CERTIFICATE IN HORTICULTURE (HERBS)

Train to be a Professional Horticulturist Specialising in Herbs.

The Certificate in Horticulture (Herbs) covers the basics of horticulture in the first half of the course and moves on to herb growing in the second half. This allows you to extend your prospects - the general horticulture knowledge gained gives you greater work opportunities in the various horticulture industry sectors. This is an excellent backstop to gain experience or extra income whilst you set up your herb business.

This is a course designed for people involved, or wishing to become involved in the business of herbs.

It involves:

• 50% study of general horticulture, and
• 50% study of herbs and herb production.

It can lead to employment opportunities including:

• herb nurseries,
• commercial herb farms,
• manufacturing herb products
• herb gardens
• selling herb products
• service industries from education and consulting to meedia work

This certificate is designed to provide you with a broad background to run a business or work for someone else in any of these areas. 

Lesson Structure

There are 30 lessons in this course:

1. Plant Identification
   • Introduction
   • Botanical/Horticultural Nomenclature
   • The Binomial (Taxonomic) System
   • Botanical Classification
   • Plant Families and Species
   • Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars
   • Plant Family Names
   • Pronunciation of Plant Names
   • Significant Genera and Families they belong to
   • Meanings and origins of Plant Names
   • Pressing Plants (to create a herbaria collection for reference)
   • Introduction to Amenity Plants
   • Flowering Plants
   • Lower Plants – Conifers, Ferns
   • Rhododendrons and Azaleas
   • Roses
   • Bulbs
   • Practical – Plant Review Worksheets
2. Parts of the Plant
   • Plant Identification Skills
   • How to increase your Plant I.D. Skills
   • Terminology
   • Lead Types
   • Structure and Arrangement of Leaves and Leaflets
   • Common Leaf Shapes
   • Flower Structure
   • Parts of a Flower
   • The Inflorescence
   • Types of Flowers – bisexual, unisexual, monoecious, dioeceous
   • How a Seed Forms
   • Plant Structure
   • Stems and Stem Modifications
   • Leaves and Leaf Modifications
   • Roots and Root Function
   • Root Modifications
   • Morphological Changes as a Plant Matures
   • Cell Structure and Histology
   • Cell Components
   • Plant Cell Types
   • Plant Tissue Comparisons
   • Photosynthesis
   • Factors Affecting Photosynthesis
   • Respiration
   • Rate of Respiration
   • Transpiration
   • Environmental Factors Affecting Transpiration and Water Uptake
   • The Nitrogen Cycle
   • Terminology
3. Plant Culture – Planting
   • Planting
   • Environmental Influences on Plants
   • Potting Up Plants
   • Potting Shrubs and Trees
   • Introduction to Gardening Basics
   • Terminology
   • Common Mistakes when Planting
   • Plant Selection Criteria
   • Economics of Planting
   • Ongoing Costs
   • Longevity
   • General Hardiness
   • Aesthetic Criteria
   • Basic Planting Procedure
   • Fertiliser
   • Staking
   • Bare Rooted Plants
   • Timing of Planting
   • Considerations, Variety, Time, Locality, Mulching
   • Laying a New Lawn – Soil Prep, Levels, Sowing, Raking in, Watering
   • Turf Grass Varieties – Couch, Fescue, Rye, Bent, Kentucky Blue
4. Plant Culture – Pruning
   • Fruit or Vegetative Buds
   • Reasons for Pruning
   • Removing Dead or Diseased Wood
   • Controlling Growth Type
   • Controlling Shape and Size
   • Rejuvenation
   • Basic Pruning Rules
   • Home Orchard Pruning
   • Fruit Tree Pruning Styles
   • Before Pruning
   • Considerations while Pruning
   • Pruning Terminology
5. Plant Culture – Irrigation and Machinery
   • Water and Irrigation
   • Infiltration and Drainage
   • Types of Irrigation
   • Flood Irrigation
   • Sprinkler Irrigation
   • Trickle Irrigation
   • Power Tools
   • Types of Power Tools
   • Power Tool Maintenance
   • Oil
   • Buying Power Tools
   • Chainsaws – Use, Starting, Chain Sharpening
   • Mowers – types. Guidelines for use, Care
   • Brush Cutters/ Strimmers
   • Mulchers
   • Rotary Hoes
   • Hedge Trimmers
   • Irrigation Objectives and Feasibility
   • Understanding Soil, Water and Plants
   • Gravitational, Capillary and Hygroscopic Water
   • Measuring Water Available to Plants
   • Calculations – Field Capacity, Wilting Point
   • Available Moisture Range
   • Root Depths for Different Plants
   • Estimating Plant Water Requirement
   • When to Irrigate
