Crops Courses

Learn to Grow and Process Cereals and other Grain Crops

This course teaches you how to grow all types of grain and pulses, from wheat to rice and buckwheat to beans. Whether you have a small or large farm, or you are looking to escape form city life for a farming future, this course will help you to grow a variety of useful food plants. 

With information about growing conditions throughout the world, you can take this course to find out about grain crops suitable for your region. Learn about stages of growth, the Zadock scale, production systems and how to choose and use farm machinery from sowing through to harvest.  

Detailed nutrition and cultural guidelines are included for each crop covered in the course.

Learn to Grow Potatoes, Carrots, Turnips, and other Root Crops

With this course, you'll learn important differences and growing practices for many root crops. For farmers or those working in related farm industries this course will help you to understand the benefits associated with growing root crops - from improving world food security through to growing crops that require less water than many other crops; a direction in sustainable farming that you could be at the forefront of.

Root crops such as potatoes, yams, and cassava grains are some of the most food stuffs in global agriculture. They provide vital carbohydrates to people and animals all over the developing world.

Find Out How to Grow Berries for Small-scale or Large-scale Production  

This online course covers all aspects of the propagation, care and cultivation of common berry fruit as well as some lesser known varieties. It also provides the opportunity to specialise to some degree in one type of berry if you have a particular preference.

With increased interest due to the nutritional value of berries, the berry production industry has become a growth sector of the agriculture industry. 

• Learn to care for and propagate berries.
• Study in your own time and at your own pace.
• All tutors are highly knowledgeable and experienced.

Discover Organic Growing Techniques for Vegetables

This online course will help you to learn the processes required to tap into the commercial organic vegetable market.

It is a self-paced study program for serious growers, new farmers and staff working on vegetable farms or market gardens.

The demand for organically grown vegetables is currently a major growth area in commercial horticulture. This course is a good starting point in learning all aspects of organic vegetable production.

Become a Successful Vegetable Producer for Local or National Markets

Develop skills and knowledge required for commercial vegetable production, including a variety of production methods. This is a very sound 100 hour foundation course in general vegetable production.

This course is designed for those who are not seeking to be involved in organic growing practices but want the all-round knowledge to grow vegetables by whatever means possible.

Learn to Grow All Sorts of Crop Plants

This course is a comprehensive introduction to crop growing which covers a huge amount of ground. Learn about different types of crop systems, how to establish and nurture crops, and techniques used in traditional and organic growing systems. 

Over ten lessons, discover how to develop a site, crop selection, soil management, cut flowers, vegetables, berries, nuts, herbs, tree fruits, as well as many other crops. Find out how to manage a market garden, and more.

Learn the Skills Needed for Bulb and Flower Production

Everyone loves getting a bunch of flowers – bulbs growing for the cut flower trade can be a rewarding career; this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to forge a career in this field.

This is a course designed for the flowering bulb enthusiast or commercial bulb grower interested in starting their own business for the cut flower market. Over ten lessons you'll learn practical skills to get you inspired and start growing. Discover the basics of all good horticultural practice - understanding soil types, plant nutrition, management of pest and diseases, environmental management, and different bulbs used for flower production. 

Gain the Skills to Grow Orchids to Harvest as Cut Flowers 

This specialist course is aimed at those that would love to work in the orchid growing sector. Greenhouse growing is covered extensively throughout this very rounded course. Improve your skills and gain work or set up your own business.

Orchids occur naturally from very cold temperate climates through to tropical locations; and provided you choose appropriate species and treat them according to location, it is feasible to grow orchids as cut flowers almost anywhere. Orchids are one of the most commercially viable cut flower crops (partially due to their beauty, and also due to their long shelf life). Learn how to produce orchid flowers for the cut flower trade.

Become Part of the Dynamic Cut Flower Industry

This course provides thorough training for the commercial cut flower grower. This is a diverse industry with potential markets in all parts of the world. Study this online course to learn fundamental knowledge and skills such as:

• How to initiate flowering out of season
• How to ensure blemish-free product for optimum prices
• Harvest and post-harvest treatments to increase shelf-life
• Crop selection in the light of changing fashions and supply & demand fluctuations

Cut flower growing has experienced rapid expansion in recent decades. There is increased demand for those with the skills, training and knowledge required by this industry. Increase your employment opportunities or set up your own cut flower business.

Carve Out a Career or Develop a Business in Fruit Production

This is comprehensive course covers all aspects of temperate fruit growing from soil management through to plant selection and marketing. It provides all you need to know to set up a fruit growing farm.

Whether for large-scale or small-scale production, the basics of fruit growing are the same. This course covers all those basics over the course of eight lessons.

Learn about the fruit growing industry and the skills needed to become a successful fruit grower. Topics covered include: soil management, sowing and planting, irrigation, pruning, cultural practices (including pest control), and propagation. This online course introduces you to pome and stone fruits, various vine fruits, fruit trees and nuts.

Fruit Growing in Tropical and Subtropical Climates

Learn to identify, select, cultivate and plan a management program for appropriate varieties of fruit in different situations. 

This course guides you through detailed technical information on the propagation and cultivation of a wide variety of commonly grown warm climate fruits such as Avocados, Pineapples, Macadamias, Paw Paws and Cashews. Some other less well known varieties are also covered.    

Discover the systems that underpin successful growing to give yourself a foundation that can be applied to any task associated with producing warm climate fruits.

Learn to Grow Cut Flowers in a Controlled Environment

This comprehensive course teaches you the basics of growing flowers in greenhouses and how you can extend the growing season by expanding your cut flower range so you can supply markets all year long. It is aimed at the serious grower.

