Complete Gardening
Growing your own food and flowers has never been more popular, and learning from home makes it easier than ever. Online gardening courses let you study at your own pace while experts share their secrets for creating beautiful, productive gardens.
Whether you want to grow tomatoes on your windowsill or transform your backyard into a green paradise, these top-rated courses will help you succeed.
1. Master Gardener Short Course Series (Oregon State University)
Oregon State University brings college-level gardening education directly to your computer screen. Their Master Gardener program has trained thousands of expert gardeners across America for decades.
Each 4-6 hour course covers essential topics like plant biology, soil science, vegetable growing, and managing pests naturally. The content goes deeper than basic gardening tips, explaining the science behind successful growing.
Designed for intermediate to advanced learners, these courses prepare you to tackle challenging gardening problems. You’ll understand why plants behave certain ways and how to create the best growing conditions for any crop.
2. Create A Butterfly Garden (Udemy)
Transform your outdoor space into a magical butterfly sanctuary with expert guidance from conservationist Jessica McAtee. This free course teaches you which flowers attract different butterfly species and how to support their life cycles.
McAtee explains how to choose native plants, create water sources, and avoid harmful pesticides. You’ll learn about butterfly migration patterns and seasonal care for your garden.
The course includes plant lists for different regions, garden design tips, and troubleshooting advice. Students discover how small changes in their yards can make huge differences for local wildlife populations and ecosystem health.
3. Growing Organic Food Sustainably (Alison)
Sustainable gardening practices protect both your family’s health and the planet’s future. This comprehensive free course from Alison teaches organic methods that work for any size garden or budget.
Students master soil building techniques, natural pest control, and crop rotation systems. The lessons cover composting, companion planting, and water conservation strategies that reduce environmental impact.
Suitable for all skill levels, the course emphasizes practical solutions over expensive products. You’ll learn to work with nature instead of fighting against it, creating productive gardens that improve over time rather than depleting resources.
4. Ron Finley Teaches Gardening (MasterClass)
Known as the ‘Gangster Gardener,’ Ron Finley brings street-smart wisdom to growing plants anywhere. His MasterClass course proves you don’t need a mansion or perfect soil to create amazing gardens.
Finley focuses on urban gardening techniques that work in small spaces, from apartment balconies to concrete lots. He teaches practical skills like container gardening, composting, and choosing plants that thrive in tough conditions.
The 2-hour course includes video lessons, downloadable guides, and lifetime access. Perfect for beginners who want to start gardening without fancy equipment or expensive supplies.
5. Happy Houseplants: Caring for Your Plants (Skillshare)
Indoor plants bring life and color to any home, but keeping them healthy can feel mysterious. A professional botanist from The Sill plant shop shares insider secrets for thriving houseplants.
The course covers proper watering techniques, choosing the right pots, and understanding light requirements for different species. Students learn to recognize common problems before plants get sick.
Perfect for apartment dwellers and beginners, the lessons focus on popular houseplants like pothos, snake plants, and fiddle leaf figs. You’ll gain confidence caring for green friends and understand why some plants struggle in certain spots.
6. Vegetable Gardening for Beginners (Coursera)
Fresh vegetables from your own garden taste better than anything from the store. This beginner-friendly course breaks down vegetable growing into simple, manageable steps that guarantee success.
Instructors guide students through planning garden layouts, starting seeds, and maintaining healthy plants throughout the growing season. The curriculum includes timing charts and regional growing guides.
Students learn which vegetables grow easily in their climate and how to extend harvest seasons. The course covers both traditional ground gardens and raised bed systems, helping you choose the best approach for your space and physical abilities.
7. Permaculture Design Certificate (Rodale Institute)
Permaculture creates self-sustaining gardens that mimic natural ecosystems. The renowned Rodale Institute offers comprehensive training in these earth-friendly design principles that reduce work while increasing yields.
Students explore water harvesting, food forests, and integrated pest management systems. The course teaches long-term thinking about land use and resource conservation.
This advanced program suits experienced gardeners ready to transform their approach. You’ll design productive landscapes that support wildlife, conserve water, and produce food for years with minimal external inputs or ongoing maintenance efforts.
8. Herb Gardening Mastery (Udemy)
Fresh herbs elevate any meal, and growing your own saves money while ensuring peak flavor. This specialized course focuses entirely on culinary and medicinal herb cultivation techniques.
Students discover which herbs grow best in containers versus garden beds, plus proper harvesting and preservation methods. The lessons include recipes and usage tips for common herbs.
The instructor covers both annual herbs like basil and perennial varieties such as rosemary and thyme. You’ll learn companion planting strategies and how to create themed herb gardens like Italian, Mexican, or tea gardens that match your cooking interests.
9. Flower Garden Design (MasterClass)
Beautiful flower gardens require more than just planting pretty blooms randomly. Professional landscape designers share color theory, seasonal planning, and composition secrets that create stunning displays year-round.
The course covers choosing plants for different bloom times, creating focal points, and designing pathways through garden spaces. Students learn about plant heights, textures, and growth habits.
Suitable for all experience levels, the lessons help you avoid common mistakes like overcrowding or poor color combinations. You’ll understand how to create gardens that look professionally designed while fitting your personal style and maintenance preferences.
10. Small Space Gardening Solutions (Craftsy)
Limited space doesn’t mean limited gardening possibilities. This innovative course proves that balconies, patios, and tiny yards can produce impressive harvests with smart planning and creative techniques.
Students master vertical growing systems, succession planting, and intensive gardening methods that maximize production in minimal square footage. The lessons include DIY project instructions for space-saving containers.
Perfect for urban dwellers and renters, the course emphasizes portable solutions and creative problem-solving. You’ll learn to grow food and flowers in surprising places while keeping everything neat, organized, and landlord-friendly for apartment living situations.