PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2500 hour LEARNING BUNDLE HORTICULTURE (CROPS)

Study horticultural crop production and plant culture, growing, using and selling horticultural produce in a correspondence course learning by distance education.

Course Code: PD25
Fee Code: 25
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 2500 hours
Qualification
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What is a 'Learning Bundle'?

Our learning bundles are a great way to put together the modules that suit your specific goals and learning needs. It is also more cost effective than studying each module separately.

  • If you sit exams you will receive a Statement of Attainment for each module

  • If you choose not to sit exams, you will receive a Letter of Completion for each module

When you complete your bundle you can receive a Summary of Studies.

Learn to Grow Different Crops, Different Ways

  • Learn to manage Production Horticulture; scientifically, profitably and in a sustainable manner

  • Commence studies any time

  • Study from home, anywhere in the world and at your own pace.

The world is changing faster than ever; and the difficulty with choosing any course is to know whether a job will be waiting for you when you finish your studies.

Crop Production has one BIG ADVANTAGE!

Demand for food will never diminish so long as population numbers grow. As people become more affluent, the market for more expensive and diverse foods also increases.

This course lays a foundation for career opportunities in this exciting sector.

Modules

Core ModulesThese modules provide foundation knowledge for the PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2500 hour LEARNING BUNDLE HORTICULTURE (CROPS).
 BIOCHEMISTRY I - PLANTS BSC102
 BOTANY I - Plant Physiology And Taxonomy BSC104
 HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH I BHT118
 MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT - Engineering I BSC105
 OUTDOOR PLANT PRODUCTION (CROPS I) BHT112
 SOIL MANAGEMENT - HORTICULTURE BHT105
 HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH II BHT241
 HORTICULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BHT203
 PLANT PROTECTION BHT207
 PROTECTED PLANT PRODUCTION BHT223
 HORTICULTURAL MARKETING BHT304
 
Elective ModulesIn addition to the core modules, students study any 14 of the following 23 modules.
 WORKSHOP I BGN103
 A PDC - PERMACULTURE SYSTEMS BHT201
 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE PRODUCTION BHT222
 CULINARY HERBS VHT242
 CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION BHT221
 CUTTING PROPAGATION BHT211
 FRUIT PRODUCTION -TEMPERATE CLIMATE BHT218
 FRUIT PRODUCTION -WARM CLIMATE BHT217
 HYDROPONIC MANAGEMENT (HYDROPONICS II) BHT213
 HYDROPONICS I BHT224
 MEDICINAL HERBS BHT227
 NUT PRODUCTION BHT219
 SEED PROPAGATION BHT237
 VITICULTURE BHT220
 WORKSHOP II BGN203
  PERMACULTURE - ADVANCED BHT301
 AQUAPONICS BHT319
 BERRY PRODUCTION BHT309
 BUSH TUCKER PLANTS BHT328
 HYDROPONICS III BHT321
 MUSHROOM PRODUCTION BHT310 BHT310
 ORGANIC PLANT CULTURE BHT302
 WARM CLIMATE NUTS BHT308 BHT308
 

Note that each module in the PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2500 hour LEARNING BUNDLE HORTICULTURE (CROPS) is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.


How Are Crops Grown

Every crop is different. Tree crops are often grown in plantations devoted 100% to just growing that crop, but they may also be grown with a different crop between the rows, or animals grazing underneath the trees.
 
Vegetables may be grown in large paddocks, but might also be grown in rows inside greenhouses, or using hydroponic techniques. There are many different growing techniques, and hundreds, if not thousands of different types of crops, which you need to learn about, and understand; if you are to be properly informed about how to work in crop production.
 
Consider Olive Trees 
Olives do not like their roots to be overly wet, so good drainage is very important. In a commercial grove, it is best to water each tree thoroughly once a week. For young trees apply about 10-20 litres of water per tree. As trees mature their root systems tend to go deeper and it is better to apply less water over a longer period of time so that it filters down to the roots. Careful irrigation can help to overcome trees from only bearing large crops in alternate years. Also, olives which are irrigated will produce fruits much sooner. Non-irrigated trees can take 20-30 years to bear fruits.
 
