Amenity Horticulture I BHT324

 Understand Amenity horticulture

“This is the place to start for anyone with an interest in amenity horticulture or who wishes to understand the industry. Graduates will develop knowledge of the industry at both a global and local level of the different sectors of the industry and become familiar with responsible environmental management strategies of natural and created landscapes.” Gavin Cole - B.Science, Psych. Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA - ACS Tutor.

As an amenity horticulturist, you will promote and implement strategies that conserve soil, water, air and biodiversity for the benefit of future generations, whether you work in backyard gardens to those or in the management of national parks covering thousands of hectares. This course will develop your ability to establish and manage sites responsibly and with sensitive consideration of both human and environment requirements.

Arboriculture I BHT106

Learn to Grow, Manage and Repair Trees

• Study Arboriculture online
• Be guided by a team of highly qualified and experienced horticulturists led by John Mason, FIOH, FPLA, Horticulturist for 40 yrs, author of 45 books

This course develops your skills and understanding in diagnosis and treatment of tree disorders, whether pests, diseases, nutritional or water problems, or something else. You learn about the standard tree surgery practices, to prune and train both young and established trees, and safety measures to follow.

Arboriculture II BHT208

Learn More about Growing and Managing Trees

• Further your career in Arboriculture or more broadly, Horticulture
• Start a an Arboriculture business or become a consultant
• Improve your capacity to identify trees and determine treatments for their care and maintenance 

“This course provides graduates with more in-depth knowledge than Arboriculture I  focussing on such topics as transplanting techniques, environmental control, environmental tolerance, and strengthening techniques, as well as felling and stump removal. The course culminates with a lesson on establishing and designing a tree plantation geared at the serious professional.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor

Aromatherapy VHT104

Learn what Herbs can be Used for Aromatherapy, and How they are used

A great course for anyone wishing to learn more about the safe use of aromatherapy essential oils for healing and relaxation. This course provides an introduction to the safe use of Aromatherapy oils. Essential oils are the backbone of Aromatherapy. Their effectiveness is dependent on their safe and proper use, as well as on the quality of the oil used. Oils work in a more subtle way than many commercially prepared products and in many situations are more suitable for preventative treatment rather than cure.

Australian Native Trees VHT115

Australian Natives I BHT113

Australian Natives II BHT225

LEARN ABOUT AUSTRALIAN WILDFLOWERS, SHRUBS & GROUNDCOVERS

This course deals with both woody (hard wooded) and herbaceous (soft wooded), low growing Australian Native Plants, which bear showy wildflowers.

• Learn about Australia's beautiful wildflowers including cultivation and commercial applications.
  
• Develop your ability to identify, select, cultivate and explain commercial applications for appropriate varieties of low growing Australian native flowering plants in a variety of situations.

Comment from one of our Australian Natives II students:
"The plant recognition assignments were challenging and a great help for the future" D. Sydenham

Bonsai BHT320

Grow your own Bonsai 

Learn the ancient art of bonsai in this practical and comprehensive course.  You will cover selection of plants suited to bonsai, understanding the history and classic shapes which form the basis of the art, techniques of planting, training, pruning, watering & feeding and ways of using bonsai both indoors and outdoors. During the course you will have the opportunity to develop your own personal bonsai style and techniques with the support of your tutor.

• 100hr self-paced course
• Suitable for passionate hobbyists through to bonsai nursery operators

Bush Tucker Plants BHT328

Learn about identifying, growing and using Australian indigenous plants for food .

There are many Australian plants that are edible, and even some that are in very high demand as foods throughout the world. The Aborigines lived off the land before white civilization came to Australia. Plants contributed significantly to their diet.

There are many different types of bush tucker foods:

• Nuts and seeds (eg. Acacia, Macadamia, bunya nuts)
• Drinks (eg. hot teas, infusions of nectar laden flowers, fruit juices)
• Flavourings (eg. lemon scented myrtle)
• Berries (eg. Astroloma, some Solanum species)
• Fruits (eg. quandong, Ficus macrophylla, Syzygium)
• Vegetables
• Wattle seeds ground to produce ‘flour’
• Plant roots ground to produce a paste or flour.

