Course Description:
This four-week course delves into the art of creating functional, sustainable, and beautiful garden spaces through the principles of Victory and Potager gardening. Participants will explore the historical significance of these gardening styles and learn how to apply garden design principles to develop a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and productive. The course emphasizes the integration of art and practicality, ensuring gardens not only sustain the body with food but also delight the senses and complement the home environment. Taught by a Master Gardener and professional artist.
Course Objectives:
- Historical Insight into Victory and Potager Gardening: Understand the origins and purposes of Victory and Potager gardens, focusing on how these approaches can be integrated and adapted for modern home gardening.
- Foundations of Artistic Garden Design: Learn how to assess and design garden spaces that combine the functional needs of a vegetable garden with the aesthetic considerations of traditional landscape design.
- Soil Health and Preparation: Explore techniques for improving soil fertility and structure to support a diverse range of edible and ornamental plants.
- Plant Selection and Spatial Planning: Gain knowledge in choosing plants that not only thrive together but also contribute to the garden's beauty—focusing on color schemes, textural contrasts, and seasonal variation.
- Integrated Pest Management and Companion Planting: Implement sustainable gardening practices that enhance biodiversity and natural pest control, while also ensuring productive yields.
- Practical Design Implementation: Engage in hands-on projects that allow participants to apply design principles to create their own garden layouts, tailored to their personal tastes and practical needs.
Course Outcomes for Students:
- Capability to Design and Plan Aesthetic and Functional Gardens: Students will learn to create detailed garden plans that merge the productivity of a Victory garden with the beauty of a Potager garden.
- Advanced Knowledge of Plant Ecology: Participants will understand how to select and arrange plants in ways that maximize their health and yield while ensuring the garden is visually appealing throughout the seasons.
- Skills in Soil and Plant Care: Develop a thorough understanding of organic gardening practices, including composting, mulching, and natural pest management.
- Ability to Create a Personalized Garden Blueprint: Each student will develop a personalized plan that includes artistic elements and food production strategies, ready for implementation at home.
- Increased Appreciation for Sustainable Practices: Students will appreciate the environmental benefits of blending edible and ornamental gardening practices in a way that beautifies their space and supports local ecosystems.
Requirements:
This course is ideal for anyone interested in gardening, from beginners to those with more experience looking to refine their approach to combining edible and ornamental plants in garden design.
Materials:
Participants will be provided with essential materials including design templates, plant guides, and access to garden planning tools. Students are encouraged to bring photos or measurements of their existing garden spaces for personalized project work.
