worker
A plant nursery worker is involved in the daily operations of a plant nursery, including plant care and sales. If you want to become a plant nursery worker, this course may be a starting point as it covers various types of plants, including succulents, houseplants, and garden plants. The course’s focus on simple, easy to care for plants is a great introduction to this field, as a worker will need to understand the plants that they are selling and caring for. This course introduces plant care techniques that are useful for ensuring plants are healthy when sold to customers. A plant nursery worker can use the course's advice on how to grow and take care of plants to nurture the nursery's stock.
Gardening Educator
A gardening educator teaches others about gardening and plant care. This course may help those who want to become a gardening educator learn about various plants and effective care methods. The course's focus on easy to care for plants and simple techniques makes it a great resource for developing teaching materials for beginning gardeners. The course introduces plants and best practices for care which could be passed on by a gardening educator to their students. The simple and direct advice given in the course is a key starting point for someone looking to impart this knowledge to others.
Garden Center Sales Associate
A garden center sales associate helps customers choose plants and gardening supplies. This course may be helpful to a future garden center sales associate as it introduces many common garden and indoor plants. An associate can learn about the specific needs of succulents, houseplants, and grass care discussed in the course. The course's focus on easy to care for plants will help an associate provide customers with suitable recommendations. The course offers tips on how to keep plants thriving, which is a good foundation for this career.
Greenhouse Manager
A greenhouse manager oversees the operations of a greenhouse, including plant care and cultivation. This course can be a benefit for future greenhouse managers through its focus on plant care for a range of plants, including succulents and other houseplants. Understanding the specific needs of different plants, as discussed in the course, is essential for ensuring healthy growth in a greenhouse. This course will help a future manager learn about easy to care for plants and how to help them thrive, which is pertinent to this role. The course also covers both indoor and outdoor plant care practices which is valuable for someone seeking work in this field.
Horticulturist
A horticulturist applies knowledge of plant science to cultivate and manage gardens and landscapes. This course may help those who want to become a horticulturist learn about different types of plants, including succulents, houseplants, and garden varieties, and how to care for them. The course introduces various plants, offering insights into their specific needs and growth habits, which is key for anyone working in the field of horticulture. The course's focus on simple, easy plants serves as a helpful primer for a career in this field, where understanding plant care is paramount. A horticulturist benefits from the course's discussion of how to select plants at different times of the year and how to ensure they thrive.
Botanical Garden Curator
A botanical garden curator is responsible for the care and management of plants in a botanical garden. This course may be useful to a botanical garden curator, as it introduces various easy to care for plants and provides guidance on their cultivation. The course’s emphasis on the specific care requirements of different plants helps establish a foundation for someone in this role, as a curator must know how to keep plants healthy. The course's information about succulents, houseplants, and garden plants is useful to the botanical garden curator because they will likely encounter these plants in the garden. The course provides tips to keep plants healthy which will serve a curator well in this role.
Landscape Architect
A landscape architect plans and designs outdoor spaces, integrating both natural and built elements. Landscape architects may find that this course is a useful starting point as they learn about various types of plants and how to care for them. The course's emphasis on simple, easy to care for plants is a good introduction to plant care concepts that are crucial for landscape projects. This course introduces several types of plants, which will establish the foundation for a career in this field. A landscape architect can use the knowledge of plant care that is introduced in the course to inform their designs.
Landscape Designer
A landscape designer creates aesthetically pleasing and functional outdoor spaces. A landscape designer may find that this course is useful as they gain knowledge about various types of plants and how to incorporate them into designs. The course will help a future landscape designer develop an understanding of plant care which is crucial for ensuring that landscapes remain beautiful. The course's focus on easy to care for plants is useful for a landscape designer when selecting plants for different projects. The course gives information about plant selection at different times of the year, which is helpful knowledge for a landscape designer who needs to plan for landscaping throughout the year.
Urban Farmer
An urban farmer grows crops in an urban setting, often in smaller spaces like rooftops, or small plots. This course may help someone who wants to become an urban farmer as it provides knowledge about plant care and cultivation for both indoor and outdoor plants. The course’s focus on easy-to-care-for plants is useful to urban farmers, who often have space restrictions or other constraints. It also covers many different kinds of plants, including succulents, houseplants, and classic garden plants, all of which could be relevant to an urban farmer. The course also covers lawn care, which is useful to know when starting any urban farm.
Florist
A florist designs and arranges flowers for various occasions. This course may be helpful to a future florist because it introduces a variety of plants, including popular floral choices like petunias and begonias. The course's focus on plant care can help a florist to keep flowers and plants fresh and vibrant for longer. While this course does not focus primarily on cut flowers, the understanding of plant needs and health is important for a florist. The course teaches about the care of many plants so a florist will develop some essential knowledge.
Environmental Educator
An environmental educator teaches people about the natural world and how to care for the environment. This course may be helpful to a future environmental educator as it introduces the value of plants and how to care for them. The course’s emphasis on how plants can benefit people’s health and wellbeing is a good starting point for educating others on nature. Through the course, one can learn the basics of plant care which is a relevant concept to share with others. The course's discussion of practical, hands-on plant care is useful for someone in this role.
Arborist
An arborist specializes in the care of trees and shrubs, often in urban or residential areas. Although this course does not focus solely on trees and shrubs, it may be beneficial to future arborists because of the course's information about plant care and health. This course helps build a foundation for a future arborist by introducing the science behind plant care, which is crucial for maintaining tree and shrub health. As a starting point for learning about plants, this course could be informative as an early introduction. The course's focus on plants that are easy to care for is a great way to begin to learn about the fundamentals of plant care.
Park Ranger
A park ranger manages and protects natural areas, including plants. A park ranger may find this course useful, as it provides a basic introduction to plant care and specific information about several types of plants. Though park rangers work with a wide variety of plants, the course can help to build introductory knowledge of plant care. This course's focus on easy to care for plants provides essential information for someone who is just starting their study of plant life. The course's information about how to keep various types of plants healthy is a good start to plant care for a park ranger.
Science Journalist
A science journalist researches and reports on scientific topics for the public. A science journalist may find that this course may be useful because it presents a scientific topic in an accessible way. The course on gardening and houseplants provides a good starting point to research and write about this topic in a clear, understandable manner. The course covers a variety of plants and gardening concepts that can be useful to a writer of scientific topics. This course may give an aspiring science journalist an introduction to researching a science topic.

Reading list

We've selected two 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 3 courses, Gardening, house plants, succulents for beginners.
Provides a comprehensive guide to gardening for beginners. It covers topics such as soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilizing, and pest control. It useful reference tool for beginners and experienced plant owners alike. The book adds breadth to the course by covering a wider range of gardening topics than the course itself.
Provides a comprehensive guide to caring for a wide variety of houseplants. It covers topics such as watering, fertilizing, repotting, and pest control. It useful reference tool for beginners and experienced plant owners alike. The book adds breadth to the course by covering a wider range of houseplants than the course itself.

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