Associate Diploma in Horticulture

This diploma's core covers practical horticulture, soil management and plant taxonomy, alongside business management and managing innovation, and finishes with an Industry Project. Electives let you specialise in areas such as plant health, irrigation, nursery management, plant breeding or garden design. Suitable for those wanting a genuine diploma level qualification without committing to one narrow specialism.

Train for a Change in Career and Lifestyle. Horticulture is for most horticulturists more than just a career. It is a passion and lifestyle. This is an industry where people enjoy the luxury to be paid for something theuy love doing; and to work at something that doesn't end abruptly when you retire. Learn from world leaders in horticulture with this distance learning course Associate Diploma in Horticulture. ACS has been teaching horticulture for over 30 years and provides a range of unique support services including prompt unrestricted access by phone and email to around a dozen highly qualified and experienced horticulturists. COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT The Associate Diploma has two parts: Stage 1: Eight Modules These eight modules form the Advanced Certificate in Horticulture. If you simply complete these eight modules and go no further you may attain an Advanced Certificate. Each module takes approximately 100 hours to complete, so the estimated duration for the eight modules is 800 hrs (minimum). Stage 2: Seven Modules All of these are available online, or by distance education. Once again, each module takes approximately 100 hours to complete, so the estimated total duration of the seven modules is 700 hours (minimum). In order to obtain an ACS Associate Diploma in Horticulture, you need to: Show proof of a prerequisite certificate (e.g. Submit a photocopy of an acceptable certificate obtained prior to these studies); Satisfactorily complete all set assignments Successfully complete exams with ACS in all of the 15 modules ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN HORTICULTURE (VHT004) (This is Part 1 of the Associate Diploma in Horticulture) To complete this you must under take all of the modules listed below. If you want to achieve an ACS Advanced Certificate, you can simply complete the modules listed below and undertake an ACS practical examination in your home locality. Core Modules Plant Propagation I Soil Management (Horticulture) Botany I Horticulture III Practical Horticulture I Elective Modules You will need to choose one of the below streams Crops Stream Crops I Protected Plant Production Plus one Crop module of your choosing Landscaping Stream Planning, Layout and Construction of Ornamental Gardens Restoring Established Ornamental Gardens Plus one Landscaping module of your choosing Amenity Horticulture Stream Plant Establishment And Maintenance Turf Care Wholesale Nursery Management UPGRADING TO THE ASSOCIATE DIPLOMA IN HORTICULTURE The Advanced Certificate is considered as being the first half of this Associate Diploma; and as such you are expected to have studied everything in that course before commencing the subjects below. Plant Ecology Resource Management Plant Breeding Botany II Practical Horticulture II Plus one Crop module of your choosing Plus one Landscaping module of your choosing Core Modules PROPAGATION I There are 10 lessons in this course: Introduction to Propagation Asexual and sexual propagation Aseptic Micropropagation, Runners, Suckers, Layering, Separation, Division, Grafting, Budding, Cuttings, Seed Genotype versus Phenotype Plant life cycles -phases of the sexual cycle; phases of the asexual cycle Annual, Perennial, Biennial Life Cycles Propagation Terminology Nursery production systems Operational Flow Chart for Seed Propagation Seed Propagation Seed Sources Maintaining Genetic Identity of Seed -Isolation, Rogueing, Testing, Hand Pollination Hybrid Seed Production Storing Seed Types of Seed Storage Seed Biology -Endospermic, Non Endospermic Dormancy Factors Affecting Germination Germination Treatments -boiling water, stratification Terminology Seed Raising Technique Potting Media Characteristics of Potting and Propagating Media Media derived from rock or stone Media derived from synthetics Organic Media Soil Media The UC System Chemical Characteristics -eg. pH, Cation Exchange Capacity, Salinity, Conductivity Laboratory Testing of Media Physical Characteristics Potting Mixes Propagating Media Nutrition at the Propagation Stage Nutrition Management and Fertiliser Application Vegetative Propagation I Reasons to propagate by cuttings Types -softwood, hardwood, semi hardwood, herbaceous Stem Cuttings, Tip, heel, nodal, basal Leaf and Leaf-bud cuttings Cane cuttings Root Cuttings Bulb Cuttings Hormone Treatments for Cutting Propagation