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Navigeer met een ecologisch kompas en maak een natuurlijke tuin die klopt en blijft. 2 uur vol eye-openers: diepgaand, vol tips. De meest complete leidraad die er is.
Masterclass
A Natural Garden that works
Learn at your own pace, watch as often as you like- Design, creation and maintenance
- Tailored plant selection, instructions & inspiration
“ Chris de Waard heeft veel kennis van ecologie en kan talrijke verhalen vertellen over planten. Voor een plantengek als ik heel inspirerend! ”
Wendy Grobben Ontwerper & herborist (Ecologisch Ontwerp Wendy Grobben)
More life, less maintenance
Do you want a flower-filled garden full of life? Support the local ecology? Create a sanctuary for wildlife – a thriving wildlife garden? Or give your garden a makeover and establish it sustainably?
Valuable. And conscious.
Because when you create a natural garden and integrate more locally native plants into your design or garden, you help the world, nature, yourself – and the people for whom you can make a difference.
So why does it so often fail to happen – or simply not work? It’s not something designers typically deliver. Nor landscaping companies. Nor gardeners.
That’s what I explain in this masterclass. So please read on.
The pitfalls of ecological gardening
Imagine… you have a garden. Or you’re designing a sustainable ecological garden. You have a vision for our relationship with nature: more connected, healthier, and ecologically responsible. You see how monotonous your surroundings have become, you notice insects disappearing — and you know there is another way. Better. Full of flowers, insects and other wildlife.
But how do you get there — especially if you want to revamp your garden and don’t know where to start?
Or you’ve tried all sorts of things, but without the results you want. Why?
Because you’re not working with nature. You’re choosing the wrong plants and techniques.
Such a shame — especially because it really is possible. And it’s much easier than you think.
A Natural Garden that works | Ecology Academy
Approach for a flower-rich, biodiverse garden
So what does work? The good news is: you can learn this. Two things are crucial — ecological understanding and the right plant selection.
In the Natural Garden that works masterclass, you’ll discover how to support nature and work with it. You’ll learn which native perennials to choose, and how to apply them to genuinely support local ecology. You also get curated selections for different soil types (clay, sand), plus a step-by-step planting plan. Expect practical ideas and inspiration for every garden — from a wildlife garden to a more structured biodiverse garden.
Step-by-step plan for sustainable garden design and implementation
This is the most complete and practical masterclass for greening your garden and choosing and applying native plants — in your own garden or border, and within an ecological garden design. This unique masterclass shows you exactly how to create colourful, biodiverse planting, and guides you through every phase: from sustainable garden design and ecological implementation to nature-friendly maintenance. The result is planting that is ecologically valuable, suited to the local context, and rich in flowers, insects and other wildlife that bring a garden to life.
Would you like that too? Invest time in improving your skills and plant choices. Start with the Natural Garden masterclass.
Plant selection, soil and a vibrant gardens
For the first time, the Natural Garden masterclass brings all insights, plant choices, instructions and tips together in one course. You will discover:
- A powerful methodology for colourful, biodiverse garden design and implementation
- Proven techniques to create a stable, living ecosystem
- Unique insights to boost nature value
And also:
- How to create an insect-rich wildlife garden with variation in colour, height and flowering times
- Which plants and combinations work best where — and why (shade, clay soil, etc.)
- How to protect threatened species and support local ecology
And let’s not forget:
- Examples to help you create a flower-rich, biodiverse garden that truly works
The focus is on native perennials, complemented by suitable annuals. You also get the ‘5 essential needs for wildlife’ and tips for a wildlife-friendly habitat – with food, shelter and nesting opportunities for birds and other animals.
You will gain access to tools, techniques and valuable downloads You can apply straight away.
BOOST RESILIENCE & LIFE!
- Enrich yourself with ideas and knowledge
- Make a tangible difference for nature
- Invest in yourself - for growth, expertise & success
CRKBO-geregistreerde onderwijsinstelling
What’s included?
- 2+ hours of online inspiration and insights (4 videos)
- 10+ Step-by-step guides, rules of thumb and practical tips
- Tailored plant lists with the plant selection tool
- 10+ Top selections (including grasses, bulbs, trees and shrubs)
- 10+ Guides (eco guide, design compass, Implementation, etc.)
- Diagrams, checklists and golden rules
- Inspiring planting recipes and flowering timelines
All resources are included. Sowing, planting and maintenance instructions are downloadable, along with the habitat essentials and tips for a wildlife-friendly habitat, and how to get your garden winter-ready.
You can take this garden course online, whenever and wherever suits you. At your own pace, as often as you like. If you have any questions, you can ask them in the online learning environment.
The masterclass is set up so you can get started right away. Clear, practical and hands-on.
Who’s this for: gardeners & pros
This Natural Garden masterclass is for anyone who wants more nature — from gardeners to garden designers or landscapers, from beginners to experienced – in private gardens and public spaces.
No prior knowledge is required, thanks to clear step-by-step plans, practical guidance and tailored plant selection. For anyone designing or implementing gardens professionally and wanting to make a real difference, this masterclass is close to indispensable.
The topic and structure also make this masterclass highly valuable for verge managers, sustainable landscapers and ecological advisors. It includes practical guidance and many actionable tips for biodiverse plant selection, sustainable implementation and low-impact maintenance.
“
Chris de Waard is een heel prettige docent, met een achtergrond in de permacultuur. Hij brengt de stof met passie voor en kennis van zijn vak. Iemand waar ik graag nog meer van wil leren.
