Qualification -Certificate In Horticulture (Herbs)

There are two parts to this course: Core studies to provide a broad foundation in the identification and culture of plants; and stream studies which are focussed only on herbs.

" I wanted to study herbs .... ACS offered the best option - study at home, at my own pace and still tutor contact when I needed it. I was undecided in the facet of herbs that I wanted to specialise in - that was until I completed an assignment to produce three herbal products. My tutor tested my products and encouraged me to set up a small business making and distributing a range of natural herbal cosmetic and household products. His guidance has helped me establish an interesting and profitable business from my studies"
- Catherine, studying Certificate in Applied Management

The Core Units are divided into the following sections:
1. Introduction to Plants -Taxonomy, plant families, pressing plants, basic botany.
2. Plant Culture -Planting, potting, plant selection, pruning, irrigation, tools and machinery.
3. Soils and Nutrition -Soil structure, chemistry, nutrition, potting media.
4. Plant Identification and Use -Seed harvesting and storage, germination treatments, cuttings, etc.
5. Pests, Diseases and Weeds -Identification and treatment (chemical and non-chemical).


STREAM STUDIES: HERBS
Through these specialised stream studies, the student will attempt to achieve the following objectives:

• List and describe a range of contacts and resources.
• Use prescribed reference books and other resources to gain relevant information.
• Review the way plants are classified.
• Compile a list of dried herbs commonly sold through retail shops.
• Explain the differences in the way plants perform in different microclimates within the same area.
• Visit and report on the operation of a herb farm.
• Prepare lists of herbs suited to growing in different situations.
• Explain the benefits of organic growing.
• Describe appropriate weed control methods to use when growing herbs.
• Demonstrate competence to harvest, dry and store herbs.
• Demonstrate and make up three different herb crafts.
• Describe how different herb crafts are made.
• Cook a complete meal using herbs to appropriately flavour all courses and beverages.
• Produce a saleable culinary herb product (eg: herb biscuit or confectionary).
• Describe the use of herbs in different types of beverages and foods.
• Describe different herb medicines.
• In broad terms, compare herbal medicines with pharmaceutical.
• Develop a "safe" preventative program of herbal medicines using only herbs and dosage levels which are widely and clearly accepted as having no side effects.
• Describe a herb farming venture which has a high viability potential.
• List herb products which are in high demand.
• Describe a program to market produce from a herb farm.
• Undertake harvesting and drying several different herbs, under a variety of different conditions.
• Describe the harvest and post harvest requirements of different herbs.
• Describe several problems which affect post harvest quality and explain how quality is affected.
• Record methods of obtaining herbal oils.
• Prepare a detailed maintenance program for an ornamental garden.
• Describe maintenance procedures for a variety of different ornamental garden situations.
• Conduct simple inexpensive tests on three different potting mixes.
• Analyse and report on the results from soil tests conducted.
• Describe suitable soil mixes for container growing different types of plants.
• List a range of both natural and artificial fertilisers.
• Describe fertiliser programs to be used in different situations with ornamental plants.
• Write an advertisement.
• Design an promotional leaflet to promote a plant variety.
• Explain basic management procedures and basic staff management skills.
• Show a reasonable level of communication skill.
• Develop a business plan and prepare a budget.
• Design a workplace (in a herb related business) to optimise efficiency and workplace safety.
• Gather appropriate information required prior to preparing a landscape design.
• Draw a sketch plan for an ornamental garden.
• Describe various ways container plants can be used to create different landscape effects.
• Calculate how to estimate materials and labour in order to quote for a landscape job.
• Analyse existing garden designs and the garden's effectiveness.
• Prepare detailed drawings for the construction of at least one garden feature (eg. A seat, wall).
• Explain the differences between furnishings and other features which can be incorporated into a garden.
• Analyse an existing park and show how redevelopment would improve the facility.
• List the choices available in surfacing treatments, advantages and disadvantages of each, and where it might be most appropriate to use each.
• Be familiar with alternative materials and their respective characteristics in terms of quality and cost.
• Produce and photograph how to use herbs to create topiary and hedging.
• Conduct detailed studies of a range of commonly grown herbs (including Mints, Lavender, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Garlic, Chamomile and Parsley).
• Analyse a range of herbs (at least 150 varieties), their identification, culture and use.

A 700 hour accredited course designed for those who work, or wish to work, in the area of growing and using herbs. This course is similar to other C12CN002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to growing, harvesting, using, and marketing of herbs and herb products.
Accredited through International Accreditation & Recognition Council

Why study here? ....ACS is different in many ways

• Established since 1979, Internationally recognised (IARC)
• Support from an international team of highly qualified herb experts
• Courses are continually reviewed and revisions are happening every month of the year
• Courses are "experiential" based learning (This is different to many other schools)

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Some of our Horticulture Tutors

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).

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 Psychology, Landscaping, Publishing and Education. He was operations manager for a highly reputable British Landscape firm (The Chelsea Gardener) before starting up his own firm. 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.   Originally from Melbourne, Rosemary trained in Horticultural Applied Science at Burnley, a campus of Melbourne University. Initially she worked with Agriculture Victoria as an extension officer, 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.