Crops Courses

"Want to be a manager or own a horticulture farm"?

This accredited course, covers both the skills required to manage a horticultural farm (eg. Market Garden, Orchard), and also to developing knowledge in the identification, growing, processing and marketing crops and crop related products. This course involves eight units, plus a 200 hr workplace project. These are the five core units common to all streams of this Advanced Certificate (ie. Communications, Management, Business Operations, Office Practices and Marketing), and three specialist units of study relating to crop production.

This course is internationally accredited through I.A.R.C.

"Work in management of horticultural crops.  Advance your career!"

A course designed for people wishing to work or advance their careers in managerial or high technical positions within the horticultural crop industry.

This course is internationally accredited through I.A.R.C.

"Does growing berries appeal? If you live in a cool climate this course covers a multitude of berry species that would suit your conditions. Covers all aspects from soils to marketing." - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor

Become a Berry Expert!
For the enthusiast or commercial grower, covering all aspects of the propagation, care and cultivation of common, and uncommon, berry fruit; with the opportunity to specialise to some degree in one type of berry.

"A course for people working, or intending to work, in orchards or market gardens". 

The Core Units provide a foundation in general horticulture and are divided into the following sections:
1. Introduction to Plants -Taxonomy, plant families, pressing plants, basic botany.
2. Plant Culture -Planting, potting, plant selection, pruning, irrigation, tools and machinery.
3. Soils and Nutrition -Soil structure, chemistry, nutrition, potting media.
4. Plant Identification and Use -Seed harvesting and storage, germination treatments, cuttings, etc.
5. Pests, Diseases and Weeds -Identification and treatment (chemical and non-chemical)

The stream units which make up the second 50% include the following three modules:  Outdoor Plant Production, Protected Plant Production, and a final module focussed on one particulkar type of crop (you choose)

Internationally accredited by IARC

"A great course for anyone wanting to work in cut flower production or to improve their existing knowledge"

A 700 hr course for people working or wishing to work in the area of cut flower production. The Core Units are the same as for the above certificates (ie. Introduction to Plants, Plant Culture, Soils and Nutrition, Plant Identification and Use, Pests, Diseases and Weeds).
This course is similar to other VHT002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to the production and marketing of cut flowers. Accredited through International Accreditation & recognition Council

"Learn the practice and principles of organic plant growing with this indepth qualification" 

This course is similar to other VHT002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to organic growing.  The Core Units comprise fifteen lessons covering: Introduction to Plants, Plant Culture, Soils and Nutrition, Plant Identification and Use & Pests, Diseases and Weeds. A 700 hour accredited course designed to teach the principles and practices of growing plants using organic methods.
Accredited through International Accreditation & Recognition Council

"A detailed course in the commercial production of grapes"

A course for people working, or intending to work, in the production of grapes. This course is similar to other VHT002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to the production of grapes for wine, drying or as fresh fruit.
Accredited through the International Accreditation & Recognition Council

"Learn the processes required to tap into the commercial organic vegetable market; this extensive course provides a wealth of knowledge and practical skills and shows you how to market your produce. Organic vegetables are crops with a future." Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care., Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert 1V Assessment and Training., Adv.Dip.Hort. ACS Tutor

The demand for organically grown vegetables is currently a major growth area in commercial horticulture. This course is a good starting point in learning all aspects of organic vegetable production.

"Commercial vegetable growing".

Develop skills and knowledge required for commercial vegetable production, including a variety of production methods. This is a very sound 100 hour foundation course in general vegetable production. Note: Do not undertake Commercial Organic Vegetable Growing as well as this. The two courses do overlap)

"Provides a thorough knowledge framework in outdoor production of outdoor plants".

Twelve lessons cover site, crop selection, soil management, cut flowers, vegetables, berries, nuts, herbs, tree fruits, other crops, managing a market garden and more.