   • Symptoms of Water Deficiency and Excess
   • Types of Sprinkler Systems and Sprinkler Heads
   • Design and Operation of Irrigation Systems
   • Cyclic Watering
   • Pulse Watering
   • Irrigation Scheduling
   • Selecting Surface Irrigation Methods
6. Soils and Media
   • Potting Mixes
   • Factors Affecting Fertiliser Application
   • Soils
   • Sampling Soils
   • Soil Composition
   • Colloids and Peds
   • Soil Texture and Structure
   • Soil Chemical Properties
   • Improving Soils – texture, structure, fertility
   • Soil Terminology
7. Soils ad Nutrition
   • Introduction
   • Nutrient Elements
   • Macronutrients
   • Nitrogen
   • Phosphorus
   • Potassium
   • Magnesium
   • Calcium
   • Sulphur
   • Micronutrients
   • Soil pH and Nutrient Availability
   • Soil Ameliorants
   • Total Salts
   • Salinity
   • Sources of Salt
   • Control Methods for Salinity
   • Soil Sodicity
   • Water, Air and Nutrients
   • Soil Temperature
   • Key to Diagnosis of Nutritional Problems
   • Fertilisers
   • Composting
   • Compost Ingredients
8. Propagation – Seed and Cuttings
   • Introduction
   • Seed Propagation
   • Hygiene
   • How to Sow Seeds in Containers
   • Seed Germination
   • Seed Sources
   • Seed Storage
   • Factors Affecting Seed Storage
   • Germinating Difficult Seeds
   • Seed Dormancy
   • Treatments to Break Dormancy
   • Cutting Propagation
   • Cutting Types – Softwood, Hardwood, Semi Hardwood, Herbaceous, Stem, Tip, Heal. Leaf, etc
   • Factors affecting Rooting of Cuttings
   • Plant Breeding
   • Hybrid Seed Production
   • Maintaining Genetic Identity in Seed
   • Hand Pollination
9. Propagation – Other Techniques
   • Division
   • Aseptic Micro Propagation
   • Grafting
   • Budding
   • Layering
   • Tip Layering
   • Mound Layering
   • Simple Layering
   • Compound Layering
   • Aerial Layering
   • Natural Layering – Suckers, Runners, Offsets, Crowns
   • Propagation with Specialised Stems and Roots – Bulbs, Corms, Tubers, Rhizomes, Pseudobulbs
   • Propagating Bulbs – Bulblets on Scales, Stem Cuttings, Bulbils, Basal Cutting etc
10. Identification and Use of Plants – Landscape Application
    • Plants in the Landscape
    • Choosing Plants – criteria
    • Inspecting Plants Pre Purchase
    • Trees for Landscaping
    • Factors for Tree Selection
    • Potential Tree Problems
    • Choosing Shrubs for Different Purposes
    • Groundcovers
    • Building Plant Knowledge of Many Tree and Shrub Genera
    • Trees for Different Conditions
    • Planting Techniques
    • Soil Restrictions on Planting
11. Identification and Use of Plants-Problem Situations
    • Establishing Trees
    • Tree Size & Age at Planting
    • Root Containment at Planting - Container Type, Bare Rooted or Balled
    • What to look for when Buying a Tree
    • Plant Protection at Planting – Staking, Frost Protection, Sun Protection, Cages
    • Controlling Birds
    • Props
    • Cabling & Bolting
    • Quick Reference Plant Directory
    • Container Growing Outside
    • Street Tree Reporting
12. Identification and Use of Plants – Indoor
    • Introduction to Indoor Plants
    • Why Indoor Plants Die
    • Potting Mixes
    • Drainage holes in Pots
    • How to Pot a small Plant to a Larger Pot
    • Potting up Hanging Baskets
    • Plantscaping with Ferns
    • Fern Families and Genera
13. Pests
    • Chemical Pest Control
    • Law
    • Chemical Labelling
    • Non Chemical Pest Control
    • Care when Using Chemicals
    • Entomology & Insect Control Methods
    • Types of Insect Poisons – contact, intermediate, stomach, translocated or not
    • Integrated Pest Management
    • Insecticide Use with IPM
    • Preventative Actions in the Garden
    • Understanding Pesticides – Reading the Label
    • Toxicity, Activity Spectrum, LD50. Persistence, Volatility, etc.
    • Chemical Types -Inorganic, Biological, Organophosphates, Organochlorines, Carbamates, etc.
    • Review of Specific Chemical Products
    • Diatomaceous earth, Soaps
    • Fungicides
    • Ways of Applying Chemicals – Spraying, Dusting, Granules, Irrigation injection
    • Safety Procedures when Using Agricultural Chemicals
    • Differentiation of Pests, Diseases and Viruses
    • Review of most Common Pests
14. Diseases
    • Fungicides
    • Plant Pathology
    • Identifying a Problem – Parasitic, Non Parasitic
    • Treating a Problem
    • Diagnosis of Plant Disorders – Visual Appearance, Possible Cause, Appropriate Treatment
    • Common Diseases
    • Anthracnose
    • Blight
