If you want to create a stunning garden, this course is perfect for you – and we’re sure you will give it the green thumbs up!
The Certificate of Home Gardening is an online course that will provide you with the knowledge required to gain practical gardening skills so that you can beautify and maintain your garden like a professional.
In this professional development course, you will learn about the different type of plants, soil and nutritional requirements of gardens and lawns, and how to control pests and weeds. You will also discover landscape design techniques, and how to create indoor and outdoor gardens, including vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident to create and maintain a beautiful and economical home garden.
Course Structure
Unit – Home Garden Expert
Unit 1 – Plant identification
- Plant names (common and scientific)
- Angiosperms, conifers and ferns
- Hybrid and variety
- What genus belongs to what family?
- How to plant
- Cold weather and the garden
- Plant selection criteria
- Aesthetic planting effects
- Planting techniques
- When to plant?
- Potting and mulching
- Garden tools
- Pruning trees and shrubs
- Orchard pruning
Unit 2 – Soil structure
- Understanding soils
- Soil texture and structure
- Different soils for different purposes
- Soil names
- Plant nutrients
- Major and minor elements
- Nutrient deficiencies and toxicities
- Feeding plants
- Organic fertilisers
- How good is your soil
- Improving soils
- Total salts and soil pH
Unit 3 – Plant Health
- Plant health problems
- Preventative medicine in the garden
- Identifying plant problems
- Companion planting
- Plant pests and diseases
- What is the problem?
- Controlling pests and diseases
- Common chemical terms
- Pest problems on plants
- Diseases
- Plant viruses – detection and diagnosis
- Using chemical sprays
- Identifying weeds
- How weeds spread
- Poisonous plants
- Herbicides (resistance and tolerance)
- Weed control and methods
Unit 4 – Garden styles
- Characteristics of garden styles
- History of gardening
- Landscape design
- Designing with plants and garden features
- Designing a garden
- Planning phases
- Creating user friendly gardens
- Using colour in the garden
- Where to put plants
- Garden rooms
- Hedges and mazes
- Landscaping materials
- Moving existing soil
- Using timber and rocks in the garden
- Drainage
Unit 5 – Introduction to propagation
- Propagating methods
- Growing plants from seed
- Vegetative propagation
- Propagation equipment
- Cold frames
- Characteristics of media (solid materials)
- The UC system of soil mixes
- Media pH
- Types of media
- Mixes for striking cuttings
- Propagation by seed and cuttings
- Sowing seeds
- Cutting propagation
- Cutting treatments
- Hormone and chemical treatments
- Transplanting between pots
Unit 6 – Introduction to Lawns
- Lawn shaping and design
- Establishing a new lawn
- Turf grass varieties
- Lawn maintenance and renovation
- Environmental problems
- Pests and diseases
- Fertilisation, watering and mowing turf
Unit 7 – Growing indoor plants
- Why do indoor plants die easily?
- Caring for indoor plants
- Growing plants in containers
- Growing plants in hydroponics
- Hydroponic systems
- Growing bonsai
- Greenhouses and shades
- Other growing techniques
- Where to grow and maintain plants
- Problems with containers
- Groups of indoor plants
Unit 8 – Vegetable growing
- Getting started
- Climate and sunlight
- Cropping program
- Vegetable plots
- Timing
- Gardening techniques
- Minimising water use
- Composting
- Seeds varieties
- Fertilisers and soil nutrients
- Transplanting seedlings
- Transplanting crowns, offsets and tubers
- Growing mushrooms
- Harvesting
- Fruit and berries
- Establishing an orchard
- Deciduous fruit trees
- Pollination requirements
- Excess fruit
- Herbs and flowers
- Cultivating and protecting and herbs
- Fertile soils
- Pruning and harvesting herbs
- Growing garnishes
- Making potpourri
- Herb charts
- Poisonous plants
- Colourful year round foliage
- Annuals
Assessment
When you study with Australian Online Courses you will be assessed using a competency-based training method. Competency-based training focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information to achieve a competency result. As such, skills-based and knowledge assessments are geared towards attainment to meet industry-defined standards.
Assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, including short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Home Gardener
- Landscaper
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