General Horticulture Courses

"Become a manager or supervisor in the field of arboriculture".

Advance your job opportunities in the arboriculture industry by gaining a qualification in both management and arboriculture. This  900 hour course is aimed at those that would like to work as supervisors or managers in this growing field.  There are 7 modules plus a 200 hr workplace project in this course. These are the 4 core units common to all streams of this Advanced Certificate, and three specialist units of study relating to the selection and culture of plants, with an emphasis on trees. The core studies cover office practices, business operations, management and marketing.

• Accredited by International Accreditation and Recognition Council
• Articulates into our diplomas and degrees (start here and build)
• Expert tutors in both UK and Australia to provide a broader, international education

"Start your own business in hydroponics".

A hydroponics management course designed to train people for supervisory or managerial positions in the hydroponic industry. This course concentrates on the horticulturally valuable crops, such as cut flowers and vegetables, on plant breeding; and on broad management and business skills needed to make a success of horticultural technology business.

"Manage or supervise within the nursery industry!  A must for any serious student in this field!"

Succeed in the retail nursery sector by developing the skills required to manage a retail business;  also acquire knowledge in identification, care and handling of plants and other products sold through retail nurseries. 

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

"Own or supervise your own wholesale nursery".

For people who work, or hope to work, as a supervisor, manager or owner operator of a wholesale or production nursery. This is a 900 hour covering both management and horticultural studies relating to running a wholesale nursery. There are 7 units plus a workplace project in this course. These include the 4 core units common to all streams of the Advanced Certificate (C12CN001), and three specialist units of study relating to the operation and management of wholesale nurseries. This course is internationally accredited through I.A.R.C.

"A must for anyone working within the ornamental horticulture industry!"

This course provides training for people to work in the care and development of gardens, parks, or other areas of amenity horticulture (eg. Tree management, Turf management, interior plantscaping), at a technician or management level, in positions such as: managers, technical officers, or consultants.

"Get a new career as a consultant, trainer or manager in the nursery industry".

This course provides training for people wishing to work in nurseries at a technician or management level; in positions such as nursery managers, technical representatives or consultants.
With options to specialise, modules may include: Horticultural Management, Horticultural Marketing, Botany , Propagation, Tissue Culture, Cutting Propagation, Soil Management, Plant Protection, Wholesale Nursery Management, Garden Centre Management, Sales Skills, Marketing Psychology and more. 

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

"This course introduces the concepts and influences on amenity horticulture".

Become a better manager through a deeper appreciation of  the nature and scope of providing, establishing and managing amenity horticulture sites.

"This course provides a more in-depth look at factors impacting on amenity horticulture".

Explain planning for amenity horticulture, including appropriate measures to ensure all relevant concerns are identified and appropriately considered. An Amenity Site is primarily used for recreation, pleasure, visual enhancement or environmental improvement rather than for the production of economic crops.

Prerequisite : You must complete Amenity Horticulture I before attempting this course.

"Study tree physiology and disorders".

This course develops your skills and understanding in diagnosis and treatment of tree disorders, whether pests, diseases, nutritional or water problems, or something else. You learn about the standard tree surgery practices, to prune and train both young and established trees, and safety measures to follow.

"This course concentrates on tree planting and maintenance".

Develops your ability to manage trees beyond Arboriculture I, in order to minimize potential long term tree problems. Learn about better tree selection, strengthening and improving health of existing trees, and techniques used to better remove trees and stumps that must be removed.

"Do you want to work in greens management, sales or marketing? Learn more about the management of turf".

A very sound foundation for a career in the turf industry Graduates may find employment in such positions as a superintendent, greens manager, sales or marketing representative, technician  etc.

"Work in arboriculture. A vocationally based qualification for anyone interested in working in arboriculture".
This certificate focuses on the culture and care of trees, providing a sound foundation for any working or hoping to work with tree establishment or maintenance. Unlike many other courses in arboriculture, this course also provides a broad foundation across all aspects of horticulture.

Visit the ACS online bookshop - click here for titles related to this subject

"Change your career! Specialist training in the field of horticulture and grounds management".

This is an excellent start to a career in horticulture. It provides specialised training for employment in the horticultural industry, and at a level which other certificates unfortunately don’t always attain in today’s world. Graduates of this course have in the past been extremely successful in finding employment or developing businesses in horticulture.

"Work with nature".

This is a course for people working or intending to work in nature parks such as zoos, wildlife parks, national parks, forests and reserves.

