Prairie Horticulture

Required Courses

• Applied Botany
• Soils for Horticulture
• Post-harvest Handling of Crops

Select three of the following:

• Horticulture Business Management
• Horticulture Marketing
• Integrated Plant Management
• Safe Work/Pesticides

Plus select two of the following:

• Fruit Production
• Propagation
• Vegetable Production

Plus an open elective course (if necessary to meet the minimum requirements).

Required Courses

• Applied Botany
• Soils for Horticulture
• Arboriculture
• Woody Landscape Plants

Select three of the following:

• Horticulture Business Management
• Horticulture Marketing
• Integrated Plant Management
• Safe Work/Pesticides

Plus select two of the following:

• Herbaceous Landscape Plants
• Indoor Landscaping
• Landscape Construction
• Landscape Design
• Turfgrass Management

Required Courses:

• Applied Botany
• Soils for Horticulture
• Greenhouse Crop Production
• Greenhouse Structure & Environments

Select three of the following:

• Horticulture Business Management
• Horticulture Marketing
• Integrated Plant Management
• Safe Work/Pesticides

Plus select one of the following:

• Indoor Landscaping
• Propagation

Plus an open elective course (if necessary to meet the minimum requirements).

Required Courses

• Applied Botany
• Soils for Horticulture
• Nursery Crop Production
• Propagation

Select three of the following:

• Basics of Horticulture Business Management
• Basics of Horticulture Marketing
• Integrated Plant Management
• Safe Work/Pesticide Application

Plus select one of the following:

• Landscape Construction
• Landscape Design
• Woody Landscape Plants

Plus electives from this or other specializations or open electives for a total of eight courses or minimum of 36 credits for graduation

AGRC-0017 (60 hrs - 6 credits)

Introduces basic plant anatomy at the cellular level and whole organ level and investigates the significant processes throughout a plant’s lifecycle. Thorough coverage is given to plant classification and naming, with a stress on botanical grammar. Basic propagation, plant hormones, pollination, fruit set and ripening are discussed. This course focuses on factors of importance to prairie horticulture, including comprehensive coverage of climatic factors and discussion of diseases.

Tuition: $803.15
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Winter, and Spring

Recommended Textbook:

1. Botany for Gardeners (3rd Edition): An Introduction and Guide.; Capon, B. (ISBN: 978160469095)
2. How Plants Work: The Science Behind the Amazing Things Plants Do; Chalker-Scott, L. (ISBN: 9781604693386)

To order textbooks, call the USask bookstore 1.888.214.8888 or order online.

AGRC-0029 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

Introduces the basic terminology used in arboriculture, the principles of installation, and care and maintenance of trees and shrubs in the landscape. This course also addresses the effect s of the environment on growth and development of woody plants

Tuition: $579.00

Term(s) Offered: Fall and Spring

Note: It is recommended that students complete Applied Botany and Soils for Horticulture before registering in Arboriculture. It is also recommended to have prior or concurrent knowledge in Woody Landscape Plants and Safe Work/Pesticides.

BUSN-0124 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

Introduces the basics of business management within the horticulture industry. Students gain an understanding of the characteristics of a small business and the principles of small business organizations; financial performance, budgeting and human resource management for the small business.

Tuition: $579.00
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Winter, and Spring

Required Textbook:

1. Small Business Management: Launching and Growing New Ventures (6th Canadian Edition); Longenecker, J. et al. (ISBN: 9780176532215)

To order textbooks, call the Olds College at 1.800.661.6537 ext. 4630.

MKTG-0049 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

This course introduces basics of marketing within the Horticulture industry. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental marketing elements of the Canadian and Prairie horticultural industry, including: basic principles of marketing, principles of consumer behaviour, price-setting, and credit granting strategies, sales process, the elements of distribution channels in domestic and global markets

Tuition: $579.00
Term(s) Offered: Fall and Winter

AGRC-0297 (60 hrs – 6 credits)

Introduces cannabis specific botany and production requirements in both a greenhouse and warehouse
setting. Topics include: plant growth cycle, genetics, propagation, pest management, integrated crop management (ICM) and harvesting criteria under controlled environment. An introduction to the chemical composition of cannabis and its importance from a medical and recreational perspective is also addressed.

