A PREMIUM And DETAILED CERTIFICATE IN HORTICULTURE

• Start when you want and learn at your own pace.
• 6 months full time or 1-2 years part time study.
• Learn from an expert team.
• Free student membership for Australian Institute of Horticulture and Chartered Institute of Horticulture (UK)
• Gain a solid foundation in the core units.
• Choose from a range of specialised electives for the stream units.

COURSE CONTENT

This certificate involves the following: 

Core studies - half of the course involving approximately 350 hours over 15 lessons. Every student must complete these studies - scroll down for more detail on the core units.

Elective studies – another 350 hours, involving specialised stream studies

Lesson Structure

There are 30 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Plants
2. Parts of the Plant
3. Plant Culture - Planting
4. Plant Culture - Pruning
5. Plant Culture - Irrigation and Machinery
6. Soils & Media
7. Soils & Nutrition
8. Propagation - Seeds & Cuttings
9. Propagation - Other Techniques
10. Identification and Use of Plants - Landscape Application
11. Identification and Use of Plants - Problem Situations
12. Identification and Use of Plants - Indoor and Tropical Plants
13. Pests
14. Diseases
15. Weeds
16. History of Landscaping
    • This and the following are lessons in the landscaping stream. There are however other specialist study options from this point on. If you wish to specialise in something other than landscaping, talk with us at the school. If you wish to see other possible options, details on some of those options follow.
17. Principles of Design and Planning Information
18. Drawing and Costs
19. Irrigation
20. Garden Designs
21. Earth moving and Drainage
22. Materials
23. Paths, Walls and Fences
24. Equipment
25. Water Features
26. Garden Art: Statues, Sundials and Figurines
27. Landscaping for Sports and Games
28. Landscape Management
29. Industrial Relations: Unions and Workers
30. Maintenance of a New Landscape

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

OTHER STREAMS 

(Some of the other options only).

Ornamental Horticulture

This part of the course involves four main areas of study: Landscaping, Plant knowledge, Plant Care, Nursery Practices

This stream covers all of the following:

• Landscape design (including pre-planning and drawing plans).
• Principles and styles of landscape designs.
• Analysis of garden designs.
• Graphic skills, materials and techniques.
• Estimating costs for landscape jobs.
• Surfacing materials and their effects.
• Quality and cost of different landscape materials.
• Plant knowledge, both native and exotic, suitable for local conditions.
• Plant selection for difficult sites and conditions (including treating degraded sites and interior plantscaping).
• Tropical and indoor plants.
• Environmental factors important for indoor plant culture.
• Bulbs, perennials and annuals.
• Planting design for flower beds (annuals and bulbs) suitable for the locality of the student.
• Herb culture and garden design.
• Miscellaneous growing techniques including; bonsai, terrariums, pot culture, baskets and hydroponics.
• Describe the importance of trees to humans.
• Procedures for the proper and safe removal of a limb from a tree.
• Tree problems and their treatment.
• Compartmentalisation and its effect on the spread of disease in trees.
• Preparing a detailed maintenance program for a garden.
• Seed selection, storage, preparation and spreading (sowing).
• Preparation, planting and establishment of a lawn.
• Establishing turf on a steep slope.
• Turf maintenance techniques.
• Analysis of nursery production systems.
• Preparing a flow chart for the production of a particular plant, from propagation to marketing.
• Preparing a maintenance program for green life in a garden centre.
• Preparing guidelines for the disposal of surplus or below standard stock in a nursery.
• Write an advertisement for a nursery or garden maintenance business.
• Basic management procedures for a one man nursery or garden maintenance business.
• Basic communication skills.
• Health and safety requirements for a nursery or garden maintenance workplace.

Turf Management Stream
This part of the course involves the following four areas of study -
Turf Culture, Engineering and Irrigation, Management, Landscaping Scope:

