Associate Diploma Horticulture

Stage 1 Core Studies


The following six modules are undertaken first as a foundation for further studies:

Horticulture I
Horticulture II
Horticulture III
Plant Selection & Establishment
Outdoor Plant Production
Garden Maintenance

Exemption is granted for this stage to anyone who has the following:

Any Certificate or Advanced Certificate from ACS

Horticultural studies of 600 hrs or more class contact duration from another approved institution (Approved institutions include universities, IARC recognized institutions, institutions with a teaching approach that have a strong emphasis upon foundation science and plant knowledge)

Note: Modules from either stages II & III may be undertaken after stage I is complete.

Stage II Electives

Six modules chosen from the following:

Practical Horticulture I
Practical Horticulture II
Organic Plant Culture
Permaculture Systems
Advanced Permaculture
Engineering Applications
Plant Protection Machinery and Equipment (Engineering I)
Project Management
Horticultural Marketing
Amenity Horticulture I
Amenity Horticulture II
Turf Care
Sports Turf Management
Turf Repair and Renovation
Arboriculture I
Arboriculture II
Trees for Rehabilitation
Landscaping I, II, III
Planning Layout & Construction of Ornamental Gardens
Restoring Established Ornamental Gardens
Propagation I
Cutting Propagation
Wholesale Nursery Management
Garden Centre Management
Cut Flower Production
Cut Flower Bulbs
Cut Flower Orchids
Greenhouse Cut Flowers
Hydroponics I
Hydroponic Management
Commercial Vegetable Production
Protected Plant Production
Fruit Production
Viticulture
Berry Production
Herb Culture
Culinary Herbs
Medicinal Herbs
Australian Natives I
Tropical Plants
Cacti and Succulents
Perennials
Interior Plants
Water Conservation and Management
Irrigation
Irrigation Management

Other options may be considered, though the above are generally considered the better options for this particular course.

Stage III Compulsory Modules

The following should all be completed

Horticultural Resource Management
Horticultural Research I
Industry Meetings or Workshop I (Note: This can be completed without difficulty anywhere in the world).

OUTLINES OF KEY CORE MODULES

Horticulture I

There are twelve lessons in this course, as follows:

1. Plant Identification: Naming plants; distinguishing the taxonomic divisions of plants including family, genus, species and variety or hybrid; identifying the different parts of a flower; distinguishing the morphological characteristics of leaves.

2. Planting: Planting methods used for different types of plants including annuals, perennials, evergreen and deciduous plants; influence of environmental factors on planting techniques.

3. Soils: Classifying soils; sampling and testing soils; chemical and physical properties of soils; soil improvement techniques; composting; potting mixes.

4. Nutrition: Major and micro elements necessary for plant growth; nutrient deficiencies and toxicities; fertilisers.

5. Water Management: Irrigation systems – characteristics, advantages and disadvantages; drainage systems; waterwise gardening.

6. Pruning: Pruning techniques; importance of pruning to growth, flowering and fruiting; pruning tools.

7. Weeds: Identifying common weeds; characteristics of weeds; control techniques; herbicides.

8. Pests and Diseases: Identifying common insect and disease problems; control methods; Integrated Pest Management; pesticides; hygiene procedures; chemical safety.

9. Landscaping: Stages of landscaping; design procedures; collating pre-planning information; preparing plans; selecting plants for specified sites.

10. Propagation: Asexual and sexual propagation; taking cuttings; sowing seeds; aftercare of propagated plants.

11. Lawns: Turf grass varieties; laying a new lawn; cultural techniques including watering, fertilizing, topdressing, aerating, pest and disease control.

12. Arboriculture: Tree management techniques including pruning, removal and tree surgery; identifying tree problems.

Horticulture II

The content of each of the ten lessons is outlined below:

1. The Groups of Plants ‑ Identification of plants from a wide range of taxonomic and cultural groups, using a range of different techniques.

2. Use of Plants ‑ plant selection, soils.

3. Australian Native Plants

To determine techniques for the growing of native shrubs and trees, including the selection, culture and use of different species.

4. Exotic Ornamental Plants

To determine techniques for the growing of exotic ornamental shrubs and trees, including the selection, culture and use of different species.

5. Indoor & Tropical Plants -growing of indoor plants, including selection, culture and use of different varieties

6. Bedding Plants - techniques for the growing of bedding plants, including selection, culture and use of different varieties.

7. Vegetables

Learn to develop techniques for the growing of edible crop plants, including selection, culture and use of vegetables, fruit, berries and nuts (Part A).

8. Fruits, Nuts & Berries

9. Herbs

10. Alternative Growing Techniques ‑ hydroponics, container growing, terrariums. Determine appropriate applications for a range of alternative growing methods

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


This course provides a broad based foundation to allow you to adapt to and work in different sectors of the industry, as a technician, business owner, consultant, etc.

Horticultural staff need to have a strong foundation in both science and plants. They need to know:

What affects plant growth (Soils, nutrition, water, temperature, pests etc)
Cultural Techniques (Propagation, pruning, planting, shelter, etc)
Plant Knowledge (Plant family characteristics, classification system, etc)