Growing your own vegetables is a rewarding hobby.  If you’ve always dreamed of starting a veggie garden, the Certificate of Home Vegetable Growing is ideal for you.

So hoe in, green thumb at the ready, and enjoy some fresh produce straight from your own backyard!

In this professional development course, you’ll discover how to grow your own fresh, delicious, seasonal vegetables all year round, learn how to build a vegetable garden (including container, raised and organic growing) and how to create a healthy compost.

You’ll also learn how to make optimal use of land, water and fertiliser to reap the best harvest, and how to implement watering and irrigation systems. 

You’ll also study pests, disease and weed control, tips on hydroponic and greenhouse growing and harvesting, as well as how to store and use your homegrown vegetables.  

On completion of this course, you’ll be well equipped to create a thriving vegetable garden at home!

Learning Outcomes

• Identify a range of different vegetables
• Determine sources and significance for information on vegetable growing
• Describe the planting and cultivation of a range of different vegetables
• Define production of some of the varieties of vegetables grown by home gardeners
• Evaluate and determine treatments for a range of common pests, disease and weed problems that affect vegetables
• Determine and describe methods for producing a range of vegetable crops out of season
• Describe the production of some of the varieties of vegetables less commonly grown by home gardeners
• Determine and describe ways of managing the water needs of vegetables in a home garden
• Describe when and how to harvest different types of vegetable crops
• Explain a range of methods for storing and using vegetables after harvest
• Compile a resource file of organisations related to home vegetable growing
• Compile reviews of sixteen different vegetables suitable for growing at home
• Carry out necessary soil tests on two different soils
• Obtain or make up a propagating mix
• Make a vegetable garden
• Identify weed species in a vegetable garden and suggest control methods
• Make notes about pests and diseases in a home vegetable garden
• Understand weedicides and pesticides appropriate for use on vegetable crops
• Dry, bottle or freeze a vegetable you have not preserved before
• List 20 different vegetables with information about their culture and harvest
• Explore the different types of web content including articles, blogs and newsletters
• Understand how to link your content with social media platforms 

8 Must-Haves for the Novice Gardener

The basics for the home gardener should focus on quality over quantity. Because, as a beginner, you don’t want to spend unnecessarily. Plus, by investing in the best quality, your budget allows you’ll save space (in the garden shed) and the time it takes to replace inferior equipment. Remember, good quality garden equipment will serve you well if you keep up the maintenance.

1. Spade

Look for a spade with a high-quality steelhead and a rounded handle. The spade is the workhorse of the garden, so don’t cut corners on quality.

2. Gloves

A good quality pair of gardening gloves is another essential in the beginner gardener’s kit, but you don’t need to spend a fortune. Bunnings has a high-quality, comfortable pair of gardening gloves for $3.

3. Pruning Shears 

Another workhorse worth investing in is pruning shears (also known as secateurs). These are an essential tool for pruning roses, trimming, deadheading and general gardening use. To help you cut through sturdy stems, look for a bypass blade and gear technology. 

4. Rake

Plastic rakes are durable, inexpensive and are excellent for raking leaves. But you’ll also need to invest in a steel rake for smoothing out soil and levelling the ground.

5. Watering Can

Watering cans are valuable when transplanting or seeding outside, as hoses can be too harsh and sprinklers often leave areas dry while soaking others. You can choose between plastic, ceramic or metal but look for a quality watering can with a cap and the end and small holes to break water into droplets. This design keeps water pressure low and evenly distributes water onto plants.

6. Garden Hose

When choosing a quality garden hose, look for a cast brass (rather than cheap metal) fittings. You should also select a heavy-duty, high-grade rubber hose to avoid kinking. You’ll also want a hose that rolls up earlier in any weather.

7. Sprinkler 

An oscillating sprinkler is ideal for watering large areas of grass or large garden beds that have plants with similar irrigation needs.

 8. Wheelbarrow 

At some point, most gardeners – even novice ones – will require the help of a wheelbarrow to complete garden tasks. Whether it’s moving soil, mulch, garden debris or moving large shrubs or bricks from one point to another, a good quality wheelbarrow is a must. Look for a high-quality steel wheelbarrow that’s lightweight to take care of heavy-duty jobs. 

So, are you ready to get your green thumb on? Study the Certificate of Home Vegetable Growing and plant and harvest your own fresh veggies in the backyard.