This teaching guide is designed as a text composed of factual outlines to help teachers interpret the organic method of gardening. Organized as a practical course for elementary through adult education levels, it presents examples and activities on how to plan, start, and maintain an organic garden. The first five chapters cover history and background of the organic method, theoretical information, plant nutrition, and plant diseases, followed by five chapters with practical instructions on garden planning, composting, mulching, planting, cover cropping, and harvesting. Each chapter lists introductory activities, discussion topics, and assignments, and then presents narrative material and step-by-step procedures for one aspect of organic gardening. Where appropriate, tables, diagrams, vocabulary words and definitions are inserted. The overall theme is that the organic method is a fundamental outlook on our contemporary way of life, an alternative to the pesticides and growth hormones and all of the other unnatural chemicals which are being introduced into our environment. Related documents are SE 016 254 and ED 068 361. (BL)