CERTIFICATE IN HORTICULTURE

Learn to be a Professional Horticulturist

• 6 month full time, self paced (typically 1-2 years) part time
• free student memberships available for students in this course, to Australian Institute of Horticulture and Chartered Institute of Horticulture (UK)

The first 15 lessons (half of the course) provide a broad training in horticulture.

Following that you can undertake further study in ornamental horticulture (outlined below), or choose to undertake more specialised study in your CHOICE of specialist programs such as landscaping, turf or crop production. 

Lesson Structure

There are 30 lessons in this course:

1. Plant Identification
   • Introduction
   • Botanical/Horticultural Nomenclature
   • The Binomial (Taxonomic) System
   • Botanical Classification
   • Plant Families and Species
   • Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars
   • Plant Family Names
   • Pronunciation of Plant Names
   • Significant Genera and Families they belong to
   • Meanings and origins of Plant Names
   • Pressing Plants (to create a herbaria collection for reference)
   • Introduction to Amenity Plants
   • Flowering Plants
   • Lower Plants – Conifers, Ferns
   • Rhododendrons and Azaleas
   • Roses
   • Bulbs
   • Practical – Plant Review Worksheets
2. Parts of the Plant
   • Plant Identification Skills
   • How to increase your Plant I.D. Skills
   • Terminology
   • Lead Types
   • Structure and Arrangement of Leaves and Leaflets
   • Common Leaf Shapes
   • Flower Structure
   • Parts of a Flower
   • The Inflorescence
   • Types of Flowers – bisexual, unisexual, monoecious, dioeceous
   • How a Seed Forms
   • Plant Structure
   • Stems and Stem Modifications
   • Leaves and Leaf Modifications
   • Roots and Root Function
   • Root Modifications
   • Morphological Changes as a Plant Matures
   • Cell Structure and Histology
   • Cell Components
   • Plant Cell Types
   • Plant Tissue Comparisons
   • Photosynthesis
   • Factors Affecting Photosynthesis
   • Respiration
   • Rate of Respiration
   • Transpiration
   • Environmental Factors Affecting Transpiration and Water Uptake
   • The Nitrogen Cycle
   • Terminology
3. Plant Culture – Planting
   • Planting
   • Environmental Influences on Plants
   • Potting Up Plants
   • Potting Shrubs and Trees
   • Introduction to Gardening Basics
   • Terminology
   • Common Mistakes when Planting
   • Plant Selection Criteria
   • Economics of Planting
   • Ongoing Costs
   • Longevity
   • General Hardiness
   • Aesthetic Criteria
   • Basic Planting Procedure
   • Fertiliser
   • Staking
   • Bare Rooted Plants
   • Timing of Planting
   • Considerations, Variety, Time, Locality, Mulching
   • Laying a New Lawn – Soil Prep, Levels, Sowing, Raking in, Watering
   • Turf Grass Varieties – Couch, Fescue, Rye, Bent, Kentucky Blue
4. Plant Culture – Pruning
   • Fruit or Vegetative Buds
   • Reasons for Pruning
   • Removing Dead or Diseased Wood
   • Controlling Growth Type
   • Controlling Shape and Size
   • Rejuvenation
   • Basic Pruning Rules
   • Home Orchard Pruning
   • Fruit Tree Pruning Styles
   • Before Pruning
   • Considerations while Pruning
   • Pruning Terminology
5. Plant Culture – Irrigation and Machinery
   • Water and Irrigation
   • Infiltration and Drainage
   • Types of Irrigation
   • Flood Irrigation
   • Sprinkler Irrigation
   • Trickle Irrigation
   • Power Tools
   • Types of Power Tools
   • Power Tool Maintenance
   • Oil
   • Buying Power Tools
   • Chainsaws – Use, Starting, Chain Sharpening
   • Mowers – types. Guidelines for use, Care
   • Brush Cutters/ Strimmers
   • Mulchers
   • Rotary Hoes
   • Hedge Trimmers
   • Irrigation Objectives and Feasibility
