Clear, Honest Advice for Your Trees and Yard
From the Owner of Kearnsy Consulting,
Welcome to backyard learning
Expert-led backyard learning for homeowners who want to understand and care for their property with confidence.
With over 18 years of experience, I bring personalized, hands-on training right to your yard so you learn exactly what your property needs and how to care for it.
Plant & Lawn Health Basics
Tree and Shrub Basic Needs - 3.5hr
Growing and Harvesting Cannabis - 3.5hr
Tree and Shrub Basic Needs - 3.5hr
Learn how trees grow, what they need, and how to keep them healthy for years to come. You’ll understand soil, roots, watering, pruning, and early signs of stress — explained in simple, practical language. Includes a full on‑site inspection by a certified arborist.
Integrated Pest Management - 3.5hr
Growing and Harvesting Cannabis - 3.5hr
Tree and Shrub Basic Needs - 3.5hr
Learn how to identify pests, protect beneficial insects, and treat problems using a safe, holistic approach. You’ll get hands‑on training and clear, practical theory — perfect for beginner and intermediate gardeners. Understand what to spray, when to spray, and how to avoid harming your yard’s natural ecosystem.
Bonsai and Ornamental Trees - 3.5hr
Growing and Harvesting Cannabis - 3.5hr
Growing and Harvesting Cannabis - 3.5hr
Learn the essentials of bonsai care — nutrients, watering, soil, pruning, and design. This clear, beginner‑friendly module teaches you how to shape, maintain, and troubleshoot your bonsai with confidence. Perfect for anyone wanting to master bonsai or specialty pruning at home.
Growing and Harvesting Cannabis - 3.5hr
Growing and Harvesting Cannabis - 3.5hr
Growing and Harvesting Cannabis - 3.5hr
This course has an awesome balance of indoor and outdoor growing as well as an in depth look at nutrients and flowering cycles of Cannabis plants. If you want to know the science behind growing, this is your module.
Plant & Garden Maintenance Basics
Pruning & Trimming Canadian Trees and Shrubs - 3.5hr
Pruning & Trimming Canadian Trees and Shrubs - 3.5hr
Pruning & Trimming Canadian Trees and Shrubs - 3.5hr
Learn when, why, and how to prune trees and shrubs safely and correctly. This module covers essential pruning techniques for property managers and owners, with beginner and intermediate options available. Gain the confidence to maintain healthy, well‑shaped plants without causing long‑term damage.
Holistic Lawn Care - 3.5hr
Pruning & Trimming Canadian Trees and Shrubs - 3.5hr
Pruning & Trimming Canadian Trees and Shrubs - 3.5hr
Learn the holistic approach to creating healthy soils for healthy turf. This module is designed to help you improve or maintain your lawn without harsh chemicals. A full property report is included with your site visit.
Planting Trees, Shrubs and Other Plants - 3.5hr
Pruning & Trimming Canadian Trees and Shrubs - 3.5hr
Planting Trees, Shrubs and Other Plants - 3.5hr
Learn everything from plant selection to proper planting through both hands‑on and theory‑based training. This module goes a step beyond typical planting courses by examining root balls in depth and correcting issues before they cause damage. Build the confidence to plant correctly and avoid long‑term problems.
Fruit Tree Health & Production - 3.5hr
Pruning & Trimming Canadian Trees and Shrubs - 3.5hr
Planting Trees, Shrubs and Other Plants - 3.5hr
Fruit trees are an incredible resource that add to the potential of our urban forests. This course teaches you how to manage everything from production to pruning with confidence. Designed for beginners and orchard managers alike to improve fruit quality and overall tree health.
Home & Yard Essentials
Small Engines and Components - 3hr
Composting and Building Soils - 3.5hr
Small Engines and Components - 3hr
Understanding how engines work — and the different types — has never been easier. This module teaches troubleshooting and gives you hands‑on experience by taking one of our engines apart. A clear, practical way to build confidence with real mechanical systems.
