Syllabus

• Week 1

  What will you grow?

  • Why grow plants indoors?

    Let's kick off with a discussion of your previous experience of indoor gardening. Then, we'll look at the many reasons for growing house plants and the benefits they bring.

  • Ornamental house plants

    Next up: what makes a good house plant? Plus, we identify good plants for beginners and the different types available. We finish by looking at house plant lifecycles and the importance of botanical names.

  • Growing plants for food

    Did you know you can grow some edible crops indoors? We reveal those indoor plants that provide a feast for the table, as well as the eye.

  • Creativity with house plants

    To get the most from your house plants, it's important to show them off to their full advantage. Find out how to get creative, in this final activity of Week 1.

• Week 2

  Growing conditions and the indoor environment

  • Origins of common house plants and their natural habitats

    Understanding where plants come from is key to growing them well. We discuss the origins of many commonly grown house plants and offer guidance on what to look for when buying them.

  • The pros and cons of the indoor environment

    Let's look at the various factors that drive plant growth (or lack of it): light, temperature, moisture and humidity. Then, we'll consider how to adapt indoor conditions to meet these requirements.

  • Different rooms of the house / Growing environments

    In this activity, we take a tour of the various rooms in a house and discuss which plants will thrive there.

  • Evaluating the growing conditions within a room

    Positioning plants within a room can determine whether or not they thrive. We set out the key points to consider, before reviewing what you've learned in Week 2.

• Week 3

  Caring for your house plants

  • Choosing suitable containers for house plants

    We kick off Week 3 by considering the indoor growing environment and its limitations. Next, we run through the various types of pot and container, as well as decorative pot covers.

  • Compost for house plants

    To really thrive, house plants need the correct compost. What are your options? We explain all, then consider more sustainable alternatives to peat.

  • Watering methods and suitability for different plants

    Correct watering technique is absolutely key to plant health. After running through water uptake in plants, we demonstrate the best watering methods through the seasons. Plus, we reveal gadgets that can help you water wisely.

  • Maintenance and ongoing plant care

    In this final activity of Week 3, we identify the nutrients that your indoor plants need. We'll also show you how to repot your plants and how to give them a 'summer holiday'.

• Week 4

  Making more plants and problem solving

  • Filling your home with more plants

    We begin the final week of the course by outlining the benefits of propagating your own indoor plants. Then, we look at plants that propagate themselves and round up by covering division and offsets.

  • Methods of raising new plants

    There are various ways to generate new plants. In this activity, we cover seed sowing and taking cuttings from both stems and leaves.

  • What to do when things go wrong

    Even the most experienced gardeners encounter problems. Share any issues you've encountered, before finding how to identify problems and how to solve them. We'll finish this activity with a look at common pests and fungi.

  • What have you learned?

    We're near the end of the course. Tell us what you've been inspired to grow and review what you've learned over the last four weeks.

Who will you learn with?