Crops I (Outdoor Plant Production)

 HORTICULTURAL CROP PRODUCTION COURSE

• Learn to Grow Horticultural Crops: row crops, broad acres or tree crops
• Start a Market Garden or Orchard, Work on a Farm, Improve your employment opportunities
• Study a Correspondence Course, CD Course or Online Course: self paced distance eduction.

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Crop Production Systems
   • Explain different cropping systems and their appropriate application for the production of different types of crops
2. Organic Crop Production
   • Evaluate and explain organic plant production, and the requirements in at least two different countries, to achieve organic certification.
3. Soils and Nutrition
   • Understand the function of soils and plant nutrition in outdoor cropping systems.
4. Nursery Stock Production
   • Describe the commercial production of a range of nursery stock.
5. Tree Fruit Production
   • Describe the commercial production of a range of tree fruit crops.
6. Soft Fruits Production
   • Develop an understanding of the techniques used to produce a range of soft fruits.
7. Vegetable Production
   • Develop an understanding of the techniques used to grow a range of vegetables.
8. Cut Flower Production
   • Develop an understanding of the commercial production of outdoor cut flowers.
9. Herbs, Nuts and Miscellaneous Crops
   • Develop an understanding of the commercial production of herbs, nuts and other miscellaneous crops.
10. Crop Production Risk Assessment
    • Understand the risks that may occur in outdoor crop production.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Explain different cropping systems and their appropriate application for the production of different types of crops.
• Evaluate and explain organic plant production, and the requirements in at least two different countries, to achieve organic certification.
• Explain the function of soils and plant nutrition in outdoor cropping systems.
• Describe the commercial production of a range of nursery stock.
• Describe the commercial production of a range of tree fruit crops.
• Explain techniques used to produce a range of soft fruits.
• Explain techniques used to grow a range of vegetables.
• Explain the commercial production of outdoor-grown cut flowers.
• Describe the commercial production of herbs, nuts and other miscellaneous crops.
• Identify the risks that may occur in outdoor crop production.

What Should You Grow?

Horticultural crops can include a wide variety of things:  Fruit, Berry Fruit, Nuts, Vines, Vegetables, Cut Flowers, Bulbs,  Container Plants, Loose rooted plants, Herbs and their products, Seed, Fibres, Teas, Coffees etc.

Any of these crops may be grown either on a large scale, commercially; or on a much smaller scale either to sell, or for home use.

For small scale production horticulture it is very important to be sure of your market or intended use and grow for that market or use.  It is difficult for the small scale producer to compete with the large scale grower for the open market.

HOW THEN DO YOU DECIDE WHAT TO GROW?
Are you producing for your own needs, for the market, or for both? 

A. IF PRODUCING FOR YOUR OWN NEEDS:   (Subsistence crop)   
Your market is assured here.  It is difficult to go wrong provided you do the following:
You must have or develop the skills required.
Check and be sure that you can grow each particular crop cheaper than what you might buy the product for BEWARE, even though it may seem ridiculous, it is often possible to buy something for less than it might cost you to grow it.

B.  IF GROWING TO MARKET:
Your market is rarely assured, and when it is, there are disadvantages attached to the advantage of a guaranteed market.
*Study the demand of alternative crops under consideration and select high demand crops.
*Consider the crop's keeping quality.  Crops which keep for short periods only (eg: Peaches) are more of a risk than ones which keep well (eg: Almonds).
*Consider when the crop will be sold and the likely changes in demand throughout the year.
*Consider the relationship between cost outlay and return.  Some crops require large capital outlay before any return can be obtained (eg: Walnut orchard property and labour etc. can be tied up for up to 10 years before reasonable crops start to be obtained from the trees).
*Consider the scale on which that crop is normally grown commercially.  Crops grown on large scales (eg: Wheat) are subject to scale economies i.e. they need to be grown on large scales to achieve a reasonable cost efficiency.
*Consider how well established that particular sector of the horticultural industry is, and study what other people growing that crop are doing.  If everyone plants a particular crop because there has recently been a high demand next year may result in an over production of that crop, and very cheap prices.
*How suitable is that crop to the soil and climate of your area.
*Consider your own experience and technical ability in relation to the ease of production of the particular crop being considered.  Some crops are very difficult to grow; others are easy.  If you are inexperienced, start with the easy ones.
*Consider likely transportation and marketing of crops
*Consider the time the crop takes to mature and length of production of the particular crop considered (eg: Radishes can be harvested 4 to 6 weeks after sowing if grown right. Pear trees take 4 years before you get a worthwhile crop, but will keep bearing for over 100 years).
*What are your existing resources (eg: Manpower, machinery area available, money etc) and what crops are these resources suited to.
*Consider market presentation and preferences before beginning a venture.  Some crops require a larger capital outlay to package and present at market than others (eg: Some fruits need to be packed in special boxes).  Red apples sell better in some places than green apples. Container plants sell better in plastic containers than in tins.