New Home, New Yard - 3.5hr
Composting and Building Soils - 3.5hr
Small Engines and Components - 3hr
Whether you’re buying, selling, or settling into a new yard, this module helps you understand, plan, and manage it with confidence. A first‑of‑its‑kind hybrid between consulting and learning, designed to give you clarity from day one. Know your yard, its needs, and its potential right from the start.
Shelterbelts & Windbreaks - 3.5hr
Composting and Building Soils - 3.5hr
Composting and Building Soils - 3.5hr
Shelterbelts are an essential part of holding the prairies together. This module explores shelterbelt design and the differences between naturalized and manicured approaches. Whether you already have one or plan to plant one, learn how to establish a healthy, regenerating shelterbelt.
Composting and Building Soils - 3.5hr
Composting and Building Soils - 3.5hr
Composting and Building Soils - 3.5hr
Great for new growers and gardeners who want to learn how to create compost. This module explains how composting works and outlines different systems so you can choose and build the one that fits your needs. A simple, practical way to start producing your own compost with confidence.
Acreage & Land Stewardship
Community Orchards and Shelterbelts - 8hr
Tree Preservation During Construction - 3.5hr
Community Orchards and Shelterbelts - 8hr
This course blends fruit tree health and production with shelterbelt design and management for community or private orchards. Learn the skills needed to manage large stands of fruit trees with confidence and care.
Understanding Fungi - 3.5hr
Tree Preservation During Construction - 3.5hr
Community Orchards and Shelterbelts - 8hr
Fungi play an important role in every environment, from fields to streams. This course covers their functions and how to manage them in your yard — from mycorrhizal fungi to wood‑decaying species. A practical guide to understanding, managing, and living with the fungi around you.
Tree Preservation During Construction - 3.5hr
Tree Preservation During Construction - 3.5hr
Tree Preservation During Construction - 3.5hr
Learn how to protect trees before, during, and after construction. This course covers the key practices that prevent damage, preserve root systems, and keep trees healthy throughout site work. A practical guide for anyone managing projects around existing trees.
Acreage Conservation Planning - 8hr
Tree Preservation During Construction - 3.5hr
Tree Preservation During Construction - 3.5hr
Every environment has its own rules, and this module shows how soil, shelter, food, and water shape each habitat. By examining ecosystems closely, you’ll learn why certain species thrive while others can’t — from fish in dry lakes to elk on manicured lawns. A clear, practical look at how habitats function and how the food web connects it all.
Acreage Conservation Management - 8hr
Micro Habitat Conservation and Rehabilitation - 3.5hr
Micro Habitat Conservation and Rehabilitation - 3.5hr
Every environment has its own rules, and this course breaks them into three clear parts: understanding nature, aligning it with your needs, and applying practical management for conservation. You don’t need hundreds of acres — small efforts and working with neighbors can strengthen habitat and protect wildlife for the future.
Micro Habitat Conservation and Rehabilitation - 3.5hr
Micro Habitat Conservation and Rehabilitation - 3.5hr
Micro Habitat Conservation and Rehabilitation - 3.5hr
Habitats can be wetlands, grasslands, forests, plains, or the transition zones in between. This course breaks that complexity down so you can apply it to anything from a small garden to a large acreage or forest. The final part of this three‑course series also stands strong on its own.
Custom Homeowner Courses - 3 to 8hr
Micro Habitat Conservation and Rehabilitation - 3.5hr
Custom Homeowner Courses - 3 to 8hr
Get a custom course designed around your yard and your goals. Whether you need help with landscaping, trees, shrubs, or anything in between, we create homeowner‑focused training built just for you. Learn exactly what you need — nothing more, nothing less.
What Homeowners Are Saying
“Dave is such a gem — passionate, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful. He planted some cedars and an apple tree for me and took the time to teach me how to care for them. He responds quickly to questions and is wonderful to work with.” - HMC
“Dave came to our place to assess our two struggling birch trees, and his knowledge and passion were immediately clear. He explained our options thoroughly, both verbally and in a written report. A fantastic consult.” - WCS
“Dave consulted on several trees that weren’t doing well and has them on the road to recovery. He also did clean‑up pruning and shared helpful guidance along the way. A great teacher.” - TD