"An extensive course for anyone working or wanting to work in care of parks"

The course is designed to teach the basics of how to identify, grow, and maintain ornamental plants and gardens in any climate. Emphasis is placed on the plant varieties which are horticulturally most valuable. Topics covered include garden maintenance, turf care, arboriculture, landscaping, and nursery work. CT

"Gain in-depth knowledge of plant protection"

A 700 hr certificate that provides initial training in the area of plant protection. 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 plant protection. Accredited through International Accreditation & Recognition Council

"A detailed course for anyone involved with propagation"

A 700 hour course designed principally for plant propagators. 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 plant propagation, dealing with hundreds of different types of plants, and methods used to propagate them.  Accredited through the International Accreditation & recognition Council.

"Become a turf worker! Work on golf courses, for councils, sports fields"!

A 700 hour course designed principally for turf workers at golf courses, bowling greens, sports fields, or councils. 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 turf culture, species and management. Accredited through the International Accreditation & Recognition Council

"This certificate provides a solid introduction to those looking to a career in horticulture".

This is an excellent start to a career in horticulture. It provides specialised training for employment in the horticultural industry, and at a level which other certificates unfortunately don’t always attain in today’s world. Graduates of this course have in the past been extremely successful in finding employment or developing businesses in horticulture.

"How to take and grow plants from cuttings".

This is a skill which is in high demand the world over. The ability to know what to propagate, and how to achieve a high rate of success, is a major factor in the economic viability of most commercial nurseries. With cutting propagation being the way most varieties of plants are grown, this course is highly desirable for anyone working in a production nursery.

"An extensive course which covers all areas of managing garden centres".

Designed originally in conjunction with a garden department manager of a major retail chain store; this course has been very successful in training both staff and managers of retail nurseries and garden centres across the world. It continues to be updated at least annually, and continues to be used by small nurseries through to major chain stores across the country.

"Learning effective design and management of a garden".

Have a healthy looking garden year round.
Proper garden maintenance will cost you both time and money. Fortunately, there are shortcuts to help you have a good-looking garden without spending a huge amount of time or money on your property.

"Save Money by Propagating your own Garden Plants at Home".

This is a starter course, designed for people who have no prior experience in propagation.  Starting from the basics, this course covers all aspects of propagating plants and shows you what's involved in starting and running your own propagation nursery, including: seed, cuttings, grafting, division, layering, materials and equipment.

"Plan and execute Effective Marketing Campaigns for Horticultural Produce or Garden Products".

In any industry including horticulture, competition is fierce and success depends upon the way you market your product. A sound knowledge of marketing processes will ensure that a business stays ahead of the competition.

This is a comprehensive well-rounded course that offers the horticultural marketing manager or small business owner what they need to be successful in this essential component of business management.

"Learn the needs and types of research".

Develop the skills and knowledge needed to plan, conduct and report on research in social, technological and environmental issues that impact on Horticulture today and which are needed for strategic business planning.

"This module advances your researching skills".

With more advanced research skills, you will be able to contribute new insights into the field of horticulture, and our understanding of issues that affect it. This course will further develop your ability to research and present a critical, written and numerical assessment of information related to social, technological, environmental and economic issues that impact on Horticulture today.

Prerequisite: Horticultural Research I

"This broad ranging course provides a sound introduction to management in horticulture".

 
Skilled horticultural managers are in demand to manage strategies appropriate to specific enterprises in the horticultural industry, both private business or public enterprises. This course has been developed to provide horticulture businesses with resource management skills that help to ensure a successful horticultural enterprise.

"An introduction to horticulture".

Gain a broad technical grounding in horticultural principles and practice.

The ideal course for the beginner, this is a basic, yet thoroughly practical course. A section of each lesson involves plant identification.

This subject has been written to teach horticulture in a way that is relevant to all parts of the world. It puts aside regional techniques, and tries to teach you principles and concepts which can be applied to anywhere.

"This advanced course specialises in care of plant health".

This subject develops a firm understanding of plant health, the systematic identification of health problems in plants, and the techniques for control of those problems.

A sick plant may have one or several causes at the same time.

"Explore different types and applications of irrigation systems".

This course covers the design, installation, maintenance, operation and evaluation of simple irrigation systems. This course is similar to BHT204 and BAG213 but focuses on irrigation for parks, home gardens, and other ornamental horticulture areas.

"This course looks at the design and management of larger irrigation systems".

Develop your ability to manage the design and operation of large scale irrigation systems.

This course builds on skills achieved in Irrigation (BHT210, BHT304 and BAG213) modules to develop the student's skills to manage the design and operation of large scale irrigation systems for horticultural applications.

"Develop sound principles of natural park management".

The student will develop a sound understanding of the natural environment and basic ecological principles and learn a variety of skills ranging from basic gardening and nature park design to erosion control, weed control and tree surgery.

"Learn about managing natural parks and settings.  A great career"!

