It's time to dig in.
Are you confident your garden soil has everything your plants need to survive and thrive?
Do you have a regular supply of compost to feed your soil and plants?
Have you created a garden that works with nature to get better each season...even if you can't spend as much time as you'd like in it?
If not, let's get started! In this course, you'll bring your soil to life and see your garden thrive.
If you want to grow in ways that are good for your family and good for the planet, this course was made just for you.
Imagine if...
...your garden thrived the whole season long.
...you no longer felt frustrated by weeds or pests (because they can't even make a dent!)
...you carried handfuls of bright flowers and fresh veggies inside each day.
...you had delightful visits from more wildlife, like songbirds and butterflies.
...you knew your garden was a safe, toxin-free place for your family to play, eat, and relax.
Yes! It's possible, and you can take steps today
to create a garden you love.
Like you, I love the lush mid-summer garden, the flavors of homegrown food, the hum of bees at work, and the way my son's face lights up when he pulls a carrot. But this kind of happy garden doesn't come from planting seeds alone.
When you create and nurture healthy soil, everything else about gardening is easier.
A happy garden starts with a foundation of healthy soil.
Here's what you need to know...
- Plants actually hire tiny living things in soil to be fertilizers, mineral excavators, and guards against disease. They pay in sugar.
- Without this miniature work crew, fallen leaves, manure, and dead animals would be piled up miles high. Instead, they get broken down into perfect plant food.
- It's not just plants and their minions. The best gardens have structures that keep air moving through the soil and sponges that store water for later.
If you want an abundant garden for your family, caring for your soil is critical.You need the plants, their microscopic minions, the structures, and the sponges. They all work together to make a strong foundation.
You wouldn’t build a house without a foundation. Your garden starts from the ground up, too.
Introducing the Foundations of a Happy Garden Course...
Foundations of a Happy Garden is a multimedia online training that teaches you how to bring your soil to life so your family can grow more food, fun, and beauty. It includes videos, worksheets, and more.
We'll start with the big picture and some really cool science. Then, I'll give you specific, repeatable action steps. We call them habits. They build on themselves and each other for a garden that gets better and better every year.
By the end, you'll...
- Know which weekend projects can give you a great head start,
- Create a composting system that's easy, doesn't gross you out, and does give you lots of "black gold,"
- Learn how to build great soil by letting nature do the work,
- Understand which actions to take in which season,
- Have a customized plan to fit your garden and lifestyle,
- And a whole lot more.
Let's dig a bit deeper.
Foundations of a Happy Garden is delivered over 6 weeks. Each Monday, you receive the lessons for the week with videos and worksheets. (We cover two modules in weeks 2 and 3.) If you have questions, you can email me.
You can expect to spend 1.5-2 hours each week on the video lessons and worksheets.
You'll also be invited to "Office Hours" for one full year. These are our monthly group calls where you can ask specific questions or get help from myself and the group to troubleshoot garden issues.
You have lifetime access to the course materials, so if you aren't able to devote time to the course one week, no worries! You can catch up and revisit lessons anytime.
Here's a sneak-peek at what's inside the course curriculum.
Module 1: The SOIL ART Approach
- Discover why soil is the deciding factor in your garden's success or failure.
- Find out the 7 healthy soil habits every gardener should cultivate (and how they build on each other to give you more harvest and less work)
- Turn your garden to-do list into a focused plan for success
Module 2: The Dirt on Dirt (The science-y bit)
- Get a glimpse into the hidden world beneath your boots.
- Know which part of soil is most important when it comes to your garden
- Learn why blueberries hate Western U.S. soils (and what you can do about it)
- Meet the wild and wonderful residents of soil
Module 3: What Kind of Soil Do I Have? (DIY soil testing time!)
- Understand your soil better by getting your hands dirty
- Find out what worms can tell you
- Learn 5 tests you can do for FREE (plus 2 more that only cost a few bucks)
- Make sure your next "lab" test gives you results you can actually use
Module 4: The Gold in Compost
- Get ready to make your own "black gold"
- Learn a basic compost recipe you can adapt based on your own resources
- Find out why the "carbon-to-nitrogen" ratio doesn't have to be confusing
Module 5: A Method to Your Composting Madness
- Find the perfect composting method for your yard and lifestyle
- Discover the difference between "lazy" and active compost (and why both can work...in different ways)
- Explore 12+ different methods you could try, including a few that work all winter long!
