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Develop techical skills to grow plants in aquaponics systems.
ACS Student Comment: I am loving the course! I have learned so much and can't stop reading the material. My tutors give me great feedback.
I believe this has been one of the most rewarding and valuable learning experiences. Not only do I look forward to doing my classes everyday, I'm also learning great information for something I am truly passionate about. I believe the layout of each lesson is very helpful and I am surprised how much information I learn from just reading a few pages. I graduated from an online national high school and was so happy when I found this school. I am very satisfied with this type of education. The school has been so helpful and nice!
I am also very satisfied with the staff at this school. Anytime I have a question they have been right there to help me along the way. The support is great and it makes my learning experiences even better. Chloe Blumm, USA, Aquaponics Production course
Aquaponics is the integration of hydroponics with aquaculture technologies.
- Hydroponics is the horticultural process of growing plants in mediums other than soil.
- Aquaculture is the culture of aquatic organisms (such as fish and crustaceans) for commercial purposes under controlled or partly controlled conditions.
This course is a good starting point in learning all aspects of aquaponics.
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 Study Berry Growing at Home.
Grow berries for the table or to sell - this course is equally applicable to the backyard enthusiast or to the commercial grower. Covering all aspects of the propagation, care and cultivation of common (and uncommon) berry fruit; with the opportunity to specialise to some degree in one type of berry. |
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 This 600 hour accredited course focuses on the mainstream fundamentals of horticulture in the first half of the course and leads on to organic plant growing methods in the second half. This combination is rarely offered through other institutions.
Organic growing is the way of the future.
Understanding established methods of plant growing and how main stream horticulture deals with this eg. the pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers and general growing methods used, is of fundamental importance for a shift to organic growing.
To be truly informed, you need to know all the traditional and 'accepted' methods of plant growing as well as organic methods. This knowledge enables you to make informed and important decisions (for example) during farm conversion and understand what impact 'conventional' farming has on the land you farm, and on the health of the community and the ecology. At the very least it will enable you to understand, and convey to others, why you prefer organics as your chosen method of plant culture.
This course is similar to other VHT002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to organic growing. The Core Units comprise fifteen lessons covering: Introduction to Plants, Plant Culture, Soils and Nutrition, Plant Identification and Use & Pests, Diseases and Weeds. A fantastic course for the Horticulturalist who sees organic growing as the right way to grow. |
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 Learn to grow Organic Vegetables on a small or large scale for commercial purposes.
The demand for organically grown vegetables is currently a major growth area in commercial horticulture. This course is a good starting point in learning all aspects of organic vegetable production. |
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 Learn to grow vegetables commercially.
Start, manage, or seek work on a vegetable market garden. Develop skills and knowledge required for commercial vegetable production, whether as a row crop, broad acre crop, greenhouse or hydroponic crop. Learn to produce all types of vegetables -from main varieties like lettuce, tomato, pea, bean, potatoes, carrot, brassicas and corn, to less major varieties such as garlic, rhubarb and parsnip. There is a focus on crops such as Rye, Sorghum and Barley in this too. |
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Eight lessons cover common and less common herbs used for cooking .
Learn how to identify and successfully grow dozens of edible herbs. Develop your skills and experience the delights of cooking adventurous new recipes with herbs. Learn drying and other methods of preserving the flavour (eg. herb oils, salts, vinegars). |
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 Develop a sound foundation for working in the cut flower industry.
ACS student comment: "I am enjoying my course and it has given me an understanding of what I need to do once I have completed my course. I find the course to a valuable learning experience. I am able to do it in my own time (I have young children) and the learning is interesting." Melanie Sumpter, Australia, Cut Flower Production course
Learn about the variety of plants that can be grown, the characteristics of each that relate to cut flower production, and how to grow, harvest and market them.
Cut flower growing has experienced rapid expansion in recent decades, resulting in increased demand for training in the skills and knowledge required by this industry in increasingly affluent countries.
This course provides a thorough basic training for the commercial cut flower grower or their employees.
This is an industry that has grown with world economic growth; and international demand continues to explode as new countries become increasingly afflent. |
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 This is designed to develop a solid grounding in herb growing and the herb industry. An average student will take around 100 hrs. Half of the course deals with general herb culture, including identification, soils, mulching, feeding, watering, propagation, pest & disease control, harvest, storage, processing, companion planting, nursery management and herb farming. The remainder of the course involves detailed studies of major groups of herbs such as: mints, thymes, lavenders, scented geraniums, garlic, roses, artemisias and parsley.
Comment from Students in Herb Culture
Thanks ACS, studying with you has been truly rewarding, because of your understanding, helpfulness and devotion to all students. I will certainly use the chance to study again with you! (Lerni)
(The course) has helped me achieve a ‘greener’ thumb. I now have lots more success with my garden. Beforehand, my thumb was the furthest from ‘green’ you could get! (Janice) |
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Get Serious about Hydroponics
 Develop your technical skills to plan and grow different crops in hydroponic systems.
This is a serious grounding for working in the hydroponic industry and concentrates on the horticulturally valuable crops, such as cut flowers and vegetables.
Written and taught by leading international experts including John Mason, author of Commercial Hydroponics (now in it's 8th printing) and Dr Lyn Morgan, author and commercial hydroponic consultant.
Hydroponics is the art of growing plants without soil. It is the perfect way to avoid heavy, back breaking work, such as digging. Pests, diseases and weeds are generally much easier to control. Over the past few decades hydroponics has proven an ideal method for both keen amateur gardeners and commercial growers looking for an alternative way of producing plants.
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Develop your capacity to make informed decisions regarding the management of commercially significant hydroponic crops. This course was developed to cover key issues which have been identified as recurrent problems for many experienced growers.
