Course CodeBHT112Fee CodeS2Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Become an Expert Grower This comprehensive introduction to crop growing covers a huge amount of ground. Learn about different types of crop systems, how to establish and nurture crops, and techniques used in traditional and organic growing systems. Grow better Vegetables, Herbs, Fruit or Cut Flowers Outdoors Ten lessons in this course will cover: site, crop selection, soil management, cut flowers, vegetables, berries, nuts, herbs, tree fruits, other crops, managing a market garden and more. Lesson Structure There are 10 lessons in this course: Crop Production Systems Scope and nature of Crop Production Purpose for Growing –Subsistence crops, Marketable Crops Finding reliable resource information Types of Cropping –row crops, broad acre, hydroponics, container crops, etc Monoculture vs Polyculture Citrus Berry Fruits Nuts Vines Pome Fruits Stone Fruits Vegetables Cut Flowers Nursery Crops Fibres Oils Seeds Other Crops Review of six different crops Organic Crop Production What is organic growing Organic certification Organic Growing Techniques Composting Factors that affect Nitrogen release from organic sources Mycorrhizae Versicular – Arbuscular mycorrhizae Non mycorrhizal plants Crop rotation Using Legumes for soil improvement –nitrogen fixation Rhizobium bacteria Soils and Nutrition Review of six different crops Soil and Nutrition Understanding what is in soil-solid particles, air, water Soil structure –types of particles (gravel, sand, silt, colloids) Peds Water and Air Soil Temperature Soil Life –earthworms, bacteria, mycorrhizae Improving soils Sampling soils for testing Naming a soil type Soil problems Loss of soil fertility –causes, implications, control Erosion–causes, implications, control Salinity –causes, implications, control Soil compaction –causes, implications, control Soil acidification –causes, implications, control Build up of dangerous chemicals –causes, implications, control Increasing organic matter Phytotoxicity Adding non organic materials to soil –lime, sulphur, gypsum, etc Cation exchange capacity Ph –acidity and alkalinity Nutrient availability Conductivity Salinity Plant Nutrition Choosing a fertiliser Total salts Diagnosis of nutrient problems Natural Fertilisers Manures Blood and bone Rock dusts Seaweed Review of six different crops Nursery Stock Production Container or Field Growing The Process -Propagation, Transplanting, Growing on, Marketing Growing in containers In ground nursery production Propagation in the nursery –seed, cuttings Potting up plants Potting machines Choosing what to grow and how to grow. Nursery Standards Cost Efficiencies Quality control Starting a production nursery Revamping an existing nursery Scope and nature of different plant products Review of six different crops Tree Fruit Production Scope of tree fruits –deciduous and evergreen Site selection for an orchard or plantation Rootstocks Field preparation Production and training systems Understanding Pollination Understanding chilling requirements Grading the harvest Mechanised grading Grading in different countries Post harvest handling equipment Review of six different crops Soft Fruits Production Scope –berries, bush and vines. Growing grapes Selecting a site for grapes Climatic effects on grapes Harvesting and marketing grape production Strawberry Production Where to plant strawberries Grading soft fruits Strawberry growing Raspberries Chinese Gooseberries (Kiwi Fruit) Cape Gooseberry Gooseberry Mulberry Blueberry Elderberry Currants Cranberry Bramble berries Review of six different crops Vegetable Production Groupings of vegetables –brassicas, root and bulb crops, leaf and stem crops, cucurbits, fruit crops, etc Factors affecting production Planting methods –direct seeding, seedlings, crowns, tubers, offsets, etc Seed sources –hybrid seed, collecting seed, etc Storing seed Sowing seed outdoors Sowing seed under cover Transplanting seedlings Buying seedlings Choosing what to grow Review and comparison of around 40 different types of vegetables Mushroom production Harvesting and grading vegetables Review of six different crops Cut Flower Production Scope of cut flower production Harvesting and Storage Grading Cut flower standards Alstroemeria Antirrhinum Amaryllis Anigozanthos Aster Carnation Chrysanthemum Dahlia Freesia Gerbera Gladiolus Iris Narcissus Orchids Roses Stocks Review of six different crops Herbs, Nuts and Miscellaneous Crops Growing Herbs Propagating herbs Review of 16 significant types of herbs Harvesting herbs Nut Production Comparing eight significant nut crops Walnut production Chestnuts Almonds Peanuts Macadamias Pecan Hazelnut Filbert Pistachio Cashew Review of six different crops Crop Production Risk Assessment Assessing the workplace –factors to consider Consequences of an undesirable event Keeping a work site safe Duty of care –employer duties and employee duties Manufacturer and other person duty of care Protective clothing Safety with tools and equipment Safety with electricity Tool maintenance Harvest and storage risk Review of six different crops Aims Explain different cropping systems and their appropriate application for the production of different types of crops. Evaluate and explain organic plant production, and the requirements in at least two different countries, to achieve organic certification. Explain the function of soils and plant nutrition in outdoor cropping systems. Describe the commercial production of a range of nursery stock. Describe the commercial production of a range of tree fruit crops. Explain techniques used to produce a range of soft fruits. Explain techniques used to grow a range of vegetables. Explain the commercial production of outdoor-grown cut flowers. Describe the commercial production of herbs, nuts and other miscellaneous crops. Identify the risks that may occur in outdoor crop production. Tips From Our Experts How Can Crops be Grown Outdoors? There are a broad range of different outdoor crop production systems. The main systems used for commercial cropping are: Row cropping – the most commonly used production system; used to grow vegetables and herbs, cut flowers, fruit and nut trees, field-grown nursery stock. Advantages of row cropping include ease of access for machinery and people during planting, crop maintenance and harvesting. This system enables good water management (i.e. it is suitable for trickle irrigation systems) and weed control (using mulches between plants and mowing between rows). Broad acre – most commonly used for large-scale vegetable and grain production. Also used for cut flowers, turf growing, and large-scale orchards (e.g. fruit grown for canning and juicing). Hydroponics – a specialised and intensive system most commonly used to grow leafy vegetables, tomatoes and strawberries. Can be used to grow many other crops including cut flowers and root vegetables. Containerised systems – used for growing nursery stock outdoors. Trellising systems – used for supporting and training deciduous and vine fruits. Hedging – used for tree and berry fruits, and nuts. Also used for growing nursery stock plants (to provide cutting propagation material). Monoculture vs. Mixed Culture Monoculture farming involves growing one type of crop or raising one type of animal. By only growing one crop farmers are able to specialise and refine their growing techniques, and to concentrate their efforts in developing markets and investing in specialised equipment. Mixed culture farming involves growing a variety of crops or animals. This system has several important benefits: In most cases it is more environmentally sustainable than monoculture farming. Growing a wide range of different plants for different purposes can significantly enhance the land’s productivity over a period of time. This means that as well as growing several different cash efficient crops at any given time, the farmer grows other plants such as windbreaks and companion plants to improve the farm’s sustainability. The farmer is buffered against economic loss caused by market over/under supply or by the loss of one crop from pest/disease attack or unfavourable growing conditions Crops can be spread over the whole year, allowing better use of resources (such as farm equipment) and better management of labour and finance. Who Should Do this Course: Farmers, growers, anyone starting or buying a small farm, or large Anyone wanting to take a first step toward working in horticultural crop production Gardeners, horticulturists, farmers seeking to broaden their skills and knowledge Garden and self sufficiency enthusiasts who want to grow more of their own home produce HOW TO ENROL Click box below on left hand side -follow instructions. IF YOU NEED ADVICE - click here to use our FREE ADVISORY SERVICE