You’re probably going to have some free time now, so why not put it to good use and finally become the master gardener or garden designer you’ve always wanted to be? Here’s a round-up of some of the greatest gardening online courses to attempt, whether you’re considering retraining, searching for inspiration for your pots and borders, or simply wanting to give your houseplants some tender loving care. 

Ron Finley Teaches Gardening

This class teaches budding green thumbs how to care for their gardens in non-traditional planting sites. Finley demonstrates how to grow anything from succulents to veggies in any planting situation, from sidewalk planters to pots in rooftop gardens, in this 10-part series.

The session lasts around two hours and covers topics such as converting nutrient-depleted soil into the fruitful ground, keeping compost heaps, planting and harvesting vegetables, and establishing and maintaining a herb garden. The parts range in length from eight to twenty-one minutes, making them ideal for on-the-go gardeners. A printable workbook with home gardening techniques is also included with the session.

Gardening 101: Best Introduction

New gardeners will learn everything they need to know in this on-demand Skillshare course given by herbalist and gardener Geraldine Lavin of Suntrap Botanical. Lavin explains everything from seed beginning and division through harvesting in a container, communal garden, or backyard. 

This Skillshare course is divided into ten lessons with a total duration of 46 minutes. The lesson focuses on a single subject, producing herbaceous cuttings, but it also teaches students how to care for their gardens and how to store them properly. It’s also praised in Skillshare evaluations for its straightforward instructions and for motivating students to get involved in their own gardens.

Online Basic Botany Course

A simple botany program at Oregon State University will assist any green thumb enhancing their gardening skills. This on-demand class, taught by Master Gardener Signe Danler, teaches students how to identify plants, differentiate monocots from dicots, and detect garden pests such as fungus, lichen, algae, and moss.

Participants should be able to distinguish a variety of leaf and root systems, as well as identify plants, name their fundamental components and the functions they play in their growth and development, at the end of the session.

Planting the Piet Oudolf Way

Planting the Piet Oudolf Way Course features an outstanding collection of specialty, garden-related courses ranging from flower photography to natural beekeeping for more experienced gardeners wishing to extend their expertise.

You may begin the course at any time and participate in an online interactive classroom with up to 20 other students with whom you can group chat and direct communication in a collaborative learning environment. The Peer option includes lifelong access to the videos, notes, and online classroom, while the Expert option includes four weeks of personal guidance from Noel, who will walk you through the course and offer personalized input on your planting plans, as well as a certificate of accomplishment.