Tuition: $749.00

Term(s) Offered: Winter

Recommended Textbooks:

1. The Cannabis Encyclopedia; Cervantes, J. (ISBN: 9781878823397)
2. The Marijuana Handbook; Henderson, J. (ISBN: 9781548897635)
3. The Art of Growing Premium Cannabis; Bernhardt, R. K. (ISBN: 9780692968584)

To order textbooks, visit Amazon.

AGRC-0022 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

Introduces fruit production on the Canadian prairies including: the role of prairie climate in large-scale fruit production; plant breeding and cold hardiness; flowering and fruit development; fruit growth, thinning and maturity indices and harvesting techniques. This course discusses site selection, orchard establishment, planting, frost protection and briefly addresses pruning & grafting and post-harvest storage. Fruit crops include apples, plums, pears, strawberries, raspberries, currants and Saskatoon berries.

Tuition: $608.56
Term(s) Offered: Winter

Recommended Textbook:

1. Dwarf Sour Cherries: A Guide for Commercial Production; Bors, B. and Matthews, L. (ISBN: 9780888804921)
2. Saskatoon Berry Production Manual. Spencer, R. et al (ISBN: 9780773261013)

To order textbooks, call the USask bookstore 1.888.214.8888 or order online.

AGRC-0024 (60 hrs - 6 credits)

Introduces aspects of greenhouse production including an overview of the prairie greenhouse industry, production economics, chemical and biological pest control and the production of bedding plants, potted and flowering plants and vegetables.

Tuition: $749.00
Term (s) Offered: Fall and Winter

Required Textbooks:

1. Greenhouse Operation and Management (7th Edition); Nelson, P. (ISBN: 9780132439367).
2. Ball Redbook: Crop Production (18th Edition), Volume 2; Nau, J. (ISBN: 9781883052683)

To order textbooks, call Olds College at 1.800.661.6537 ext. 4630.

Note: It is strongly recommended that students complete Applied Botany before registering for Fruit Production.

AGRC-0025 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

Introduces the fundamentals of greenhouse construction and maintenance, as well as specialized features of greenhouse structures and environmental controls.

Tuition: $579.00

Term(s) Offered: Winter and Spring

Required Textbooks:

1. Greenhouse Operation and Management (7th Edition); Nelson, P. (ISBN: 9780132439367). 

To order textbooks, call Olds College at 1.800.661.6537 ext. 4630.

AGRC-0028 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

Introduces the study of common plants in the prairie landscapes including herbaceous perennials, biennials and annual flowers. This course discusses classification, identification, landscape characteristics, adaptations, cultural requirements and proper use of the plants.

Tuition: $579.00
Term(s) Offered: Winter and Spring

HRMG-0018 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

Students are introduced to human resource theory and methods as they apply to hiring and managing staff effectively in a horticulture setting. Students learn to use their knowledge of situations involving human resource management issues to test their learning in this course. Students gain an understanding of the personnel planning process. Students learn leadership and communication techniques to motivate staff and resolve conflicts. Application of this knowledge in a horticulture setting is the focus of discussion.

Tuition: $567.00
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Winter, and Spring

Required Textbooks:

1. Managing People on Your Farm, Cdn Farm Business Mgmt Coucil (ISBN: 9781894148702).

To order textbooks, call the Assiniboine bookstore at1.800.862.6307 ext. 6788 or order online.

AGRC-0026 (60 hrs - 6 credits)

This course covers both the theory and practice of indoor landscaping. Topics include: basic design concepts; people-plant relationships and the function of plants in the indoor environment. This course discusses plant culture, maintenance and integrated pest management. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to prepare cost estimates and budgets and create, install and maintain commercial indoor landscapes.

