Academic Catalog

HORT 80D: ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE SUMMER SKILLS

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
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 Summer horticultural work skills under the guidance of a horticultural unit supervisor for an average of four hours per week.
  • During the Summer season, explore industry association and industry contacts for employment opportunities.

Description

This lecture and laboratory course focuses on skills development in environmental horticulture for the summer season. Topics include irrigation system installation and maintenance, fruit tree pruning, integrated pest management, landscape construction, summer landscape maintenance, and water conservation practices. Students will have learning opportunities through independent research, on-site practical field experiences, internships, community service, and industry-related opportunities in the green industry.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of specific practices for implementing and maintaining summer season landscapes
  2. Demonstrate horticultural work skills under the guidance of a supervisor
  3. Demonstrate practical applications of environmental horticulture and design skills
  4. Describe the various green industry professional associations
  5. Describe strategies for pursuing employment opportunities in the green industry

Course Content

  1. Implementing and maintaining summer season landscapes
    1. Irrigation system installation and maintenance
    2. Water conservation practices
    3. Integrated pest management
    4. Landscape construction
    5. Fruit tree pruning
    6. Composting
    7. Landscape maintenance practices
    8. Vegetable crop production and harvesting
  2. Horticultural facility work skills
    1. Horticultural activities in the department gardens
    2. Identification of horticultural problems and solutions
    3. Facility labs geared to specific green industry elements
  3. Practical applications of environmental horticulture and design skills
    1. Field application of horticultural maintenance practices
    2. Identification of horticultural problems and solutions typical of the summer season
    3. California native and non-native plants, shrubs, and trees in the landscape
    4. Landscape design
    5. Landscape construction
    6. Water management and water conservation
  4. Green industry professional associations
    1. Professional organizations
    2. Interaction with guest speakers and green industry professionals in finding solutions to horticultural problems
    3. Industry trade show, seminar, and conference participation
    4. Nursery, construction project, and other landscape-related site visits
  5. Employment opportunities in the green industry
    1. Non-profit and professional internships
    2. Interviews with potential employers
    3. Interview process

Lab Content

  1. Practical training which meets green industry professional and state licensing standards
  2. Students are expected to practice and gain proficiency in the lab setting. Emphasis is on skill development and hands-on experience in specific required areas
  3. Lab content examples
    1. Irrigation system installation
    2. Irrigation system maintenance
    3. Water conservation techniques
    4. Pest control
    5. Landscape construction projects
    6. Pruning practices
    7. Composting techniques
    8. Landscape maintenance practices
    9. Vegetable crop management

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Horticultural laboratory, greenhouse, nursery, and related on-campus horticultural facilities and equipment.
2. Students provide pruning shears with sheath, work boots, leather gloves, and clothing for fieldwork. All safety and standard equipment needed for the class are outlined in a contract that every student signs on first day of class.

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Completed contract for current quarter
Documented work at horticulture facility
Documented outside work and activities completed
Final summary report and appurtenant documents
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:

Lecture
Discussions, weekly assignments, quizzes
Field work
Independent study
Internship/preceptorship
Community service

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

The Editors of Sunset. Sunset Western Garden Book. 2012.

Although this text is older than the 5 year recommendation, this is the latest edition and is a standard in the industry with seminal information.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Classroom discussion and demonstrations in support of lecture and reading topics.
  3. Writing assignments include activity reports and final summary.

Discipline(s)

Ornamental Horticulture