Free Online Course on Starting School and Community Gardens

By Andi Anderson

Michigan State University Extension is inviting community members and gardening enthusiasts to join a new free online course designed to support those starting school or community gardens.

The course, titled “Starting a School or Community Garden: Essential Steps for Success,” provides a flexible, self-paced learning experience that covers everything beginners need to know for launching and sustaining a successful garden project.

Developed by MSU Extension’s community food systems and consumer horticulture experts, the course helps participants understand key aspects of garden creation, including management, planning, and troubleshooting common challenges.

Through interactive online activities and optional assignments, learners can apply what they learn directly to their own projects before investing time or money.

The course is divided into three main sections. The “Managing Gardens” section covers setting goals, gathering community support, decision-making, and sustainability funding.

 The “Garden Planning” segment focuses on selecting the right site, understanding soil basics, and choosing suitable plants. Lastly, the “Garden Problem Solving” section provides real-world examples from other school and community gardens to help participants learn practical solutions.

Hosted on MSU’s Desire 2 Learn platform, the course is free for everyone. Participants who complete the final quiz will receive a certificate of completion. This course is especially useful for individuals in the early stages of planning a community or school garden, although some lessons may also benefit those with established garden spaces.

For those seeking further knowledge on plant care and production, MSU Extension offers additional courses like “Foundations of Gardening,” “Smart Gardening with Vegetables 101,” and “Backyard Fruit 101.”

Interested participants can register online through the MSU Extension website. This initiative aims to empower communities with the knowledge and confidence needed to start and sustain successful garden projects, enriching both schools and local neighborhoods.

Photo Credit: pexels-greta-hoffman