Academic Catalog

HORT 80C: ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE SPRING SKILLS

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Units: 2
Hours: 1 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (48 total per quarter)
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Develop Spring horticultural work skills under the guidance of a horticultural unit supervisor for an average of four hours per week.
  • During the Spring season, explore industry association and industry contacts for employment opportunities.

Description

Course provides skills development opportunities in environmental horticulture for the Spring season. This is an extension of classroom instruction, covering topics such as the initiation of landscape construction projects, pests and diseases, vegetable crops, composting, and water management. This course offers students learning opportunities through a combination of on-site practical field experience, independent research, student internship, community service and industry related educational opportunities in the green industry.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:
A. demonstrate an understanding of specific practices for implementing and maintaining Spring season landscapes.
B. develop horticultural work skills under the guidance of a supervisor.
C. demonstrate practical application of acquired skills in professional applications.
D. explore green industry associations and industry contacts for employment opportunities.
E. discuss diversity in the workplace.

Course Content

A. Implementation and maintenance practices for Spring season landscapes
1. Landscape construction project initiation
2. Weeding
3. Disease management
4. Pest management
5. Fertilizer application
6. Composting
7. Water management
8. Vegetable crop production
B. Horticultural skills development for the Spring season
1. Work at on-site activities
2. Work at an industry related internship
3. Perform supervised horticultural work at a community service site
4. Perform instructor approved research into pertinent topics
C. Practical application of skills
1. Develop plans for horticultural activities
2. Identification of horticultural problems and solutions typical of the Spring season
3. Group and student committee meetings
4. Student/instructor meetings
D. Explore employment/work opportunities in the green industry
1. Non-profit and professional internships
2. Join and participate in professional organizations related to horticulture
3. Interaction with other green industry professionals in solving horticultural problems
4. Interviews with potential employers
5. Participate in trade shows, seminars, and conferences
6. Visits to nurseries, construction projects, and other landscape sites
E. Workplace diversity
1. Exploration of environmental horticulture as it pertains to the multi-cultural nature of urban and regional environments

Lab Content

A. Horticulture facility maintenance
B. Plant material maintenance
C. Internships
D. Planting
E. Design
F. Community service activities

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

A. Horticultural laboratory, greenhouse, nursery, and related horticultural facilities and equipment.
B. Students provide pruning shears with sheath, work boots, leather gloves, and clothing for fieldwork.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

A. Completed contract for current quarter
B. Work at horticulture facility (as documented in contract)
C. Records of outside work and activities completed (as documented in contract)
D. Final summary report and appurtenant documentation (submitted with completed contract) which demonstrates an understanding of the implementation and maintenance of Spring seasonal landscapes
E. Supervisor rating of job performance for internships and volunteer work

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

A. Lecture
B. Discussion
C. Self-paced
D. Field work
E. Independent study
F. Internship/preceptorship
G. Community service

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Sunset. Sunset Western Garden Book. Oxmoor House revised, 2012.
This text is older than the 5 year recommendation, but this is the latest edition and is a standard in the industry with seminal information.
Other texts may be used as elective for the specific subject being covered by an internship or work opportunity.
 

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

A. Reading assignments include reading approximately 10-20 pages per week from industry literature and texts. Supplemental reading will be provided in hand-out form or through reference to online resources.
B. Lectures address reading topics and experiences of instructor. Classroom discussion and demonstrations in support of lecture topics will be provided.
C. Guest speakers from industry provide supplemental lecture and demonstration.
D. Writing assignments include:
1. Activity reports
 

Discipline(s)

Ornamental Horticulture