Horticulture Technician

Program Overview

Fanshawe College's Horticulture Technician diploma program equips students with practical skills and knowledge in landscape design, plant production, arboriculture, and business management. Through hands-on experience in the student-run greenhouse, co-op semesters, and the Botanical Gardens, graduates are prepared for careers in the growing green profession.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Program Overview:

Fanshawe College's two-year Horticulture Technician diploma program provides practical skills and knowledge for a career in horticulture. Students gain hands-on experience through national events, an exclusive student-run greenhouse, two co-op semesters, and the world-class Fanshawe College Botanical Gardens.

Objectives:

• Develop skills in landscape construction, garden maintenance, arboriculture, landscape design, plant identification, plant production, and business management.
• Emphasize practical aspects of horticulture through co-op work terms, greenhouse experience, and work in the Fanshawe College Botanical Gardens.
• Prepare students for a career in the growing green profession, with over 1,600 horticulture positions available annually in Ontario.

Outline:

Content:

• Landscape design and construction
• Plant identification and production
• Arboriculture
• Garden and landscape maintenance
• Business management

Structure:

• 60-week program
• Fall intake only
• First year: Academic focus
• Second year: Hands-on practical training
• Approximately 80% of senior year class time spent outside the classroom

Course Schedule:

Level 1:

• WRIT-1036: Reason & Writing 1-Art & Design
• LAND-1027: Landscape & Garden Design
• MTNC-1031: Landscape Maintenance 1
• HORT-1072: Horticulture & Soils
• HORT-1075: Botanical Garden
• HORT-1071: Woody Deciduous Plant Identification
• COOP-1020: Co-operative Education Employment Prep

Level 2:

• LAND-1028: Landscape & Garden Design 2
• MTNC-1032: Landscape Maintenance 2
• HORT-1073: Greenhouse Plant Production
• HORT-1074: Arboriculture
• HORT-1076: Herbaceous Plant Identification
• HORT-1077: Landscape Construction

Level 3:

• LAND-2029: Landscape Field Construction
• MTNC-2033: Landscape Maintenance 3
• HORT-2078: Greenhouse Plant Production 2
• HORT-2079: Arboriculture 2
• HORT-2080: Garden and Landscape Maintenance 2
• HORT-2081: Landscape Design 3

Level 4:

• LAND-2030: Landscape Field Construction 2
• MTNC-2034: Landscape Maintenance 4
• HORT-2082: Greenhouse Plant Production 3
• HORT-2083: Arboriculture 3
• HORT-2084: Garden and Landscape Maintenance 3
• HORT-2085: Landscape Design 4

Individual Modules with Descriptions:

LAND-1027: Landscape & Garden Design

• Introduces design principles and practical skills for developing landscape plans.
• Covers site assessment, drafting, and technical skills.

MTNC-1031: Landscape Maintenance 1

• Provides an orientation to tools, equipment, and safety in landscape maintenance.
• Explores practical landscape maintenance principles.

HORT-1072: Horticulture & Soils

• Covers plant anatomy, physiology, propagation, growth, and production.
• Emphasizes soil management and conservation.

HORT-1075: Botanical Garden

• Explores the history and importance of botanical gardens in plant conservation.
• Provides hands-on experience in record keeping and plant identification.

HORT-1071: Woody Deciduous Plant Identification

• Introduces plant naming systems and taxonomy.
• Focuses on identifying and providing cultural information for over 150 hardy deciduous trees, shrubs, and vines.

LAND-2029: Landscape Field Construction

• Provides practical experience in landscape construction techniques.
• Covers site preparation, grading, drainage, and hardscape installation.

HORT-2078: Greenhouse Plant Production 2

• Advances skills in greenhouse plant production, including propagation, cultivation, and pest management.
• Emphasizes sustainable practices.

HORT-2079: Arboriculture 2

• Builds on arboriculture knowledge and skills, covering tree assessment, pruning, and cabling.
• Includes practical field experience.

HORT-2080: Garden and Landscape Maintenance 2

• Focuses on advanced garden and landscape maintenance techniques.
• Covers plant health care, irrigation, and seasonal maintenance.

HORT-2081: Landscape Design 3

• Develops advanced landscape design skills, including site analysis, concept development, and planting design.
• Incorporates sustainable design principles.

Assessment:

• Assignments
• Quizzes
• Exams
• Practical demonstrations
• Projects
• Portfolio development

Teaching:

• Experienced faculty with industry expertise
• Hands-on, practical approach
• Field trips and industry partnerships
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the student-run greenhouse and Fanshawe College Botanical Gardens

Careers:

• Horticulturalist
• Landscape technician
• Horticulture technician
• Garden center manager
• Plant production manager
• Arborist
• Landscape designer