More Course Critiques 2008:

1 Course outline I found very good
2 Course content interesting and informative
3 Lessons flowed smoothly
4 Excellent practical leader made lessons fun
5 Not much time left for questions and answers

*****
Back in December 2007 when PTG asked registrants to email about gardening background I explained mine was very limited and I was looking forward to hopefully learning through the class how to correct my mistakes or make better decisions to start with.

Frankly, I found the initial quiz a little intimidating but soon realized you knew your intended audience and was not going to talk over our heads. The class on tools simplified the matter tremendously - no more being out there with a spade when I should be using a border fork. Unfortunately, I missed the class concerning soil conditions however appreciated at the start of the next class, the recapping of this lesson. The classes involving chemistry, botanical names and garden designs were interesting and informative, making some relatively complex issues more tangible and better appreciated - prompting a willingness to further investigate.
The 2.5 hour class duration at biweekly intervals was suitable (although an extra class or two would be welcomed) I appreciated the recaps of previous lessons that took place at the start of each new class and the consistent and timely emailed updates or notices.
The class set up was comfortable - able to see and hear well. Good atmosphere all round, everyone seemed friendly and interested in being there. Heck, I even liked break time and the tasty treats.

By the end of 6th class I felt I'd gained more respect and comfort with what I'll be dealing with whether out in my yard, readin up on gardening related items or browsing through the nursery. I now recognize wher I've made mistakes and the corrective action needed.
Suggestions on how it might go differently next time:
- If possible have one or two extra classes - maybe include a quest speaker
(perhaps Margaret?)
- A bit more explanation on the garden(s) lay out at the fairground, what is
planted, what is anticipated, how students will be organized for the "doing"
starting in the spring and into summer and fall.

*******
I thank you very much for conducting this course. I have enjoyed it thoroughly, as my family and friends can attest, given how much of it I have related back to them secondhand. The “ah-ha” learnings that stick in my mind particularly are listed below. I now know:

· the difference between a shovel and a spade, and will refrain from digging with
my shovel in future.
· when it is ok to buy inexpensive tools, and when you should buy the best tools
you can afford. I am now the proud owner of a Lee Valley English border fork
and a pair of ergonomic Felco pruners. I am still not convinced that I can give up
my trowel, but I am sure that a summer of hands-on experience will do away with
that illusion.
· the way I edge my garden is actually the right way!
· how to sharpen my knives on the bottom of my ceramic plates.
· that my garden soil needs to mimic the natural composition of soil in a forest.
I will use mulch and give up putting materials in a trench.
· that peat moss and aeration are not useful, but I can permanently improve my clay
soil by adding a layer of sand every spring.
· I should use two compost boxes and leave each for two years, off-set.
· botanical names of plants are useful to avoid confusion. I have purchased some
labels from Lee Valley and plan to identify my existing perennials so that I will
learn their names.
· a garden should please all senses and have different features per view. I tend
to focus on the view from my deck, but will now adjust my garden to have various
focal points depending on the view.
As for suggestions to improve, they are few and far between. I am actually a corporate training manager. I spend my days coaching my trainers to make their sessions more effective. I could share with you the typical adult learning techniques that we use to ensure that participants remain engaged and retain the content of the course, but it is not necessary.
You have the natural ability to captivate an audience and to convey your meaning in a way that is accessible to all levels of learners. I have a couple of university degrees and am used to the Socratic/lecture method that you employ. I thought, perhaps, that there might not be a lot of repeat participants after the first week. What appeals to me does not always appeal to all. But they came back, again and again, because what you offer they cannot get elsewhere. You are so convincing, so sure of yourself and your methods, that novice and experienced gardeners alike benefit and crave more.

The one tangible suggestion that I offer to improve your course relates to the test that we wrote the first week. Contrary to popular belief, adults LIKE to be tested. That said, they only like to be tested if they find out the results. The more mistakes in a pre-test, the better, because adults learn from their mistakes. Mistakes actually stick in the mind for a much longer time than correct answers. So, I would suggest that you build in the time to review the answers to the test with the group, right after they write it. I would have each person mark their own test (adults don’t tend to cheat in this type of scenario), and then hand it in
without their names. This might take more time than you want to spend during the first week, but participants will pay closer attention to the topics where they received the wrong answers, and will retain more in the long run.

Thank you again for creating this wonderful learning opportunity. I am so glad that I have been able to participate and look forward to volunteering in the summer.
Thank you also to Margaret for the assistance that she provides in arranging these sessions.


Day +18 sun and cloud rain 8.4mm Wind NW11km/h P.O.P.60%
Night +11 partly cloudy Wind NW17km/h P.O.P.40%