Many Connecticut residents are looking to grow healthier plants, cultivate edible gardens, or create more sustainable landscapes, but don’t necessarily have a background in horticulture and gardening. While the Internet has an abundance of information, it’s hard to know if it’s accurate. UConn Extension’s online Fundamentals of Home Gardening course offers a flexible way to learn from trusted experts.

The course was developed from the educational curriculum of UConn Extension’s Master Gardener Program and meets the needs of gardeners who want access to university-based education without the program’s certification or volunteer service requirements.

“We noticed that some people were completing the educational portion of the Master Gardener Program but stepping away before the volunteer component,” says Jean Madden-Hennessey, UConn Extension’s eLearning developer and coordinator of the Fundamentals of Home Gardening course. “They were primarily interested in gaining gardening knowledge. At the same time, online learning has become a convenient and accepted way for people to build new skills. We wanted to make that same high-quality education available in a more flexible format.”

The result is a self-paced online program that allows participants to learn on their own schedule while receiving the same research-based instruction provided to Master Gardener trainees.

Designed for Gardeners of All Experience Levels

The course is organized into four standalone modules, allowing participants to focus on their interests and goals. The Core module introduces the science behind successful gardening, including soils, water management, and botany. The Environmentals module explores plant-environment interactions through topics such as plant pathology, entomology, and integrated pest management.

Vegetables, berries, tree fruits, and culinary herbs are explored in the Foods module. Participants interested in landscaping and ornamental plants can enroll in the Ornamentals module, which includes herbaceous plants, woody ornamentals, turf management, and discussions of native and non-native species. Together, the four modules provide a comprehensive overview of home gardening and the science behind successful plant growth.

“First-time homeowners, people who may not have grown up gardening, and lifelong gardeners all find value in the course,” says Madden-Hennessey. “Participants appreciate being able to learn at their own pace and decide which modules best fit their interests.” Many begin with the Core module before enrolling in additional courses, while others choose to complete all four modules.

One of the most valuable aspects of the course is its emphasis on science-based information. Today’s gardeners have access to countless digital sources offering gardening advice. While some of that information is accurate, much of it can be confusing, contradictory, or poorly suited to Connecticut’s growing conditions.

“People often come to the course after trying to sort through information online and wondering what sources they can trust,” Madden-Hennessey says. “We provide research-based information they can rely on.”

Participants learn which gardening practices work and why. By understanding plant biology, soil health, pest management, or environmental conditions, gardeners gain the confidence to make informed decisions in their own landscapes.

Learning from UConn Extension Professionals

UConn Extension’s Master Gardener program provides the course’s educational foundation. Participants receive instruction from UConn Extension professionals and subject matter experts using the same curriculum, ensuring participants receive current, research-based information grounded in university expertise.

The impact of home gardening reaches far beyond producing flowers or vegetables. For many participants, gardening supports greater food security and self-sufficiency as interest in home food production, preservation, and homesteading grows. Gardening also promotes environmental stewardship through practices such as responsible water use, soil management, plant selection, and integrated pest management. These actions can contribute to healthier landscapes and ecosystems throughout Connecticut.

The knowledge gained through the course often spreads beyond individual participants as they share what they have learned with family members, neighbors, and future generations.

According to Madden-Hennessey, the course is unique in both its format and its focus on local growing conditions. Equally important, the curriculum is tailored specifically to Connecticut. Gardening recommendations that work in other states may not be appropriate for Connecticut’s climate, soils, pests, and growing conditions. By focusing on local challenges and opportunities, the course provides practical guidance that participants can apply directly.

“It’s a flexible opportunity,” Madden-Hennessey says. “Some people simply want to become better gardeners, while others may eventually want to pursue Master Gardener certification. This course allows participants to choose the path that’s right for them.”

Whether the goal is growing healthier vegetables, creating a more sustainable landscape, increasing gardening confidence, or exploring future horticultural opportunities, the Fundamentals of Home Gardening course provides Connecticut residents with accessible, research-based education.

This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Fostering Sustainable Landscapes at the Urban-Rural Interface.

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