Cultivating Communities is a six-week online program from Clemson Cooperative Extension that will help new and beginning gardeners kick start their community garden projects successfully. In this introductory horticulture course, participating gardeners will acquire the essential skills and knowledge to create, sustain, and care for their community garden at each stage, from planning to planting to harvesting.

Topics covered in this course include: planning and analysis for your community garden project; selecting a site, designing the garden, and creating infrastructure; raised bed and in-ground gardening, as well as irrigation and fertility; vegetable, herb, and fruit gardening; attracting beneficial insects and managing common garden pests; safely harvesting and storing produce, and sustainably managing the garden. 

 Participating gardeners will engage in the course through instructional videos, quizzes, and practical activities to help them begin the community garden development process. Upon completing the course, participating gardeners will earn a digital badge.

Participants will receive course materials shipped to the address provided, including the Seasonal Planting Guide & Calendar for South Carolina School & Community Gardens, a Clemson Extension soil analysis, a pest management guide or manual (TBD by instructor), and a rain gauge or garden thermometer (TBD by instructor).