GARDEN TIME
NGC’s Online Garden Study School
Do you want a beautiful, thriving garden, one where you can see the fruits of your labor. At the same time do you want to make your garden experience easier and more trouble free? With some in-depth knowledge you can have that beautiful garden! Whether you are a gardening novice wanting to know more than the "basics" or a seasoned gardener looking for a refresher, this course offers something to suit every gardening need.
This Garden Time Online Course is the first in a series from Learn2Grow and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. based on the NGC internationally recognized Gardening Study Schools series. This course focuses on the gardening essentials:
- Basics of Botany-- 4 Study Modules
- Soil and Soil Preparation – 3 Study Modules
- Plant Propagation – 2 Study Modules
- Composting - 1 Study Module
Followed by online Exam and Certification.
After completing this course, you should be able to make better decisions in your own garden by knowing plant requirements and the science behind the techniques of gardening. This course will also help you identify the soil needs of plants and the use of soil amendments, fertilizers, and water in your garden. You will also learn different composting and recycling techniques that can help your garden thrive and help you make use of the materials that may otherwise go to waste.
Log on: Learn2Grow
You will have 30 days to complete this course.
Course I is approximately 6 hours in duration, depending on individual rate of learning through each study module.
You may enter the course anytime during this period, to complete all, or part of the course. You can take the course a lesson at a time, a module at a time or all at once.
Successful completion of this course will earn you certification consistent with the National Garden Clubs standards for Gardening Study Course 1.
Refresher you too can take this on line Study Course as Refresher credit!
For a limited time Learn2Grow and the National Garden Clubs is offering this course at a 10% discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I’m interested in taking the NGC gardening study class online how do I begin?
Answer: Visit www.Learn2Grow.com.
Click on the course tab in the orange menu bar or on the Garden Time link on the home page.
There you will find details and instructions for taking Garden Time Course 1. You must register on Learn2Grow and be logged in to purchase the course.
YOU MUST HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION TO THE NATIONAL GARDENER OR A LIFE MEMBER NUMBER AVAILABLE WHEN PURCHASING.
You can subscribe to The National Gardener by phone 1-800-550-6007 Ext 10 or 11. NGC accepts Visa or MasterCard or if you are a member of a NGC garden club they will bill you, or you can send your subscription information by email to NGC Headquarters or by fax to 314-776-5108.
2. What is the cost for the course?
Answer: $100
Introductory price of $90 payable by credit card at a secure site at Learn2Grow.com. This discounted price of $90 is being offered through 2009.
3. By using my credit card can I be confident that the Learn2Grow site is safe, secure and protected?
Answer: YES!
4. During my study time if I have to leave the site for a period of time how do I re-enter to continue my studies?
Answer: To re-access the course, go to www.learn2grow.com and click on Garden Time Course 1 link on the home page or click on the course tab and the system will take you back to the course. If you want to go to another page in the course, use the Menu tab at the bottom of the course to navigate to any page in the course.
5. NGC Gardening Study School Handbook mandates a curriculum of 10 study hours over 2 days, plus a 1/2 day for the exams. Will Garden Time online school also mandate the same number of study hours?
Answer: No. The average course time line is about 4-6 study hours, plus exams.
6. How long do I have to complete each Course?
Answer: 30 days from registration of the course.
7. How does the Garden Time online school differ from the NGC Gardening Study Schools?
Answer: The difference from having to physically attend a GSS course and taking the Garden Time course online is time, cost and convenience. It is the same study format throughout Courses 1 through 4, as mandated by NGC in the GSS Handbook Guide. The difference is it is less time consuming so the course material can be covered in 4-6 hours rather than 8 hours. You can review material at your own pace. For your convenience you have 30 days to complete it, rather than 2 days! Finally, you no longer have the additional expense of hotels, travel and food.
8. Are all 4 NGC gardening study courses accessible on-line at Learn2Grow at this time?
Answer: GARDEN TIME, Course 1 launched in June, 2009. Additional Garden Time online courses are currently being developed.
9. Can I take the Garden Time online courses out of sequential order?
Answer: The online courses are developed to educate you in a sequential order. The information in Course 1 will benefit you in Course 2 and the same as Course 1 and Course 2 will benefit you in Course 3, etc. The online Garden Time courses were not developed, nor is it recommended, to be taken out of sequential order.
10. Is there a wait-period between each of the courses?
Answer: The NGC, GSS Handbook states that (1) "No more than two (2) courses are recommended to be given in a calendar year . . . and (2) 4 months should elapse between the dates of [each] the courses.
Garden Time will adopt the same policy as the standard Gardening Study School. That is: 4 months (120 days) should elapse between the date of each course, regardless, of whether you take the course study on-line or at a venue.
11. What was NGC’s involvement in the development of Garden Time online school?
Answer: 100%! NGC developed this online program using the current Gardening Studies Handbook, revised by the 2007-2009 NGC-GSS Committee. Each one of the 4 Garden Time study courses contains the same course format as NGC mandated in its GSS Handbook.
12. What was Learn2Grow's involvement in the development of this NGC Garden Time online school?
Answer: Learn2Grow is a partner for the Garden Time online courses. Learn2Grow provides technical and eLearning expertise in the planning, development, and hosting of the courses.
13. Is NGC Garden Time online school replacing the NGC standard Gardening Study School?
Answer: NO, the online Garden Time version of the GSS course is an OPTION. You can chose to attend any state school, or the option to study online. Please note Question # 10. Completion of the online course entitles you to the same accreditation.
14. Will an online student need the recommended reading material as mandated by NGC for its state run Gardening Studies?
Answer: The online school is inclusive; all the study tools and materials you will need to complete the course and take the exam will be contained in the online program. However, it is recommended, not mandatory, that you read the Living with Plants text and any recommended reading material for a more conclusive education of the course study.
15. I need to Refresh. Can I take the online course for Refresher Credit?
Answer: YES! As a Refresher you can take any of the Courses 1 to 4 for Refresher credit AND you will find in Courses 2, 3, & 4 a link for advanced study, that will greatly enhance your on-line education of the subject matter.
16. As a Refresher will I need to take the exam?
Answer: NO. As stated above, Garden Time online school is based on the guidelines on the NGC Gardening Study Handbook. A Refresher does not need to take an exam. Although, a delightful feature for Refreshers will be a periodical personal course study assessment as you proceed through Garden Time.
17. Will NGC keep my Student and Refresher record as it currently does?
Answer: YES. A database has been developed for NGC to have all member Students and Refreshers’ online course study documented including Name, "Pass" status and the date of the completed Course. For the Refresher, the notation will be the date of the completed Refresher Course. As with any NGC school it is still recommended that you are, foremost, the keeper of your credentials. It is recommended that you print your certificate at the end of the course and keep it with your school records.
More Information and/or questions? Please contact:
Bonni L. Dinneen, Garden Time
NGC On-line Garden Study School