Certificate in Horticulture (Grounds Management)

Learn to professionally manage gardens and landscapes.This course prepares you for work as a groundskeeper - in gardens, parks, school grounds, sports grounds, and commercial properties.

Course Code: VHT002

Payment Options

Duration (approx) 700 hours

Qualification Certificate

Study Grounds Management

Learn Practical Skills and a Career in Professional Gardening
Self Paced, 600 hour course

"This is beyond what you would learn in a Trade Certificate in Horticulture. It teaches you everything a tradesman would learn about plant culture; and more science, plus more plant identification than what an average tradesperson would know” - John Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Cert.Supn, FIOH, FAIH, FPLA, Garden Author and educator.

The Certificate in Horticulture (Grounds Management) is a vocational course comprising core studies (general horticulture) and stream studies in the maintenance of gardens and open spaces on any type of property, including residential, industrial or commercial estates, parks and other large scale gardens.

The objective of the course is to:

develop general and broad based skills in horticultural practices and plant identification.
develop skills and knowledge in diagnosis and treatment of pest, disease and weed control problems.
develop knowledge and skills in turf selection and maintenance to a required standard.
develop skills and knowledge in the establishment and maintenance of ornamental trees and shrubs.
develop skills and knowledge in the management and improvement of soils for growing plants.
develop knowledge and skills about the selection and operation of a variety of watering systems suitable for the irrigation of plants and turf in amenity horticulture.

Certificate in Horticulture involves the areas of work:

*CORE STUDIES - involves around 350 hours, divided into 15 lessons, approx. half of the course.

*STREAM STUDIES - a further 350 hours of study specific to irrigation, soils, plant care, pest, disease and weed control and turf care.

What You Will Do

Design a plant assessment sheet to be used in the field to record information about plant health problems.
Diagnose nutrient, pest, disease and environmental problems of plants.
Dissect, draw and label a range of pest/disease problems.
Explain ten alternative weed control methods including chemical and non chemical treatments.
Collect, press, label and mount a weed collection and a pest/disease collection.
Explain aeration, spiking, coring, dethatching and topdressing.
Describe selective weed control in turf.
Select turf species suitable for a range of different situations (eg: for shade, wet and windy sites).
Describe the steps in preparing an area for turf.
Demonstrate the ability to prepare for, and sow a new lawn.
Explain how to establish turf on a steep slope.
Prepare labelled sketches of three gardens created using different growing methods.
Review and select plants suitable for use in each situation.
Describe the importance of trees to humans.
Describe the correct procedures for the proper and safe removal of a limb from a tree.
Describe simply the processes of photosynthesis, respiration & transpiration.
List the environmental factors which affect photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration.
Explain compartmentalisation, and it's effect on the spread of diseases in trees.
Develop contact with local people involved in garden maintenance.
Describe maintenance procedures for a variety of different ornamental garden situations.
Explain soil (seedbed) preparation treatments for a range of soil types.
Explain soil degradation problems in terms of soil chemistry and structure, and how to deal with them.
Explain different ways of preparing virgin or farmland soil for tree planting.
Explain different ways of treating a soil using soil ameliorants.
Collect samples of or literature describing products which can be used to assist with the improvement of soils.
Explain situations where cultivation can be used to improve a soil.
Explain a situation where cultivation can be detrimental to a soil.
Classify different soils using simple hand feel tests.
Explain pH and conductivity (EC) and their affect on plant growth.
List the comparative advantages and disadvantages of different types of irrigation systems.
Explain the operation of different sprinkler heads, different microjets and different drippers.
Explain the way water moves through soil and the mechanisms which affect the soils water holding capacity.
Select an appropriate irrigation system for a selected garden, and explain the reasons why it is preferred.
Explain the operation of a timer used in irrigation systems.
Design a micro irrigation system.

Lesson Structure

There are 30 lessons in this course:

