Gardening made simple: soil health, mulching, plant choice, and lawn care explained clear, practical terms
Beginner Gardening 15-Minute Mini-Course — All You Need for Success!
What you’ll learn
- Discover simple principles to make gardening easy, low-effort and fun..
- Learn how to choose plants that thrive in your soil, sun, and wind..
- Understand how mulching improves soil health and reduces weeding..
- Gain confidence to start a productive, beautiful garden with ease..
- Understand why soil health matters more than plant-by-plant fixes..
- See how evergreens and structure can keep your garden alive in winter..
- Spot common mistakes beginners make and how to avoid wasted effort..
Course Content
- Introduction –> 2 lectures • 8min.
- Four Core Principles for a Low-Maintenance Garden –> 4 lectures • 12min.
- Beginner Gardening FAQs –> 10 lectures • 20min.
Requirements
Beginner Gardening 15-Minute Mini-Course — All You Need for Success!
Includes the Dream Garden Workbook — a printable set of quizzes and prompts to help you start planning your own garden today.
Starting out in gardening can feel overwhelming: plant names, endless advice, and conflicting dos and don’ts. This short, friendly course is designed to cut through the noise and show you how gardening can be simple, low-effort, and rewarding.
I’m Mike, a qualified permaculture designer (Oregon State University) and gardener. Over the years I’ve developed the Self-Sustaining Garden approach — a way of gardening that balances beauty, productivity and low-maintenance. In this mini-course, you’ll discover the same essential principles in a quick, beginner-friendly format.
What you’ll learn
- The 5 simple principles that make gardening streamlined and enjoyable.
- How to read your garden’s microclimates (sun, soil, wind) to choose plants wisely.
- Why soil health matters more than anything else, and how to improve it.
- How mulching once a year cuts watering, stops weeds, and feeds your soil.
- Practical lawn care tips that make grass healthier with less effort.
- Why evergreen plants give structure and beauty, even in the depths of winter.
- How dense planting and perennials save time and reduce weeding.
- The confidence to start gardening without fear of “getting it wrong.”
Who this course is for
- Beginners who want gardening explained in a simple, memorable way.
- Busy people who’d like a relaxing, low-maintenance garden.
- Anyone overwhelmed by plant names or conflicting gardening advice.
- People keen to make their garden healthier, greener and more enjoyable.
Requirements
- No prior gardening knowledge — this course is designed for complete beginners.
- Any outdoor space works, from a small yard to a larger garden.
- Just bring curiosity and enthusiasm!
By the end of this mini-course, you’ll see that gardening doesn’t have to be complicated — a few simple principles can transform the way you approach your space. If you’re ready to start gardening with confidence, this quick mini-course will give you the tools to begin.