Certificate in Garden Maintenance Services (VHT036)

Become your own boss in the gardening industry!

Do you want to own and operate a garden maintenance business or maybe you are thinking about becoming a franchisee of an established business? You will learn everything you need to know to start and run a business in gardening ...

Gardening can be a lucrative business once you have established your client base and developed business connections... you can do that by carrying out excellent customer service skills and making gardens beautiful...

Learn from our horticulture experts with over 30 years experience in this industry!

Certificate in Horticulture - VHT002

Become an Exceptional Horticulturist

• Learn to identify hundreds of plants
• Discover what makes plants thrive or die
• Build contacts within the industry that will help a business or career grow
• Be guided by a team of highly qualified and internationally respected professional horticulturists

ACS Student Comment: "Yes, [the course is a valuable learning experience] the reading is informative, the assignments are practical and the feedback is great. I find the assignments challenging and a lot of work to do properly, which is great. Overall, really enjoying the learning experience." Penelope Parsons, Australia, Certificate in Horticulture course.

The Certificate in Horticulture (VTHT002) is a vocationally orientated course providing specialised training for employment in the horticultural industry.
The core (50%) of this course provides a broad based  foundation in all areas of horticulture, with particular emphasis on taxonomy (plant identification); but also covering culture, soils, nutrition, pruning, propagation, landscaping, crops, turf, arboriculture and more.
Following these broad based core studies you have the opportunity to choose a stream or specialisation to develop more focused knowledge in the second half of the course.
Accredited by the International Accreditation & Recognition Council.
This course has been the starting point for hundreds of successful horticulturists now working in industry across Australia, the UK and beyond.





This course has two parts. The first half (Core) may be studied on line. The second half (you choose a specialist stream) may or may not be taken on line depending upon the stream you select. 

This has been the most popular starting point for horticultural training since the early 1990's. The course is reviewed and updated twice annually. Feedback from graduates is overwhelming -the most common comments being
....how "practical" and "hands on" the course is, and
.... how much one on one support they have received from the tutors.
If you want a career in horticulture, this is one of the best starting points you will find!

Cutting Propagation BHT211

This is a particularly valued skill in today's nursery industry, and while no course alone is going to make you into an exceptional propagator, this training provides a necessary foundation needed to build these skills.

Deciduous Trees BHT244

DECIDUOUS TREES - HOME STUDY COURSE

• Learn about the major deciduous tree groups
• Become an expert on deciduous trees
• Save time and money by home study
• Extend your knowledge and confidence
• Save money by making the right choices - choose plants that are right
• Course suitable for horticulturalists and those wanting to create more energy efficent homes with deciduous trees

Not only are deciduous trees beautiful, but they play an important role in providing summer shade and winter sun.

Deciduous Trees are widely planted in both hemispheres. They are very important for both amenity horticulture and forestry. This course is a great foundation study for new or experienced horticulturists, landscapers, arborists, nursery workers, gardeners, parks managers; or anyone else concerned with the selection, propagation, care, maintenance or harvesting of deciduous trees.

8 Lessons each with a set task, 8 assignments.

There is such a range of uses for these beautiful additions to a garden, and this detailed course provides specialist knowledge. The course will provide specialised information on these trees; which arms you with a great resource, either for your own garden, or others’ gardens.

Diploma - Associate Diploma in Horticulture VHT005

• Operated for several years as the RHS Diploma in Horticulture (NB: RHS replaced this with shorter diplomas -in order to align with reduced standards adopted by the UK government -we still offer the course though, because it is too good to not be offered)
• Taught by leading horticulturists from across Australia and the U.K.
• Graduates will have a set of knowledge and skills that will set them apart as an exceptional horticulturist; and guarantee an opportunity to forge a career as a leader in this industry.