   • Understanding Soil, Water and Plants
   • Gravitational, Capillary and Hygroscopic Water
   • Measuring Water Available to Plants
   • Calculations – Field Capacity, Wilting Point
   • Available Moisture Range
   • Root Depths for Different Plants
   • Estimating Plant Water Requirement
   • When to Irrigate
   • Symptoms of Water Deficiency and Excess
   • Types of Sprinkler Systems and Sprinkler Heads
   • Design and Operation of Irrigation Systems
   • Cyclic Watering
   • Pulse Watering
   • Irrigation Scheduling
   • Selecting Surface Irrigation Methods
6. Soils and Media
   • Potting Mixes
   • Factors Affecting Fertiliser Application
   • Soils
   • Sampling Soils
   • Soil Composition
   • Colloids and Peds
   • Soil Texture and Structure
   • Soil Chemical Properties
   • Improving Soils – texture, structure, fertility
   • Soil Terminology
7. Soils ad Nutrition
   • Introduction
   • Nutrient Elements
   • Macronutrients
   • Nitrogen
   • Phosphorus
   • Potassium
   • Magnesium
   • Calcium
   • Sulphur
   • Micronutrients
   • Soil pH and Nutrient Availability
   • Soil Ameliorants
   • Total Salts
   • Salinity
   • Sources of Salt
   • Control Methods for Salinity
   • Soil Sodicity
   • Water, Air and Nutrients
   • Soil Temperature
   • Key to Diagnosis of Nutritional Problems
   • Fertilisers
   • Composting
   • Compost Ingredients
8. Propagation – Seed and Cuttings
   • Introduction
   • Seed Propagation
   • Hygiene
   • How to Sow Seeds in Containers
   • Seed Germination
   • Seed Sources
   • Seed Storage
   • Factors Affecting Seed Storage
   • Germinating Difficult Seeds
   • Seed Dormancy
   • Treatments to Break Dormancy
   • Cutting Propagation
   • Cutting Types – Softwood, Hardwood, Semi Hardwood, Herbaceous, Stem, Tip, Heal. Leaf, etc
   • Factors affecting Rooting of Cuttings
   • Plant Breeding
   • Hybrid Seed Production
   • Maintaining Genetic Identity in Seed
   • Hand Pollination
9. Propagation – Other Techniques
   • Division
   • Aseptic Micro Propagation
   • Grafting
   • Budding
   • Layering
   • Tip Layering
   • Mound Layering
   • Simple Layering
   • Compound Layering
   • Aerial Layering
   • Natural Layering – Suckers, Runners, Offsets, Crowns
   • Propagation with Specialised Stems and Roots – Bulbs, Corms, Tubers, Rhizomes, Pseudobulbs
   • Propagating Bulbs – Bulblets on Scales, Stem Cuttings, Bulbils, Basal Cutting etc
10. Identification and Use of Plants – Landscape Application
    • Plants in the Landscape
    • Choosing Plants – criteria
    • Inspecting Plants Pre Purchase
    • Trees for Landscaping
    • Factors for Tree Selection
    • Potential Tree Problems
    • Choosing Shrubs for Different Purposes
    • Groundcovers
    • Building Plant Knowledge of Many Tree and Shrub Genera
    • Trees for Different Conditions
    • Planting Techniques
    • Soil Restrictions on Planting
11. Identification and Use of Plants-Problem Situations
    • Establishing Trees
    • Tree Size & Age at Planting
    • Root Containment at Planting - Container Type, Bare Rooted or Balled
    • What to look for when Buying a Tree
    • Plant Protection at Planting – Staking, Frost Protection, Sun Protection, Cages
    • Controlling Birds
    • Props
    • Cabling & Bolting
    • Quick Reference Plant Directory
    • Container Growing Outside
    • Street Tree Reporting
12. Identification and Use of Plants – Indoor
    • Introduction to Indoor Plants
    • Why Indoor Plants Die
    • Potting Mixes
    • Drainage holes in Pots
    • How to Pot a small Plant to a Larger Pot
    • Potting up Hanging Baskets
    • Plantscaping with Ferns
    • Fern Families and Genera
13. Pests
    • Chemical Pest Control
    • Law
    • Chemical Labelling
