Landscape Horticulture

Program Overview

The Landscape Horticulture program at [college name] is a two-year Ontario College Diploma program that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in the landscape industry. Covering topics including plant science, landscape design, construction, and maintenance, the program prepares students for positions such as project estimator, designer, and managerial roles. Students gain hands-on experience in the College's arboretum and receive certification training in various industry areas.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Landscape Horticulture program is a two-year Ontario College Diploma program that prepares students for a career in the landscape industry.
The program covers a wide range of topics, including plant science, landscape design, construction, and maintenance.
• Objectives: The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to:
• Apply the principles of plant and soil sciences to complete work in horticulture.
• Apply practical horticulture skills to the production of plant materials, including herbaceous plants, woody plants, and turf.
• Apply basic installation and construction principles and practical skills to horticulture.
• Utilize knowledge of plant identification, usage, and maintenance criteria.
• Recognize the potential environmental effects of projects and the need to avoid environmental damage and promote healthier ecosystems.
• Apply the principles and practical skills of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to indoor and outdoor plants.
• Contribute to the effective planning, implementation, and conclusion of projects.
• Use safe working practices.
• Use business practices appropriate to the horticulture industry.
• Act in a professional manner, maintain professional relationships, and communicate effectively with clients, co-workers, supervisors, and others.
• Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance and career opportunities and to keep pace with industry changes.
• Program Description: The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the landscape industry.
Students will learn about the science of plants, the principles of landscape design, the techniques of construction and maintenance, and the business aspects of the industry. The program also includes hands-on experience in the College's 110-acre arboretum, where students will work on grounds maintenance and plant installation.

Outline:

• Program Structure: The program is divided into four semesters, with each semester consisting of a variety of courses.
• Course Schedule:
• Semester 1:
• LND119 Horticulture Science (3 credits)
• LND124 Sustainable Turf Care (2 credits)
• LND106AB Plant Materials I (3 credits)
• LND129 Landscape Horticulture I (7 credits)
• LND127 Construction Theory I (2 credits)
• LND130 Horticulture Theory I (2 credits)
• Semester 2:
• LND320 Outdoor Floriculture (2 credits)
• LND206A Plant Materials II (3 credits)
• LND225 Landscape Horticulture II (7 credits)
• LND227 Construction Theory II (2 credits)
• LND230 Horticulture Theory II (2 credits)
• BDT100G Environmental Awareness (3 credits)
• LND220 Urban Tree Study (2 credits)
• Semester 3:
• LND319 Landscape Design I (3 credits)
• LND322 Plant Materials III (2 credits)
• LND301A Irrigation (2 credits)
• LND325 Landscape Horticulture III (7 credits)
• LND327 Construction Theory III (2 credits)
• LND330 Horticulture Theory III (2 credits)
• ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course (3 credits)
• Semester 4:
• LND422 Plant Materials IV (2 credits)
• LND423 Landscape Horticulture IV (6 credits)
• LND427 Construction Theory IV (2 credits)
• LND430 Horticulture Theory IV (2 credits)
• ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course (3 credits)
• LND431 Landscape Design II (2 credits)
• LND444 Integrated Plant Protection (2 credits)

Careers:

• Typical Entry-Level Positions:
• Project estimator
• Designer
• Managerial roles
• Potential Employers:
• Landscape construction companies
• Design/build companies
• Paving companies
• Planting companies
• Irrigation companies
• Maintenance companies
• Other Career Opportunities:
• Starting their own landscaping business

Other:

• Program Highlights:
• More summer and graduate job opportunities than the number of students, year after year.
• Students work with the College on grounds maintenance and plant installation on the College's 110-acre arboretum where there is a wide spectrum of exotic botanical plants.
• The Horticulture Team has achieved Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals in the Canada/Skills Landscaping Gardening Competition.
• Strong community involvement assisting with design solutions for community and municipal projects.
• Students will be prepared to pursue Landscape Ontario’s Landscape Industry Certified Technician Exam, and also receive training for certification in Pesticides (Technician and Exterminator), Front End Loader/Skid Steer Operator and Chainsaw Certification.
• Summer paid employment opportunities exist on campus for Landscape students.
• Program Physical Demands Analysis: The program requires students to be physically fit and able to perform tasks such as lifting, bending, and standing for extended periods.
• Program Vocational Learning Outcomes: The program's vocational learning outcomes are listed in detail in the context.
• Effective September 2025: The program's vocational learning outcomes are updated and listed in detail in the context.