Prerequisites: Anyone enrolling in this diploma is assumed to have first completed either: The RHS General Certificate in Horticulture, RHS Certificate 2,  Certificate in Horticulture (VHT002)or an equivalent qualification (containing sound, extensive broad based studies in horticulture including relevant science and extensive plant identification).

Requirements to Receive the Qualification
Awarded upon successful completion of exams in all modules
Theory exams may be undertaken across the world.

Diploma in Horticultural Science VHT027

This is a serious professional qualification, equivalent to 2 to 3 years of full time study. Because it is self paced, you may work harder and fast track your studies; or if time is limited, spread your study over as many years as is needed.

ACS Student Comment:  "I have found the course to be interesting and challenging, with great learning materials that really make you research the industry and get involved. It has been a great way to study because it has allowed me to work in the industry and study at the same time. I have found the online resources to be fantastic, the tutors feedback constructive and the fact that assignments can be submitted online makes the process so easy." Tom Wood, Australia - Diploma in Horticultural Science course.

Through this course you will develop a strong foundation in both horticulture and science; plant culture, garden design, plant identification; and the botany and chemistry that underpins an understanding of how to grow different plants, wherever you live in the world.

Graduates may find employment as

• A consultant
• A technician
• A teacher
• A research assistant.

This course has a unique global focus and provides an opportunity to be tutorwed by highly qualified horticulturists based in Australia, the UK and NZ. Unique factors such as this help to arm our graduates with a skills set and perspective that is rare to find in other institutions.

IARC Accredited

Foundation Certificate in Horticulture -VHT003

A Fast Track Certificate for Anyone wanting to Work in Gardening

• Start your own business
• Get a job in Horticulture

This vocationally-oriented course comprises core studies in general horticulture plus specialised elective studies. The course is designed to lay a foundation for a long-term career in horticulture by developing the ability to identify a large range of plants, knowledge of essential horticultural principles and practices and practical skills in plant propagation, growth and care.

This course was developed and run as the RHS Certificate II up until July 2010, when it was replaced by the RHS due to changes in the UK accreditation system. Due to popular demand from students, we continue to offer this as a "foundation certificate" examined and awarded by ACS Distance Education in Australia (It no longer holds any endorsement from the RHS).

Student Comments (K.Eastwell):  "I am very impressed by the standard of the core materials, by the professional and ever helpful and supportive admin ......" ..."I also like the green, environmentally sensitive approach to the course"

Garden History BHT329

LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF GARDENS

ACS student comment: "The course has been fabulous because it really made me think beyond my own planting ideas. I have particularly enjoyed the research into noted garden writers and considering the legal aspects of conservation for the future." Melanie Veasey, UK - Garden History course

Study great gardens and gardeners of years past. Learn about how gardens have evolved over time, and gain inspiration for ways to integrate this in to modern garden design. Garden history will enlighten you, and vastly expand the scope of possibilities you have before you as a modern garden designer.

Garden Maintenance -VHT100

Online Garden School -Distance Learning Online Course

• Learn to Fertilize, Water, Prune, Control weeds, Pests and Disease, and more
• Start a gardening business, or seek work as a gardener
• Learn to better manage your own garden

We usually think of garden maintenance as a summer priority when lawns, weeds and plants grow vigorously but even in winter a garden may deteriorate without regular maintenance. Proper maintenance however costs both time and money. Fortunately, there are shortcuts but these require knowledge and the right materials and equipment.

Home Garden Expert - AHT101

Horticultural Resource Management - BHT203

Horticultural Therapy BHT341

Interested in horticulture?

Want to help others?

Help people heal, learn and grow through the power of horticulture.

Gardens and gardening have been found to be deeply therapeutic for a wide range of people. Horticultural therapy addresses a range of psychological, physical, emotional, social, developmental and cognitive factors to aid in healing, rehabilitation and a host of other benefits.

This is a course for the budding horticulturist, looking to share their horticultural knowledge to benefit others, or for the care professional who is looking to broaden their scope of therapies to include horticultural therapies... or purely for interest!

