Program Overview

Home Horticulture Certificate: Self-Paced, Online Course

The Home Horticulture Certificate is a comprehensive, science-based, horticulture and gardening essentials course. Drawn from the training Oregon Master Gardeners receive, this on-demand course provides the same training as the popular instructor-led Certificate of Home Horticulture course.

The Art and Science of Caring for Plants

Grow your gardening knowledge, whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener. This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the effective and sustainable management of their home horticultural landscape. There are no course prerequisites, although a basic understanding of plants is helpful.

Home Horticulture Overview

During the course, you will learn about:

• Basics of botany and entomology
• Integrated Pest Management and pesticide safety
• Diagnosis and prevention of plant problems using least-toxic methods
• Soils, fertilizers, and composting
• Ornamental, herbaceous plants, and woody plants
• Vegetable and container gardening
• Sustainable landscape design and maintenance

Certificate of Home Horticulture

Upon completion of this self-paced course, you will receive a Certificate of Home Horticulture. The curriculum includes:

• 16 recorded lectures on various horticulture subjects
• Assignments to deepen your understanding of the material
• Subject quizzes to help you retain information
• Extensive additional resources for long-term success

Open Registration

This program is open to all, with no restrictions on location or affiliation with Oregon State University. Many modules are applicable anywhere, while others use western Oregon examples, with some information included for drier regions.

Program Details

• The course is available on demand and online.
• The total cost is $395.
• A non-refundable $60 fee applies.
• To be eligible for a refund, requests must be received within 48 hours after the class begins.
• You will have access to the course through the end of the calendar year (December 31).
• The course is self-paced, with no set time to be online, but quizzes and assignments have specific dates.
• It is suggested that you spend about 6-9 hours a week on the course.
• A certificate of completion is awarded upon successful completion of the course.

Instructors

The course features several experienced instructors, including:

• Signe Danler, veteran Master Gardener and landscape designer
• Gail Langellotto, OSU Professor with a focus on entomology and sustainable gardening practices
• Jay W. Pscheidt, OSU Professor and Extension Plant Pathology Specialist
• Mykl Nelson, Instructor of Urban Agriculture with a background in horticulture and agricultural experimentation
• Weston Miller, community and urban horticulturist specializing in organic vegetables and fruits
• Neil Bell, OSU Instructor overseeing the Master Gardener program and evaluating plant hardiness and growth

Past Students' Work

The course has led to various projects and outcomes for past students, including enhanced gardening knowledge, improved plant management skills, and even the development of small businesses related to horticulture.