A gardening course designed specifically for Southern California

What you'll learn...

Anyone can dig a hole and plop in a plant. This course teaches the foundations of successful gardening in Southern California—information that simply isn't available elsewhere.

• How Southern California’s dry, Mediterranean climate and seasonal patterns shape what, when, and how we grow

• The garden as a system: soil, sun, water, weather, plants, and more

• How to understand your garden, both on-the-ground and at a bird's-eye view

• The best plants for Southern California gardens - how to choose them, grow them, and help them thrive

• Dealing with the region's varied and seemingly inhospitable soils

• Managing water, our most precious resource, with irrigation strategies that actually work

• Handling garden insects and critters, from attracting and supporting pollinators to dealing with pests

• And much more...

What you'll get...

Live monthly classes + Q&A

Each month, Nan dives deep into a key topic that builds your garden knowledge. You’ll learn how to garden, why things work (or don’t), and how each lesson applies to your garden.  Classes are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM Pacific. All sessions are recorded so you can participate live or watch/rewatch on your own schedule (a $360 value!).

Personalized garden profile

Create your personalized portfolio that includes a professional-grade site plan for your property, along with information about your garden's soil, sun, rainfall, best plants, and more. 

Monthly office hours

Bring your questions, troubleshoot problems, and celebrate your wins. This is where theory meets your backyard.

GardenWise monthly garden guide

Included in this course is GardenWise, Nan's monthly gardening guide. Discover how to care for your garden each month, learn about new plants perfectly suited to your garden, and more (a $126 value!). 

A supportive online community 

You’ll join a thriving group of current and past students, gardeners just like you who live and grow in the same region. Lifetime access means you’ll always have help, feedback, and encouragement (a $199 value!).

Field trips and tours

Join Nan and your classmates for exclusive behind-the-scenes visits to private and public gardens, nurseries, growers, etc., all focused on what grows in SoCal’s unique environment.

Bonus Content

Get how-to videos and seasonal tips, and stay up-to-date on events that keep you inspired all year long.

What makes this course different?

Forget frustrating generic gardening advice that simply doesn't work here. Fundamentals of Southern California Gardening is tailored to your climate, your soil, and your garden.

Led by Southern California native, Nan Sterman, acclaimed botanist, horticulturist, designer, author, and creator of Public Television's A Growing Passion. This course brings you a lifetime of real-world gardening wisdom — live, in the moment, and rooted in science.

You won’t find this level of Southern California-appropriate gardening insight and information anywhere else.

You'll walk away with...

By the end of the year, you’ll be a confident, Southern California-savvy gardener who understands your garden as a living system. You'll have the tools to troubleshoot problems, make smart decisions, and grow with purpose. And you'll have a garden portfolio that is yours forever.

What comes after Fundamentals of Southern California Gardening? Graduates are eligible for Nan's next level course, Mastering Southern California Gardening!