Course CodeVHT002Fee CodeCTDuration (approx)700 hoursQualificationCertificate Learn Organic Growing for farms, gardens, or plant nurseries. Grow healthier produce Create healthier environments Discover how to grow organically Course Structure The Core Units comprise fifteen modules that are divided into the following sections: CORE UNITS Introduction to Plants Plant Culture Sols and Nutrition Plant Identification and Use Pests, Diseases and Weeds Students must complete and pass all of these core units. ELECTIVES & STREAM STUDIES The Organic Plant Growing Stream is divided into the following:- Organic Plant Culture Plus 2 Relevant Elective Modules Commercial Organic Vegetable growing Organic Farming Soil Microbiome Management Permaculture Systems Berry Production Mushroom Production Fruit Production Regenerative Farming or any other relevant module approved by an ACS academic officer. Lesson Structure There are 26 lessons in this course: Plant Identification Introduction Botanical/Horticultural Nomenclature The Binomial (Taxonomic) System Botanical Classification Plant Families and Species Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars Plant Family Names Pronunciation of Plant Names Significant Genera and Families they belong to Meanings and origins of Plant Names Pressing Plants (to create a herbaria collection for reference) Introduction to Amenity Plants Flowering Plants Lower Plants – Conifers, Ferns Rhododendrons and Azaleas Roses Bulbs Practical – Plant Review Worksheets Parts of the Plant Plant Identification Skills How to increase your Plant I.D. Skills Terminology Lead Types Structure and Arrangement of Leaves and Leaflets Common Leaf Shapes Flower Structure Parts of a Flower The Inflorescence Types of Flowers – bisexual, unisexual, monoecious, dioeceous How a Seed Forms Plant Structure Stems and Stem Modifications Leaves and Leaf Modifications Roots and Root Function Root Modifications Morphological Changes as a Plant Matures Cell Structure and Histology Cell Components Plant Cell Types Plant Tissue Comparisons Photosynthesis Factors Affecting Photosynthesis Respiration Rate of Respiration Transpiration Environmental Factors Affecting Transpiration and Water Uptake The Nitrogen Cycle Terminology Plant Culture – Planting Planting Environmental Influences on Plants Potting Up Plants Potting Shrubs and Trees Introduction to Gardening Basics Terminology Common Mistakes when Planting Plant Selection Criteria Economics of Planting Ongoing Costs Longevity General Hardiness Aesthetic Criteria Basic Planting Procedure Fertiliser Staking Bare Rooted Plants Timing of Planting Considerations, Variety, Time, Locality, Mulching Laying a New Lawn – Soil Prep, Levels, Sowing, Raking in, Watering Turf Grass Varieties – Couch, Fescue, Rye, Bent, Kentucky Blue Plant Culture – Pruning Fruit or Vegetative Buds Reasons for Pruning Removing Dead or Diseased Wood Controlling Growth Type Controlling Shape and Size Rejuvenation Basic Pruning Rules Home Orchard Pruning Fruit Tree Pruning Styles Before Pruning Considerations while Pruning Pruning Terminology Plant Culture – Irrigation and Machinery Water and Irrigation Infiltration and Drainage Types of Irrigation Flood Irrigation Sprinkler Irrigation Trickle Irrigation Power Tools Types of Power Tools Power Tool Maintenance Oil Buying Power Tools Chainsaws – Use, Starting, Chain Sharpening Mowers – types. Guidelines for use, Care Brush Cutters/ Strimmers Mulchers Rotary Hoes Hedge Trimmers Irrigation Objectives and Feasibility Understanding Soil, Water and Plants Gravitational, Capillary and Hygroscopic Water Measuring Water Available to Plants Calculations – Field Capacity, Wilting Point Available Moisture Range Root Depths for Different Plants Estimating Plant Water Requirement When to Irrigate Symptoms of Water Deficiency and Excess Types of Sprinkler Systems and Sprinkler Heads Design and Operation of Irrigation Systems Cyclic Watering Pulse Watering Irrigation Scheduling Selecting Surface Irrigation Methods Soils and Media Potting Mixes Factors Affecting Fertiliser Application Soils Sampling Soils Soil Composition Colloids and Peds Soil Texture and Structure Soil Chemical Properties Improving Soils – texture, structure, fertility Soil Terminology Soils ad Nutrition Introduction Nutrient Elements Macronutrients Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium Calcium Sulphur Micronutrients Soil pH and Nutrient Availability Soil Ameliorants Total Salts Salinity Sources of Salt Control Methods