Course Content
Module 1: Welcome, Orientation & Garden Planning
Vegetable Gardening for Resilience Curriculum 📚 Course Description This 8-week hybrid course empowers learners to build food resilience through organic gardening, low-cost techniques, and community connection. Lessons are spaced out biweekly, allowing time to reflect, apply lessons, and build gardens between sessions. Key Notes: Audience: Atlanta Proper Residents, 18-55 Pacing: Biweekly lessons, Live sessions Week 1 and Week 16 Online Class Times: Tuesdays, 6-8PM EST Climate/Season: Planning for June – October Atlanta growing season Starter Kits: Distributed at Kickoff Event (May 30, 2025) Costs: Minimal; encourage resourcefulness Focus: Container gardening, vertical gardening, herbs/vegetables suited for Atlanta 📈 Course Structure Week 1: Live Kickoff Event Weeks 2–16: LMS distance learning (video lessons, activities, reflections) Week 16: Live Closing Event & Certificate Ceremony ✅ Weekly Components Video Lesson Downloadable PDF Tools Hands-On Activity Prompt Guest Speaker Recording or Notes Weekly Reflection Journal Uploads (photo or short response)
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Live Virtual Class JUNE 24th 6:30pm ONLINE SESSION
00:27
VIRTUAL CLASS CALENDAR & MEETING LINKS
Garden Starter Kit Instructions & DIY Alternatives
00:27
Small Space Gardening Setup: Grow Herbs & Vegetables Anywhere – DIY Ideas
05:31
🌱 Vision Mapping Worksheet - (Digital)
Introduction to food deserts and local food justice -Why Grow Your Own Food?” – Ron Finley (TED Talk Clip)
10:46
🌿 Why Organic Gardening Matters (and How to Start Small)
05:34
Reflection Prompt
📸 Share Your Progress — Upload Your Photos Here!
Module 2: Soil, Compost & Regenerative Practices
Topics: Container gardening, vertical gardening, square-foot gardening Companion planting and natural pest control Facilitator Notes: Demonstrate container and trellis setups Share DIY pest control methods Guide participants through first plantings Activity: Hands-on: Plant in containers or seed trays Reflection Prompt: What space(s) do you have to grow something new?
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Live Virtual Class 7/8/25 6:30pm
Soil basics and low-cost soil improvement
26:48
Demonstrations of composting and soil prep
06:01
Container gardening, vertical gardening, square-foot gardening
27:58
Companion planting and intro to natural pest control
18:26
Demonstration of Container and Trellis Setups
15:21
DIY pest control methods
02:07
Planting Activity Reflection Prompt
🌱 Fun Facts: Soil, Compost & Regenerative Gardening
Share Your Progress — Upload Your Photos Here!
Module 3: Seed Starting & Transplanting
Topics: Container gardening, vertical gardening, square-foot gardening Companion planting and natural pest control Facilitator Notes: Demonstrate container and trellis setups Share DIY pest control methods Guide participants through first plantings Activity: Hands-on: Plant in containers or seed trays Reflection Prompt: What space(s) do you have to grow something new?
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Live Virtual Class 7/22/25
Container gardening, vertical gardening, square-foot gardening What Seeds Need to Grow
09:12
Starting Seeds Indoors or Outdoors
12:50
Germination & Temperature Tips
02:59
Hardening Off Seedlings
05:18
Transplanting Safely: Step-by-Step
Hands-on: Plant in containers or seed trays Reflection Prompt: [Workbook Activity] Planting Calendar Template
Module 4:Garden Care, Harvest & Preservation
Updated Module Description: In this module, you’ll learn the essentials of keeping your vegetable garden thriving—from smart watering and mulching to eco-friendly pest management. You’ll also discover how to recognize when your crops are ready to harvest and get hands-on practice with simple preservation methods to enjoy your harvest year-round.
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LIVE CLASS
Watering, Mulching & Pest Management
09:10
Signs of ripeness and harvesting techniques
21:01
Simple produce preservation (freezing, pickling, drying):
04:51
Demonstrate harvest timing for common crops
10:23
Fermentation – Preserving & Sharing Your Harvest
48:15
Hands-On: Basic Preservation—Drying Herbs
Reflection Prompt: Hands-On: Basic Preservation—Drying Herbs
Module 5: Beyond the Harvest – Storage, Sharing & Enjoyment
When to Harvest Leafy Greens, Herbs & Roots Basic Post-Harvest Care & Cleaning Short-Term Storage Tips Using What You Grow (Food, Teas, Medicinals) [Checklist] Harvest & Storage Log
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Live Virtual Class
02:30
Why Harvesting Matters
09:17
Harvesting Basics – Timing & Techniques
08:08
Harvesting for Community & Market
08:07
Post-Harvest Care – Extending Shelf Life
Lesson Title: You’re Done – What’s Next?
Connecting with food banks, CSAs, and farmers markets
23:14
Brainstorming Monetization Options
18:06
Hands-On Assignment – Draft a Simple Sales or Donation Plan
08:14
Reflection Prompt- How would it feel to feed others from your garden?
Harvest Excess – Too Much of a Good Thing
Module 5 Reflection Prompts
Share Photos
Module 6: Grow Smarter – Advanced Growing Techniques Topics: Garden Storytelling & Teaching Others
0/6
Live Virtual Class 9/9/25
Succession planting, crop rotation, season extension
02:53
Composting and soil health improvement
02:36
How to plan second plantings and soil regeneration
04:30
Garden Storytelling & Teaching Others
Reflective Prompts
Module 7: From Seed to Community – Involvement & Advocacy Topics: Garden-Based Business Ideas
Community outreach, seed swaps, garden clubs Hosting neighborhood garden events Facilitator Notes: Guide participants to create flyers or posts for local engagement Encourage sharing surplus or knowledge with neighbors Activity: Hands-on: Plan or promote a community garden event Reflection Prompt: What role can your garden play in your community?
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Live Virtual Class – 9/23/25 Guest Speaker Cheryl Paswater
Map Your Local Channels (People + Places)
Host or Co-Host a Neighborhood Garden Event
13:50
Garden-Based Business Ideas (Starter Paths)
02:56
Partner with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
11:22
Communication Kit: Flyers & Social Posts (Copy Provided)
30-Day Community & Monetization Plan
Reflection Prompts
Module 8: Live Celebration & Future Steps:
Topics: Showcase gardens and share stories Set long-term gardening goals and action plans Facilitator Notes: Host virtual or in-person share-out session Celebrate accomplishments and distribute certificates Activity: Hands-on: Create a seasonal plan for next planting Reflection Prompt: What did this garden grow in you?
🌱 FREE PUBLIC COURSE – Grow Where You Are: Vegetable Gardening for Resilience ATL R.O.O.T.S. application portal

