During this 5-week course taught by horticulturist Mark Highland, discover the foundations of healthy gardening and explore a variety of soils and alternative growing media.
Take a deep dive into how soil health impacts garden productivity and uncover the unique requirements for different growing methods—as well as the vital roles of soil organisms, sustainable soil management practices, and strategies for improving soil quality.
Certificate Information
This class serves as an core component of our Gardening Certificate.
Course Schedule
Wednesdays, June 4-25, 2025
5:00–7:30 pm
Location
Grove Studio 104 & 105
Instructor
Mark Highland
Mark Highland pushed his first shovel into garden soil on a beautiful piece of Illinois farmland. After he "grew up", he earned a B.S. degree in Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida. Highland focused his M.S. degree studies on compost and potting soil. After the Longwood Graduate Program, Highland started an organic, peat-free potting soil company, The Organic Mechanic Soil Company, LLC.
