CSU Extension offering discounted gardening classes for CSU employees

By Katie Dunker
Green School graphic
CSU employees are eligible for a 50% discount on Extension's Certified Colorado Gardener program, known as "Green School."

Whether you’re looking for the best lawn on the block, wanting to transform your backyard into a pollinator garden or just figure out why you can’t grow tomatoes – CSU Extension has you covered.

The Certified Colorado Gardener Program, known as “Green School,” has been providing practical training for amateur and experienced gardeners for 45 years. Since going 100% remote in 2020, the program has seen huge growth with over 1,000 Coloradans digging in to learn.

Colorado Green School

  • Fully online
  • Full-length and short courses
  • Full Course offered at a 50% discount for CSU employees

Register by Jan. 4

Extension is offering both “Full Course” and multiple “Short Course” options to meet everyone’s needs. With each course, regardless of length, participants will receive in-depth horticulture training from CSU faculty, staff, and industry experts.

Both options are structured in a hybrid, online format and include a mix of online courses, webinars, and live web-based Q&A sessions with CSU horticulture experts. Each course is science-based and specific to Colorado’s unique climate, soil, environment, wildlife, and plants.

If you’re a CSU employee interested in enrolling in Green School’s Full Course, offered during the Spring Semester, you’ll need to register by January 4, 2023 to receive your 50% discount.

Learn more by visiting: col.st/0aoOu

A photo of radishes being held with text reading: I loved this course. It was beyond comprehensive, detailed, and also digestible. I feel that everything I learned was relevant to growing my understanding of gardening in Colorado. This course was so beneficial. This is attributed to a 2023 Green School Participant.
Image of a garden with text reading: Green Schyool had lots of actionable information; I can immediately apply what I learned as I continue next season as a home gardener, and I can confidently advise my clients with all I learned. This is attributed to a 2023 Green School Participant.

The Full Course

The Full Course version of Green School is the most comprehensive option. Participants who complete the Full Course will become CSU Certified Colorado Gardeners. The discounted price for CSU employees is $265.

The Full Course includes access to 14 classes and weekly live (virtual) class reviews with CSU subject matter experts, as well as online course access for one year. In order to obtain the Colorado Gardener Certificate, participants must complete 8 online classes and pass the comprehensive final exam.

Full Course classes include:

  • Vegetables & Fruits
  • Soils, Fertilizers, & Amendments
  • Tree Planting & Care
  • Entomology
  • Botany
  • Lawn Care & Irrigation
  • Weed Management
  • Pruning
  • Plant Diagnostics & more!

The Short Courses

Short Courses include 5 classes which are primarily self-paced and online. Admissions are rolling so you can sign-up and start anytime! Some classes may include access to live, interactive webinars. Participants can register for one or multiple short courses and the price is $195 per course.

Learn more about Short Courses at: cmg.extension.colostate.edu

Short Courses include:

A woman kneels in the dirt preparing to plant green vegetable starts
Recent research has established links between gardening and improved physical and mental health.

Colorado Gardening Foundations

Soils, entomology, tree care and planting, Colorado gardening challenges, irrigation

A Colorado garden with native plants
A drought tolerant garden. Photo by Jan Turner from Low-Water Native Plants for Colorado Gardens.

Landscape Management Basics

Soils, lawn care, weed management, irrigation, tree care and planting

Youth and an adult gather around a small container garden on an urban rooftop

Growing Food

Soils, vegetables, small fruits, tree fruits, entomology

Insects on the underside of a bell pepper leaf

Plant Diagnostics

Soils, botany, integrated pest management and plant diagnosis, entomology, plant pathology

What else our students are saying

“I just completed an online bachelor’s degree from another university in an unrelated discipline and Green School is by far the best online course I have taken in terms of both information presented and the interaction, availability, and enthusiasm of the instructors.”

– Green School Participant

“There is so much about Green School that I enjoyed – I can’t stop raving about it. The instructors’ enthusiasm for the course topics was magnetizing. I feel connected to a larger community of gardeners and more equipped with resources as a gardener!”

– Green School Participant

Questions?

Email greenschool@colostate.edu