Overview
Keep beds productive all season while protecting soil health. Plan successions, rotate families, and add simple season-extension.

 

Core Content

  • Succession basics: Replant quick crops every 2–3 weeks (lettuce, radish, bush beans). Stagger plantings to avoid gluts.

  • Rotation by family: Move Solanaceae (tomato/pepper), Brassicas (kale/cabbage), Cucurbits (cucumber/squash), Alliums, Legumes to a new bed each season/year to reduce pests and disease.

  • Follow-on pairs (examples):

    • Spring peas → Summer bush beans → Fall spinach

    • Early lettuce → Bush beans → Fall carrots

    • Garlic harvest → Summer okra → Fall greens

  • Season extension (simple): Row cover for frost/light pest pressure; low tunnels or shade cloth for heat; mulch to stabilize moisture and soil temp.

  • Mini calendar: Note “days to maturity (DTM)” for each crop and count back from first frost/heat peak to set last plant dates.

 

Reflection Prompts

  • Which two beds can you succession-plant next, and what crops follow?

  • What is one season-extension tool you will add this month?

 

Discussion Prompts

  • Share a three-crop sequence you plan for one bed.

  • What rotation challenge are you solving this season?

 

Key Takeaways

  • Succession + rotation = steady harvests and fewer problems.

  • Count DTM backwards to place final plantings on the calendar.

  • Simple covers and mulch extend both cool and warm-season windows.

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