Course Outline
Lesson 1: Introduction to Botany and Taxonomy
- Introduction to Botany and Taxonomy
1. The definition of “botany”2. Human relationships with plants3. Plant life cycles and bolting4. Overview of plant parts (roots, stems, leaves, modified parts, flowers, seeds)5. Physiological processes of plants (photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration)6. Factors that affect plant growth (light, temperature, water and humidity, nutrients)7. Plants in communities
- Botany Basics
- Plant Identification
Lesson 2: Soils and Plant Nutrients
- The Structure and Functions of Soil
1. Soil composition2. Soil functions within an ecosystem3. Stages of soil formation (weathering, organic matter and ecosystem development, horizon formation, soil and ecosystem maturation)4. Factors of soil formation (parent material, topography, climate, biology, time)5. Soil Life6. Organic Matter (composition, benefits, role in nutrient cycling, cation exchange capacity)7. Soil Water (saturation, field capacity, permanent wilting point)8. Compaction9. NRCS Yukon Flats region soil survey
- Plant Nutrition
1. Nutrient composition of plants2. Soil type and pH3. Common signs of a nutrient deficiency4. Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium deficiencies5. Magnesium, calcium (blossom end rot) and sulfur deficiencies6. Iron, boron and other micronutreint deficiencies7. The “limiting nutrient” concept8. Nutrient deficiencies and pest/disease interactions9. Over-fertilization
- Soils and Fertilizers
Lesson 3: Plant Propagation and Pruning
- Plant Propagation
- Pruning
Lesson 4: Composting, Soil Fertility and Water Quality
- Soil Fertility and Composting
1. Review of plant nutrients2. Chemical fertilizers (N-P-K)3. Organic fertilizers (bone meal, blood meal, Sul-Po-Mag, kelp meal and emulsion, feather meal, fish meal and emulsion)4. Review of pH and soil testing5. The nitrogen cycle (rhizobia and nitrogen fixation, synthetic nitrogen6. Composting (fast vs. slow, compost food web, raw materials, building and caring for a compost pile, using compost)7. Vermiculture (advantages, all about composting worms, worm foodstocks, materials and construction of worm bins, caring for worms)8. Lasagna Gardening (materials, advantages, building a lasagna, maintaining a lasagna)
- Composting
- Your Yard and Water Quality
Lesson 5: Vegetable Gardening
- Keys to Successfully Growing Vegetables in Alaska
1. Choosing a garden site2. Planning a garden3. Basic tools4. Soil preparation5. Direct seeding and transplanting6. Watering and irrigation7. Fertilization techniques (crop nutrient needs, side dressing, fertigation)8. Mulch (organic and plastic)9. Season extension (hoop houses, high tunnels and other plant covers)10. Growing Asparagus11. Harvesting
- Vegetable Gardening
Lesson 6: Berries and Tree Fruit Growing
- Fruits and Berries in Alaska
1. What’s a fruit?2. Reasons to grow fruits in Alaska3. Considerations for fruit growers4. About hardiness zones5. Apples and their relatives6. Siberian kiwi7. Strawberry8. Raspberry9. Native berries
- Home Orchards
- Berry Crops
Lesson 7: Landscape Gardening
- Landscaping with Annuals and Perennials
1. Functions of a Landscape2. Microclimates3. Herbaceous and Woody Perennials, Bulbs and Annuals4. Watering, Seed Starting, Transplanting and Autumn Cleanup5. Plant Selection6. Focal Points, Massing and Formal and Informal Design7. Plant Selection by Biology, Color, Texture and Foliage8. Designing and Caring for Container Gardens9. Landscape Change
- Edible Flowers for the Home Landscape
- Herbaceous and Ornamental Plants
- Woody Landscape Plants
Lesson 8: Lawn Care
- Lawns for Alaska
1. Deciding Which Grass to Plant2. Establishing a New Lawn3. Lawn Maintenance4. Lawn Renovation
- Lawns
Lesson 9: Houseplants
- Houseplant Care and Propagation
- Houseplants
Lesson 10. Entomology and Vertebrate Pest Management
- Beneficial Insects
- Basic Entomology
- Vertebrate Pest Management
Lesson 11: Plant Disease
- Plant Disease Diagnosis and Management
- Plant Disease
- Diagnosing Plant Problems
Lesson 12: Weed Management, IPM, Pesticides
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Alaska
1. IPM Strategy tips2. The Diagnosis Tool Box3. Control Methods
- Risky Pests for Alaska
- Integrated Pest Management
- Weed Management
- Understanding Pesticides