Although little fertiliser is needed for trees to produce fruit, commercial growers often apply fertilisers to boost yields. Concentrated fertilisers are too intense and should be avoided. Olives only really need a nitrogen supplement and so composted animal manure, such as chicken manure, is a good choice because it provides a steady release of nutrients.
 
Manures can be applied after the fruits have been cropped and the trees have been pruned. As a general rule of thumb, the amount of fertiliser can be increased each year until a tree reaches 5 years of age. After this age, you can still apply fertiliser but maintain the same quantity. For a one year old tree apply a 1kg bag. Increase by 1kg for each year so that a 5 year old tree receives a 5kg bag. Don't apply it all at once. Spread out the applications of fertiliser for each tree over a 6 month period.
 
Pruning should be done each year after the fruits have been harvested. Depending on the region and the olive variety this can be any time from late autumn through to early spring. Pruning helps to rejuvenate the tree so that it produces more fruits the following season. Fruits always grow on one-year old wood. Any crossing branches inside the tree canopy should be removed to allow air and light to penetrate to encourage new growth. The trunk should be left clear of branches to about 1-1.2m above ground level.
 
When training a young tree it is good practice to select three to four well positioned laterals to form the basic canopy framework. Allow the canopy to develop from this with only minimal pruning. In mature trees, unproductive wood and older wood can be pruned out to stimulate new productive wood growth. To help with harvesting trees can be kept to around 4-5m tall. Olives can also be grown as fans against walls. Removal of outward facing stems will stimulate the production of more laterals.
 
When choosing an olive variety to grow, consider your local climate. Those which generally crop later or which have softer fruits are not a good option for areas which experience frosts or very cold winters.
 
Olive fruits mature from green to black and they may be cropped when still green depending on the flavour sought. The final flavour will be influenced by not only the variety but also how mature the fruit is, the irrigation regime, and (much like grapes) the earth in which they are grown.
 
Whether you produce animals or harvest plants, the basis of any farm is still its plants. For a farm to remain sustainable, certain minimum productivity levels must be maintained, using preferred plant species on an ongoing basis. These plants may be pasture species, fodder crops, grain, vegetables, fruit or other harvested plants

Choosing What Crops to Grow

Choosing the best crop to grow, involves matching a knowledge of the available cultivars, with an understanding of the growing conditions (soil, water, climate, etc).
 
If you are able to choose cultivars that perform best under the conditions they grow under; you will have higher productivity; and most likely, higher profitability.
 
Consider:
  • What crops are currently in demand? You need to attempt to gauge future demand, particularly if you are looking at growing crops that are long-term investments and may take several or more years to reach a marketable stage (eg. tree fruits, nuts, timber). Also look at the "stage" of demand for a crop. Is it a new, growing market, or is it one that everyone is "getting into" (resulting in a possible glut on the future market)? Select crops that are in high demand, where possible, to remain economically sustainable.
  • Which crops are suited to growing in your locality? Some alteration to the soil and climate of the area may be beneficial in the long term. Examples are the introduction of windbreaks to prevent erosion, installing irrigation systems, or the creation of a microclimate to encourage the growth of a particularly suitable plant.
  • What resources do you have to produce different crops? This could include suitable land, equipment, staff, materials, or the financial backing to obtain these. Investment in equipment and materials must also be balanced with the amount of return you can expect.
  • What expertise or knowledge do you have with regard to growing different crops? Can you obtain that knowledge? For new or experimental crops, determine what information is available on their culture and find out what grower support exists (eg. Department of Agriculture). Trying crops new to your area or still in an experimental usage stage can be costly but it has the potential to be very rewarding. Overseas research can often shed light on the suitability of the crop for your area. Start small and work up to larger production numbers if the results are good.
  • How will the crop under consideration work with other crops? For instance, is there a market for a suitable companion plant? What crops should it be rotated with? What effects will this have on the soil and on the economics of growing this plant? Can the crop be marketed easily in conjunction with other crops you produce?
  • What will you be using the crop for? If you are considering crops for your own subsistence, is this the cheapest and easiest way to obtain the crop? If you are using it for stock feed, is this the cheapest or easiest way to obtain suitable stock food?
  • Is the crop sustainable? Many crops can only be grown with large inputs of fertilisers and pesticides. Choose crops that are suitable for your soils and the surrounding ecology.
How Do You Make the Right Choice?
 