Horticulture I - BHT101

Thousands Have Started their Horticulture Career Here

• This course has been running since 1979
• Revised and upgraded every year
• Learn ALL the basics -and have a foundation that makes learning on the job much easier
• Build your contacts in the industry, be tutored by internationally renowned garden experts

ACS student comment: "Yes, [the course has been a valuable learning experience] definitely. I’m learning a lot of things that I find useful straight away, and there are lessons that I can practically apply to help me to learn." Rowena Headlam, Australia - Horticulture 1 course.

The ideal course for anyone who has not studied horticulture before; this is a basic, yet thoroughly practical course which gives you a sound broad technical grounding in horticultural principles and practices.
This course can be the first step toward either a certificate or diploma; or simply a stand alone foundation for a career in horticulture.
It doesn't matter if you have experience or not -if you have never studied this subject before; this is an excellent place to begin.

Horticulture II - BHT102

Horticulture III ( Plant Health ) - BHT116

Become a Plant Doctor

• Learn to identify pests, diseases and other ailments
• Learn to treat plant problems and restor health and vigour

Develop your ability to detect health problems in plants, and determine appropriate control methods. This course is relevant to either natural gardening, or gardening with responsible use of chemicals. It is useful and appropriate for both crop production or amenity horticulture.
Whatever approach you take to plant health management, prevention is always preferable to cure; and the systematic understanding of plant health that comes from studying this course will provide the basis for better prevention in any horticultural situation.

Interior (Indoor) Plants BHT315

Study, Learn and become an Expert with Indoor Plants

• Learn to identify, select, pot up and maintain indoor plants
• Indulge a passion for indoor plants; or train to work with indoor plants
• Start a business, or nurture a career in nursery or interior plantscaping

This is a course equally applicable to the professional interior plantscaper or the home owner (or interior decorator) who aspires to achieve the very best results with their indoor plants. You will learn about the main family groups indoor plants fall into, the cultural requirements and general characteristics of each of those groups, and from there develop the ability to select the right plant for the right situation. Many types of growing methods are covered (in pots, baskets, hydroponics, terrariums, greenhouses), as well as soil mixes, propagation, pest control, feeding and lots more.

Medicinal Herbs BHT227

Nursery Sales Assistant VHT103

Operational Business Management I BHT326

Study Operational Business Management Online!

Orchid Culture BHT232

Organic Plant Culture - BHT302

• An Outstanding and Extensive Foundation Course
• Globally focussed.
• Regularly revised by experts from both Australia and the UK.

Plant Breeding BHT236

Plant Pathology BHT206

This course would benefit you greatly if you're currently registered to work with chemical sprays but want to understand more about plant pathology to increase your knowledge and confidence when distributing chemicals in your area...  

Practical Horticulture 1 - BHT238

Practical Horticulture 2 - BHT323

• the plant classification system, general terminology and identification techniques. 
• growing techniques including selection, growth and culture for a wide variety of plants.

This is a stand alone course. It can be taken by itself, or as a complement to Practical Horticulture I

Propagation I - BHT108

• Cuttings
• Seed
• Budding and Grafting
• Layering and Division

RHS Certificate III -Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance

Study Horticulture Online

ACS student comment: "I have found the course material to be comprehensive and informative and have learnt a lot and really enjoyed my year of study. The office staff at ACS have always been helpful and efficient and quick to respond to requests or queries. My tutor, was encouraging and supportive, as well as being really thorough in the way she marked my assignments. I had not studied for 20 years before I started my RHS Certificate 2 in Horticulture and the feedback and reassurance I received from my tutor made all the difference." Katherine Parry, Australia - RHS Certificate II in Horticulture course

Take your knowledge of Horticulture to the next level

• Learn about garden planning, construction and planting
• Find a job, start a business, work in landscaping
• 150,000 words of unique course notes developed by our staff
• 200 hour self paced course
• Support from an international team of highly qualified horticulturists and landscape professionals based both in the UK and Australia

Prerequisite: RHS Certificate II in Horticulture or equivalent

RHS Certificate III Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation

Study the next level of Horticulture

• Qualify as a gardener or nurseryman with an internationally recognised qualification
• 200 hour, flexible, self paced course to build stronger knowledge of plant identification, horticultural science and the day to day techniques used in plant nurseries and garden management.

