Professional -Advanced Diploma In Horticultural Management

Be an effective Horticultural Manager.

• Start a New Business
• Further Your Career
• Lay the foundation for a new career in Horticultural Management

Horticultural managers find employment wherever plants are being cultivated; from golf courses and parks to home gardens and market gardens.

The nature and scope of horticultural management has changed dramatically in recent decades and will no doubt continue to change rapidly; but there will always remain a need for horticultural managers while we continue to eat fruit and vegetables, play sport and use tree planting to improve the environment in which we live.

Horticultural managers need to have a strong foundation in both horticulture and management. They need to know how to identify lots of different plants, the science that underpins understanding how to grow those plants and the practical techniques which are applied within the industry.

“Professional managers in horticulture are scarce and opportunities abound for those with the good solid qualifications this course delivers. If you are ready to advance your career, or have aspirations beyond the average, then this management focussed course (that also encourages thorough horticultural knowledge) will enable you to fulfil your goals.” - Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care, Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert IV Assessment and Training, Adv.Dip.Hort, ACS Tutor.

Modules

Note that each module in the Professional -Advanced Diploma In Horticultural Management is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

This course provides a broad based foundation to allow you to adapt to and work in different sectors of the industry. Whatever is in vogue at different times throughout your career, this course will prepare you to move into and adapt to working in that part of the industry. 

Order of Studies

Stage 1 Core Studies

The following six modules are undertaken first as a foundation for further studies:

• Horticulture I
• Horticulture II
• Horticulture III
• Plant Selection & Establishment
• Outdoor Plant Production
• Garden Maintenance

Exemption is granted for this stage to anyone who has the following:

• Any Certificate or Advanced Certificate from ACS

• Horticultural studies of 600 hrs or more class contact duration from another approved institution (Approved institutions include universities, IARC recognized institutions, institutions with a teaching approach that have a strong emphasis upon foundation science and plant knowledge)

Note: Modules from either stages II & III may be undertaken after stage I is complete.

Stage II Electives

Ten modules chosen from the following:

• Organic Plant Culture
• Permaculture Systems
• Engineering Applications
• Plant Protection
• Amenity Horticulture I
• Amenity Horticulture II
• Turf Care
• Sports Turf Management
• Turf Repair and Renovation
• Arboriculture I
• Arboriculture II
• Trees for Rehabilitation
• Landscaping I, II, III
• Planning Layout & Construction of Ornamental Gardens
• Restoring Established Ornamental Gardens
• Propagation I
• Cutting Propagation
• Wholesale Nursery Management
• Garden Centre Management
• Cut Flower Production
• Cut Flower Bulbs
• Cut Flower Orchids
• Greenhouse Cut Flowers
• Hydroponics I
• Hydroponic Management
• Commercial Vegetable Production
• Protected Plant Production
• Fruit Production
• Viticulture
• Berry Production
• Herb Culture

Other options may be considered, though the above are generally considered the better options for this particular course.

Stage III Compulsory Modules

The following should all be completed after the above modules in stages 1 and 2 are completed

• Horticultural Resource Management
• Machinery and Equipment (Engineering I)
• Project Management
• Horticultural Marketing
• Operational Business Management I
• Operational Business Management II
• Horticultural Research I
• Horticultural Research II
• Industry Meetings or Workshop I (Note: This can be completed without difficulty anywhere in the world).

OUTLINES OF KEY CORE MODULES

Horticulture I

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.

Horticulture II

The content of each of the ten lessons is outlined below:

1. The Groups of Plants ‑ setting a framework for the whole subject. Learn to identify plants from a wide range of taxonomic and cultural groups, using a range of different techniques.
2. Use of Plants ‑ plant selection, soils.
3. Australian Native Plants -Determine techniques for the growing of native shrubs and trees, including the selection, culture and use of different species.
4. Exotic Ornamental Plants   -Determine techniques for the growing of exotic ornamental shrubs and trees, including the selection, culture and use of different species.
5. Indoor & Tropical Plants  - Determine techniques for the growing of indoor plants, including selection, culture and use of different varieties
6. Bedding Plants  -Determine techniques for the growing of bedding plants, including selection, culture and use of different varieties.
7. Vegetables   -Develop techniques for the growing of edible crop plants, including selection, culture and use of vegetables, fruit, berries and nuts (Part A).
8. Fruits, Nuts & Berries
9. Herbs
10. Alternative Growing Techniques ‑ hydroponics, container growing, terrariums. Determine appropriate applications for a range of alternative growing methods

Horticulture III (Plant Health)

There are ten lessons in this module, as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Overview of Preventative Controls
3. Insecticides
4. Other Pesticides
5. Spray Equipment
6. Insect Biology
7. Fungal Biology
8. Environmental Problems
9. Viruses
10. Nematodes, Molluscs and Crustaceans

Learn from Exceptional Teachers

Course Manager

This course has been designed, and is managed by John Mason, our principal. Since graduating in horticultural science (1971), John has worked as a landscape designer, nurseryman, parks manager and research officer working with field crops, prior to establishing this school in 1979. Since then, apart from managing this school he has been editor of 4 national gardening magazines, written over 40 books and maintained a small practice as a horticultural consultant.

John has been made a fellow of the Institute of Horticulture (UK) and the Parks and Leisure Institute (Australia).

Tutors

All teaching staff are highly qualified and experienced professional horticulturists. Most hold both degrees an post graduate qualifications. On average, their industry experience exceeds 20 years.

A unique aspect of this course (and others through ACS) is that tutors and course developers come from both northern and southern hemispheres, and from both warm and cool climates. The content and delivery of the course aims to prepare you to work in any climate, country or social situation. We consider this aim to be exceedingly important in a world that is changing so rapidly. We aim to provide a foundation that will serve you wherever you find yourself in the future.