    • Canker
    • Damping Off
    • Galls
    • Leaf Spot
    • Mildew
    • Rots
    • Rust
    • Smut
    • Mould
    • Wilt
    • Other Common Diseases
    • Turf Fungal Diseases
    • Plant Virus Detection and Diagnosis
    • Arboriculture and Tree Health
15. Weeds
    • What is a Weed
    • Steps to Controlling Weeds
    • Weed Control with Suffocation
    • Weed Control with Burning
    • Cultivation to Control Weeds
    • Other Non Chemical Weed Control Methods – Grazing, Mowing, Flooding, pH change, Biological Controls
    • Weed Control with Herbicides
    • Modes of Action
    • Regulations and Laws - Restricted Use & Supply
    • Avoiding Spray Drift
    • Types of Herbicide Chemicals – Aliphatics, Amides, Ureas, Carbamates etc.
    • Herbicide Resistance and Tolerance
    • Safe Use of Weed killers
    • Safety Guidelines and First Aid in relation to Chemical Use
    • Cleaning Up a Chemical Spill
    • Identifying Weeds
    • Controlling Weeds in Different Places – fence lines, base of trees, garden Beds, Hard Surfaces
    • Types of Weeds
    • Noxious Weeds
    • Environmental Weeds
    • Common Weeds
    • Terminology
16. Lavenders
    • Introduction
    • Lavender Species
    • Lavender Classification – 5 sub groups
    • Varieties/Cultivars
    • Lavandin hybrid
    • English Lavenders
    • Italian Lavender
    • How to Grow Lavender
    • Transplanting
    • Buying Plants
    • Harvesting and Using
    • Lavender Crafts
    • Edible Lavender Products
17. Mints
    • Mint Production
    • Disease Control
    • Mint Species
18. Lamiaceae Herbs
    • Introduction
    • Thymes
    • Propagating Thymus
    • Thyme cultivars
    • Salvia (Sages)
19. Garlic
    • Introduction to Garlic
    • Appearance
    • Propagation
    • Culture
    • Harvest and Processing
20. Asteraceae(Compositae) Herbs
    • Chamomile
    • German Chamomile
    • Roman Chamomile
    • Artemisia
21. The Apiaceae Family
    • Angelica
    • Fennel
    • Parsley
    • Dill
    • Anise
    • Cumin
22. Other Herbs
    • Rosa (Rose) Types
    • Rose Culture
    • Strawberry
    • Scented Geraniums
    • Fragrant Australian Indigenous Plants
    • Ginger
23. Topiary & Hedges
    • Introduction
    • Pruning Techniques
    • Removing dead wood
    • Controlling growth type
    • Controlling shape and size
    • Plant Rejuvenation
    • Pruning Rules
    • Rosemary Topiary
    • Hedges
24. Producing Herb Products A
    • Ointments
    • Using Fats
    • Using Oils and Beeswax
    • Infusions
    • Decoctions
    • Syrups
    • Tinctures
    • Sprays
    • Potpourri
    • Herbal Paper
    • Making Herbal Paper
    • Distillation and Oils
25. Producing Herb Products B
    • Ointments
    • Using Fats
    • Using Oils and Beeswax
    • Infusions
    • Decoctions
    • Syrups
    • Tinctures
    • Sprays
    • Potpourri
    • Herbal Paper
    • Making Herbal Paper
    • Distillation and Oils
26. Producing Herb Products C
    • Getting your Plants
    • Propagation
    • Production Systems
    • Managing Greenlife
    • Production and Propagation Nurseries
    • Stock Plant Management
    • Seed Sources
    • Collecting and Storing Seed
    • Types of Seed Storage
    • Improving Production Efficiency
    • What herbs to Grow in What Soil Conditions
    • Safe Pest and Disease Control in the Herb Nursery
    • Watering Herbs
    • Hydroponic Herbs
    • Lavender Propagation
    • Herb Nursery Standards
27. Marketing in the Herb Industry
    • Knowing the Customers
    • Marketing Tips
    • Market Research
    • Considering Optional Markets
    • Gathering Information
    • How to Sell Successfully
28. Budgeting & Business Planning
    • Making the Farm Profitable
    • Economic Principles
    • Law of Supply and Demand
    • Law of Substitution
    • Law of Diminishing Returns
    • Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility
    • Scale of Economies
    • Planning Procedure
    • Other Planning Approaches
    • Production Plan
    • Finance & Financial Planning
    • Land Care and Management
    • Cash Flow and Budget
    • Problem Solving
    • Borrowing
    • Buying
    • Reducing Costs
    • Self Evaluation
29. Workforce Design & Management
    • Introduction
    • Giving Directives & Introducing Change
    • Orders and Instruction
    • Supervision Styles
    • Work Programming
    • Organising the Workplace
    • Organisational Structures
    • Bookkeeping Needs
    • Record Keeping
    • Communications in Writing
    • Work Scheduling
30. Major Research Project

