If you want a career in horticulture- you should start here. 

This is a great course if you are starting out in the industry!

Learn the essentials:
Plants, Soils, Nutrition, Weeds, Water, Pruning, Pests and Diseases, Landscaping, Propagation, Lawns, Trees

Receive a 10% discount and 2 free ebooks when you enrol into this course here (this is a savings of up to $140). You would get the following ebooks by John Mason and staff of ACS Distance Education:






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
• Thousands Have Started their Horticulture Career Here!
  
  
  
  

COURSE STRUCTURE

There are twelve lessons in this course, as follows:

1. Plant Identification:  Naming plants; distinguishing the taxonomic divisions of plants including family, genus, species and variety or hybrid; identifying the different parts of a flower; distinguishing the morphological characteristics of leaves.

2. Planting:  Planting methods used for different types of plants including annuals, perennials, evergreen and deciduous plants; influence of environmental factors on planting techniques.

3. Soils:  Classifying soils; sampling and testing soils; chemical and physical properties of soils; soil improvement techniques; composting; potting mixes.

4. Nutrition:  Major and micro elements necessary for plant growth; nutrient deficiencies and toxicities; fertilisers.

5. Water Management:  Irrigation systems – characteristics, advantages and disadvantages; drainage systems; waterwise gardening.

6. Pruning:  Pruning techniques; importance of pruning to growth, flowering and fruiting; pruning tools.

7. Weeds:  Identifying common weeds; characteristics of weeds; control techniques; herbicides.                        

8. Pests and Diseases:  Identifying common insect and disease problems; control methods; Integrated Pest Management; pesticides; hygiene procedures; chemical safety.     

9. Landscaping:  Stages of landscaping; design procedures; collating pre-planning information; preparing plans; selecting plants for specified sites.

10. Propagation:  Asexual and sexual propagation; taking cuttings; sowing seeds; aftercare of propagated plants.

11. Lawns: Turf grass varieties; laying a new lawn; cultural techniques including watering, fertilizing, topdressing, aerating, pest and disease control.

12. Arboriculture: Tree management techniques including pruning, removal and tree surgery; identifying tree problems.

(Note: Online and CD versions may vary slightly)

COURSE AIMS

• Distinguish between different plants, to enable identification of the plant species.
• Explain appropriate procedures for establishing a range of plants in different conditions.
• Describe the characteristics of plant growing media necessary for healthy plant growth.
• Explain the characteristics of plant nutrition necessary for healthy plant growth.
• Determine appropriate water management procedures for healthy plant growth.
• Understand appropriate procedures for pruning plants on a horticultural site.
• Determine solutions for the management of a range of common weeds.
• Determine solutions for the management of a range of common pests and diseases.
• Prepare a concept plan for the development of a garden.
• Understand commonly used plant propagation techniques.
• Develop guidelines for general lawn care.
• Develop guidelines for general tree care in a horticultural situation.
  
  
  
  

WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE

• Distinguish between plants in order to identify at least 120 plants on plant review sheets.
• Plant out a container plant following a recommended procedure.
• Sample and carry out simple tests on different soils.
• Identify a range of nutrient problems in plants.
• Identify a range of pest and disease problems in plants.
• Demonstrate the correct procedure for pruning a plant.
• Identify a range of different plants, based on their flower and leaf structures.
• Determine appropriate procedures for planting according to type of plant and site.
• Demonstrate knowledge of how to care for plants in the garden.
• Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate plant selection for a range of different sites.
• Identify a range of plant health problems and describe appropriate chemical and non-chemical control methods to control those problems.
• Identify characteristics of plant growing media necessary for healthy plant growth.
• Explain the importance of organic matter in soil management.
• Describe the principles and techniques of composting.
• Determine nutrient problems and describe chemical and non-methods for overcoming these problems.
• Identify management solutions to a range of plant problems including weeds, pests and diseases.
• Explain the principles of Integrated Pest Management.
• Determine appropriate water management practices applicable to plant growth.
• Describe the characteristics of irrigation and drainage systems.
• Describe the importance of pruning to plant growth, flowering and fruiting.
• Describe safe use of chemicals.
• Develop criteria for selecting suitable plants for a landscape project.
• Prepare concept plans for landscape redevelopment.
• Draw a concept plan for a garden redevelopment.
• Demonstrate the correct procedure for taking cuttings from a range of plants.
• Distinguish between different pre-germination seed requirements and techniques, for different plant species.
• Determine appropriate turf species for different purposes and chosen climatic conditions.
• Explain the composition of lawn seed mixes and fertilizers.
• Observe and report on lawn management techniques.
• Determine solutions to lawn problems.
• Explain the cause and effect of common tree problems.
• Determine appropriate methods for treating tree problems.
  
  
  
  

Duration:   100 hours