Healthy gardens require good soil management. We often don't think much about what goes on underground and concentrate on the plant growth above ground but plants rely heavily on appropriate soil. Discover some simple steps to improve your soil to support the sort of garden you enjoy.

Your Tutor is Peter Wilson 

Peter Wilson has been teaching at WEA since 2010. 

Peter has a Certificate in Education from Greenwich University, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, an Advanced Certificate in Urban Horticulture from TAFESA, and a Certificate in Horticulture from TAFESA.

Peter has been teaching horticulture for nearly 30 years both locally and overseas, working with students from 3 years old and up. He has taught accredited and general interest sessions on a broad range of topics in this field and won prizes at Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows.

Course Description

A thriving garden starts from the ground up. 

Soil, Compost and Plant Nutrition is a practical, down-to-earth course designed to help you understand the vital role healthy soil plays in supporting strong, productive plants. 

Whether you’re growing flowers, vegetables, or native plants, this course will give you the knowledge and confidence to assess, improve, and maintain the soil in your garden. 

You’ll discover simple techniques for enhancing soil structure, boosting plant nutrition, and making better compost, tailored to your garden's needs.

With a blend of engaging visual presentations and hands-on demonstrations, you’ll learn how to test soil pH and texture, identify nutrient deficiencies, and choose the best organic materials to enrich your garden beds. 

You’ll also explore how composting can feed the soil and reduce waste. 

Whether you’re new to gardening or looking to take your green thumb to the next level, this course will equip you with practical, sustainable strategies for growing healthier plants from the roots up.

Course Structure

The course begins by examining what makes up soil, including its texture, structure, and pH, and why these factors matter for plant health. 

You’ll take part in simple demonstrations to analyse your own soil and learn how to interpret what the results mean. 

As the course progresses, you’ll explore composting methods and materials that can build soil health naturally, followed by a look at plant nutrition including what plants need, how to spot deficiencies, and how to improve them with the right treatments. 

This session offers practical, garden-friendly advice that’s easy to apply at home.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the basic composition and function of healthy soil
• Identify soil texture, structure, and pH using simple tests
• Recognise the importance of soil health for plant growth and garden productivity
• Improve soil conditions using compost and organic matter
• Understand the nutritional needs of plants and how to address deficiencies
• Use composting techniques to enrich soil and reduce garden waste
• Apply simple, sustainable methods to maintain healthy soil over time
• Make informed choices about soil amendments and fertilisers for their garden