• List and describe the situations where turf is used.
• Describe features of turf plants including roots, stems and leaves.
• Explain the function of roots, stems & leaves; and describe variations which can occur in these parts.
• Use knowledge of cutting effects and recuperative potential of various turf plants to choose varieties for different purposes.
• Identify and describe the difference between the turf varieties.
• Describe plant growth in both scientific and unscientific terms.
• Describe how day length, temperature, moisture and light affect turf plants.
• Explain how turf is affected by variations in watering and mowing techniques.
• Describe different methods of preparing an area for planting turf.
• Describe the methods (including timing) of establishing turf.
• Identify and describe tools and equipment used in turf establishment and maintenance.
• Explain how to determine if a turf area requires renovation and describe different renovation methods.
• Describe how weeds are spread and methods of controlling common weeds.
• Prepare, name and submit a collection of weeds of significance to turf culture.
• Describe how pests and diseases affect turf and the methods available for their control.
• Describe horticultural chemicals in terms of chemical group, application methods, rates and timing.
• Photograph or prepare pressed specimens, and identify a selection of turf varieties.
• Explain soil moisture, hydraulics and other aspects of water management
• Review the operation and programming of a multi‑stage irrigation system.
• Design and explain the operation of a simple irrigation system.
• Explain the operation and maintenance of different types of engines.
• Consider hiring vs. purchase of a range of different items of machinery
• Explain the uses of different tools and equipment available for turf culture.
• Select appropriate tools and equipment for a range of turf management tasks.
• Recommend techniques for storage and care of tools and equipment.
• Plan and write reports, articles and letters that clearly express what is intended.
• List the communication skills necessary for effective instruction of staff and scheduling of work.
• Develop an annual works program for at least two turf management situations.
• Draw layout plans for selected plants in a range of garden situations.
• Design a garden to achieve year round flowering by a selected range of plants.
• Prepare a bill of materials and costing for a landscape development.
• Describe to construct a variety of landscape features including paths and paved areas, water features,
• Retaining walls, fences and pergolas.
• Describe how to excavate, shape and cultivate a landscape site.
• Describe the forces that act on water in the soil and their significance to drainage.
• Describe how to determine levels for, and how to install drainage systems.
• Review erosion control methods (e.g. mulching, terracing, retaining walls).
• Describe the construction details of different sports grounds.
• Identify the steps necessary to minimise wear and tear on various sports grounds.
• Describe the construction details of different greens.
• Explain workplace health and safety practices in the turf industry.

Plant Propagation Stream
The student will learn different methods of propagating plants for small scale or nursery operations.
Scope:

• Collect seed from and propagate different varieties of plants with that seed.
• Describe the method and time of year used to propagate at least 200 different plant varieties.
• Draw and label the parts of a seed.
• Explain how a seed germinates, and grows in the early stages of its development.
• Explain a variety of different harvest and post harvest treatments for seed.
• Explain a variety of pre-germination treatments for seed.
• Collect, identify and prepare cuttings for at least 50 different varieties of plants.
• Propagate from cuttings and successfully grow on ten different plant varieties to the stage of a saleable tube.
• Mix and use a propagation media suited to propagating cuttings and seed.
• Explain the reasons why particular propagation methods are preferred to other methods.
• Explain the propagation of at least 40 different varieties of plants by grafting or budding.
• Prepare examples of at least ten different types of grafts.
• Successfully execute at least ten grafts using at least ten different plant variety combinations.
• Propagate fifteen different plants by methods including separation, division and layering.
• Explain tissue culture techniques and their commercial relevance in plant production.
• Consider site features which are important to the operation of a nursery.
• Explain different nursery production systems.
• Construct a simple inexpensive cold frame.
• Prepare a routine maintenance program for plants in a production nursery.
• Analyse and report on the operation of two different production nurseries.
• Prepare a floor plan for the interior layout of a propagation/potting area.
• Describe how to pot up and plant out at least 20 different types of plants.
• Describe soils and potting media in terms of texture, structure and water holding and nutrient holding capacity.
• Prescribe methods of improving soil structure, infiltration rate, water holding capacity, drainage and aeration.   
• Describe how to grow plants successfully in containers.
• Describe suitable potting mixes for container growing of five different types of plants.
• List safety procedures to be followed in a nursery.
• Show an awareness of irrigation equipment and its operation in a nursery.
• Explain growing structures and equipment used to enhance the propagation of plants including, hot beds, misting, fogging, cold frames and greenhouses.

NOTE: THESE ARE ONLY SOME OF THE STREAM STUDY OPTIONS!

Other stream options include:

• Organic plant growing
• Permaculture
• Ornamental horticulture
• Grounds management
• Turf
• Nature park management
• Arboriculture
• Plant protection
• Propagation
• Landscaping and garden design
• Crops
• Viticulture
• Cut flower growing 
• Horticultural technology
• Herbs

EXAMS

• There are two exams for the core
• There are a further 2, or 3 exams for the stream, depending upon which stream you choose to do.
• All necessary academic support is provided to enable students to attain necessary learning to complete the course. 

How Can This Course Help You?

• Gain strong foundation knowledge from a structured learning experience.
• Expand future learning more effectively from that strong basis.
• Boost your career opportunities and growth in the industry.

A valuable course for work in the following positions:

• Grounds Management.
• Arboriculture.
• Organic Plant Culture.
• Permaculture.
• Viticulture.
• Herbs.
• Horticultural Technology.
• Horticultural Science.
• Learn to grow plants, establish and maintain gardens and grow horticultural produce.
• Start your own business.
• Seek work with a parks department, nursery, golf course, farm or landscaping company.

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.

What Should You Study?

Let us help you make the Best Decision for You!
We've always found it is better to communicate with someone before they enrol. If we understand your passions, capabilities and ambitions, we can help you map out a course of action to give you the best chance of achieving your goals.