for Salinity Soil Sodicity Water, Air and Nutrients Soil Temperature Key to Diagnosis of Nutritional Problems Fertilisers Composting Compost Ingredients Propagation – Seed and Cuttings Introduction Seed Propagation Hygiene How to Sow Seeds in Containers Seed Germination Seed Sources Seed Storage Factors Affecting Seed Storage Germinating Difficult Seeds Seed Dormancy Treatments to Break Dormancy Cutting Propagation Cutting Types – Softwood, Hardwood, Semi Hardwood, Herbaceous, Stem, Tip, Heal. Leaf, etc Factors affecting Rooting of Cuttings Plant Breeding Hybrid Seed Production Maintaining Genetic Identity in Seed Hand Pollination Propagation – Other Techniques Division Aseptic Micro Propagation Grafting Budding Layering Tip Layering Mound Layering Simple Layering Compound Layering Aerial Layering Natural Layering – Suckers, Runners, Offsets, Crowns Propagation with Specialised Stems and Roots – Bulbs, Corms, Tubers, Rhizomes, Pseudobulbs Propagating Bulbs – Bulblets on Scales, Stem Cuttings, Bulbils, Basal Cutting etc Identification and Use of Plants – Landscape Application Plants in the Landscape Choosing Plants – criteria Inspecting Plants Pre Purchase Trees for Landscaping Factors for Tree Selection Potential Tree Problems Choosing Shrubs for Different Purposes Groundcovers Building Plant Knowledge of Many Tree and Shrub Genera Trees for Different Conditions Planting Techniques Soil Restrictions on Planting Identification and Use of Plants-Problem Situations Establishing Trees Tree Size & Age at Planting Root Containment at Planting - Container Type, Bare Rooted or Balled What to look for when Buying a Tree Plant Protection at Planting – Staking, Frost Protection, Sun Protection, Cages Controlling Birds Props Cabling & Bolting Quick Reference Plant Directory Container Growing Outside Street Tree Reporting Identification and Use of Plants – Indoor Introduction to Indoor Plants Why Indoor Plants Die Potting Mixes Drainage holes in Pots How to Pot a small Plant to a Larger Pot Potting up Hanging Baskets Plantscaping with Ferns Fern Families and Genera Pests Chemical Pest Control Law Chemical Labelling Non Chemical Pest Control Care when Using Chemicals Entomology & Insect Control Methods Types of Insect Poisons – contact, intermediate, stomach, translocated or not Integrated Pest Management Insecticide Use with IPM Preventative Actions in the Garden Understanding Pesticides – Reading the Label Toxicity, Activity Spectrum, LD50. Persistence, Volatility, etc. Chemical Types -Inorganic, Biological, Organophosphates, Organochlorines, Carbamates, etc. Review of Specific Chemical Products Diatomaceous earth, Soaps Fungicides Ways of Applying Chemicals – Spraying, Dusting, Granules, Irrigation injection Safety Procedures when Using Agricultural Chemicals Differentiation of Pests, Diseases and Viruses Review of most Common Pests Diseases Fungicides Plant Pathology Identifying a Problem – Parasitic, Non Parasitic Treating a Problem Diagnosis of Plant Disorders – Visual Appearance, Possible Cause, Appropriate Treatment Common Diseases Anthracnose Blight Canker Damping Off Galls Leaf Spot Mildew Rots Rust Smut Mould Wilt Other Common Diseases Turf Fungal Diseases Plant Virus Detection and Diagnosis Arboriculture and Tree Health Weeds What is a Weed Steps to Controlling Weeds Weed Control with Suffocation Weed Control with Burning Cultivation to Control Weeds Other Non Chemical Weed Control Methods – Grazing, Mowing, Flooding, pH change, Biological Controls Weed Control with Herbicides Modes of Action Regulations and Laws - Restricted Use & Supply Avoiding Spray Drift Types of Herbicide Chemicals – Aliphatics, Amides, Ureas, Carbamates etc. Herbicide Resistance and Tolerance Safe Use of Weed killers Safety Guidelines and First Aid in relation to Chemical Use Cleaning Up a Chemical Spill Identifying Weeds Controlling Weeds in Different Places – fence lines, base of trees, garden Beds, Hard Surfaces Types of Weeds Noxious Weeds Environmental Weeds Common Weeds Terminology THIS CONCLUDES THE CORE STUDIES AFTER WHICH YOU CHOOSE A STREAM FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THIS COURSE. Introduction to Organic Growing Scope and Nature of Organic Growing Definitions Influential People in the Organic movement: Lady Balfour, Sir Albert Howard, Jerome Irving Rodale Different Ways to Garden Organically. Biodynamics, Permaculture Resources Plant Culture Different Cultivation Methods Crop Rotation Green Manure No Dig Culture Not Till Planting into