Distance Learning Nursery Growers Course
"Learn how to start in the nursery business".
An introductory course which shows the beginner how to get started in the nursery business. You learn how to propagate plants, decide what to propagate, how to start a small inexpensive operation, and to go about selling what you grow. Part of every lesson is devoted to the important area of building up your knowledge of plants. Through six lessons you will learn how many established nurseries have started out slowly as a small part time operation, and how you can follow the same path. (If you intend studying propagation and wholesale nursery management, this course is not necessary).
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is divided into six lessons as follows:
1. Plant Identification and Culture. How plants are named, scientific and common names, watering, weed control, when and how to use a glasshouse/shadehouse.
2. Plant Propagation. Overview of propagation techniques, propagating mixes, pots, hormones, propagating structures and aids.
3. Soils and Nutrition. Soil structure, soil additives, major nutrients, minor nutrients, nutrient deficiencies, salt toxicity, soil mixes, fertilisers.
4. Seed Propagation and Nursery Business. Handling seed, pre-germination treatments, handling seedlings, propagating selected species.
5. Cutting Propagation. Stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, leaf bud cuttings, propagating selected species by cuttings.
6. Pest and Disease. Identifying a problem, insects, fungal diseases, nursery hygiene.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the completion of this course you should be able to:
Understand plant identification and culture.
Describe a range of growing structures including a greenhouse, glasshouse and shadehouse.
Understand the differences between sexual and asexual plant propagation.
Have and understanding of basic nursery management principles.
Understand the uses of a range of different materials used in plant propagation.
Explain the main components of common potting mixes and how they contribute to the final product.
Describe seed sources and how to store a range of different seeds for maximum viability.
Explain how to overcome dormancy in seeds.
Understand a range of cutting techniques including hardwood cuttings, softwood cuttings, semi hardwood cuttings, tip cuttings, heel cuttings, nodal cuttings, can cuttings and basal cuttings.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE
Develop a budget for a hypothetical nursery operation
Name a soil based on criteria given in the course
Create a potting mix using a given recipe
Assess a number of plants for growing profitability
Prepare a pot of cuttings and estimate the cost of production for each cutting produced
Prepare a range of different types of cuttings
Find two plants with insect damage and determine the problem and possible remedies.
Collect information on various chemicals used in the nursery industry.
Assess plant ill health caused by agents other than insects.
Starting A Nursery -The Possibilities
In the past, nurseries were involved in almost all aspects of the production and culture of plants. They grew a wide variety of plants, and they sold them both wholesale and retail, as well as supplying a wide range of allied products and services. Today all but the largest nurseries tend to specialise.
Many nurseries still begin (and often remain) as relatively small family businesses.
Once you decide that growing or selling plants is for you, and you are ready to consider opportunities, use the following questions to help you assess the likelihood of success for each different opportunity.
Is there a market in my community for this kind of business? Will people buy my product or service, and are there enough buyers to sustain this business in this area?
How much money would it take to start the nursery? Will I be able to borrow that much money? How much will it cost me in the long run?
How many hours a week is it likely to take to run the nursery? Am I willing to commit that much time?
What are the particular risks associated with this nursery? What is the rate of business failure? Why have similar businesses failed, and how can I overcome these risks?
Does my background prepare me to run this kind of nursery? Do most people who own this kind of nursery have more or different experience or knowledge than I do? What do I need to learn, and am I willing or able to learn it quickly?
How much money could I make running this business? What is my lowest likely net profit? Is this sufficient to meet my needs, and when can I expect to make this?
Launching a new business, introducing a product or service, and buying advertising are so expensive that misjudgements can mean disaster for an entrepreneur. Market research can avoid costly errors by telling you what people want to buy, and how they want it presented to them.
Regardless of how great you think your product/service is, it is virtually impossible to sell any product or service that people do not want. On the other hand, it is very easy to sell people what they do want. That is the whole point of market research: to find out what people want so you can provide it for them. To be successful, a business owner must know the business’s market; who are its customers and potential customers; and how they perceive the business’s products and services.
The first step is to know the industry; the next step is to find a viable market; and only after you have done these things, will you be ready to start a nursery.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
