Grow Your Own Lecture Series

Are you interested in learning more about how to grow your own food indoors and outdoors? If so, this new fully online lecture series is for you! Take advantage of our introductory pricing and explore various concepts ranging from physical science to design and creative innovation with an overarching goal of enabling participants to be better suited to growing their own food within the context of a changing climate.

You can opt to participate synchronously or asynchronously to fit your lifestyle and schedule! You will receive a copy of the live recording, the lecture content as a PDF, as well as a suggested reading list for all purchased lectures. Lectures can be purchased individually or as a package. The first 3 lectures are recommended to serve as background context for the subsequent classes but are not required.

Lecture 1: Introductory Plant Science (July 16)

This lecture will introduce you to basic biology and chemistry concepts that will enable you to gain a better understanding of how plants function and grow. Topics discussed include terminology, anatomy, life stages/processes, and soil science. Note: A basic understanding of biology (i.e., high school level) is recommended to ease comprehension, but is not required to attend this lecture.
 

Lecture 2: Ecology of Gardening (July 23)

All parts of nature are interconnected. Discovering how various ecological components interact will help you gain valuable tools and insight as to how to implement practices in your garden that support a healthy environment, and ultimately, happy plants. Topics discussed include Canadian ecology, ecological philosophy, and ecological practice. Note: A basic understanding of biology (i.e., high school level) is recommended to ease comprehension, but is not required to attend this lecture.
 

Lecture 3: Nutrition & Chemistry (July 30)

Maximizing nutrition and minimizing pollution are often considerations of people who are seeking to grow their own food. The goal of this class is to break down some confusion surrounding questions pertaining to nutritional value and contamination into a digestible format. Topics discussed include basic chemistry, nutrients in food/bodies, the agricultural transport chain, sources of pollution, and remediation/maintenance. Note: A basic understanding of chemistry (i.e., high school level) is recommended to ease comprehension, but is not required to attend this lecture.

Lecture 4: Sustainable Design & Strategies (August 6)

Concepts explored in the previous 3 classes will now be put to practical use as we focus on various environmentally sustainable designs, as well as growing strategies and methods that are rooted in basic biology and chemistry concepts. Theories and methodologies based on biomimicry concepts will be discussed. The goal of this class is to introduce participants to a variety of ways in which they can creatively think about and implement design in their gardens. Topics discussed include concepts in garden design, alternative planting/growing strategies, amendments, and case studies.
 

Lectures 5 & 6: Growing in Four Seasons Pt 1: Spring/Summer + Growing in Four Seasons Pt 2: Fall/Winter (Aug. 13)

The final lectures 5 & 6 focus on planning a garden space for the four seasons in Canada. Both lectures draw from concepts discussed throughout the series. Lecture 5 will help guide you through practical ways of planning out your spring and summer garden space, with Lecture 6 following that to show you how the transition to colder months doesn't mean you can't still grow your own food. Topics discussed include planning and starting your garden, ideal plants for various times of year, alongside indoor gardening, storage, and greenhouse design in colder months.