Plant knowledge is a skill that is always valued by employers and integral for success in your own business; in virtually all fields of horticulture.
This course lays the foundation for building such knowledge, and as such gives you a skill which has been and always will be in high demand in this industry.
CONTENT
There are ten lessons in this course plus one Special Assignment (see later for details). The content of each of the ten lessons is outlined below:
1. The Groups of Plants ‑ setting a framework for the whole subject.
Plant NamesCommon NamesScierntific NamesHybrid, Variety, CultivarBotanical KeysHistory of Organised NomenclatureInternational Code, Ranks of TaxaPrinciple of PriorityChoice, Construction and Spelling NamesName ChangesAbbreviationsColour ChartsPlant Breeders RightsReview of Selected FamiliesDifferent ways of grouping or classifying plants
2. Use of Plants
- Plants in the Landscape
- Choosing Plants
- Pre purchase Considerations
- Planting Techniques
- Conservation Planting
- Vandalism and Planting
- Recycling spent wood
- Soil restrictions on Plant Selection
3. Australian Native Plants
- Conditions needed by a particular species
- General characteristics of Indigenous Plants
- Selected Native Trees of Australia
- Selected Native Trees of Great Britain
- Selected European Native Trees
- Selected American Native Trees
- Selected Asian Natives
- Selected North African Natives
- Selected Middle East Natives
- Street Trees - Review of a Survey/Report
- Quick Reference Review of both Australian and UK Amenity Plant Genera
4. Exotic Ornamental Plants
- Rhododendrons
- Azaleas
- Roses
- Conifers
- Trees in the Landscape -Why plant trees, tree problems, Popular ornamental trees
- Guide to Shrubs in the Landscape
- Environmental Influences on Plant Selection
- What Plant Where
- Review of many Genera
5. Indoor & Tropical Plants
- Indoor Plants
- Potting Indoor Plants
- Ferns
- Landscaping with Ferns
- Recommended Ferns
6. Bedding Plants
- Bulbs
- Chrysanthemums
- Cut Flowers
7. Vegetables
- What Can be Grown
- Crop Rotation
- Varieties and Seed to grow
- Mushrooms
8. Fruits, Nuts & Berries
- Apples
- Apricots
- Avocado
- Banana Cherry
- Citrus
- Fig
- Grape
- Mango
- Olive
- Passionfruit
- Paw Paw
- Pear
- Peach
- Plum
- Berry Fruit
- Walnut
- Chestnut
- Almond
- Macadamia
- Other Fruits and Nuts
9. Herbs
- Easier to Grow Herbs
- Quick Reference Herb Chart
- Companion Planting and Insect Deterrants
- Herbal Teas
- Herb Cultivation
- Harvesting Herbs
- Making Pot Pourri
- The Mints
- Propagating Herbs
- Landscaping with Herbs
- Poisonous Plants
10. Alternative Growing Techniques
- Containers & Comparing types
- Container Aesthetics
- Preventing Moss and Algae
- Potting Up Plants
- Potting Mixes
- Hydroponics
- Bonsaiu
- Greenhouse and Shadehouse Growing
- Heating
- Growing Epiphytes
- Terrariums.
- Water Gardens
Duration: 100 hours
AIMS
* Identify plants from a wide range of taxonomic and cultural groups, using a range of different techniques.
* Determine techniques for the growing of native shrubs and trees, including the selection, culture and use of different species.
* Determine techniques for the growing of exotic ornamental shrubs and trees, including the selection, culture and use of different species.
* Determine techniques for the growing of indoor plants, including selection, culture and use of different varieties.
* Determine techniques for the growing of bedding plants, including selection, culture and use of differ
Recommended e books - by our principal and founder, John Mason
Buy, download and read immediately; or download an extract for free
ent varieties.
* Develop techniques for the growing of edible crop plants, including selection, culture and use of vegetables, fruit, berries and nuts.
* Determine appropriate applications for a range of alternative growing methods.
This Course is also available to be studied online...
Click here to enrol in the Online Course
REFERENCE BOOKS
ACS operates a student bookshop that supplies a range of horticulture texts to supplement our courses. Many are written by the principal (well known gardening author John Mason), or other staff. All have been reviewed and approved by our academic experts (to be accurate and relevant to students studying our horticulture courses).
- Student discounts are available to anyone studying with ACS Distance Education.
- Both printed books and ebooks (as downloads) available
TROPICAL and WARM CLIMATE GARDENING by John Mason (publisher Bay Books) Printed Book
ORCHIDS: A BEGINNERS GUIDE by John Mason (publisher: Highland House) Printed Book
GROWING CONIFERS by John Mason (publisher: Kangaroo Press) Printed book
GROWING FERNS by John Mason (publisher: Kangaroo Press) Printed book
NURSERY MANAGEMENT 2nd Edition by John Mason (publisher :andlinks Press) Printed Book
GROWING AUSTRALIAN NATIVES 2nd edition Printed Book
GARDEN DESIGN Part I by John Mason (publisher ACS) EBook
GARDEN DESIGN Part 2 by John Mason (publisher ACS) EBook
STARTING A GARDEN OR LANDSCAPE BUSINESS 2nd Edition by John Mason (publisher: ACS) EBook Book
GROWING TREES and SHRUBS for SMALL GARDENS by John Mason
- Click on above link for info
- Sample pages available to download for all ebook
- E Books can be purchased online for immediate download (Can be read on a computer, ipad, iphone, lap top, most book readers or similar devices).
- GO TO www.acsbookshop.com for more titles
