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ORGANIC PLANT CULTURE BHT302

Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
Statement of Attainment

Organic Plant Culture Distance Learning Course.

New! Course substantially revised and updated.

  • Develop a solid understanding of the principles and procedures underlying the cultivation of plants by natural methods.
  • Learn to work with the environment, without the use of artificial fertilisers or sprays.
  • Highly experienced and qualified tutors.

A more sustainable approach to plant growing.

  • Learn to grow plants naturally by working with the natural environment, and avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals.
  • Understand soils and plant nutrition.
  • Learn how to manage soils organically.
  • Identify ways to deal with pests and diseases using ecologically sound practices.

It's easy to enrol...

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COURSE CONTENT

The course comprises 10 lessons as outlined, below.

1.  Introduction to Organic Growing

  • Scope and Nature of Organic Growing
  • Definitions
  • Influential People in the Organic movement: Lady Balfour, Sir Albert Howard, Jerome Irving Rodale Different Ways to Garden Organically. Biodynamics, Permaculture
  • Resources

2.  Plant Culture

  • Different Cultivation Methods
  • Crop Rotation
  • Green Manure
  • No Dig Culture
  • Not Till
  • Planting into Grass

3.  Understanding Soils

  • Physical and Chemical Soil Properties
  • Soil Profiles
  • Identifying Soil Type
  • Soil Structure
  • pH
  • Cation Exchange Capacity
  • Buffering Capacity
  • Soil water and air, temperature, humus, etc
  • Organic Matter

4.  Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition

  • Organic Fertilisers; scope, nature, comparing different types of fertilizer and manure
  • Animal Manures
  • Seaweed and seaweed extracts
  • Liquid Feeds in Organics
  • Rock Dusts

5. Organic Soil Management

  • Importance of Soil
  • Cultivation Techniques and their affects on soil
  • Cover Crops
  • Using Cover Crops
  • Green Manures as Cover Crops
  • Nitrogen Fixation
  • The Rhizobium Bacteria
  • Mycorrhizae
  • Composting
  • Compost Bins
  • What can be Composted
  • Carbon Nitrogen Ratio
  • Compost heap conditions; cold and hot heaps
  • How to build a compost heap
  • Using Compost
  • Water in the Soil; infiltration, retention, when to water, period of watering

6. Pests and Diseases

  • Pest and Disease Prevention
  • Management Techniques; early intervention, using predators
  • Allowable inputs
  • Understanding Plant Problems
  • Disease Lifecycles
  • Review of Disease Types and their management
  • Viruses
  • Review of Pests and their management
  • Review of Environmental Problems and their Management
  • Companion Planting
  • Nutrient Accumulating Plants

7.  Mulching

  • Scope and Nature
  • Mulching Materials
  • Living Mulch
  • Weed Management, preventative measures, other weed control methods

8.  Seeds

  • Organic Seeds
  • Reproduction
  • Pollination and preventing cross pollination
  • Choosing Seed Plants for Vegetable Crops
  • Collection, cleaning, storing seeds
  • Sowing

9.  Vegetable Growing in your locality

  • Site Selection
  • Planning the Crop
  • Getting the most from a Vegetable Plot
  • Sowing Vegetable Seeds; outdoors, indoors
  • Transplanting Seedlings
  • Crowns, Offsets, Tubers
  • Selected Vegetables, their culture, production, harvest, etc
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Beetroot
  • Silver beet
  • Cabbage
  • Capsicum
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflowers
  • Celery
  • Chicory
  • Cucumbers
  • Egg plants
  • Kohl rabi
  • Leek
  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Parsnips
  • Potatoes
  • Pumpkins
  • Radish
  • Spinach
  • Turnip
  • Tomatoes

10.  Fruit Growing in your locality.

  • Establishing an Orchard; site, climate, water
  • Designing an Orchard
  • Soil Management for Organic Orchards
  • Winter Chilling, Pollination and other fruit set factors
  • Choosing Fruit Varieties
  • Temperate and Cool Climate Fruits Review
  • Review of Tropical and Sub Tropical Fruits
  • Vine Fruits
  • Berry Fruits
  • Nuts 


COURSE AIMS

  • Explain the concepts and principles of organic growing, including the common techniques used in organic growing systems.
  • Explain the concepts and principles of organic growing, including the common techniques used in organic growing systems.
  • Determine soil management procedures, which are consistent with organic growing principles.
  • Determine soil management procedures, which are consistent with organic growing principles.
  • Determine soil management procedures, which are consistent with organic growing principles.
  • Explain how pests and diseases are controlled using organic growing principles.
  • To determine appropriate mulches for  use in different organic growing situations.
  • Determine the appropriate use of seed propagation, in organic plant culture.
  • Plan the production of an organically grown vegetable food crop.
  • Plan the production of an organically grown fruit crop.