Grass Understanding Soils Physical and Chemical Soil Properties Soil Profiles Identifying Soil Type Soil Structure pH Cation Exchange Capacity Buffering Capacity Soil water and air, temperature, humus, etc Organic Matter Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition Organic Fertilisers; scope, nature, comparing different types of fertilizer and manure Animal Manures Seaweed and seaweed extracts Liquid Feeds in Organics Rock Dusts Management Importance of Soil Cultivation Techniques and their affects on soil Cover Crops Using Cover Crops Green Manures as Cover Crops Nitrogen Fixation The Rhizobium Bacteria Mycorrhizae Composting Compost Bins What can be Composted Carbon Nitrogen Ratio Compost heap conditions; cold and hot heaps How to build a compost heap Using Compost Water in the Soil; infiltration, retention, when to water, period of watering Pests and Diseases Pest and Disease Prevention Management Techniques; early intervention, using predators Allowable inputs Understanding Plant Problems Disease Lifecycles Review of Disease Types and their management Viruses Review of Pests and their management Review of Environmental Problems and their Management Companion Planting Nutrient Accumulating Plants Mulching Scope and Nature Mulching Materials Living Mulch Weed Management, preventative measures, other weed control methods Seeds Organic Seeds Reproduction Pollination and preventing cross pollination Choosing Seed Plants for Vegetable Crops Collection, cleaning, storing seeds Sowing Vegetable Growing in your locality Site Selection Planning the Crop Getting the most from a Vegetable Plot Sowing Vegetable Seeds; outdoors, indoors Transplanting Seedlings Crowns, Offsets, Tubers Selected Vegetables, their culture, production, harvest, etc Broccoli Brussels sprouts Beetroot Silver beet Cabbage Capsicum Carrots Cauliflowers Celery Chicory Cucumbers Egg plants Kohl rabi Leek Lettuce Onions Parsnips Potatoes Pumpkins Radish Spinach Turnip Tomatoes Fruit Growing in your locality. Establishing an Orchard; site, climate, water Designing an Orchard Soil Management for Organic Orchards Winter Chilling, Pollination and other fruit set factors Choosing Fruit Varieties Temperate and Cool Climate Fruits Review Review of Tropical and Sub Tropical Fruits Vine Fruits Berry Fruits Nuts PLUS TWO ELECTIVE MODULES - THIS WILL ADD A VARYING NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL LESSONS (DEPENDING ON YOUR CHOICE) What are the Core Unit Aims? Introduction to Plants (40 hours) Describe the relevant identifying physical features of flowering ornamental plants. Demonstrate how to use prescribed reference books and other resources to gain relevant information. Dissect, draw and label two different flowers. Collect and identify the shapes of different leaves. Demonstrate how to identify between family, genus, species, variety and cultivar. Plant Culture (60 hours) Describe how to prune different plants. Demonstrate how to cut a plant stem correctly, on the correct angle and section of the stem. Describe how to plant a plant. Demonstrate an awareness of different irrigation equipment, sprinklers, pumps and turf systems available by listing their comparative advantages and disadvantages. Demonstrate competence in selecting an appropriate irrigation system for a garden, explaining why that system would be preferred. Define water pressure and flow rate and how to calculate each. Explain the need for regular maintenance of garden tools and equipment. List factors that should be considered when comparing types of machinery for use in garden maintenance. Soils and Plant Nutrition (50 hours) Describe the soil types commonly found in plant culture in terms of texture, structure and water-holding and nutrient holding capacity. Describe methods of improving soil structure, infiltration rate, water holding capacity, drainage and aeration. List the elements essential for plant growth. Diagnose the major nutrient deficiencies that occur in ornamental plants and prescribe treatment practices. Describe soil pH and its importance in plant nutrition. Describe the process by which salting occurs and how to minimise its effect. Conduct simple inexpensive tests on three different potting mixes and report accordingly. Describe suitable soil mixes for container growing of five different types of plants. List a range of both natural and artificial fertilizers. Describe fertilizer programs to be used in five different situations with ornamental plants. Introductory Propagation (40 hours duration) Demonstrate propagation of six (6) different plants by cuttings and three from seed. Construct a simple inexpensive cold frame. Mix and use a propagation media suited to propagating both seed and cuttings. Describe the method and time of year used to propagate different plant varieties. Describe and demonstrate the steps in preparing and executing a variety of grafts and one budding technique. Explain the reasons why budding or grafting are sometimes preferred propagation methods. Identification and Use of Plants (60 hours) Select plants appropriate for growing in different climates. Select plants appropriate to use for shade, windbreaks, as a feature, and for various aesthetic effects. Categorise priorities which effect selection of plants for an ornamental garden. Explain the differences in the way plants perform in different microclimates within the same area. List and analyze the situations where plants are used. Pests, Diseases and Weeds (50 hours) Explain in general terms the principles of pest, disease and weed control and the ecological (biological) approach to such control. Explain the host pathogen environment concept. Describe a variety of pesticides for control of pests, diseases and weeds of ornamental plants in terms of their active constituents, application methods, timing and rates, and safety procedures. Photograph or prepare specimens, identify and recommend control practices for at least five insect pests of ornamental plants. Photograph, sketch or prepare samples, identify and recommend control practices for three non insect ornamental plant health problems (e.g. fungal, viral, bacterial). Describe the major ways in which diseases (fungal, viral, bacterial and nematode) affect turf, the life cycle features that cause them to become a serious problem to turf culture and the methods available for their control. Identify, describe and recommend treatment for three different weed problems. Collect, press, mount and identify a collection of ten different weeds, and recommend chemical and non-chemical treatments which may be used to control each. List and compare the relative advantages and disadvantages of different weed control methods Examples of Stream/Elective Modules Organic Plant Culture (Compulsory module) The ten lessons are as follows: Introduction – Gardening styles, basic organic procedures, etc. Plant Cultural Practices Understanding Soils Fertilisers and Plant Nutritional Sciences Organic Soil Management Natural Pests and Disease Management Mulching and Weed Management Seeds - Collecting, storing and sowing Organic Vegetable Growing in your locality Organic Fruit Growing in your locality Commercial Organic Vegetable Production (Or another option) There are twelve lessons in this course as outlined below: Introduction to Organic Vegetable Production Cultivation and Planting Vegetable Soils and Nutrition Managing Soils for Vegetables Review of Major Vegetable Varieties Pests and Diseases on Vegetables Organic Vegetable Seeds Greenhouse Growing Organic Vegetables Lesser Grown Varieties and Herbs Irrigation Mulching Harvesting and Marketing Permaculture Systems (or an acceptable other option) There are eight lessons in this course, as follows: Permaculture Principles Natural Systems Zone and Sector Planning Permaculture Techniques Animals in Permaculture Plants in Permaculture Appropriate Technologies Preparing a Plan HOW THIS COURSE CAN HELP YOU? This certificate does two things: a/ In the first half, you learn about general, broad based horticulture. You learn more about soils, pest control, propagation and growing plants - beyond just organic growing (and that keeps your options for work in the future a bit broader). BUT b/ In the second half of the course you learn more about organic growing; and having the foundation you developed earlier, your specialised study of organics will be understood and retained more easily. In the grand scheme of things the final outcome is a far more solid understanding of organics, more embedded in your long term memory, and providing an extremely solid foundation to build a career or business on. WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR? This course is ideal for people working in the following industries: Crop production Landscaping Horticulture Media Education Nursery Production Permaculture Horticulture consultancy and more HOW TO ENROL Click box below on left hand side -follow instructions. 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