Other Cutting Treatments; basal wounding, anti-transpirants, fungicides, disinfectants, mycorrhyza, etc Artificial Light for Propagation Cutting Propasgation Efficiency Rockwool Propagation Vegetative Propagation II Care of stock plants Layering Division Terminology Managing Watering Vegetative Propagation III Terminology Budding and grafting Reasons for Grafting How a Graft forms Grafting Techniques; Types of Grafts What Plant to Graft on What Grafting Materials Root Grafting, Bench Grafting, Soft Tissue Grafting Establishing Rootstocks Tissue culture: Applications, Problems, Nutrient Media, Cleanliness, Growing Conditions Tissue Culture Procedures and Techniques Laboratory Requirements Terminology Biotech applications in Horticulture Propagation Structures and Materials Growing in a Greenhouse Growing Structures: Types of Greenhouses, Cold Frames, Shadehouses Propagating equipment -Heaters, Bottom Heat, Misting, Light Control, Benches etc Managing a Greenhouse Risk Management Nursery hygiene Risk assessment and management Safety -tools, equipment handling, electricity, etc Pest and Disease Management Environmental Problems and management Nursery Management I Plant modification techniques Management policies Keeping Propagation Records Nursery Production Systems Nursery Management II Nursery standards, cost efficiencies, site planning and development SOIL MANAGEMENT - HORTICULTURE There are 8 lessons in this course: Physical and Chemical Properties of Soils How soils develop The main rock forming minerals: silicates, carbonates, oxides and sulphates Types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic Denitrification, immobilisation, mineralisation and ammonium fixation Understanding soil function: plant nutrition, support, water and air supply Naming a soil Improving soils for plant culture Organic matter Plant nutrition Nutrient availability and pH Cation exchange capacity Conductivity Salinity build up The nutrient elements Major elements and minor elements Total salts Diagnosing nutrient problems Fertilisers Composting Soil and Plant Tissue Test Methods Soil sampling Common soil tests: pH, texture, structure, etc Tissue analysis Different methods od measuring pH Water content of soil Fertiliser solubility Testing the effect of lime Laboratory testing of soils Measuring salinity Colorimeters Bulk density Understanding soil analysis Deciding when and how to test Soil Science and Health Organic carbon Available phosphorus Soil colour Texture and its affect on plant growth Structure and its affect on plant growth Consistence: affect on plant growth Depth of profile, pH, porosity and other things affecting plant growth Soil classification and description: different horizons Factors affecting soil formation: parent material, climate, ecosystem, etc Weathering processes in soil formation: physical, chemical, geochemical Pedochemical weathering Container Growing Introduction What to grow Problems with containers Care of containers Comparing materials: plastics, terracotta, fibreglass, etc Aesthetics of containers Potting up Potting mixes Ideas for container gardens History of potting mxes UC mixes Soilless mixes Testing for toxins in potting media Propagating media Problems with Organic materials in media Coir Rockwool Components of potting media Cleanliness with soils and potting media Hydroponics Land Degradation and Other Soil Problems Chemical damage to soil Builders rubbish in soils Salinity Dogs or cats urinating Growing plants in dry areas Soil degradation Erosion Salinity Acidification Compaction Chemical residues Soil Management Applications Aims of soil management Soil management in orchards Fertilizer application Soil covers Soil management for Vegetables Organic Techniques and Soil Management What is organic growing Organic principles for overcoming soil problems Natural plant nutrition Trace elements Earthworms Types of mulch and its use Nutrition managementin a plant nursery Applying liquid fertilizers Organic fertilizers Natural fertilizers Mineral rock fertilizers and soil conditioners Apatite phosphate rock Dolamite Gypsum Soil management in market gardens Crop rotation Determining kind and quantity of fertilizer to use Cover crops Soils and Managing Earthworks Eath forming Machinery Creating mounds Sources of "fill" Drainage Improving drainage Improving surface drainage after construction Designing a drainage system Improving permeability during construction Layout of drains Types of drains BOTANY I - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND TAXONOMY The course is divided into 10 lessons as follows: Taxonomic Classification of Plants - History of taxonomy, Binomial system, Levels of classification, Families, Principle of priority, Name changes, Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars, Abbreviations, Botanical