Horticulture distance learning

Hands-on, online courses for gardeners and professionals

All our permaculture, gardening and botanical illustration courses feature practical, hands-on activities because we believe learning by doing is key to any successful online horticulture course. These are non-accredited courses for non-matriculated adult learners, which culminate in a certificate of participation (not a degree or certification). Participants register for enjoyment, to strengthen a skill set, or to inform new directions in their lives.

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Basics

Before enrolling in our courses, please take the time to learn more to make sure they are right for you.

Botanical illustration courses

Botanical Illustration 1: Basic Drawing Techniques

This six-week online course for beginners teaches you how to use plants as the subject of art with easy approaches and many visual examples focusing on line drawing. Cost: $675.

Online

Botanical Illustration 2: Working with Watercolor

This six-week online course encourages your discovery of plants and interest in the plant world by introducing color to your botanical illustration repertoire. Cost: $675.

Online

Botanical Illustration 3: Advanced Techniques

This six-week online course builds on your previous experience and helps you further your technical proficiency using various art media, culminating in the development of a portfolio. Cost: $675.

Online

Permaculture courses

Permaculture 1: Fundamentals of Ecological Design

This six-week online course provides an opportunity for you to build your knowledge about permaculture and ecological design. Cost: $675.

Online

Permaculture Design 2: Ecosystem Mimicry

This six-week online course provides an opportunity for you to further your knowledge about permaculture and ecological design. Cost: $675.

Online

Permaculture Design 3: Practicum

This online course provides an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge about permaculture and ecological design. Cost: $325.

Online

Gardening courses

Organic Gardening

This six-week online course will help new gardeners learn the basics and feel comfortable getting started with organic practices while offering more experienced gardeners the opportunity to expand their knowledge. Cost: $675.

Online

Introduction to Garden Design

In this six-week online course, you will study and experiment with basic design techniques while designing your own garden. Cost: $675.

Online

Planning a Successful School & Community Garden Program

Six-week course provides the tools and support needed to develop a sustainable gardening program. Cost: $675.

Online

New course!

Teaching and Learning in the School Garden: Theory into Practice

This 6-week course focuses on the foundations and teaching strategies of garden-based learning (GBL). It provides the tools and resources for classroom teachers and extension educators to develop school and youth gardening programs that easily integrate into the school curriculum.

Learning activities are designed to put educational theories into practice, through practicum, program and curriculum development, and multi-discipline lesson planning. Students build a final portfolio of standards-based lessons and activities that are ready to use in the school garden and classroom.

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Other online courses offered through the School of Integrative Plant Sciences:

Plant Propagation Workshop Series - Taught by Mark Bridgen, Horticulture Section, School of Integrative Plant Science.
Branching Out courses - Targeted for arborists and landscapers looking to sharpen scouting and diagnostic skills.
Online courses for aspiring, new and experienced farmers. More info our Cornell Small Farms Program website.
Advanced Soil Health International Certificate Training Course. Offering practitioners, educators, and students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the latest science and practices in soil health.
Aquaponics Short Course - Learn the latest in recirculating aquaculture, hydroponics and aquaponics from Cornell experts in plant science, agricultural engineering and animal science.