HOW THE COURSE WORKS

You can start the course at any time. It is studied by distance learning, so you can study in the comfort of your own home. But this doesn't mean you are all alone in your studies.  Our highly qualified and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way.  If you have any questions at all, they are always happy to help.

Each lesson includes set tasks, and is completed with an assignment which the student submits to their course tutor.  The tutor will mark the assignment and return this to the student with comments and suggestions for further reading.

TUTOR COMMENT

"This is a very intensive course that develops your ability to grow and market a range of crops. Grow your own organic crops or advise others. Many opportunities exist in this field as public interest is rapidly increasing. Organic growing is the path to the future."
Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care., Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert 1V Assessment and Training., Adv.Dip.Hort. ACS Tutor


WHY STUDY WITH ACS?

  • Our courses are written and taught by experienced professionals, so you know you can expect a high quality of teaching and support.
  • You can start the course at any time and study at your own pace.
  • Fit your studies around your own busy lifestyle.
  • Study where you want to - online studies offer the flexibility for you to determine where and when you study.


THE BENEFITS OF STUDYING ORGANIC PLANT CULTURE

Interest in organically grown gardens and produce has been gaining traction for the past few decades as more and more people question the use of harsh chemicals in horticulture and agriculture. Not only can these chemicals affect natural ecosystems but they can also have residual effects on humans if consumed. Everyone can play a part in protecting the environment whether in the home garden or in other horticultural roles.

This course is suited to people who care about the environment and who are working in:

  • Horticulture
  • Agriculture
  • Environmental protection
  • Land care
  • Home gardens

ANY QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please do get in touch with us - connect with our expert tutors, use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE.
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

John Mason (Horticulturist)Horticulturist, Nurseryman, Landscaper, Garden Writer, Parks Manager and Consultant. Over 45 years experience; working in Australia and the UK. He is one of the most widely published garden writers in the world; author of more than 100 books and editor for 4 different gardening magazines. John has been recognised by his peers being made a fellow of the Institute of Horticulture in the UK, as well as by the Australian Institute of Horticulture.
Maggi BrownMaggi is regarded as an expert in organic growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association. She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more than three decades. Some of Maggi's qualifications include RHS Cert. Hort. Cert. Ed. Member RHS Life Member Garden Organic (HDRA) .
Diana Cole (Horticulturist)Horticulturist, Permaculturist, Landscaper, Environmentalist. Holds a Diploma in Horticulture, degree in geography, permaculture certificate and various other qualifications. Between 1985 and 94, Diana was a task leader with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Since 2001 she has been chairperson of the Friends of Mellor Park (with Stockport MDC). From 2005 she has worked exclusively in horticulture as proprietor of her own garden design and consultancy business in and around Derbyshire; and at the same time as part time manager of a small garden centre. Diana has been an enthusiastic and very knowledgeable tutor with ACS since 2008.


Check out our eBooks

HerbsLearn to identify and grow dozens of commonly grown herbs. Explore how to use them. Herbs have a rich history dating back centuries. Used by monks, apothecaries and ‘witches’ in the past, herbs are undergoing a revival in interest. They are easy to grow, scented, culinary and medicinal plants. In a formal herb garden or peppered throughout the garden, herbs rarely fail! Find out how they are used as medicines, for cooking, perfumes and more.
Organic GardeningFor decades farmers have relied upon chemicals to control pests and diseases in order to produce saleable crops. In the ornamental, vegetable and fruit gardens reliance on chemical controls has also been the mainstay for many gardeners.
Scented PlantsScented plants can be either a delight or a curse. For many people, there is nothing more pleasing than a garden filled with fragrance, but for others who suffer allergies, certain plants can make them physically ill; sometimes very seriously.