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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, Urea, 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
Pests and Diseases
- Managing Pest & Disease Problems
- Lifecycle of a Disease
- Six Main Ways to Control Pests & Diseases
- Diagnosis of Problems
- Symptoms of Disease
- Conducting ancInspection
- Viruses
- Fungal Biology
- Major Fungal Threats
- Insect Biology
- Life Cycle of Insects
- Insect Feeding Habits
- Molluscs, Nematodes, Crustaceans
- Pesticides -Legal Requirements
- Keeping Records
- Your Spray Machine
- Mister/Duster Blowers
- What Damage is Being Done to the Environment?
- Definitions of Pesticide Terms
Weeds
- Steps in Controlling Weeds
- Legal Compliance with Pesticide Use
- Types of Weed Management
- Safety with Chemicals
- Weeds in Turf
- Weeds in Nurseries
- Common Groups of Weeds
- Case Study - Knotweed
Cultural Problems
- Plants and Water
- Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiency
- Maintenance in Parks
- Natural Gardening Techniques in Nature Parks
- Hardy Pest Free Plants
- Succession Planting
- Working with rather than Against Nature
- Breeding Plants for Resistance
- Analysis of Parks Maintenance
- Departmental Organisation and Staffing in Parks
- Equipment
- Parks Waste Management
- Avoiding Problem Materials
- Spray Equipment
- Pest/Disease Reviews
Turf Grasses
- Factors for Choosing Species/Cultivars
- Grass Physiology
- Turf Shoot Systems and Top Growth
- Turf Varieties and Selection Criteria
- Common Turf Species
- Seed Mixtures and Blends
- Identifying Grasses
- Warm Season Lawn Grasses
- Establishing Turf Grasses
- Flower Meadows
- Turf Glossary
Turf Culture
- Mechanical Aeration
- Topdressing
- Rolling Turf
- Repairing Turf
- Turf Nutrition and Fertilisation
- Integrated Weed Management in Turf
- Non Chemical Weed Control
- Herbicide Selection and Legal Frameworks
- Turf Health Problems & Diagnosis
- Non Parasitic Problems
- Parasitic - Fungal Diseases
- Turf Pests and Integrated Control
- Pesticide Management Framework
- Chemical & Salinity Damage
- Turf Maintenance and Treatment Calendars
- Laying a New Lawn
Cultural Management
- Mowing
- Types of Mowing Equipment
- Mowing Action Types
- Best Practice Mowing Operations
- Before & After Mowing
- Changing Blades Safely
- Mowing Sports Turf
- Managing Risks of Scalping
- Mowing Frequency & Patterns
- Sports Turf Mowers
- Mower Challenges & Risk Management
- Deciding What You Need
- Edging
- Leaf Rakes & Vacuum equipment
Tree & Shrub Maintenance
- Importance of Trees in Landscape Management
- Ecological & Environmental Functions for Trees
- Commercial Tree Products and Resources
- Positioning Trees
- Choosing Trees
- Nursery Checklist
- How to Plant a Tree
- Relocating & Transplanting Trees
- Tree Guards
- Timing of Planting
- Introduction to Arboriculture and Canopy Care
- Tree Surgery Safety and Managing Risk
- Safety & PPE
- Canopy Support & Wound Care
- Tree Pruning
- Tree Removal and Risk
- Arboriculture Terms
- Tree Injection - Endotherapy
Tree Physiology
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
- Vernalisation & Winter Chill
- Four main Structural Parts of a Tree
- Shoot & Bus Development
- How Trees increase Height & Girth
- Compartmentalisation - How Trees Fight Rots
- Tree Health Disorders and Diagnosis
- Field Identification of Insect Pests
Plant Maintenance
- Commercial Maintenance Programme Design
- Plant Lifecycle and Succession Planning
- Financial Management and Cost Categories
- Managing High Cost Landscape Zones
- Weed Identification and Structural Control
- Strategic Pruning
- Plant Growth Principles
- Fruit Tree Management in Amenity Landscapes and Private Estates
- Specialist Bud Anatomy and Canopy Manipulation
- Professional Pruning and Hedging Equipment
- Environmental Microclimates & Plant Selection
- Physical protection for Young Vegetation
Soil Degradation
- Properties of Managed Soils
- Soil Texture & Nutrient Storage
- Types of Soil Degradation
- Erosion
- Soil Salinity
- Soil Acidification
- Soil Compaction
- Chemical Residues
- Handling Builders Rubbish and Disturbed Soils
- Dry Soils
- Human Causes of Erosion
Soil Characteristics
- Texture Effect on Plant Growth
- Consistence & Effect on Plant Growth
- Measuring Wet Soil Characteristics
- Profile Depth
- Porosity
- pH
- Cation Exchange Capacity
- Salinity Build up
- Vital Role of Organic Matter
- Denitrification
- Nitrogen Fixation
- Benefits of Legumes
- Nodule Field Test
- Applying Seed Inoculants
- C/N Ratio Management
- Mycorrhizal Fungi
- Soil Testing
Soil Management
- Cultivation Techniques
- Bare Earth Cultivation
- Controlling Over Cultivation
- Mechanised Cultivators
- Hand Tools
- Different Composting Methods
- Mulching
- Living Mulches
Irrigation Equipment
- Water categories
- Modern Irrigation Management
- Measurement Systems in Irrigation
- Conventional Irrigation Systems ...portable, permanent, semi permanent
- Irrigation Efficiency Ratings
- System Design Considerations
- Sprinkler Spacing and Uniformity
- Control Options for Turf Irrigation
- Types of Sprinkler Systems
- Maintenance of Water Systems
Understanding Water
- Plants & Water
- Mechanisms of Soil water loss
- ways to Improve Soil Water Retention
- Symptoms of Water Extremes
- Understanding Movement of Water in Soil
- 3 Types of Soil Water
- The Hand Feel Test for estimating Soil Moisture
- Understanding Water Impurities and Quality Testing
- Chemical Impurities
- Water Hardness
- Alkalinity & Corrosion
- Managing Iron Impurities
- Field Treatments of Impurities
- Physical Impurities in Irrigation Water
- Pumps & Pressure Systems
- Managing Tastes & Odours
- Biological Impurities in Landscaper Water Supplies
Irrigation Design and Operation
- Estimating Water Requirements
- Calculating Available Soil Moisture
- Modern Water Management Principles
- Principles of Irrigation & Water Management
- When to Irrigate
- Managing Appropriate Soil Water Levels
- Cyclic & Pulse Water
- Drip Irrigation
- Managing Irrigation on Greens