Tuition: $803.15
Term (s) Offered: Fall

Required Textbooks:

1. The Indoor Plant & Flower Expert; Hessayan, Dr. D.G., 2013 Edition, Expert Publication Ltd. ISBN: 978 1909 663 008 Approx. $23.95

Call the U of S bookstore at 306. 966.4465 or 1.888.214.8888, or order online.

Note: It is strongly advised that students have completed Applied Botany and Soils for Horticulture prior to registering for Indoor Landscaping.

AGRC-0019 (60 hrs - 6 credits)

Introduces the basics of identifying, monitoring, predicting, and managing the environment and pest problems affecting horticulture crop growth. Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to diagnose problems, provide solutions, and predict how the manipulation of growing conditions will impact other factors.

Tuition: $749.00
Term(s) Offered: Fall and Winter

Note: It is strongly recommended that students have completed Applied Botany and Soils for Horticulture prior to registering in Integrated Plant Management.

AGRC-0031 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

Introduces the theory and application of landscape construction and emphasizes safety procedures. Students will learn about interlocking paving stones; water features; retaining walls; low voltage lighting; wooden decks; and fences.

Tuition: $579.00
Term(s) Offered: Fall

AGRC-0030 (60 hrs - 6 credits)

Students will gain the skills needed to produce a simple residential landscape design for a client. This course addresses the design process; identifying client needs; producing preliminary site plans and design program; using drafting equipment; and producing a basic landscape design in plan view.

Tuition: $749.00
Term(s) Offered: Fall and Winter

AGRC-0071 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

The course covers the principles and practices of the production of trees, shrubs, and perennial plants. Production, in both field as well as container, is addressed in the commercial business environment. The historical evolution of the prairie industry is discussed as it relates to current crop management practices.

Tuition: $567.00
Term(s) Offered: Winter

Required Textbooks:

1. Canadian Nursery Stock Standards (9th Edition), Cdn Nursery Landscape Association. Download by visiting CNLA Publications​​​​​​
2. So You Want to Start a Nursery; Avent, T. (ISBN: 9781603585736)

To order textbooks, call the Assiniboine bookstore at 1.800.862.6307 ext. 6788 or order online.

Note: It is strongly recommended that students will have completed Applied Botany, Soils for Horticulture, Safe Work/Pesticides, Integrated Plant Management, Woody Landscape Plants prior to registering for this course.

AGRC-0023 (60 hrs - 6 credits)

Introduces both theoretical and practical information for hands-on plant propagation. This course will provide an understanding of the physiological and physical processes involved in propagation and the required skills to carry out various propagation techniques.

Tuition: $749.00
Term (s) Offered: Fall and Spring

Required Textbook:

1. Hartmann & Kester’s Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices. 9th Edition. Hudson Hartmann [et al.] (ISBN:9780134483672).

To order textbooks, call the Olds College bookstore at 1.800.661.6537 ext. 4630.

Note: Materials kit optional.

AGRC-0072 (30 hrs - 3 credits) Co-requisite: AGRC-0017 Applied Botany

The principles of postharvest handling, storage, and transportation of fruits, vegetables and herbs are covered in this course. You will learn handling and storage practices to maintain the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables of importance in the Canadian Prairies; what constitutes high quality produce; when a crop should be harvested for optimum quality; specific storage environments required by various crops; and causes of quality loss during storage and transportation. Storage and handling of fresh herbs will also be discussed. Before enrolling in this course, it is recommended that you be familiar with the types and botanical structures of various fruit and vegetable products through experience or completing Applied Botany.

Tuition: $567.00
Term (s) Offered: Spring

Required Textbook:

1. Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops (3rd Edition); Kader, A., editor (ISBN: 9781879906518).

To order textbooks, call the Assiniboine bookstore at 1.800.862.6307 ext. 6788 or order online.