This is one of several new RHS Qualifications being phased in to replace older courses over the second half of 2010. Level III is the fourth level in the UK qualifications framework (Higher than Australia's level 3). This course can be studied, and exams sat, anywhere in the world, through this school.

RHS Level II Certificate in Plant Growth, Propagation and Development VHT040

ONLINE HOME STUDIES COURSE -RHS Level II Certificate in Plant Growth, Propagation and Development

NEW CERTIFICATE This course covers 4 units...

• The Plant Kingdom (Unit 1)
• Plant Nutrition, The Root Environment (Unit 2)
• Pests, Diseases and Weeds (Unit 3)
• Sexual and Asexual Propagation (Unit 4)

This is one of several new RHS Qualifications being phased in to replace older courses over the second half of 2010.

RHS Level II Certificate in Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment & Maintenance

This course provides a route to employment in professional horticulture by assessing knowledge of the scientific principles and underpinning horticultural practices, and supports career development for those already working in the profession. It also provides a foundation for further learning or training in the field of horticulture.

There are no prerequisites required for entry into this course.

Rose Growing BHT31

Seed Propagation BHT237

Learn the intricacies of propagating plants of all types from seed.

Some seeds germinate easily, and others don't. Discover how should seed be stored and how seeds should be treated to encourage germinateion. How do you get seedlings to survive? Seed propagation can be complex, but doing this course will lay a foundation for working more effectively with all types of seed, to achieve better results wherever you live. You can grow just about anything when you know how to propagate your own plants. It is a valuable part of saving money for your landscape and nursery business. A skill you will have for always.

Soil Management - Horticulture BHT105

Sports Turf Management BHT202

ONLINE HOME STUDY - SPORTS TURF MANAGEMENT

LEARN SPECIALISED TURF MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

Caring for Turf is a science of its own and it is worth getting to understand how to care for it to the best of your ability.

• Gain specialised turf care knowledge
• Increase the scope of your business
• Learn maintenance, greens, sports grounds and cultivation techniques

Tissue Culture BHT306

Tissue culture involves growing plants from very small sections (sometimes microscopic) in a laboratory. It is a propagation method which is being increasingly used. Tissue culture is not appropriate for many plants, but for others such as orchids, some indoor plants and in particular, many new plant varieties, it is a very popular propagation method.

Trees for Rehabilitation

• Farms
• National Parks
• Urban parks
• Roadsides
• Mine sites
• Coastal sites

Turf Care

Turf Repair and Renovation BHT303

HOME STUDY TURF REPAIR COURSE - ONLINE

ACS student comment: "In my role within a large Aged Care Facility a great deal of my employment is spent in the area of Turf management and garden care/refurbishment. With ACS I was able to study at my own pace allowing me to put into practise and thoroughly research the subject matter broadening my knowledge and study experience further. I enjoyed the way in which the subject matter was presented as it allowed you to study each subject further, allowing for greater depth, clarity and knowledge. Overall there are not many areas in which the course subject matter will not turn out to be invaluable, everything is covered to allow you to become successful within your own business or place of employment. A big thank you to Gavin Cole [tutor] and all at ACS. It was a pleasure to study with ACS, look forward to further study." Craig Ledbury, Australia - Turf Renovation & Repair course

A course specifically designed for people working with turf and for every gardener that has extense or delicate turf areas to care for. The course develops your ability to diagnose and treat problems in turf efficiently.

• Learn turf repair
• Renovate old lawns
• Learn to replace old turf
• Save money by learning preventative care
• You can save time by studying at home
• Make more money now - extend your business or skills at work.
  

Weed Control BHT209