Aims

• Understand the binomial system of plant classification and to develop resource contacts for information about herbs.
• Develop a broad perspective of the scope of herb species and varieties, their culture and uses, and an insight into which varieties are more commonly available.
• Make a detailed study of the most commonly grown herb varieties.
• Know how to make a wide range of herb crafts and cook a wide variety of herb flavoured foods.
• Make an awareness of medicinal and toxic chemical properties of herbs (both in general and selected specific terms).
• Develop an awareness of the work procedures involved in operating a herb farm and how to harvest and provide post harvest treatments to herb produce.
• Develop knowledge of how to plan and manage a maintenance program in an ornamental garden or park.
• Design and implement a marketing program for a business operating in the herb industry.

An Introduction to Herbs

by John Mason, Principal of ACS Distance Education

Herbs have a history almost as old as man himself. Used as much for medicines and foods as their colours and scents, herbs have a practical charm unmatched in the world of plants. No garden is complete without them and no kitchen could be considered fully stocked.

The scientific definition of a herb is a plant which has no persistent stem above the ground; that is, the leaves and stem die back to the roots after a period of growth. By this definition, strictly speaking, you would call plants such as daffodils and dahlias herbs along with plants such as mint and garlic. The more popular definition of a herb is any plant whose roots, stems, leaves or flowers are used for culinary flavouring, medicinal or perfumery purposes. Herbs then, are essentially plants which are grown because of the beneficial characteristics of the oils or other chemical components to be found in their tissues.

Herbs have been gathered or grown and used in all parts of the world for thousands of years. They are some of the easiest, hardiest and fastest garden plants to grow and there is generally little cost involved in growing them, apart from your own labour. These factors, coupled with a growing preference today for natural alternatives to chemicals, have resulted in a revival of interest in the use of herbs.

Herbs have long been associated, in many different cultures, with things magical or supernatural, perhaps due to the seemingly miraculous healing power of some herbs.

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all used herbs as did most other early civilisations but most of the herbs we commonly use today were developed by European herbalists during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. By the mid 16thcentury, most European households grew at least 50 different varieties of herbs in the garden.

Many medicinal uses of herbs have been thoroughly tested over the centuries and their credibility firmly established. In recent years there has been considerable interest from scientists and enthusiastic amateurs in determining just what effects herbs produce and what components of herbs cause these effects. Much effort is also being spent in introducing new herbs into widespread cultivation.

GROWING HEALTHY HERBS

Herbs are among the easiest of plants to look after, but that doesn’t mean you should plant them and forget them.  There is no one ideal set of growing conditions for herbs. They come from many different plant families which have adapted to different types of environments all over the world – consequently they all require different growing conditions. One of the things they do have in common however is that they generally have a scent, and in most cases a sunny position is needed to fully develop the oils or chemicals which give herbs their characteristic scent or taste.

The ideal growing conditions for most herbs are similar to those required by vegetables, namely raised beds, moist but well drained and mulched soil, full sun for at least part of the day but not too exposed to frost and wind, and generally fertile, weed-free soil. Some herbs, however, do prefer soils that are not over-fertile.