This programme is for you if you are already working in the nursery industry, or you are looking to gain skills for employment in this field.

You can also progress from the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (General) to this programme.

You will also gain your forklift licence and basic GROWSAFE certificate - both great additions for your CV to work in the horticultural industry.

You will learn propagation and managing root stocks for grafting and budding, as well as understanding plant hormones and how to manage plant growth and health.

You will gain a working knowledge of water, nutrient and climatic needs of your plants, operating irrigation systems, and developing a plant protection programme for your plants to manage any pest disease and weed issues.

Part of the programme is the development of a planting plan, for a growing project of your choice.

You will also learn about the machinery and equipment of a nursery, and will look at the business side of running a nursery and supervising others. 

The programme includes courses on:

• Nursery Environment including soils and soil less media, hydroponics, nutrient management, mist units, irrigation, managing temperature and the weather
• Nursery Operations covering propagation - cultivar selection (PVR etc) cuttings, dormancy and seed pre treatments, sowing seeds, grafting and budding, potting on, seed saving, stock management, plant science and plant lifecycles, and understanding different plant requirements (ie container plants, annuals and perennials, fruit trees, amenity trees, growing on) and health and safety
• Nursery Crop Protection that covers dealing with pests, diseases and weeds, - identification and management
• Plant Selection and Planning including revegetation, landscaping, amenity, vegetables, flowers and herbs
• Nursery Equipment that covers growing houses, shade houses, potting machines, packing and dispatch 
• Business Management and Marketing covers regulations, copyright, trademarks, nursery site design and layouts, labour laws, forecasting staff requirements and customer care
• Human Resources covers supervising and managing others, time management, communication skills and conflict resolution.