Module 6: The Magic of Mulch
- See the 3 ways mulch can benefit more than just your plants
- Find out where you should NEVER add thick mulch
- Learn why one type of mulch could kill your garden and how to avoid it
Module 7: The Power of Plant Allies
- Learn what and when to plant for best results
- Find out which cover crops work best for your season and location
- Create an easy system for keeping your annual veggies healthier with bed rotations
Module 8: The Benefits of Biodiversity
- Explore how to boost biodiversity to new levels!
- Learn the three requirements for any gardener who wants to grow with nature
- Pull it all together into a plan for your own yard and a timeline to make it happen
Watch a Preview
Here's a sample lesson so that you can see for yourself what the course is like. This one's called The 7 Healthy Soil Habits.
And that's not all! Take a look at these bonuses...
Bonus #1
Live Q&A Group Calls
During these "Gardeners' Meetup" calls, you'll be able to ask questions and get help about your specific situation. If you have a question about the training, your garden, or anything related to gardening, we can talk about it during a call. The group size will be limited to make discussion possible, and you'll also meet others in the Gardens That Matter community. You'll get access to meetups for four months.
Bonus #2
Pick the Perfect Garden Location Workbook
The checklists and exercises inside will help you:
understand your site,
place your garden wisely,
and improve your site even more.
Bonus #3
Composting Bundle
Happy Garden Guide to Composting Digital Book, Quick Start Class, and Book Owner's Bonus Area
The Happy Garden Guide to Composting will show you how to transform trash into treasure.
- 100 pages of action steps, colorful photography, and fun infographics
- Delivered as a PDF (an easily searchable format that works on almost any platform)
- Designed for easy reading on screen and convenient printing on letter-sized paper
Quick Start Class
A three-part video series about the basics of composting. In less than an hour, you'll be ready to start a bin
and know just what to put inside!
Online Bonus Area
As a book owner, you get access to a special bonus area that includes:
- Tutorials for wire bins, worm bins, sheet mulching, and more.
- Videos about composting challenges you might face.
- Printables to help you choose a method, manage the ins and outs of your system, and troubleshoot your compost problems.
What Readers Are Saying
The infographics are AWESOME! I also liked the quick start section. Sometimes when you're excited about something you want to START NOW, so this is great feature. The book was motivating to me and inspired me to take our own composting system up a notch!
- Amylee, ProductiveMama.com, Albuquerque, New Mexico
What Are Students Saying?
My garden has improved...
"My garden has improved since the composting course and I’m keen to keep moving forward. I like Amy's balanced and friendly approach to gardening. I’m noticing the garden ecosystem is finally beginning to balance itself out. I was so excited this year to see a few different avian visitors to my garden, including a fuzzy-caterpillar-eating bird, a shining bronze cuckoo, which is not common where I live"
- Julie from Bunbury, Western Australia
Happy Garden Challenge, Pollinator Paradise Workshop,
and Foundations of a Happy Garden
We successfully grew...
"I took Amy's class and challenge because I wanted to grow food with my family this year, but I wasn't sure how to get started. Amy is a great mentor, and she gave me personalized advice about my location and specific housing situation. Thanks to her input, we successfully grew tomatoes, potatoes, and peas...and started a compost bin!"
- Melissa from Pella, Iowa
Happy Garden Challenge and Gardening With Kids Workshop
I am so impressed...
"I am so impressed. The challenge was so professional and informative. As a fairly experienced gardener (and experienced with kids gardener), I was pleasantly surprised by all of the hints and new things I learned. Amy really helped me streamline what I wanted to accomplish in my garden and focus my energy in that direction. I highly recommend her to all levels of gardener and all sizes and ages of families!"
- Jessica from Albuquerque, New Mexico
Happy Garden Challenge
I want you to be able to join the class without worrying about any risks, so...
I've Got a Good-As-Black-Gold 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Try Foundations of a Happy Garden...
...100% RISK FREE.
We have a 60-day unconditional money-back guarantee. I am confident our course and book can help you create healthy soil and a happy garden.
In fact, if you aren't satisfied, you can simply send me an email (amy@gardensthatmatter.com) requesting a refund at any time. I'll make arrangements immediately.
The best part is this:
If you think Foundations of a Happy Garden can work for you, you should enroll today.
Because you can go through the course with me...and see if it's right for you. No guess work needed. Use the material, watch the videos, and see for yourself.