This course is a natural progression from Nature Park Management I, but can be taken in its own right. It concentrates more on native plants and using them to create natural balanced ecosystems. You also learn to create nature trails, build rockeries and pathways, construct ponds and watercourses, design picnic grounds and animal enclosures and market a nature park.

"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).

"Learn the skills for working in a production nursery".

This is a course designed in collaboration with nursery hands at the Greening Australia Hamel Nursery, south of Perth. It teaches the skills for day to day work in a production nursery. There are eleven lessons involving: The Nursery Industry - operational flow charts, nursery standards, plant variety rights, transport regulations; plant identification, nursery structures, buildings, heating & cooling systems; potting mixes, seed propagation, cutting propagation, other propagation techniques, plant nutrition, pest & disease control, other nursery tasks and marketing and sales.

"Gain knowledge specific to the role of nursery sales assistant".

This course was developed in 1999 in response to a request from a retail nurseryman who was finding it difficult to find staff with appropriate skills. As he put it, job applicants were either over qualified or lacked the basic skills needed: to be able to identify plants, advise customers on their use and to understand some basic sales techniques and procedures. This course covers these basic fundamentals.

"An introduction to horticulture business management systems".

A study focussing on managing Economics, Planning and Marketing of operations in horticulture. Your ability to manage a business can make a huge difference to your success in horticulture. In this course, you will learn to the business side of horticulture, including how to plan and implement effective strategies for your business and/or services. This is a module in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture

"This advanced course concentrates on law and related influences on your business needs".

Develop a capacity to apply legal, contractual and staff management considerations to demonstrate informed interpretation and analysis, critical thought processes and an understanding of complex issues in relation to the management of a range of different sectors of the horticulture industry.  Prerequisite: Operational Business Management I

"Learn to grow plants naturally by working with the natural environment".

This course shows you how to grow plants naturally, developing a solid understanding of the principles and procedures underlying the cultivation of plants by natural methods, working with the environment and without the use of artificial fertilizers or sprays.

"An introduction to the techniques of plant breeding".

Plant breeding is a bigger industry than most people realize. In some places, earnings from plant breeding rights can equal or exceed earnings from actually producing plants. Today's nurseryman needs to understand plant breeding and selection; and to this end, this course is a very valuable and unique course for anyone working in the modern industry.

"This course focuses on the identification, care and use of plants".

This course is a natural progression from Horticulture 1, but can be taken as a subject in its own. It concentrates on the identification, care and use of plants in a systematic way.

It develops your capacity to identify more plants; and understand not just the differences in appearance, but also in cultural requirements.

"Improve your understanding of plant disease and how to control them".

Plant pathology (also known as phytopathology) is the study of plant disease and other plant problems - it is a combination of science knowledge and science application.

"Learn how to protect your plants against disease, weeds and insects".

Protect your plants using appropriate pest, disease and weed control techniques - a detailed course for horticulturists, technicians and also for enthusiastic gardeners.

"This course compliments our other horticulture course, enabling development of practical skills".

A course that focuses on the practical side of horticulture read more below:

How do you learn the practical side of horticulture by distance education? Although all ACS courses are practically as well as theoretically focussed - this course was developed for those people who feel that they will gain more from a course that places MOST of the learning experience on learning theory - through practice.

"Advance the development of your practical skills with Practical Horticulture II".

Would you like to become the boss or be your own boss? Acquire the practical skills required by the horticultural supervisor or project manager in a variety of horticultural situations normally learned working under the supervision of a horticultural expert. A step on from Practical Horticulture 1 but a course that can be taken in its own right by those with fundamental horticultural knowledge.

"A thorough introduction to the management of wholesale nurseries".

Managing a production nursery involves more than just propagating and potting up plants. Even the small nursery must be able to not only producer plants, but do it at a pre determined cost, then sustain those plants before and during marketing.. The nursery industry currently has a real need for people with skills and knowledge in managing production plant nurseries! This course provides a solid grounding for developing those skills.

This course has been developed by a team of horticultural experts from the UK and Australia led by international author and horticultural expert, John Mason FIOH.

"A specialised qualification in horticulture".

This comprises a set syllabus consisting generally around 30 lessons that relate to a particular specialist theme. A Proficiency Award allows you to study subjects in a highly specialised area. You select and study three short courses of your own choice, which relate to each other (eg. Three crops or three landscaping short courses). In addition, you must complete 200 hrs of approved work experience before receiving the award. Approval of course structure must be obtained before enrolling.

"An introductory course which includes nursery management".

A comprehensive course to develop your broad skills in plant propagation. This subject assumes a very general knowledge of basic plant propagation and botany. If you parts of this subject difficult, we recommend you review a book on plant propagation before proceeding.