    • Non Chemical Pest Control
    • Care when Using Chemicals
    • Entomology & Insect Control Methods
    • Types of Insect Poisons – contact, intermediate, stomach, translocated or not
    • Integrated Pest Management
    • Insecticide Use with IPM
    • Preventative Actions in the Garden
    • Understanding Pesticides – Reading the Label
    • Toxicity, Activity Spectrum, LD50. Persistence, Volatility, etc.
    • Chemical Types -Inorganic, Biological, Organophosphates, Organochlorines, Carbamates, etc.
    • Review of Specific Chemical Products
    • Diatomaceous earth, Soaps
    • Fungicides
    • Ways of Applying Chemicals – Spraying, Dusting, Granules, Irrigation injection
    • Safety Procedures when Using Agricultural Chemicals
    • Differentiation of Pests, Diseases and Viruses
    • Review of most Common Pests
14. Diseases
    • Fungicides
    • Plant Pathology
    • Identifying a Problem – Parasitic, Non Parasitic
    • Treating a Problem
    • Diagnosis of Plant Disorders – Visual Appearance, Possible Cause, Appropriate Treatment
    • Common Diseases
    • Anthracnose
    • Blight
    • Canker
    • Damping Off
    • Galls
    • Leaf Spot
    • Mildew
    • Rots
    • Rust
    • Smut
    • Mould
    • Wilt
    • Other Common Diseases
    • Turf Fungal Diseases
    • Plant Virus Detection and Diagnosis
    • Arboriculture and Tree Health
15. Weeds
    • What is a Weed
    • Steps to Controlling Weeds
    • Weed Control with Suffocation
    • Weed Control with Burning
    • Cultivation to Control Weeds
    • Other Non Chemical Weed Control Methods – Grazing, Mowing, Flooding, pH change, Biological Controls
    • Weed Control with Herbicides
    • Modes of Action
    • Regulations and Laws - Restricted Use & Supply
    • Avoiding Spray Drift
    • Types of Herbicide Chemicals – Aliphatics, Amides, Ureas, Carbamates etc.
    • Herbicide Resistance and Tolerance
    • Safe Use of Weed killers
    • Safety Guidelines and First Aid in relation to Chemical Use
    • Cleaning Up a Chemical Spill
    • Identifying Weeds
    • Controlling Weeds in Different Places – fence lines, base of trees, garden Beds, Hard Surfaces
    • Types of Weeds
    • Noxious Weeds
    • Environmental Weeds
    • Common Weeds
    • Terminology
    • THIS CONCLUDES THE FIRST HALF OF THE COURSE. YOU CAN EITHER CONTINUE WITH THE FOLLOWING LESSONS OR CHOOSE FROM A RANGE OF MORE SPECIALISED OPTIONS
16. Introduction to Landscaping - Pre Planning Information, Scale, Space, Garden Features for Small Gardens, Framing Views, Selecting plants, Economics of Planting, Ongoing Costs, Longevity, Hardiness, Aesthetics, How to Treat the Ground, Living Plant Colour, Mulches, Growing in Containers, Choosing Containers, Materials
    • Using Pots, Terminology
17. Landscape Design Procedure - Site Analysis, Deciding What You Want, Macro Design, Style, Garden Rooms, Garden Effects, Bringing the Outside in, Extending your Garden, Learning from Observation, Formal, Informal & Natural Gardens, Home Gardens, Parks, Landscape Plans, Landscape Symbols, Drawing Plants on plans, Landscape Principles (Unity, Balance, Proportion, Harmony, Contrast, Rhythm), Design Elements (Line, Form, Mass, Space, Texture, Colour, Tone), Japanese Garden Styles, Rocks, other Features, Mexican Style Gardens
18. Landscape Construction A - Drainage, Erosion, Gradients, Walling, Rock Walls, Types of Walls, What to Build Walls from, Rockeries, Steps, Healthy Gardens, Improving Garden Health - Earthworms, Compost, Attracting Birds, Garden Hygiene, choose Safe Plants, Specifications and Contracts
19. Landscape Construction B -Surfacing, Gradients, Gravel, Soft Ground Surfaces, Grass/Lawn, Paving, Imaginative Designs, Paving Maintenance, Edging, Borders, Fencing, Hedges. Playgrounds. Furnishings and Features, Pergolas
