Program Overview

Introduction to the Horticulture Program

Horticulture is the culture of vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, turf grass, and ornamental plants. The settings for this culture may extend from the back yard grower to large commercial operations, such as green houses, orchards, vegetable farms, turfgrass operations, forestry seedling nurseries, garden centers, golf courses, municipal parks, landscaping, and landscape maintenance firms. People working in the horticulture industry should have a strong interest in plants and like the hands-on aspect of the work. Depending on the scope of work, many of the positions within the industry involve working outside in a variety of weather conditions.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates find employment in a wide range of positions within the industry. These include:

• Landscaping and maintenance
• Retail and wholesale nurseries
• Garden centers
• Municipal parks
• Supply companies
• Commercial greenhouses
• Orchards
• Golf courses
• Self-employment Depending on experience and training, positions could be as entry-level workers, lead hands, foremen, supervisors, or owner/operators.

Graduate Skill Set

The graduate skill set includes:

• Landscape maintenance techniques
• Operation of landscape equipment
• Basic pest management
• Landscape designing and construction
• Plant identification
• Proper pruning techniques
• Plant propagation methods
• Basic irrigation hydraulics

Program Details

Foundation Diploma

The Horticulture Foundation is an integral part of the foundation program, which includes a three-week practicum at the end of studies. This practicum allows students to get work experience in an industry position that they may wish to continue employment with, or to get industry experience to apply to their own situation once the practicum is complete.

Education Requirements

• High school graduation (or equivalent) or mature student status
• English 11 with a minimum grade of C (or equivalent)
• Math 10 with a minimum grade of C (any Math 10 or equivalent)

Required Courses

Fall Semester

• Horticulture Communications
• English 1
• Basic Horticulture
• Greenhouse Production
• Diseases and Insect Pests
• Soil Science
• Horticulture Practical 1

Winter Semester

• Horticulture Communications
• English 2
• Weeds
• Nursery Production and Retailing
• Fruit and Vegetable Production
• Landscaping
• Turfgrass Management
• Horticulture Practical 2
• Horticulture Practicum

Program Length and Location

• Program length: 35 weeks
• Location: Kamloops
• Next program intake: August 10, 2026, to April 23, 2027