Course description
Year 1
Academic Term 1 (July to November)
HORT 103 Introduction to Horticulture
HORT 104 Plant Identification 1
HORT 105 Botany for Horticulture
HORT 106 Soils and Growing Media
HORT 107 Landscape Design & Maintenace 1
HORT 108 Pests and Pesticide Applicators
HORT 109 Plant and Propagation
HORT 110 Turf Grass Maintenance
HORT 140 Work Experience 1
Academic Term 2 (December to April)
HORT 121 Diseases and Dispensers
HORT 122 Greenhouses and Environments
HORT 123 Equipment Maintenance
HORT 124 Plant Identification 2
HORT 126 Irrigation & Drainage
HORT 127 Landscape Design & Maintenance 2
HORT 128 Arboriculture
HORT 129 Plant Propagation 2
HORT 131 Business Practices in Horticulture
HORT 132 Horticulture Theory
HORT 133 Water Gardening
HORT 134 Organic Vegetable Production
HORT 135 Retail & Wholesale Production
HORT 141 Work Experience 2
Requirements
* You must successfully complete all Academic Term 1 courses with a “C” grade or higher in order to progress to Academic Term 2.
* Two work experience components are included. If you are employed in horticulture at the end of the program you may request to have your work experience credited for the final work experience component.
* You must successfully complete all program courses and work experiences to be eligible to receive a Certificate in Horticulture Technician.
HORT 103 Introduction to Horticulture
S (18,6,6,0 for three weeks)
This course introduces students to the Horticulture industry and to the Horticulture program at Camosun College. Students will examine the challenges and opportunities within the horticulture field and learn important safety requirements of the job, including body mechanics. Students will complete certification in WCB Survival First Aid as part of this course.
HORT 104 Plant Identification 1
S (18,6,6,0 for three weeks)
This course introduces students to common ornamental and native plants used in all segments of horticulture. Students will be expected to recognize and know the correct scientific and common names of at least 210 plants and be able to describe characteristics; growth and propagation requirements; cultural and maintenance requirements; plant use and availability.
HORT 105 Botany for Horticulture
S (18,6,6,0 for three weeks)
This course introduces students to plant classifications and nomenclature, plant anatomy and morphology, plant nutrition and processes of plant reproduction. Students will apply appropriate plan taxonomy and nomenclature to the major plant families used in commercial horticulture. Students will also examine principles of ecology including interdependency of living things, ecosystems development and conservation.
HORT 106 Soils and Growing Media
S (18,6,6,0 for one week)
This course introduces students to soils and growing media management in horticulture. Students will learn about soil formation, chemical and biological properties of soils and growing media. They will also learn about water and heat movement, composting, and nutrient management.
HORT 107 Landscape Design & Maintenance 1
S (18,6,6,0 for three weeks)
This course introduces students to processes of landscape design, installation and maintenance in the Pacific Northwest environment. Topics covered include: site analysis; site requirements; preparation of design proposals; site preparation; installation processes; and maintenance routines.
HORT 108 Pests and Pesticide Applicators
S (18,6,6,0 for two weeks)
This course introduces students to common garden and greenhouse pests. Students will identify and use effective methods of controlling common pests. Students will examine concepts of integrated pest management in horticultural practice and learn about federal, provincial and municipal laws governing pesticide usage.
HORT 109 Plant Propagation 1
S (18,6,6,0 for one week)
This course introduces students to plant breeding and propagation. Topics include: breeding and inheritance; seed production and storage; seed testing; germination.
HORT 110 Turf Grass Maintenance
S (18,6,6,0 for two weeks)
This course offers knowledge foundational to successful turf grass management, including grass identification and selection; establishment and maintenance practices; fertilization and irrigation; and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.
HORT 120 Nursery Management
F (18,6,6,0 for one week)
This course introduces students to container and field nursery production. Topics covered include container sizes, growing media preparation and fertilizer application. Students will practice planting, spacing, pruning and irrigation of nursery plant stock. Inventory control and plant size standards for container grown planters will also be discussed.
