Fundamentals of
Southern California
Gardening
You know your garden. Now learn to understand it — why things work, why they fail, and how to make choices that are right for this climate, this soil, this place.
As seen in...
You've put in
the work.
Now go deeper.
This course is for gardeners who already have their hands in the soil and want a better understanding what's actually happening there and why.
You love your garden, but you're still guessing
You've built something real. But certain things still fail, problems resurface, and you're not always sure why. This course replaces guesswork with an understanding of the science, the system, the reasoning behind what works here.
Your garden has changed and you're catching up
Climate change is real and it shows up in your garden. Longer dry spells, off-season weather, plants behaving differently than they used to. You need frameworks that help you respond, not just a list of things that worked before.
You're ready for one authoritative source
You've pieced together information from books, YouTube, and trial and error. Now you want the complete picture from someone who knows this climate inside out.
The why
behind your
garden.
How Southern California's climate actually works — the seasonal logic, the microclimates, and why the rules are genuinely different from everywhere else.
Your garden as a system — soil, sun, water, plants, and weather working together. Understand the relationships and you can troubleshoot anything.
Water, our most precious resource — irrigation strategies that actually work here, and how to use water intelligently without sacrificing the garden you want.
Choosing plants that belong here — not just drought-tolerant lists, but how to evaluate any plant for your conditions and set it up to thrive.
How to read and respond to your garden — so you stop repeating the same mistakes and start making decisions with real confidence.
There is
nothing else
like this.
Direct access to Nan every month
Nan teaches classes herself. You get her knowledge, her experience, and the ability to ask your specific questions.
Science-based
You'll learn principles, not just practices, which means you can apply what you learn to any situation, including ones you've never encountered before.
Built entirely for Southern California
Every lesson is calibrated to this climate, from Santa Barbara to San Diego, Riverside to the coast.
A community of gardeners at your level
Connect with others who take their gardens seriously and understand the deep satisfaction (and occasional frustration) of growing something here.
Nan Sterman
Horticulturist, designer, author & PBS host
Nan has spent her career building a depth of knowledge about Southern California horticulture that simply doesn't exist anywhere else. She has designed hundreds of gardens across the region, taught more than a thousand students, and brought that knowledge to public television through A Growing Passion.
What graduates say.
"This course is the best thing that has happened to my gardening game. The live classes are extremely informative. There is always something new to learn even if you are a seasoned gardener. You won't regret it."Annette G.
"Nan's depth of knowledge and ability to make it understandable has allowed me to grow and feel much more confident in my own garden."Denise H.
"Every time we have Garden School, I get reinvigorated to take care of my garden. Nan covers everything from botany to irrigation to design. Before you know it, you've learned so many new things."Erela R.
FAQ
How does the course work?
Live classes on Zoom, first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM Pacific. Office hours on the third Tuesday. All sessions recorded and shared within a week.
What if I can't attend live?
Every session is recorded and available to watch — and rewatch — at any point through August 31, 2026.
How much experience do I need?
This course is designed for gardeners with some hands-on experience who are ready to understand their practice at a deeper level. You don't need a background in botany — just genuine engagement with your garden.
What region is this for?
Southern California's dry Mediterranean climate: Santa Barbara to San Diego, east to Riverside County (excluding the deserts).
What comes after this course?
Graduates are eligible for Nan's next-level program, Mastering Southern California Gardening.
What's the refund policy?
Full refund within 30 days of purchase. Contact us at any time.