“Everyone loves getting a bunch of flowers – bulbs growing for the cut flower trade can be a rewarding career; this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to forge a career in this field.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor

This is a course designed for the flowering bulb enthusiast or commercial bulb grower for the cut flower market. There are ten lessons in this course with loads of practical skills to get you inspired and to get you growing! You will learn the basics of  good horticultural management including: soil types, plant nutrition, pest and disease management, environmental management and also the various types of bulbs used for cut flower production. If you have always wanted to learn more about flowering bulbs and how to grow them commercially or at home, this is the place to start!

“This specialist course is aimed at those that would love to work in the orchid growing sector. Greenhouse growing is covered extensively throughout this very rounded course. Improve your skills and gain work or set up your own business.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor

Orchids occur naturally from very cold temperate climates through to tropical locations; and provided you choose appropriate species and treat them according to location, it is feasible to grow orchids as cut flowers almost anywhere. Orchids are one of the most commercially viable cut flower crops (partially due to their beauty, and also due to their long shelf life). Learn how to produce orchid flowers for the cut flower trade.

“This diverse course introduces you to the fundamental knowledge required to set up your own cut flower business or to work in this exciting field. The cut flower trade is an expanding industry.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor

Cut flower growing has experienced rapid expansion in recent decades, resulting in increased demand for training in the skills and knowledge required by this industry in increasingly affluent countries. This course provides a thorough basic training for the commercial cut flower grower.

“This course is for the serious grower! A great all rounded course that covers all aspects of fruit temperate fruit growing from soil management through to plant selection and marketing. All you need to know to set up that fruit growing farm.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor

An eight lesson course that starts by introducing the fruit growing industry, and moves through most of the skills needed for successful fruit growing in a serious way. Topics covered include management, soils, planting, irrigation, pruning, cultural practices (including pest control), pome and stone fruits, and various vines, fruit trees and nuts.

"Fruit growing in tropical and sub-tropical climates".

Similar to the temperate fruit course, but adapted to cover tropical and sub-tropical conditions. The course includes sections on Avocados, Pineapples, Macadamias, Paw Paws and Cashews.

“Learn how you can extend the growing season by expanding your cut flower range and supplying markets year-round. This is a diverse course for the serious grower.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor.

Select your crop: and use appropriate equipment and techniques to get a viable commercial outcome.

Develop your ability to select and cultivate appropriate varieties of cut flowers in greenhouses.

"Design and maintenance of crop irrigation systems".

Learn about the design, installation, maintenance, operation and evaluation of simple irrigation systems.

"The culture and production of mushrooms".

Ever wanted to grow mushrooms and didn’t know where to start? Here is a comprehensive 8 lesson course covering how to grow mushrooms on either a small or large scale.

"Nut growing, development and harvesting".

For the enthusiast or commercial grower. This course provides a sound foundation for growing a wide variety of nuts, particularly in temperate climates. It also provides opportunities for you to focus more on types of nuts that are of greater interest and relevance to you.

“Successful protective plant cropping requires the practical skills and knowledge you will gain when undertaking this course. A specialized field of growing covering all types of crops and ornamentals – this course with give you broad practical plant husbandry skills.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor

Develop your broad understanding of practices and processes involved in successful plant cropping. It will develop a clear understanding of enviromental control and plant growth within a protective enviroment, together with a practical knowledge of plant husbandry techniques.

"Soil maintenance and management (for crops)".

This course is similar to our other soil management courses, but relates specifically to crops.

“Want to enter the grape growing industry or start a vineyard? This would have to be one of the most comprehensive courses around. Be prepared to be challenged!” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor

Want to learn about Viticulture?

This course will help you develop an ability to select and cultivate appropriate varieties of grapes in different situations, and provide the knowledge to make informed decisions about the management of a vineyard

"Look into the growing of nuts in tropical/sub-tropical climates".

The content of this course is very similar to the "Growing Nuts" course, except this course deals exclusively with nuts grown in the tropics and sub-tropics. In this course you will learn about the basis of all good Horticulture with soils and plant nutrition. About maintaining the correct cultural techniques for the long term health of your trees and methods for propagating them.