A Broad-based Horticulture and Landscaping Course
Prepare yourself for a career in landscaping with this course. Learn about core horticulture principles and techniques as well as landscaping skills such as planning and designing gardens.
This course provides a stronger training in plant knowledge and science than many other colleges.
Understand plant science, plant identification, plant care, irrigation, soils and nutrition, horticultural management and all aspects of landscaping and landscape design.
Students can gain recognition in the horticulture industry when
studying with ACS: The AIH (Australian Institute of Horticulture) has
given ACS Distance Education Training Provider status - we are now
listed as a Preferred Training Provider with the AIH.
Choose electives to suit your ambitions - see below
Modules
Note that each module in the Advanced Certificate in Horticulture (Landscaping) is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
WHERE YOU MIGHT USE THESE STUDIES
This course may be used to launch or enhance a career in any branch of landscaping or amenity horticulture.
Obvious careers for graduates would be to become a garden designer or landscape contractor; but opportunities are always changing in this industry; and the broad skills you develop here will give you a very sound foundation for working in parks management; garden maintenance, turf management or other areas of horticulture.
Working as a Garden Designer
Garden Design is a unique profession that blends science with art.
Designing a garden involves:
1. Communicating with the client to determine their needs and desires.
2. Surveying the site, and creating a base plan (drawing)
3. Determining potentials and limitations (What is and is not feasible)
4. Systematically working through a logical design process, to develop, step by step, a concept that is physically achievable, as well as being functional and aesthetically appropriate.
The amount of work available in garden design has increased in recent decades, particularly in more affluent parts of the developed world. In situations where both husband and wife work, and money is relatively available, all home services including garden design have become growth industries.
Opportunities
Some garden designers work full time doing nothing but garden design.
Others combine garden design with another job, such as landscape contracting, garden consultancy, garden writing or retail nursery.
Garden centres sometimes offer a garden design service to entice people to buy plants from them. They may employ, or do a deal with a designer; or the owner or staff may even go and learn design themselves.
Most landscape designers are self employed. Some other employment opportunities for landscape designers include being employed by:
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Horticultural businesses (e.g. garden centres; landscape contractors).
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Planning or design firms (e.g. Architects, engineers, Town planners).
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Developers or construction companies.
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Government (e.g. Parks departments).
How to Become a Landscape Designer
A garden design career commonly starts by either:
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Designing your own garden, and discovering you love the experience.
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Drifting into it from working in a related field such as gardening or architecture.
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Studying a garden design course because you just love gardens or gardening.
Professional institutes and associations in both the landscape and horticulture industries are useful to join. Many will require you to hold some type of qualification (or be a student) before joining.
Becoming active within such an association or institute will help you develop valuable contacts within the industry; and remain current with trends and developments.
If you establish your own consultancy, you should investigate Professional Indemnity Insurance and any other necessary insurances. The situation does vary from country to country (and time to time), but the issue of insurance should not be neglected.
WHAT WILL THIS COURSE DO FOR YOU?
You will develop the skills and knowledge required to work as a professional landscaper.
This course is different to many others. It is an "experiential
based" learning program; designed to get you involved with the
horticulture industry as you study. The industry is changing faster than
ever; and will continue to change; and for ongoing success you need to
become "connected" and remain "connected", so that you see and adapt to
recent changes, and ongoing changes as your career moves forward.
Many landscapers have no formal education, but those wanting to make
sure they have the right mix of knowledge and practical skill should
choose a course that is well respected in industry (for example, does
the course provide a solid foundation of basics like plant
identification knowledge?). ACS Distance Education has been delivering horticultural education
since the 70’s, and is remains prominent and well regarded in industry
circles. All horticulture tutors hold at least a degree, and five years
industry experience, but many also additionally bring decades of
experience to ACS horticulture students. Tutors take an active interest in students’ plans for their
businesses, and can offer practical advice on how to get started in
industry.
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