Accreditations

International Approval and Registration CentreChartered Institute of HorticultureStudy Gold CoastACS Global PartnerGreenlife Industry Queensland. Member

AFTER YOU FINISH THIS COURSE

You will be a different person after you finish this course. That's what any good course should do for a graduate.

Your awareness and understanding of horticulture will be broader and deeper than it was before.
You will be able to identify more plants than you could before.
You will be able to better manage gardens, sports grounds, commercial landscapes and a whole lot more.
You have possibilities that you had previously not seen, to move your knowledge and career forward

You may use this learning experience to improve the way you go about a job you are already doing; or it may be a stepping stone to a whole new career or business.
Some graduates continue to grow their knowledge and skills even further through additional study (perhaps moving onto something higher); and others may grow through the work experiences that follows their course.

WHAT SETS ACS APART?

Service – We put the student first. Tutors and administration can be contacted 5 days a week, 50 weeks of the year, by phone or email.

We provide Better Learning – We’ve been delivering distance education for over 3 decades, and we understand how people learn by home study.

Our methods are unique, developed through experience with a focus squarely on helping you learn.

Up to Date – We are continually revising and updating courses. We listen to our students feed-back and we always improve the course if a change is identified that will help significantly improve your learning.

More Choice – Graduates need a set of skills that will set them apart and give them an advantage over competition in the world after study. We have a wide variety of study choices, and give you lots of options to choose different paths throughout a course. Doing this has meant our graduates very successful.

No Short Cuts –You can’t take short cuts in learning, and that is why our courses are often longer than you will find elsewhere. You could choose to study a short course, quickly sit an exam (while the information is fresh) and pass, but if you want to really understand something and retain it, that takes time.

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Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course is aimed at providing you with a solid understanding of the subject. It has been designed to take 600 hours, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and more. When you complete the course, will have a good understanding of the area/ industry you want to work in.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

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We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

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We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exams (8-9 exams) and you will be able receive your course certificate- an Advanced Certificate. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

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Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
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You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
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How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

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We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.

What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.

Take a look at their testimonials here.

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If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.

Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Rosemary Davies (Horticulturist)

Leading horticultural expert in Australia.
Rosemary trained in Horticultural Applied Science at Melbourne University. Initially she worked with Agriculture Victoria as an extension officer, taught horticulture students, worked on radio with ABC radio (clocking up over 24 years as a presenter of garden talkback programs, initially the only woman presenter on gardening in Victoria) and she simultaneously developed a career as a writer.
She then studied Education and Training, teaching TAFE apprentices and developing curriculum for TAFE, before taking up an offer as a full time columnist with the Herald and Weekly Times and its magazine department after a number of years as columnist with the Age. She has worked for a number of companies in writing and publications, PR community education and management and has led several tours to Europe.
In 1999 Rosemary was BPW Bendigo Business Woman of the Year and is one of the founders and the Patron, of the Friends of the Bendigo Botanic gardens. She has completed her 6th book this year and is working on concepts for several others.
Rosemary has a B Ed, BSc Hort, Dip Advertising & Marketing

John Mason (Horticulturist)

Parks Manager, Nurseryman, Landscape Designer, Garden Writer and Consultant.
Over 40 years experience; working in Victoria, Queensland and the UK.
He is one of the most widely published garden writers in the world.

Jacinda Cole (Horticulturist)

B.Sc., Cert.Garden Design. Landscape Designer, Operations Manager, Consultant, Garden Writer.
She was operations manager for a highly reputable British Landscape firm (The Chelsea Gardener) before starting up her own landscaping firm. She spent three years working in our Gold Coast office, as a tutor and writer for Your Backyard (gardening magazine) which we produced monthly for a Sydney punlisher between 1999 and 2003. Since then, Jacinda has contributed regularly to many magazines, co authored several gardening books and is currently one of the "garden experts" writing regularly for the "green living" magazine "Home Grown".