- For Experienced Hydroponic growers OR
- For Anyone who has already completed Hydroponics I
- Developed by international hydroponic experts Dr Lyn Morgan (NZ) & John Mason (author of "Commercial Hydroponics")
- “Even more in - depth than Hydroponics I, Hydroponics II takes a closer look at a few plant species in particular. This course will especially suit inclusion in a “Design your own Certificate” study option.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor.
Study Hydroponics -Distance Education School -Home Study Course
Course developed and supported by:
John Mason: Author of the best selling book "Commercial Hydroponics"
Dr Lynn Morgan PhD, renowned international hydroponic consultant and author.
- ACS has been teaching hydroponics since the early 1980's and provides a unique network of support services from bases in both the UK and Australia.
“Even more in - depth than Hydroponics I, Hydroponics II takes a closer look at a few plant species in particular. This course will especially suit inclusion in a 'Design your own Certificate' study option.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor. |
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| LEARN HYDROPONICS SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT FROM HOME You will learn how to describe different approaches to cultural operations in hydroponics and demonstrate an awareness of the similarities and differences between organic and hydroponic produce and techniques. There are a number of different hydroponic methods and systems which can be used successfully both on a small scale and commercially. In commercial ventures, the choice of system will often be dictated by factors such as crop to be grown, the local climate, weather conditions, proximity to skilled labour, availability of materials, and so forth. RECEIVE TUTOR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT YOUR STUDIES - ADVANCE YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE FROM HYDROPONICS I AND II. |
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 For the lavender enthusiast, or anyone interested in starting commercial lavender production.
Lavender has been a popular cultivated plant for many centuries and is perhaps the most common, and certainly one of the most versatile herbs you could ever consider growing. It can be grown as a shrub, a tub plant or a hedge; you can keep it cut low or let it grow to over a metre tall, depending on the species. The flowers and leaves can be used for medicinal, craft, cosmetic and even culinary purposes. It is sold as ‘bunched lavender’, stripped flowers for crafts and distilled for its essential oil – making it a profitable commodity world-wide. |
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 Ever wanted to grow mushrooms and didn’t know where to start?
Here is a comprehensive eight lesson course covering how to grow mushrooms on either a small or large scale. Emphasis is placed on the Agaricus species (the Champignon), though other commercially important edible fungi are also considered. Growing, harvesting, marketing, storage, pest and diseases and even ways of cooking and using mushrooms are covered. |
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Learn to Grow Nuts by Distance Education
For the enthusiast or commercial grower.A detailed study on nut growing with the opportunity to specialise, to some degree, according to your interests.
Nuts can be grown in most parts of the world - there are species suited to a variety of climates.Nuts are an exceptionally valuable food crop that can be harvested and stored for long periods and can also be processed into a variety of products. These characteristics make them particularly useful for commercial growers, for the home gardener, or those striving towards self sufficiency.
“Most nut crops have one big advantage over other crops -they don't deteriorate so fast if harvest or marketing is delayed. Whether grown as a main crop, or supplementary crop; nuts are well worth learning more about" John Mason, Horticultural Author and Principal, ACS |
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 Learn how to grow crops in greenhouses, shadehouses, cloaches and other protected environments. Applicable to hydroponics, propagation, nursery, production of cut flowers, vegetables, herbs, berry fruit, etc. Develop ar broad understanding of practices and processes enviromental controls and plant growth within a protective enviroment, together with a practical knowledge of plant husbandry techniques. |
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 A unique, comprehensive course for rose enthusiasts whether professionals or amateur growe
Roses are one of the most popular ornamental plants in a garden, valued highly for their blooms which many would claim are the most beautiful flowers in existence.
Roses are grown for many reasons, including:
• As a cut flower
• As a landscape specimen (garden plant)
• For perfume extraction
This course is relevant in all these situations.
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Learn about Fragrant Plants! Short course by distance education!
Know what plants to choose to create a fragrant garden, or build your knowledge for business purposes. This course will teach you about:
* Soil types, pests and diseases
* greenhouse growing
* marketing
* plant health... and much more! |
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 Learn to grow fruit. Start an orchard, work in the commercial fruit industry,
An eight lesson course that starts by introducing the fruit growing industry, and moves through most of the skills needed for successful fruit growing in a serious way. Topics covered include management, soils, planting, irrigation, pruning, cultural practices (including pest control), pome and stone fruits, and various vines, fruit trees and nuts. |
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 Ten lessons covering the history of viticulture, the current state of the industry, wine and table grapes, dried grapes, cultural practices (trellising, soils, planting, pruning, irrigation, pests & diseases); vineyard design, improving quality, harvest & post harvest procedures, wine making, marketing and more.
ACS student comments: "[The course] gave me extra knowledge of the industry that I am currently working in. It covered all aspects of the industry. I liked the way you had to work through each lesson/category i received excellent feedback from my tutor. I enjoyed the viticulture course, it has given me extra knowledge that i will use." James McKelvey, Vineyard Manager, Aust - Viticulture course.
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 There are hundreds of different tropical fruits. Start here to explore their potential and learn how to grow them.
This is a course designed for people who want to have a successful warm climate orchard, to develop skills in the establishment and management of commercial fruit production for warm climates. Similar to the temperate fruit course, but adapted to cover tropical and sub-tropical conditions. The course includes sections on Avocados, Pineapples, Macadamias, Paw Paws, Cashews, and lots more.
"Tropical Fruits can provide food all year round: an amazing resource for both the commercial orchardist or home owner who is trying to become more self sufficient. This course is unique; developed and taught by highly qualified horticulturists with a wealth of experience -enrol and learn from the experts.” - John Mason Dip.Hort.Sci., Supn.Cert., FIOH, FAIH, FPLA; Garrden author, consultant, educator for over 40 years. |
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