Program Overview

Program Overview

The Growing certificate program is designed to equip students with the skills required for the production of plants in a greenhouse setting. The program covers various aspects of plant production, including botany, plant propagation, integrated pest management techniques, soil science, and pruning. Upon completion, students will be prepared to enter into entry-level plant production positions.

Program Objectives

Growing certificate graduates will be able to:

• follow plant production cycles, from “seed to sale”
• understand plant growth requirements, specific to intensive plant production, and how to manage them
• problem solve pest and disease issues common to nursery plants

Program Requirements

The program consists of 36 credits and is offered on a rotation. Students may start any quarter and should take the HORT classes in blocks as listed below.

Annual Course Sequence

The classes are offered on a rotation and are not sequential. The course sequence is as follows:

• Quarter One
  • HORT 111 Botany 5 credits
  • HORT 113 Propagation 3 credits
  • HORT 116 Fall Horticulture Lab 3 credits
• Quarter Two
  • HORT 121 Soils 4 credits
  • HORT 122 Pruning 2 credits
  • HORT 123 Integrated Pest Management 4 credits
  • HORT 127 Winter Horticulture Lab 3 credits
• Quarter Three
  • HORT 134 Nursery Retailing 2 credits
  • HORT 137 Spring Horticulture Lab 5 credits
  • HORT 216 Introduction to Greenhouses 5 credits

Total Program Credits

The total program credits required for completion is 36.