Students examine the science and profession of horticulture, including its role and importance of throughout history, current trends, and careers. Learners will identify horticulture crops, crop use and interrelationships among the environment, plant growth, and plant development.

Learn to identify and care for annual and perennial flowering plants. Visit local gardens and professional sites to study plants and view design styles. Graphic skills used to create professional flower bed designs is also taught. Hands on experience propagating annuals and perennials and working with tropical foliage in the Gateway greenhouse is also included.

Following guidelines set forth by the national Sustainable Site's Initiative students will learn how to improve the sustainability of urban landscapes. Identifying soil conditions, capturing storm water, using native plants, composting, waste and energy management are concepts learned in this class. Students have the opportunity to analyze their own property to find ways to improve sustainability while reducing chemical inputs and maintenance needs.

In this course, learners examine the principles of landscape features in the built environment focusing on hardscapes, low voltage lighting, and irrigation. Learners practice constructing, installing, and troubleshooting problems hands-on. They explore industry techniques by interpreting drawings, analyzing manufacturers' specifications, as well as, identifying and allocating structural components. Learners explore construction safety practices that regulate the landscape environment in which they will work.

Advanced study of landscaping designed to fine-tune landscape drawing techniques. Course focuses on landscape construction methods, Japanese-style design principles, designing for energy conservation and how to attract wildlife. Labs include drawing plans and blueprinting.

Simulated operation of horticulture industries utilizing principles of marketing, economics and office management. Includes hands-on practice on computers used in each branch of the horticulture industry. Field trips and practice work are involved.

In this course, learners will take their landscape designs to the next level and bring them to life for clients with the use of 3D modeling software. This course is intended to build on skills gained in Advanced Landscape Design with the use of Dynsacape software. Learners will explore and learn how to analyze, design, and represent landscapes through SketchUp as 3D modeling software. Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to integrate advanced landscape design skills and technologies to communicate an enhanced presentation to a client or clients.

This capstone course will provide horticulture students the opportunity to pull together portfolio elements created in several classes into a cohesive professional portfolio for use when starting the career search. The portfolio will include samples of work, letters of reference, resume, horticultural resources and other pertinent career search and employment information, which can be used during employment interviews. Students will develop a high-quality professional portfolio as the final project.

This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research, and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

Work independently, or in small groups, with instructor and staff to gain in depth knowledge and experience in one of five program specialty areas; greenhouse growing , floral retailing and events, trial and display gardens, urban farm. Can also be used for internship with horticulture employer.