keys, Key to Phyla, etc. Cells and Tissues - Types of Plant Cells, Plant Tissue, Primary and Secondary Growth Specific Vegetative Parts of a Plant - Stem Formation, Leaf Structure and Leaf Arrangement, Root Structure Flowers and Fruit - The Flower, Inflorescence (panicle, umbel, composite head), fruits (simple, aggregate, multiple), Reproductive Growth and Development Seed and the Developing Embryo - Seed Structure, Food Storage Organs, Seed Coats, Embryo, Seed Germination, Requirements, Stimulants, Inhibitors Photosynthesis and Growing Plants - Photosynthetic Apparatus, Process, Gas Exchange, Light transformation to Energy Respiration - Stages of Respiration, the Krebs Cycle, Electron Transport Chain, Rate of Respiration, Control of ATP Production in Respiration The Role of Water - Osmosis, Water Movement from Soil to Root, The Transpiration Stream Movement of Water and Assimilates through a Plant - Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake, Absorption and Transport of Mineral Nutrients, Translocation of Sugars, Adaptations for Water Storage, Food and Water Storage Organs The Effects of Tropisms and Other Growth Movements - Plant Hormones, Tropisms, Chemical Growth Modifications. HORTICULTURE III (PLANT HEALTH) There are ten lessons in this module, as follows: 1. Introduction 2. Overview of Preventative Controls 3. Insecticides 4. Other Pesticides 5. Spray Equipment 6. Insect Biology 7. Fungal Biology 8. Environmental Problems 9. Viruses 10. Nematodes, Molluscs and Crustaceans Elective Modules CROPS I (OUTDOOR PLANT PRODUCTION) 1. This course has ten lessons. 2. Crop Production Systems 3. Organic Crop Production 4. Soils and Nutrition 5. Nursery Stock Production 6. Tree Fruit Production 7. Soft Fruits Production 8. Vegetable Production 9. Cut Flower Production 10. Herbs, Nuts and Miscellaneous Crops 11. Crop Production Risk Assessment PROTECTED PLANT PRODUCTION There are 7 lessons in this course: 1. Structures for Protected Cropping 2 Environmental Control 3. Cladding Materials and their Properties 4. Irrigation and Nutrition 5. Relationship between Production techniques and Horticultural practices 6. Harvest and Post Harvest Technology 7. Risk Assessment PLANNING LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION OF ORNAMENTAL GARDENS There are 10 lessons in this module as follows: 1.Site Appraisal, Interpretation and Risk Assessment 2.Preparing Site Plans and Specifications 3.Influence of Site Characteristics 4.The Use of Hard Landscape Features 5.Setting out a Site to Scale Plans and Drawings 6.Soil Handling and Storage 7.Land Drainage Systems 8.Ground Preparation Techniques 9.Construction of Paths and Patios 10.Construction of Steps, Ramps, Dwarf Walls and Fences RESTORING ESTABLISHED ORNAMENTAL GARDENS There are 8 lessons in this module as follows: Landscape History & Design Styles Surveying the Site Assessment of Plantings and Features Selecting Components for Retention Work Programming and Risk Management Drainage Hard Landscape Feature Restoration Planting Restoration and Maintenance PLANT SELECTION AND ESTABLISHMENT The are 10 lessons are: 1. Introduction What to plant where, Plant selection, Plant varieties, Colourful year round foliage, Establishment (timing, soil preparation, plant size, planting technique), Maintenance programs, etc 2. Woody plants Selecting woody plants, trees, shrubs, deciduous/semi deciduous/evergreen; flowering shrubs, Establishing woody plants, Planting procedure, Dealing with shade, etc 3. Windbreaks, hedges and screens Plant selection, establishing windbreaks & screens, Trimming a hedge, etc 4. Alpine and water plants Selecting & establishing alpines, Selecting water plants, Establishment & maintenance of water plants 5. Annual and herbaceous plants Selecting annuals, Types of annuals (by height, flower, edge plants, dot plants, groundwork plants), types of bedding schemes, Planting seed or seedlings, Container culture, Selection & Establishment of herbaceous plants (Bulbs & Perennials), Maximizing flowering effect, etc 6. Turf Varieties, Lawn mixes, What to grow where, Wildflower Meadows, Turf establishment, Soil Preparation, Seeding, Sodding, Stolonizing, Sprigging, Plugging, Mowing, Fertilising, etc 7. Maintenance Fertilizing, Managing pH, Replacing plants, Pruning, Irrigation, Humidity, Mulch, Developing a maintenance Program, 8. Pest and disease control Problem prevention, Non chemical control, Chemical control, 9. Weed control Non chemical control, Chemical control, Safety, Alternative strategies. 