Some of our Horticulture Tutors

Maggi Brown Cert.Ed.(Environment)
Maggi is regarded as an expert in Organic Growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic). She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more them three decades.

Yvonne Sharpe RHS Cert.Hort, Dip.Hort, M.Hort, Cert.Ed., Dip.Mgt.
Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne hastravelled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades. Yvonne is also a member of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG).

John L. Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Sup'n Cert., FIOH, FPLA, FAIH, MACHPER, MASA
Mr Mason has had over 40 years experience in the fields of Horticulture, Business, Education and Journalism. He has extensive experience both as a public servant, and as a small business owner. He has held positions ranging from Nurseryman and Landscape Designer to Director of Parks and Recreation (City of Essendon) and magazine editor.
John is a well respected member of many professional associations, and author of over forty books and of over two thousand magazine articles. Even today, John has written a number of best selling reference texts used by horticultural courses at universities and colleges internationally. His publishers include Simon and Shuster, and Landlinks Press (CSIRO Publishing

Dr. Lynette Morgan B. Hort. Tech., Ph.D. in Horticultural Science   Dr Morgan has a broad expertise in horticulture and crop production, and a keen appreciation of the global scene. She travels widely as a partner in Suntec Horticultural Consultants, and has clients in central America, the USA, Caribbean, South East Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA
Gavin has over 20 years of industry experience in  Landscaping, Publishing, Business and Psychology. He was operations manager for a highly reputable British Landscape firm (The Chelsea Gardener) before starting up his own firm. He has exhibited at Chelsea Flower Show, and designed gardens across England and Australia.  He spent the best part of three years working in our Gold Coast office, partly as a writer for Your Backyard (gardening magazine), and partly as a tutor in both psychology and horticulture.

Martin Powdrill, Bsc (Hons) Applied Science (Resources Option), MSc Computer Studies, Permaculture Design Certificate. Martin’s goal as a catalyst for sustainable change brings together his strengths and experience in his environmental, project management, and business backgrounds. For 25 years, Martin has been involved in Telecommunications, IT, Organisational Development, and Energy Conservation & Efficiency, prior to setting up his own Permaculture consulting business. He wishes to make a real difference to people and the planet, by actively bringing new perspectives to current challenges and exciting opportunities. To realise this, he enables diverse groups of people to flourish and release their untapped potential, by re-igniting their passion and creativity. Additionally, Martin volunteers with many local environmental and community groups, and facilitates discussions on climate change, peak oil, and transition towns. Martin has an allotment, and is currently enrolled in the Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Award programme.

Rosemary Davies Dip Hort Sc.    Rosemary trained in Horticultural Applied Science at Burnley, a campus of Melbourne University. Initially she worked with Department of Agriculture Victoria as an extension officer (Garden Advisory Service), taught horticulture students, worked on radio with ABC radio (clocking up over 24 years as a presenter of garden talkback programs, initially the only woman presenter on gardening in Victoria) and she simultaneously developed a career as a writer. She is author of several booka and hundreds of articles.

Diana Cole B.A. (Hons), Higher Dip. (Garden Design), RHS Advanced Cert. Horticulture, Cert Admin.Mgt., Dip. Inst. Personnel Management In addition to her RHS horticulture, garden design, City & Guild construction, NPTC pesticide/legislation and business/management qualifications, Diana has a variety of skills drawn from setting up Arbella Gardens, a landscape gardening business. She also has administrative, management and training delivery experience drawn from her employment in other organisations such as the NHS and other educational institutions such as schools & universities. She has augmented her training expertise having gained the Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector qualification. She also has experience gained through working as a volunteer in a number of different roles including amenity style gardening in parks and practical conservation work. Diana is also a member of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Limited (NSALG).

FAQ's

What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

This is an individual module course.  The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study. 

If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it. 

If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you.  If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course. 

If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments. 

There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.

Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.

You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.

You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses

Who are our tutors?

Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study.  We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives.  We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “About Us” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

Sample Course Notes

Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well.  We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis.  If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

What learning method should I choose?

We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Learning” box above, then “Learning Methods.”

How Long will it take to complete the course?

This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing.  We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

Longer courses will obviously take longer.  You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”

What Do Our Students think of us?

If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “About Us” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.

I don’t think this is the right course for me.

If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.

You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.

If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk

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For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.

Who is ACS Distance Education?

If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”