20. Plants for Problem Areas - Ornamentals with weed potential, Fast in one Place, Slow Growing Elsewhere, Uses for Plants, Problems to Watch for, Fast Growing Plants that Die Young
21. Flowers, Indoor and Tropical Plants - Culture, Overwatering, Tropical Plants, Flowers, Perennials, Bulbs, Annuals
22. Herbs - What is a herb, Botanical features, growing conditions and Uses for five Herb Genera
23. Different Growing Techniques -Containers (terracotta, plastic, fibreglass, etc), Aesthetics, Care when on Holiday, Moss/Algae Control, Potting, Hydroponics, Bonsai, Epiphytes, Terrariums, Watergardens, Protective Structures, Greenhouses, Heaters, Cold frames, Shade houses
24. Arboriculture - Tree Issues, Keeping Trees Healthy, Compartmentalisation, Tree Surgery, Cavities, Bracing and Cabling, Bolting, Tree Wounds, How Trees Grow, Plant Sculpting - Topiary, Hedging, Pleaching, Tools and Terminology
25. Planning Garden Maintenance - Scheduling Work, Analysis of Parks Maintenance, Departmental Organisation and Staffing in Parks, Tools, Machinery, Mowers, Mowing, Other Maintenance Tools, Mulchers, Tractors, Weed Control, Mulching
26. Turf Care - Lawns can Benefit the Environment, Lawn Design, Turf Varieties, Lawn Mixes, What to Grow Where, Turf Establishment, Soil Preparation, Seeding, Sodding, Stolonisation, Sprigging, Plugging, Mowing Guidelines and Heights, Fertilising Turf, Aeration & Scarification, Topdressing, Repairing Turf, Feature Lawns, Picnic Areas, Sports Grounds
27. Introduction to Nursery Management - Industry Organisations, Nursery Accreditations, Organic Certification, Types of Nurseries, Production Nurseries, Growing On, Nurseries, Retail Nurseries, What & How to Grow, Starting up, Revamping an Existing Nursery, Organisation, Time Management, Managing Facilities, Equipment, Materials, Labour, Assessing Opportunities, Market Research, Nursery Site factors, Nursery Design, Sheds and Workrooms, Effective Environmental Management, Selecting and Managing Nursery Stock, Garden Centres, Wholesale Nurseries, Specialist Nurseries, Plant Selection for Nursery Stock, Nursery Stocklist Development, Operational Flow Charts
28. Nursery Stock Production and Quality Control - Nursery Standards, Cost Efficiencies, Quality, Size Standards, Propagation Efficiency, Disinfectants, Potting and Transplanting, Removing Plants from Containers for Potting, Transplanting Seedlings, Transplanting Cuttings, Potting other Types of Plants, Potting Machines, Potting from a Smaller to Larger Pot, Growing On, Pruning and Training Nursery Stock, Growing Areas and Spacing Plants, In Ground Production, Soils and Nutrition Management in Nurseries, Nursery Pest and Disease Management, Identifying Problems, Resistant Plants, Reducing Pest and Disease Transmission, Cultural Controls, Physical Controls, Biological Controls, Chemical Controls, Nursery Weed Control, Using Chemicals, Plant Growth Modification, Getting Plants to Flower Out of Season, Holding Nursery Stock, Clearing Surplus Stock, Conducting a Nursery Inspection
29. Operating a Garden Centre - Parts of a Garden Centre, Fixtures and Fittings, Layout and Signage, Design of Component Facilities in Garden Centre, Garden Centre Layout, Merchandising, Selling, Stock Control
30. Marketing and Management in Ornamental Horticulture - Management, Work Scheduling. Safety and Illness at Work, Managing Facilities, Productivity, Managing Money, Calculating Costs, Determine Plant Sale Price, Marketing, The Marketing Mix, Successful Promotions, Merchandising Suggestions, Making Promotions Cost Effective, Promotion Messaging, Marketing Legalities, Guarantees, Liability

Other Options for the Second half of the Course