If it works, your garden will never be the same. If it doesn't work for you, email me and I'll give you a prompt refund. You'll get to keep the bonus materials as our gift to you.
We want you to be thrilled with your investment. That's why I'm happy to offer this risk-free guarantee.
Join Foundations of a Happy Garden Today
Foundations of a Happy Garden Only
- Learn how to build great soil by letting nature do the work
- Create a composting system that's easy, doesn't gross you out, and produces lots of "black gold"
- Know which weekend projects can give you a great head start
- Understand which actions to take in which season
- Create a customized plan to fit your garden and lifestyle
- 8 modules with video lessons, worksheets, and more
- Bonus #1: Live "Q&A" Calls
- Bonus #2: Pick the Perfect Location workbook
- Bonus #3: Happy Garden Guide to Composting book and mini-course bundle
- Lifetime access and updates
All Access Membership
- Everything in the Foundations Only plan AND...
- Access our full library of classes and webinars on sustainable gardening
- Explore monthly themes with online discussions and expert speakers
- Follow a clear, step-by-step guide with the Gardening Success Path
- Join weekly live meetups to continue developing your skills and connecting with others.
- Get encouragement, support, and help troubleshooting challenges in the community. You'll be able to help others, too!
- Ad-free, algorithm-free social network you will help shape
- Ongoing support and guidance as you apply what you learn!
See You Soon!
When you click Add to Cart, you'll asked to enter your payment details and check out through our secure site.
If you're a new student, you'll create a login during this process.
If you're a returning student, welcome back. 🙂 You'll also create a login during checkout, as our system is getting an update this month.
After that, I'll send you additional details about the class by email.
I'm excited to see you in this hands-on, in-depth class!
If you have any questions or hesitations, please check out the FAQ section, below.
If you still need help or have any other questions for me, please email me at amy@gardensthatmatter.com.
Thank you and happy gardening!
Frequently Asked Questions
What others have asked before digging into Foundations of a Happy Garden
When does the course start and finish?
The self-guided course begins when you make your purchase. You'll get the first module and bonus materials. The remaining modules are released once a week over the next six weeks.
After that, you have on-demand, lifetime access to the materials. You can return anytime to watch videos, download worksheets, and revisit lessons at your own pace.
What media does the course use?
We use video, audio, and written media to deliver this course, and you can use them on any device.
How long do I have access to the course?
You have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own. (There may be a week or so when the course is unavailable due to annual updates. I'll notify you in advance.)
What if I've never gardened before?
This course is designed for gardeners from beginner to intermediate. If you are early in your gardening journey, you could have an incredible advantage over a typical beginning gardener and take seasons off the usual learning curve. If you've been growing plants for awhile, these insights and habits will help you take your garden's health to a whole new level, while making it easier to take care of each year.
What is your refund policy?
I offer a 100% unconditional money-back 60-day "Good-as-Black-Gold Guarantee."I want you to be thrilled when you purchase classes and books from Gardens That Matter. If you're not, simply email me (amy@gardensthatmatter.com) for a full refund.
You've read this far, so you know how important soil is for your garden's success. What you may not know is that the longer you wait, the less impact your soil care routines will have.
Living things need time to eat, grow, and reproduce. Many of the microbes in your compost and soil continue to grow and spread through any weather. Each of your actions to nurture soil grows exponentially when you start early.
You can take steps, TODAY, to boost these natural cycles.
Your garden, dinner table, and family will benefit.
About the Instructor: Amy Landers
Amy Landers is a nature nerd, garden educator and mom of three boys. She’s been gardening and composting for more than 25 years.
Through GardensThatMatter.com, Amy and her husband Colby teach families how to grow beautiful, bountiful gardens together.
They share step-by-step lessons, garden tips, interviews with successful gardeners, and stories from their own small homestead. They share both the successes and the messes to help other families grow gardens that matter.
The time to start is now.
You want your garden to be a joy...not a drag. And now, you know that healthy soil is the key.
I'd love for you to join me in Foundations of a Happy Garden, but maybe you're still not sure if it's right for you...
You've got two options:
1. Email me with your questions at amy@gardensthatmatter.com. If it's not a good fit, I'll let you know. Be sure to include your phone number.
2. Enroll in the class and see for yourself. Remember, I've got a 100% unconditional money-back guarantee - 60 days risk-free means you can go through the entire course and, if you're not satisfied, still request a refund. I want you to be thrilled with your experience and results!