”
Ingu van Zuylen
Production Manager / Soil lover (INGU Production & Events)
“
Fijne inspirerende docent, veel vakkennis en het geduld die goed over te brengen.
”
Jillard Keijzer
Projectmanager duurzame, groene bouwprojecten (Studio PMO)
“
Chris de Waard is een fijne docent. Hij heeft veel kennis en liefde voor zijn vak die hij goed kan overdragen.
”
Lotte Govers
Tuinontwerper (tuinatelierlotte.nl)
Developed by an ecological designer
“I am Chris de Waard, founder of Ecology Academy – a Dutch-registered educational institution. In this online masterclass, I share my in-depth insights on designing with locally native perennials. You will learn how to create a stable, biodiverse ecosystem. Expect 2 hours of eye-openers: practical and in-depth, packed with valuable tips.
As a environmental and natural scientist, permaculture expert, ecological garden designer and lecturer in ecological landscape architecture, I became increasingly aware of the need for focused masterclasses that genuinely help in practice.
That is why I have brought my knowledge and experience together in this masterclass. Clear shortlists, accessible instructions, and ready-to-use planting tips and combinations will help you with plant selection, design, implementation and maintenance. You can download these tools immediately.”
Start your natural garden today
Bring nature back and transform any place into a nature-friendly, flower-rich ecosystem — in your own garden, or as a garden designer/landscaper for others.
That is what A Natural Garden that works delivers.
Your investment is 129 euro. The masterclass includes extras you won’t find anywhere else, such as a unique plant selection tool that filters by soil type and growing conditions — giving you the strongest possible starting point. Start the masterclass and make a tangible difference for nature.
BOOST RESILIENCE & LIFE!
- Enrich yourself with ideas and knowledge
- Make a tangible difference for nature
- Invest in yourself - for growth, expertise & success
CRKBO-geregistreerde onderwijsinstelling
Questions about the Natural Garden Masterclass
A natural garden uses locally native, flowering plants to boost biodiversity, reduce maintenance and increase nature value.
It works with natural cycles and what thrives naturally. That makes the garden sustainable, circular and more resilient to drought. The result is a thoughtfully designed ecosystem: wildlife-friendly, flower-rich and low-maintenance.
Many people picture a natural garden as loose and slightly “messy”, as if everything simply grew by itself — and that look is not automatically ecological. At Ecology Academy, a natural garden is always ecological, and it can also be sleek and geometric. Think functionalist garden design: clean lines paired with naturalistic planting.
For context and guiding principles, read the blog on the ecological garden.
You will learn how to create a natural garden that works and lasts – with clear steps for design, implementation and maintenance.
There are four videos: three cover one phase each (design, implementation or maintenance), and one focuses on biodiversity and sustainable choices. Practical and complete — from idea to action and long-term care. Ecosystem-based, with step-by-step plans, instructions, checklists, plant lists and a tailored plant selection tool where you select soil type and growing conditions. Directly applicable to new and existing gardens or borders. All materials are downloadable.
Estimated time: 2–3 hours, including around 1.5 hours of video. See this page for the full content. For examples and the approach, also read the blog on Essential native plants.
Yes – it covers all three, with tools, step-by-step plans and tailored plant selection by soil type and growing conditions.
The masterclass A Natural Garden that works is for gardeners and pros – from beginners to experienced – in private gardens and public spaces.
No prior knowledge is needed. Learn online at your own pace, with step-by-step plans, practical guidance, plant lists and a tool for tailored plant selection by soil type and growing conditions. Applicable to design, implementation and maintenance.
This is how you create a natural garden: start with the soil, match a locally native, species-rich mix, build habitat essentials, and work ecologically and sustainably.
For a natural garden that works and lasts, plant choice and ecological understanding are key:
- Match plants to soil type and growing conditions. Use organic plants and/or seeds, and choose locally native species that strengthen biodiversity and still look beautiful. The masterclass includes a tailored plant selection tool: select soil type and growing conditions to see suitable species straight away, with practical tips.
- Work ecologically and sustainably. The masterclass explains the difference and includes a guide to sustainable practices. Each phase comes with a step-by-step plan: design guide (design), sustainable implementation manual (implementation) and maintenance instructions (maintenance). Each phase is covered in a separate video.
You’ll also get plant lists, including a top selection of locally native plants, plants for beneficial insects, top trees and shrubs, recommended bulbs, and a “menu” of ornamental grasses.
The masterclass also helps make your garden more climate-resilient. Want to go deeper into climate adaptation and systems thinking? Explore the Climate Logic course.
You will receive step-by-step plans, instructions, checklists, plant lists and a tailored plant selection tool – for design, implementation and maintenance.
Including top selections, “menus”, guidelines and other tools — such as plant selection based on soil type and growing conditions — plus practical tips and inspiration. Directly applicable in your garden, project or professional work. Everything is downloadable
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Wil je meer weten?
Download de studiegids van Ecology Academy. In deze studiegids staat meer over de uitgangspunten en de inhoud van het opleidingsaanbod.
Aan bod komt onder meer het niveau, begeleiding, doelstellingen, opbouw, etc.
Heb je een vraag? Bekijk eerst de Veelgestelde vragen. Staat je vraag er niet bij? Neem contact op via het Contactformulier, mail naar info@ecology.academy of bel 06 – 29 555 131.
Als je meer wilt weten over Ecology Academy? Kijk dan bij Over.
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