Program Overview

Course Description

The Science of Gardening is a web-based distance education course and is part of the Master Gardener Training Program. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of a plant's basic functions, its interaction with its surroundings, and its responses to changes in its environment. It will help students understand the relationship between plants and their environment, enabling them to modify conditions to better suit the plant and anticipate problems based on the ecosystem.

Course Outline

This course covers various topics, including:

• Soil systems
• Plant physiology
• Plant nutrition
• Plant propagation

Marking Scheme

The marking scheme for the course is as follows:

• Quiz 1 - The Soil System: 15
• Assignment 1 - Soil Texture Test: 10
• Quiz 2 - Plant Physiology: 15
• Assignment 2 - Translocation: 10
• Quiz 3 - Plant Nutrition: 15
• Assignment 3 - Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms: 10
• Quiz 4 - Plant Propagation: 15
• Assignment 4 - Seed Germination and Transplanting: 10
• Total: 100

Successful completion of the course requires a passing grade of 60% in each of the four sections.

Notes

• Required Text: Botany for Gardeners by Brian Capon. There are numerous editions in print, but all will serve the purposes of the course.
• Technical Requirements: Internet (High Speed preferred), reliable computer/laptop, and basic knowledge of Microsoft Word for submitting assignments.
• Course Dates: All courses open on October 1st and close on July 31st.
• Number of Courses: Students are to take ONE course at a time, unless otherwise approved by Extended Learning.
• Refunds: Course refunds are eligible up to two weeks after registering for the course. The refund amount will be adjusted to include a non-refundable administrative fee of $50.00. After the two-week period, there are no course refunds.

Prerequisites

It is recommended that the Master Gardener Program Courses be taken in the following order:

1. The Science of Gardening
2. Maintaining the Garden
3. Plant ID and Use
4. The Art of Gardening

Recommended For

This course is recommended for:

• Anyone with a passion or interest in gardening in their backyard or community.
• Anyone interested in working towards becoming a Master Gardener within the Atlantic Master Gardener Association.
• Anyone looking to expand their gardening knowledge.

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Master Gardener Training Program - Atlantic: Required

Course Details

• Section Title: Science of Gardening- Atlantic
• Type: Online - Self-Paced
• Dates: October 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026
• Total Learning Hours: 65.0
• Instruction Delivery Method(s): Online Self-Paced
• Course Fee(s): Tuition non-credit $488.00
• Instructors: Carol Goodwin

Section Notes

• Registration deadline is January 31st, 2026.
• Tuition is refunded if a course is cancelled by Extended Learning. Learners are also eligible for a refund if they formally withdraw within two weeks after registering for a course. The refund amount will be adjusted to include a non-refundable administrative fee of $50.00. After the two-week period, there are no course refunds.
• This course is considered a non-credit course and does not qualify for a T2202 during tax time.

Instructor Biography

Carol Goodwin is the faculty advisor for the Master Gardener program and has recently retired as an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science at Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture. She taught subjects related to arboriculture, landscape management, garden history, and garden design, as well as plant ID and use. Her research activity was in the area of cultivation practices that affect tree health and longevity, as well as propagation and production of native plant species.