Horticulture online course | Horticultural Certificate Home Study
Certificate in Horticulture

Certificate in Horticulture

Learn techniques, science and plant knowledge underpinning all horticulture industry sectors; then undertake more specialised training in your chosen sector.

Course Code: VHT002
Payment Options
Duration (approx) 700 hours
Qualification Certificate

A PREMIUM CERTIFICATE IN HORTICULTURE

This certificate has a long history of graduates who have built very successful horticulture careers, right up to the present day.   

Students are offered free student memberships to a variety of industry bodies both in Australia and Internationally (e.g. Australian Institute of Horticulture, Chartered Institute of Horticulture)

It stands out from other entry level courses in placing a stronger emphasis on plant knowledge (taxonomy) and science, while still covering all of the practical and theoretical knowledge and skills that underpin any successful career in horticulture. Our team of professional horticulturists monitor and guide you every step of the way, and are always available to answer questions or guide you in any aspect of horticulture.

This is a vocationally-oriented course divided into 2 parts:

Part 1 - Core studies (approx. 350hours) covering general horticulture 

Part 2 - Specialised stream studies (approx. 350 hours) focussed on an area of horticulture that you wish to develop a deeper knowledge of - your choice!

The course is designed to lay a foundation for a long-term career in horticulture by developing your ability to identify a large range of plants, your knowledge of essential horticultural principles and practices, your practical skills in plant propagation, growth and care, and your ability to adapt to changing situations.

 Student Testimonial:  " ... the reading is informative, the assignments are practical and the feedback is great. I find the assignments challenging and a lot of work to do properly, which is great. Overall, really enjoying the learning experience." Penelope Parsons, Australia, Certificate in Horticulture course.

Lesson Structure

There are 16 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
    • THIS CONCLUDES THE FIRST HALF OF THE COURSE. YOU CAN EITHER CONTINUE WITH THE FOLLOWING LESSONS OR CHOOSE FROM A RANGE OF MORE SPECIALISED OPTIONS
  16. PART 2 involves a further 15 lessons covering a specialised (stream) area of study - your choice. This provides an opportunity to add to your general horticultural skills with deeper knowledge in one sector of horticulture.

Accreditations

International Approval and Registration CentreChartered Institute of HorticultureStudy Gold CoastACS Global PartnerGreenlife Industry Queensland. MemberAustralian Institute of Horticulture

AVAILABLE STREAMS:

You can choose to specialise in any of the following for the second half of this certificate:
  • Organic Plant Growing
  • Permaculture
  • Ornamental Horticulture
  • Grounds Management
  • Turf
  • Nature Park Management
  • Arboriculture
  • Plant Protection
  • Propagation
  • Landscaping & Garden Design
  • Crops
  • Viticulture
  • Cut Flower Growing 
  • Horticultural Technology
  • Herbs                        
We recommend you defer making your choice until you complete the first half of your studies.  Students will often develop interests or even opportunities throughout the first half of the course which influence what they wish to study in the second part.

EXAMPLE  
If you choose the landscape stream as an optional specialisation; you would undertake the following 30 lessons:

1.  Introduction to Plants
2.  Parts of the Plant
3.  Plant Culture - Planting
4.  Plant Culture - Pruning
5.  Plant Culture - Irrigation and Machinery
6.  Soils & Media
7.  Soils & Nutrition
8.  Propagation - Seeds & Cuttings
9.  Propagation - Other Techniques
10. Identification and Use of Plants - Landscape Application
11. Identification and Use of Plants - Problem Situations
12. Identification and Use of Plants - Indoor and Tropical Plants
13. Pests
14. Diseases
15. Weeds
16. History of Landscaping
17. Principles of Design
18. Drawing and Costs
19. Irrigation
20. Garden Designs
21. Earth moving and Drainage
22. Materials
23. Paths, Walls and Fences
24. Equipment
25. Water Features
26. Garden Art: Statues, Sundials and Figurines
27. Landscaping for Sports and Games
28. Landscape Management
29. Industrial Relations: Unions and Workers
30. Maintenance of a New Landscape


EXAMS 
There are two exams for the core There are a further 2, or 3 exams for the stream, depending upon which stream you choose to do. 
All necessary academic support is provided to enable students to attain necessary learning to complete the course. 