This takes knowledge, experience and an awareness of the current state of play in the industry.
  • Some successful growers may acquire this ability over many years (even decades) working in the industry
  • Others may pay big money, to employ experts as consultants or managers.
  • Undertaking this course is a way of speeding up your acquisition of these attributes.
IS DOING A COURSE THE RIGHT CHOICE?
No course will automatically get you a job – however, there are a set of parameters that will certainly help you along the way to getting work – this includes more than study:
 
Firstly the course you undertake has to fit with industry needs. It should also be broad enough to make you an attractive employee (to a range of employers) so the focus should not be too narrow. The same applies if you are going to set up your own farm or business; business changes all the time, consumer demand changes too so doing a course that allows you to change your approach, as needed, will help ensure your success.
 
Secondly, the course you undertake should not only develop your knowledge but also your ability to retain and recall that knowledge, now and far into the future. Learning to problem solve (an integral part of all ACS courses) helps you to remember what you are learning. When you learn by rote or by just reading and regurgitating texts you usually do not retain that knowledge for long. ACS’s PBL system (Problem Based Learning) means that in your set tasks and assignments you are solving problems that you will also face when working in the industry. It is a known method for knowledge retention too and apart from that employers value employees that show initiative and problem solving skills. This skill stands you apart from others in interviews too.
 
Although doing a course may not guarantee you a job – it will set you apart from those that have not studied at all and it will improve your personal choices when applying for jobs. Each job listed usually gets a huge amount of response – when employers choose people to interview they will look at a range of factors – what you have studied will be just one of those factors. You need to be able to catch a potential employer’s attention – stand out from the rest.
 
So what else do employers look for?
  • Problem solving skills: thinking on your feet and working through problems in an orderly way.
  • Great communication skills: verbal, written and also the ability to use a computer.
  • Efficiency: doing things in a logical order without compromising accuracy improves efficiency.
  • Knowledge and skills demanded of the job.
  • A passion for the work and willingness to learn.
  • Presentation and grooming - people who present as being well organised and well-groomed will impress.
 
What Can You do to Improve Your Career Prospects?
  • Passion – those that are passionate about their work and are also open to learning new things do well.
  • Keep learning – doing a course isn’t the end of the road, today we all have to keep learning over our working life in order to keep up with ever-changing needs and technology. Do a course that is expansive and covers a range of subjects – this gives you greater flexibility in finding work and getting ahead.
  • Know what is going on in your chosen industry; employers are always impressed if you can demonstrate current industry knowledge, it also means in business that you can keep up with the latest trends. Networking with others in the industry is just one way of doing this, attending industry meetings, seminars, trade shows etc., is another.
  • Be multi-skilled – people that are multi-skilled will catch the eye of their employer and will also do better in business.
  • Recognise where your weaknesses lie and work on improving those.
  • Make sure you have a current and well-written, concise CV (resume).



Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Bob James (Horticulturist)

Bob has over 50 years of experience in horticulture across both production sectors (Crops and nursery) and amenity sectors of the industry.
He holds a Diploma in Agriculture and Degree in Horticulture from the University of Queensland; as well as a Maste

Dr. Lynette Morgan (Crops)

Lyn has a broad expertise in horticulture and crop production. Her first job was on a mushroom farm, and at university she undertook a major project studying tomatoes. She has studied nursery production and written books on hydroponic production of herbs.

Rosemary Davies (Horticulturist)

Rosemary trained in Horticulture at Melbourne Universities Burnley campus; studying all aspects of horticulture -vegetable and fruit production, landscaping, amenity, turf, aboriculture and the horticultural sciences.
Initially she worked with the Depart

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