10. Risk assessment Identifying risk, Duty of care, Workplace safety, Protective clothing, Safety with tools, Significance of illness, etc TURF CARE There are eleven lessons as follows: Introduction - Benefits of turf, History of Turf, Turf Varieties (Bent, Couch, Buffalo, Fescues, Rye, Carpet grass, Kikuyu, Brome, Bluegrass, Philaris, etc), Lawn mixes Turf Grass Physiology -Morphology, flower, stems, leaves, roots, Other characteristics, How to identify grasses, Plant Keys, Identifying short cuts, etc. Turf Establishment -Soil preparation, Seeding, Sodding, Stolonizing, Sprigging, Plugging, Chitted Seed, Drainage, Work scheduling, Estimating costs. Soils -Understanding soil, Texture, Soil blends, Structure, pH, Buffering capacity, Improving Soils, Choosing soils, Calculating soil quantities, Cation exchange, Plant nutrients, Fertilisers, etc. Turf Weed Problems -How weeds spread, Non chemical controls, Chemical controls, chemical safety Turf Pests & Diseases -Chemical and non chemical controls, Common turf health problems (Environmental, Nutrition, Pest, Disease) Turf Maintenance Techniques - Mowing, Mowers, Length of Cut, Getting a clean cut, pattern of cutting, cutting on slopes, after cutting, Mower safety, Aeration, Coring, Scarification, Spiking, etc. Irrigation - An Overview : Water loss from soils, Improving water retention, Movement of water in soil, Field capacity, Estimating water needs of turf, Watering turf, When to irrigate, Irrigation rate, Types of irrigation, etc. Playing Fields & Bowling Greens -Gradients and dimensios for different surfaces (ornamental, types of sports etc), Construction of a playing field, Sand based technology, Golf Courses, Cricket Wickets, etc. Managing Established Turf - Mowing, Watering, Topdressing, Fertilizing, Weed and Pest control. Establishing Ornamental Turf -Assessing the site, Developing Plans, Preparing a budget, etc PRODUCTION/WHOLESALE NURSERY MANAGEMENT This subject involves eight lessons as follows: 1.Nursery Site Organisation Selecting the site (eg. Buying an established nursery or establishing a new site) Determining facilities needed Site planning Estimating space requirements. 2. Management Public and Commercial nurseries Management Options; Partnerships, companies, sole proprietorships Developing a management structure Labour relations and seasonal staff Work programs and production timing. 3. Nutrition and Pest Management Field crops Container plants Principles of fertiliser use Plant nutrition. 4. Growing Media Soils and soil-free mixes Rockwool Sterilisation techniques. 5. Irrigation Management for Production Nurseries Methods and equipment Estimation of water requirements Use of liquid fertilisers through irrigation. 6. Modifying Plant Growth Growth modification techniques Flower forcing Quality control. 7. Nursery Marketing Strategies Exploiting existing markets Developing new markets Advertising Product presentation Pricing Plant recycling. 8. Selection of Nursery Crops Developing a stock list Operational flow charts Market surveys. PLANT ECOLOGY This module consists of 8 lessons : Introductory Ecology Plant Communities Plants and their Environment Plants, Soils & Climate Plant Adaptations to Extreme Environments Manipulating Plant Environments Environmental Conservation Environmental Organisations, Assessment and Funding HORTICULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT There are ten lessons in this course as follows: 1. Horticultural Business Structures 2. Management Theories and Procedures 3. Horticulture & The Law 4. Supervision 5. Financial Management 6. Staff Management 7. Improving Plant Varieties 8. Productivity and Risk 9. Managing Physical Resources 10. Developing an Horticultural Business Plan PLANT BREEDING There are 7 lessons in this module as follows: 1. The Scope and Nature of the Plant Breeding Industry What is Plant Breeding Scope of the Modern Industry Sources of Genetic Material Germplasm Preservation Botanic Gardens, Plant Breeding Organisations, Research Bodies 2. Introduction to Genetics Review of Plant Genetics Linkage and Crossing Over DNA Homologous Chromosomes Cell Biology -cell components, cell wall, nucleus Protein Synthesis Plant Anatomy Plant Genetics, Mendel's Principles and Experiment Genetic Terminology Gene Linkages 3. Gamete Production, Pollination and Fertilisation in Plants Phases of Plant Reproduction Gamete Production Gene Mutation Sources of Genetic Variation: Polyploidy, Bud Sports and Chimeras Male Sterility Effect of Environment Terminology Use of Pollination Biology in Plant Breeding: Pollination Process, Pollination Requirements, Cross Pollination, Fertilisation, Male/Female Recognition, Overcoming incompatibilit, Post Fertilisation, Pollen Selection, Floral Introduction etc. Mitosis and Meiosis Genes Sexual Structures in Plants: Flowers, Fruit, Seed 4. Mono Hybrid and Dihybrid Inheritance in Plants Mono hybrid Crosses Dihybrid Crosses Gene Linkages Crossing Over Recombination Quantitative Traits Terminology 5. Systematic Botany and Floral Structures Systematic Botany Plant Morphology Type Specimins Floral Diagrams International Botanical