 Why  this Course?
 International Recognition Highly qualified tutors (Industry leaders, distinguished gardening authors, accomplished academics, practicing professionals, etc) More choice and Flexibility (When, where & what you study) Unlimited one on one access to tutors More focus on science and plant identification than many other colleges or courses. More focus on learning, less on Assessment Outstanding track record - graduates actually succeed, and get jobs! We are an Ethical and Green College 


How Can This Course Help You? 
Gain strong foundation knowledge from a structured learning experience. 
Expand future learning more effectively from that strong basis. 
Boost your career opportunities and growth in the industry. 

This can be a valuable course for working in any of the following: 
 Grounds Management. 
Arboriculture. 
Organic Plant Culture. 
Permaculture.
 Viticulture. Herbs. 
Horticultural Technology. 
Horticultural Science. 
Learn to grow plants, establish and maintain gardens and grow horticultural produce. Start your own business. Seek work with a parks department, nursery, golf course, farm or landscaping company. 


 Comment -
 This is beyond what you would learn in a Trade Certificate in Horticulture. It teaches you everything a tradesman would learn about plant culture; and more science, plus more plant identification than what an average tradesperson would know”
 - John Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Cert.Supn, FIOH, FPLA, Garden Author and educator

 What Should You Study? 
Let us help you make the Best Decision for You! 
We've always found it is better to communicate with someone before they enrol. If we understand your passions, capabilities and ambitions, we can help you map out a course of action to give you the best chance of achieving your goals.

Enrol using the automated procedure on this site or contact us via phone or email to ask questions and enrol with a real person.

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
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What do I need to know before I enrol?

We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.

You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.

We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course is aimed at providing you with a solid understanding of the subject. It has been designed to take 600 hours, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and more. When you complete the course, will have a good understanding of the area/ industry you want to work in.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.

We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.

We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exams (8-9 exams) and you will be able receive your course certificate- an Advanced Certificate. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.

Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.

Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.

Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.

How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form

We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.

What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.

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Please get in touch with studentservices@acs.edu.au if you would like to be removed from our mail list.

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If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.

Course Contributors

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

Rosemary Davies (Horticulturist)
Rosemary Davies (Horticulturist)

Leading horticultural expert in Australia.
Rosemary trained in Horticultural Applied Science at Melbourne University. Initially she worked with Agriculture Victoria as an extension officer, taught horticulture students, worked on radio with ABC radio (clocking up over 24 years as a presenter of garden talkback programs, initially the only woman presenter on gardening in Victoria) and she simultaneously developed a career as a writer.
She then studied Education and Training, teaching TAFE apprentices and developing curriculum for TAFE, before taking up an offer as a full time columnist with the Herald and Weekly Times and its magazine department after a number of years as columnist with the Age. She has worked for a number of companies in writing and publications, PR community education and management and has led several tours to Europe.
In 1999 Rosemary was BPW Bendigo Business Woman of the Year and is one of the founders and the Patron, of the Friends of the Bendigo Botanic gardens. She has completed her 6th book this year and is working on concepts for several others.
Rosemary has a B Ed, BSc Hort, Dip Advertising & Marketing

Adriana Fraser (generic)
Adriana Fraser

Freelance writer, businesswoman, educator and consultant for over 30 years. Adriana has written extensively for magazines including free living publications -Grass Roots and Home Grown; and has authored or co authored many books ranging from a biography to books on business and gardening. She holds formal qualifications in education, child care and horticulture and has worked with ACS Distance Education since the mid 1990's.

John Mason (Horticulturist)
John Mason (Horticulturist)

Parks Manager, Nurseryman, Landscape Designer, Garden Writer and Consultant.
Over 40 years experience; working in Victoria, Queensland and the UK.
He is one of the most widely published garden writers in the world.

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