"Production and management of protected plants".

This course not only provides a credit in ACS qualifications, accredited through IARC; but it also prepares you to sit for RHS modules and acquire credits in the RHS advanced certificate or diploma.

"A valuable vocational course offering the valued RHS accreditation".

This vocationally-oriented course comprises core studies in general horticulture plus specialised elective studies. The course is designed to lay a foundation for a long-term career in horticulture by developing the ability to identify a large range of plants, knowledge of essential horticultural principles and practices and practical skills in plant propagation, growth and care. This course provides certification from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) UK and a UK accredited qualification.

"An indepth horticultural qualification accredited by the RHS!"

Prerequisites                                                                                                                              

Anyone enrolling in this diploma is assumed to have first completed either:

an equivalent certificate such as the ACS Certificate in Horticulture C12CN002

MENTORING FROM WORLD LEADERS IN HORTICULTURE

ACS has been teaching horticulture for over 30 years and provides a range of unique support services including prompt unrestricted access by phone and email to around a dozen highly qualified and experienced horticulturists.

"Accredited by the RHS.  Learn a valuable trade and gain a respected qualification".

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is known and respected worldwide, and their qualifications are considered the most internationally credible qualifications in horticulture.

Study with a team of highly qualified and internationally renowned horticultural tutors in the UK, Australia and NZ.  ACS has been teaching horticulture for over 30 years and provides a range of unique support services including prompt unrestricted access by phone and email to around a dozen highly qualified and experienced horticulturists.

This is an Exceptional Qualification for Horticultural Managers..... a highly regarded degree in horticulture, from the Royal Horticultural Society!This is a horticultural management oriented qualification for anyone with diploma or higher qualifications in horticulture or a related discipline (or equivalent).

By Course Work    -we supply more than just self guided studies, or mentoring from tutors. The program involves working through a series of 100 hour correspondence courses aligned with the RHS curriculum. You will undertake lots of practical work, submit routine assignments and receive regular feedback on your progress from our team of more than a dozen expert, experienced and highly qualified horticulturists; ocated across both the UK and Australia.

The qualification is awarded upon satisfactorily completing a series of exams conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society; most of which can be arranged to be undertaken anywhere in the world.  It may be necessary however to make one visit to the UK to finalize practical assessments.

"Study the propagation of seeds".

This course assumes general foundation knowledge of plant propagation. For those with industry or significant amateur experience, the course may contain some sections that are little more than revision, but for anyone with minimal or no knowledge of seed propagation, some additional reading may be required in parts in order to gain optimum benefit from the course.

"Understand soils and how to improve them to increase yields".

Healthy soils for a healthy future

The Soil is a living biological ecosystem that must be managed to the benefit of the crop and to the broader ecosystem of the region. The reason we investigate soil and its characteristics it to understand it in relation to plant growth, how to manage and manipulate it without causing damage, how to improve it generally or how to modify it for the growing of specific crops. Good soil conditions are critical to the healthy growth of most plants.

"Specialise in selection, application and maintenance of turf for sport environment".

This course assumes a basic knowledge of turf care, either through experience or prior study (eg. Our Turf Care course) From there it develops your ability to manage the maintenance of sports turf. It is relevant to the maintenance of all sports turf including golf courses, bowling clubs, playing fields, cricket wickets and other sporting facilities.

"A course in the elements and methods of micro propagation".

Tissue culture involves growing plants from very small sections (sometimes microscopic) in a laboratory. It is a propagation method which is being increasingly used. Tissue culture is not appropriate for many plants, but for others such as orchids, some indoor plants and in particular, many new plant varieties, it is a very popular propagation method.

"Develop an understanding of environmental systems and landscape rehabilitation".

Interested in the environmental rehabilitation of degraded landscapes and contaminated sites or already working in this field? This course for you!

"A course looking at turf in commercial and private applications".

A comprehensive introduction to the identification, selection, culture and management of turf for commercial, recreational or home use. Taking approximately 100 hours to complete it is suitable as a basic course for people working with turf, such as on a golf course or bowling green, or for keen amateurs who wish to make the most of their home lawns.

"Learn how to approach and resolve problems with turf".

This course assumes a basic knowledge of turf, equivalent to Turf Care I, and from there develops your ability to diagnose and treat problems in turf.

"Learn to identify and employ different methods of weed control".

A weed is any plant that is growing where you don't want it. Any plant has the potential to be a weed.  A weed will compete with your desired plants for light, space, water and nutrients. A plant could also be a weed because of a particular characteristic; it could be poisonous to stock or humans, if it acts as a host plant to pests and diseases (of both other plants and/or animals), if it has damaging roots, or if it causes allergies.