SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 9:33:47 AMSUSAG 131 Course Outline as of Fall 2013

Terminated Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  SUSAG 131Title:  ORG GARDENING BASICS  
Full Title:  Organic Gardening Basics
Last Reviewed:3/22/2004

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum1.00Lecture Scheduled1.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled17.50
Minimum.50Lab Scheduled03 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total1.00 Contact Total17.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  35.00Total Student Learning Hours: 52.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  AG 297.53F

Catalog Description:
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An introduction to small-scale home gardening using organic production standards.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
An introduction to small-scale home gardening using organic production standards.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.  Explain organic certification procedures.
2.  Identify appropriate crops for the Sonoma County climate.
3.  Discuss basic principles of irrigation and water management.
4.  Distinguish between soil texture and structure.
5.  Select appropriate organic fertilizers for specific applications.
6.  Distinguish between organic and inorganic fertilizers.
7.  Plan and design a garden appropriate to a specific site and crop selection.
8.  Construct a compost pile according to principles of composting.
9.  Compare the effects of various types of mulches.
10. Identify pests and apply appropriate integrated pest management treatments.
11. Identify local marketing outlets.

Topics and Scope
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I. Overview of Organic Gardening
 A. Current status and statistics
 B. Organic certification procedures
II. Sonoma County Climate
 A. General climate / microclimates
 B. Growing season
 C. Frost dates
III. Soils and Irrigation
 A. Physical properties of soil
 B. Effects on plant growth
 C. Basic concepts of soil water
  1. Effect of soil type on water management practices
  2. Water holding capacities
 D. Soil fertility
  1. Essential elements
  2. Nutrient function
  3. Nutrient deficiencies
IV. Planning and Designing the Garden
 A. Site selection
 B. Layout
 C. Crop selection
   1. Cover crops
   2. Crop rotation
V. Compost and Mulch
 A. Compost
   1. Definition
   2. Purpose of composting
   3. Key ingredients in compost
   4. Factors influencing decomposition
   5. Constructing a compost pile
   6. Compost application
 B. Mulch
   1. Types
   2. Effects of various types of mulches
   3. Selecting appropriate mulch
VI. Fertilization of Garden Soils
  A. Types of fertilizers
   1. Organic
   2. Synthetic
  B. Selecting appropriate fertilizer
VII.Managing Pests Organically
 A. Pest ID
   1. Weeds
   2. Insects
   3. Diseases
   4. Vertebrates
 B. Integrated pest management methods
   1. Prevention
   2. Cultural
   3. Mechanical/physical
   4. Chemical
VIII.Harvest and Post-harvest Handling
IX. Marketing

Assignments:
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1. Crop report: select a particular crop and write a 2-page report
2. Home garden design
3. Reading: 10 - 30 pages per week

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
30 - 40%
Crop report.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
30 - 40%
Home garden design.
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
30 - 40%
Attendance and participation.


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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THE GARDENER'S TABLE. Richard Merrill and Joe Ortiz. Ten Speed Press, 2000.
CALIFORNIA MASTER GARDENER'S HANDBOOK. Dennis R. Pittenger, ed. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 3382, 2002.
THE SUSTAINABLE VEGETABLE GARDEN: A BACKYARD GUIDE TO HEATLHY SOIL AND HIGHER YIELDS. John Jeavons and Carol Cox, Ten Speed Press, 1999.

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