Greenhouse cut flower production is intensive horticulture. It requires less land but greater investment in equipment compared with field production. This form of production can also be more complex because you need to understand both the plants and their requirements as well as how to provide and manage artificial environments.

This course is unique and ideal training for anyone looking to work in this exciting and rewarding field of horticulture.

Learn how to Grow Plants in Hydroponics Systems

This course is a solid introduction to the world of hydroponic growing, but it is assumed that those who enrol in it will have some prior knowledge of hydroponics and you will be able to access a hydroponics system. 

Over ten lessons, this course covers a range of systems including NFT, raft systems and ebb and flow. It also examines different substrates like scoria, gravel, sand, vermiculite, perlite, expanded clay, polystyrene, stone chip, and rockwool. Major techniques and problems are covered including salinity, nutrient balance, disease control, temperature and humidity, light requirements, pest control, pruning, propagation, and harvesting.

Emphasis is placed on crops which have horticultural value, such as cut flowers and vegetables.

Learn about the Design and Management of Hydroponic Systems

Discover how to make informed decisions regarding the management of commercially significant hydroponic crops. This advanced growers course focuses on the design and management of hydroponics systems from choosing components and making nutrient solutions through to matching crops with systems.

It incorporates organic growing methods, water management techniques for recirculating and run-to-waste systems, as well as how to make the most of hydroponics in warmer climates such as subtropical conditions.  There is also detailed information about trouble-shooting practices to overcome problems like salinity, changes in pH and nutrient deficiencies. 

The course has been developed to complement our Hydroponics I and II courses, and is intended for people who already have some experience and understanding of hydroponic growing.

Develop Skills in the Design and Maintenance of Crop Irrigation Systems

Water is a precious and often scarce resource. Using it effectively can make all the difference to whether a crop is profitable or not. As climate change continues to create challenges for farmers it is important to make wise decisions in terms of water usage.

This ten lesson course helps you to develop an understanding of how plants use water and how to deliver it more effectively to the plant. Learn about the design, installation, maintenance, operation and evaluation of simple through to more complex irrigation systems.

The course is similar to our Irrigation (Gardens) BHT210 and Irrigation (Agriculture) BAG213 courses, but it focuses on irrigation systems for row crops like vegetables and cut flowers, as well as orchards.

Find Out how to Grow Edible Mushrooms 

This comprehensive 8 lesson course covers how to grow mushrooms on either a small or large scale. Emphasis is placed on the Agaricus species (the Champignon), although other commercially important edible fungi are also considered.

To complete the course you'll need access to some spawn and somewhere suitable to grow mushrooms (can be a small cupboard). Learn about growing mushrooms from spawn to harvesting, as well as marketing, storage, and pest and disease control.

There is even information about how to cook and use mushrooms which can help with marketing and sales.

Grow Your Own Nuts 

Gain a solid foundation for growing a wide variety of nuts, particularly those suited to temperate climates. This course also provides opportunities for you to focus on types of nuts that are of greater interest and relevance to you, whether you are a commercial grower, home gardener, or someone striving towards self-sufficiency.

Nuts have some distinct advantages over other crops which make them particularly useful, including:

• Long shelf life (so you don't need to sell them quickly) or use costly storage or processing to extend the marketing period
• High in protein - nutritionally intensive foods
• They can also be processed into a variety of products.

There are eight lessons in this course covering plant culture, site selection and planning, common and less common nut varieties, propagation, soils, pests and diseases, harvesting, and marketing.

Learn to Grow Plants in a Greenhouse

This course focuses on greenhouse crop production and growing plants under structures to provide better environmental control.

Successful protective plant cropping requires the practical skills and knowledge you will gain when undertaking this course. The use of protective structures is a specialised field of growing, and here we cover all types of crops and ornamental plants to provide you with broad practical plant husbandry skills.

Develop your broad understanding of practices and processes involved in successful plant cropping. Learn to master environmental control and plant growth within a protective environment, as well as knowledge of different types of greenhouses, greenhouse materials, heating and cooling, carbon dioxide manipulation, irrigation options and other aspects of greenhouse management.

Become Skilled in Managing Soils for Growing Crops

There are many things that can go wrong with soil, such as - poor nutrition, chemical imbalances, structural problems such as poor drainage, or lack of microbial life. Often minor and relatively inexpensive treatments can make a huge difference to productivity, but the problems need to be correctly identified first and that requires a clear understanding of soil theory and management practices.

This course teaches you about soil properties and requirements in agriculture, and how to apply that knowledge at a management level. Topics covered include the chemical and physical properties of soil, soil testing, soil management, earthworks, land degradation, and container growing. This course is similar to our other soil management courses, but relates specifically to crops.

Learn how to Grow Grapes

To grow grapes successfully you need to know how to choose the right location, soil, and varieties. But you also need to know the best growing techniques and harvesting methods. If you wish to sell your produce you must also know about marketing strategies and practices.

This course will help you learn to produce more and better quality grapes, whether on a small or large scale. It is a course aimed at vineyard workers, vineyard managers, wine grape growers, hobby farm growers, enthusiastic amateur winemakers, people wishing to produce grapes for dried fruits or juices, or anyone working or aspiring to work in this industry.

Find Out how to Grow Nuts in the Tropics and Subtropics

Many types of nuts are better suited for growing in temperate regions but there are others, like cashews and macadamias, which thrive in warmer climates. There are also nuts that you would probably not be aware of which come from the various cultures of the tropics that are of great interest to our use today.

This course is designed to give you a detailed understanding of the identification and culture of nuts suitable for growing in warmer climates, from warm temperate through to tropical locations. Emphasis is placed on the species that are of horticultural value. The course content is very similar to our "Growing Nuts" course, except this one deals exclusively with nuts grown in the tropics and subtropics.