The enormous problems, and consequent contraction, within the farming industry in recent years and the increasingly pressing need for diversification, means that in many areas of the United Kingdom, smaller parcels of land, suitable for horticultural use, are becoming available at more realistic prices.  This is very good news for the aspiring market gardener and this course is aimed at those who wish to enter, train, or perhaps even re-train for small scale organic commercial growing.

 

The Course now consists of eighteen separate study books with associated assignments and practical tasks.

 

A Summary of the Course

Study Book 1:   Commercial Horticulture in the UK - An Overview

An Introduction to the course.  Horticulture today: The past.  Horticulture today: The present. Horticulture: The Future. Assignment Guidelines. Notes on Health & Safety issues.

Study Book 1a:  Health, Safety and the Horticulturist  

Study Book 2:  Soil Formation, Structure & Management

Soil structure, texture and composition; clays, sands, silts, pans and soil dynamics.  Organic matter, water, air.  Nutrient cycles and the nutrient budget.  Bio-dynamics and the role of living organisms.  Principles of soil management and the water table.  Measurement, effect and control of pH, wild plants and other indicators.  Nutrient deficiencies and symptoms.  Trace elements and organic minerals.

Study Book 2a:   Manures, Composts and Fertilizers

Farmyard manure ~ the primum mobile ; types, composition and analysis, nutrient dynamics and leaching, Storage, viability and uses. Composts; types, composition storage, mixing, viability and uses.  Recycling and making; the site, structure, additives and accelerators.  The wormery.  Organic and inorganic fertilizers, minerals, top and base dressings.  Green manures, mulches, liquid fertilizers and foliar feeding.

Study Book 3:  Plant Structure and Characteristics

Cells and plant tissue.  Leaf, stem and root cells; structure, form and function; leaf, stem, root, flower, fruit and seed.
 

Study Book 4: Plant Processes

Pollination, fertilization, dormancy and germination.  Plant growth and development; tissue differentiation and growth regulators, annuals, biennials and perennials.

Study book 5:   Plant Physiology

Water uptake and translocation, osmosis, nutrient requirements and deficiencies. Transpiration and environmental effects. Respiration and photosynthesis.  Phototropism and photoperiodism.

Study book 6:   Plant Nomenclature and Classification

Scientific naming of plants; purpose, importance and the binomial system.  Family, genus, species, subspecies, variety and cultivar. Descriptive terminology, keys and glossaries.

Study books 7- 9:   Horticultural Husbandry  

In these three major modules, horticultural practice is deal with in detail, both in general and commercial terms and as related to the specific categories listed below:
 

(1) Propagation and cultural techniques: seeds, cuttings, layering, budding, division, grafting,     micro - propagation and tissue culture.  Post propagation, hardening off and the ' weaning    process'.

(2) Cultivations and tillage, garden machinery, tools and equipment, drainage, rotations, containers, pots, blocks and other modules.

(3) Cultural practices, systems and management techniques: artificial control of the environment; glasshouses, tunnels, cloches and other protective structures, competition, companion planting, thinning and transplanting, staking, training, pruning, irrigation, liming and feeding.

(4) Plant/crop/feature selection and use, choices appropriate to situation, appreciation of scale,          position and location, planting density, disease resistant cultivars, layout and design, hard          landscaping, decorative and functional features.

Study book 7: An introduction

Study book 7a: Vegetable Crops

Study book 7b: Salads and Vegetable Fruits

Study book 8a: Herbs

Study book 8b: Top Fruit

Study book 8c: Soft Fruit

Study book 9a: Flowers (1)

Study book 9b: Flowers (2)

Study book 9c: Protected Cropping

Study book 11:  Pests, Diseases, Disorders and Weeds

Definition, symptoms and identification, mode of attack and damage; insects, molluscs, mites, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, viruses, nutritional and environmental disorders. Biological, cultural and chemical control methods and techniques, integrated pest management schemes.  Companion planting. Beneficial hosts.  Pests, Predators and natural diversity. Environmental and conservation considerations.
 

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Current Fees for this course are £545:00

 

 

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ORGANIC MARKET GARDENING

 

Growing for market, be it garden gate, farmshop, 'seasonal box' or wholesale market sales is a healthy, interesting and very satisfying occupation.  

Increasing consumer awareness of environmental and conservation issues, the succession of food 'scares' and the continuing débâcle concerning GM foods, has led to an ever increasing demand for good, wholesome fresh fruit, salads, vegetables and herbs.