Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening is an online, complete-at-your-own-pace introductory course offered by the UW-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program. This course is designed for anyone who wants to improve their gardening skills, regardless of experience level. Participants learn key concepts for selecting, growing, and maintaining plants—from trees to houseplants to vegetables and everything in between! The course runs September 8–December 7, 2024. 

Registration opens July 15, Early Bird pricing runs July 15-August 12, and registration closes August 29. Foundations in Gardening is offered annually each fall. It is suitable for gardeners of all skill levels, and it also serves as an approved learning opportunity for those interested in joining the Master Gardener Program.

At the end of Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening, participants will be able to:

• Link gardening practices and biology to preventing plant problems.
• Explain how to select, grow, and maintain the health of different kinds of plants.
• Identify strategies to manage plant problems.
• Explain what Integrated Pest Management is and how it benefits you and the environment.

This course includes 14 modules with videos featuring Extension specialists, virtual activities, readings, and additional resources. The course also incorporates live webinars with Extension specialists who present on their areas of expertise and answer questions from participants. 

Participants can dig deeper into important horticulture concepts by registering for additional online lab sessions led by Extension educators. In these labs, learners apply knowledge from the online modules to real-life gardening situations. Labs are held via Zoom and are recorded for later viewing. The online labs are available for purchase for an additional fee.

If you are interested in becoming a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener, this course is considered an approved learning opportunity from the Wisconsin Extension Horticulture Program. For more information on how to become a Master Gardener, visit mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/join.

Early bird registration is open from July 15-Aug. 12, 2024. Register at the early bird rate of $299, which includes an electronic version of course manual (PDF). Hard copies of the manual can be purchased at time of registration. Need-based scholarships are available during early bird registration, for those who are eligible for financial assistance. Find more information about this course at go.wisc.edu/ExtFoundationsInGardening. 

Questions? Contact the course moderator, Amy Freidig at gardening.class@extension.wisc.edu 

The UW-Madison Extension Horticulture Program provides research-based horticulture information to Wisconsin gardeners so they can make informed decisions that keep their plants healthy while protecting the environment.