HORT 121 Diseases and Dispensers
F (18,6,6,0 for two weeks)
Students learn about common diseases of plants and the use of dispensers in relation to federal, provincial and municipal laws governing personnel and environments. Successful completion of the course requires certification in dispenser usage.
HORT 122 Greenhouses and Environments
F (18,6,6,0 for two weeks)
This course introduces students to common greenhouse structures and facilities, including the types, styles, components, materials and coverings. Students will also learn about important greenhouse systems and equipment including heating, venting, irrigation, fertilization, CO2 systems and utilities. Labour requirements within a greenhouse facility will also be discussed.
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Term 1 of the Horticultural Technician program.
HORT 123 Equipment Maintenance
F (18,6,6,0 for one week)
This course introduces students to the machines, tools and mechanical systems commonly used in the horticulture industry. Topics covered include: standard machines, tools and mechanical systems, maintenance and repair practices, and field repairs. Safety considerations will be stressed in all aspects of equipment maintenance.
HORT 124 Plant Identification 2
F (18,6,6,0 for one week)
Building on HORT 104, students will be expected to recognize and know the correct scientific and common names of at least 100 additional plants and be able to describe: characteristics; growth and propagation requirements; cultural and maintenance requirements; plant use and availability.
HORT 125 Retail Garden Centres
F (18,6,6,0 for one week)
This course introduces students to a wide variety of plant material sold in garden centres for the home and garden. They will examine aspects of managing a retail garden centre including advertising and marketing; pricing and merchandising; selling practices; managing personnel and basic accounting. Customer service will be emphasized.
HORT 126 Irrigation & Drainage
F (18,6,6,0 for one week)
This course introduces students to effective landscape irrigation and drainage practices. Students will examine soil moisture requirements; components of irrigation systems; scheduling; maintenance procedures and principles of drainage. Students will plan, install and maintain a simple irrigation and drainage system.
HORT 127 Landscape Design & Maintenance 2
F (18,6,6,0 for three weeks)
Building on HORT 107, students explore processes of landscape design, installation and maintenance. Topics covered include: site analysis; site requirements; preparation of design proposals; site preparation; installation processes; and maintenance routines.
HORT 128 Arboriculture
F (18,6,6,0 for one week)
The relationship between plant function, form and structure will be examined as it relates to tree maintenance. Students will learn pruning techniques, irrigation, anatomy, cultural, and nutrient requirements. Students will examine practices that distinguish between effective and ineffective maintenance of trees.
HORT 129 Plant Propagation 2
F (18,6,6,0 for one week)
Building on HORT 109 students will further their understanding of plant breeding and propagation. This course emphasizes principles and practices involved in grafting, budding and cutting production.
HORT 130 Interior Plants
F (18,6,6,0 for one week)
This course introduces students to the different approaches and challenges of successful interior plant culture. Students will learn basic maintenance, design and identification of interior plants.
HORT 131 Business Practices in Horticulture
F (18,6,6,0 for two weeks)
This course introduces students to business practices used in horticulture. Topics include: legal requirements for small businesses; preparing a business plan; financial requirements and basic accounting; self-employment; and an introduction to computers and their applications.
HORT 132 Horticulture Therapy
F (18,6,6,0 for one week)
This course introduces students to the use of horticulture as therapy with various special population groups. Students will examine the social and therapeutic value of horticulture and ways that it can be successfully integrated in a variety of situations.
HORT 140 Work Experience 1
S (0,0,0,30 for two weeks)
Students apply their knowledge and skills to supervised work situations within the horticulture industry. Students are involved in selecting their work experience site.
HORT 141 Work Experience 2
F (0,0,0,30 for two weeks)
Building on HORT 140, students continue to apply their knowledge and skills to work situations within the horticulture industry. Students who are employed in horticulture at program's end may request to have their work experience credited for this final work experience.