Code Binomial System; Genus and species Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars Name Changes Nomenclature of hybrids Using Botanical Keys 6. Practical Plant Breeding Techniques Plant Breeding Programs Breeding Self Pollinated Crops Pure Line Breeding Mass Selection Pedigree Breeding Bulk Population Breeding Breeding Cross Pollinated Crops Single Plant Selection Mass Selection Progeny Selection Line Breeding Recurrent Selection Backcross Breeding Induced Polyploidy Hybrid Seed Production Dormancy Factors Affecting Germination (eg. hard seeds, impermeability to water, Chemical inhibitors, Undeveloped embryos, etc) 7. Current Developments in Plant Genetics Plant Biotechnology Genetic Engineering DNA Markers Somatic Hybridisation Micropropagation Plant Breeders Rights Trade Marks, Patents BOTANY II - APPLIED PLANT PHYSIOLOGY There are 10 lessons in this module as follows: 1. Flower physiology Introduction The flowering response Genes control flowering Physiological age Minimum leaf number Photoperiodism Terminology 2. Phytochrome Light sensing systems Blue light responses Red light responses Other light responses Phytochrome Photoreceptor forms: Pr, Pfr How molelcules changeRelevance to commercial horticulture Controlling light Terminology 3. Phytoperiodism Light Measuring light What wavelengths do plants need Typical photoperiod responses Photoperiodic responses in seasonal flowering plants Photoperiodic classification of plants: short day plants, long day plants, day neutral plants Detection of photoperiod Critical photoperiod and flowering Research facts Other photoperiodic effects Terminology 4. Control of flower bud initiation and development Stages in flower bud growth What can affect flower bud initiation Differentiation Dvelopment Anthesis Effect of temperature on growth and flowering VernalisationThermoperiodism Research reports or reviews of specific plants Terminology 5. Dormancy Dormancy in plants Abscisic acid and dormancy Breaking dormancy Dormancy in seeds Factors affecting seed dormancy Breaking seed dormancy Terminology 6. Effects of plant associations and competition Introduction Competition Parasitism Coevolution Mutualism Plant herbivore and pathogen interactions Crop spacing and crop yeilds Crop canopy and plant density Impact of weeds Protected environments Greenhouses Shadehouses 7. Respiration and post harvest physiology Respiration Glycolysis Aerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration Bioluminescene and Fluorescence Post harvest respiration Terminology 8. Post harvest storage, transport, retailing and shelf life Effect of growing conditions on post harvest life Controlled storage conditions: temperature, atmosphere, humidity Normal atmospheric conditions Controlled and modified atmospheres Effect of oxygen levels Effect of carbon dioxide levels Ethylene Controlling ethylene levels Modified Atmosphere Packaging Commodity transport Retailing and shelf life 9. Endogenous and synthetic growth regulators Nature of plant hormones Auxins: IAA, IBA, NAA Gibberellins: natural and synthetic Cytokinins: over 130 different types Abscisic acid Ethylene Other homones: anti auxins, growth inhibitors, growth retardants, defoliants, growth Stimulators, non standard hormones Controlled ripening and degreening Waxing 10. Risks involved with plant growth manipulation Commercial risks Human health and safety risks Plant pathology risks Ecological risks Genetic modification Benefits environmental hazards Human hazards Terminology PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 2 1. Materials and Equipment 2. Horticultural Calculations 3 Practical Risk Management 4. Machinery and Equipment Assessment and Maintenance 5. Propagation Management 6. Hard Landscape Maintenance 7. Soft Landscape Maintenance 8. Practical Plant Identification Techniques 9. Pest, Disease and Weed Control 10. Identifying plant tissues 11. Planning -identifying needs for management of horticultural sites. Benefits of Studying This Course This course builds on our Advanced Certificate in Horticulture. It allows students to go into further depth and add some more science based modules to their repertoire. The upshot is a thorough grounding in horticulture which will stand graduates in great stead for a range of careers, in particular roles in the following areas: Parks & gardens Horticulture management Supervisory & foreman roles Research Horticulture retail Nursery work MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE. Choosing the right course and the right options is important. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our specialist tutors using our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE. They will be more than happy to help you make the right choice for you. Stay in Touch. Follow us on: Twitter Facebook Google