Note: Before enrolling in this course, the student should be familiar with botanical structures of fruits and vegetables. Applied Botany is recommended prior to taking this course.

AGRC-0020 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

Learn about different aspects of safety in the use of pesticides for the horticulture industry. Topics include: basic chemistry; legislation and regulations; labeling; toxicity; handling practices; environmental protection; pest management; application equipment; emergency response; and public relations. I made minor edits to this prior to tracking changes.

Tuition: $567.00
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Winter and Spring

Recommended Textbooks:

1. Guide to Greenhouse Floriculture Production (Publication 370), OMAFRA
2. Growing Greenhouse Vegetables in Ontario (Publication 836), OMAFRA (ISBN: 9781443539241).

To order textbooks, visit www.publications.gov.on.ca/.

Note: This course will be of particular interest to horticulturalists who apply pesticides, but are not mandated to be certified or licensed by their respective provinces.

AGRC-0018 (60 hrs - 6 credits)

Introduces the fundamental principles of soil science with specific reference to the study of Horticulture. The components of soil, their physical and chemical properties, and soil-water relationships will be the theoretical basis on which soil management and fertility will be considered. Synthetic and natural fertilizers and amendments, to improve soil physical properties, will be discussed. Potting media for greenhouse production will be introduced; however, the course emphasis is on natural soils. 

Tuition: $803.15
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Winter, and Spring

Note: It is recommended that students collect a four litre sample of soil from their garden or area for completion of course assignments. If soil cannot be collected, you may be able to purchase soil from a landscaping or greenhouse business. Due to seasonal temperatures in some areas of the prairies (frozen ground in January), it is recommended that students collect a sample of soil (the volume of an ice cream pail) from their garden or area for completion of course assignments. If soil cannot be collected, you may be able to purchase soil from a landscaping or greenhouse business.)

AGRC-0032 (60 hrs - 6 credits)

This course outlines the production and maintenance of turfgrasses to enable students to function within the landscaping and turf production industries. Topics include: an overview of the turfgrass industry; turfgrass physiology; plant morphology and species identification; native turfgrass; soils; turfgrass establishment, culture, management practices and problems; turfgrass pest control and integrated pest management.

Tuition: $749.00
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Winter and Spring

Required Textbook:

1. Great Plains Turfgrass Manual (4th Edition); McKernan D. (ISBN: 9780969820000)

Recommended Textbook:

1. Weeds of the Prairies; Bubar, C. et al. (ISBN: 978077326471)

To order textbooks, call the Assiniboine bookstore at 1.800.862.6307 ext. 6788 or order online.

AGRC-0021 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

Introduces vegetable production on the Canadian prairies in terms of soil, climate, equipment, cultural practices, management and marketing. A wide range of crops are reviewed from vegetable crops to vines. The course provides students with information necessary to establish a vegetable operation, advise others on vegetable production, or enhance their background for employment in the vegetable industry.

Tuition: $608.56
Term(s) Offered: Fall and Winter

Required Textbook:

1. Diseases and Pests of Vegetable Crops in Canada;. Howard, R. et al., editors. (ISBN: 9780969162735)

Download this book at www.phytopath.ca/publications/diseases-of-vegetable-crops-in-canada/.

Note: It is recommended that students complete Applied Botany and Soils for Horticulture before registering in Vegetable Production.

AGRC-0027 (30 hrs - 3 credits)

Introduces the identification and classification of woody ornamental plants. This course addresses plants common in the prairie environment including deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers.

Tuition: $608.56
Term(s) Offered: Fall and Winter

Required Textbook:

1. Plant Identification Terminology (2nd Edition); Beentje, H. and Williamson, J. (ISBN: 9781842466049). 

To order textbooks, call the USask bookstore 1.888.214.8888 or order online.

Note: There is an optional CD-ROM that you can purchase to complement this course. Ordering information will be included in your course materials package.