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Commercial Vegetable Growing

Commercial Vegetable Production 100 Hours Certificate Course

Course Code:

BHT222

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Finish:

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Learn About Commercial Vegetable Growing

Commercial Vegetable Production course online. Learn about growing vegetables with this excellent online distance learning course.

A good definition of a vegetable is “any plant whose fruit, seeds, roots, tubers, bulbs, stems, leaves, or flower parts are used as food: e.g. tomato, bean, beet, potato, carrot, onion, asparagus, spinach, and cauliflower”…..Dictionary.com

Vegetables are very important to maintaining a well balanced diet in human nutrition, being low in carbs and fat, but high in vitamins, minerals and other dietary fibres. They can be consumed both raw and cooked and are part of the “5 a day” recommended for healthy living, by nutritionists.

Growing vegetables for a profit is much easier when the grower has acquired the basics to production techniques. Planning, planting, soil management, greenhouse production, pest and weed management, harvesting and post-harvesting techniques, to name just some of what is needed, are all important, for a successful and profitable crop.

Learn everything you need to know by taking this Vegetable growing programme. With unlimited tutor support, you will gain an expert knowledge of producing vegetables for profit, that you can apply to the work place. If you want to start your own business growing and selling vegetables, this is the course for you. If you are a farmer or farm worker, wanting to maxamise your commercial vegetable production potential, then this course will also benefit you.

Commercial Vegetable Production 100 Hours Certificate Course - ADL - Academy for Distance Learning

Course Information

Click the + and – below to expand/collapse the sections.

Lessons

Lesson Structure: Commercial Vegetable Production BHT222

There are 8 lessons:

1 Introduction to Vegetable Growing

Making the farm Pay
Understanding economic principles – supply and demand, scale of economy, etc.
Planning for the farm
Production planning
Financial planning and management
Land care and land management
Marketing
Personal welfare
Risk management – spreading risk, quality management, contingency planning, liquidity
Creating a sustainable farm enterprise
Planning for sustainability
Planning for drought
Crop selection
Monocultures
Alternating crops, broad acre or row crops
Growing Brassicas -Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Pak Choi, Broccoli, Radish, Turnip
Growing Legumes -Beans, Broad Beans, Peas
Growing Lettuce, Onions, Potatoes

Cultural Practices for Vegetables

Explain general cultural practices used for vegetable production.
Crop rotation
Soils
Plant foods
Cover Crops
Legumes and inoculation
Growing various cover crops -Barley, Buckwheat, Canola, Lucerne, Field pea, Lupins, Oats, Sorgham, Clover, etc.
Ways of using a cover crop
Cultivation techniques
Compost
Crop Scheduling
Planting Vegetables -seed, hybrid seed, storing seed, sowing seed
Understanding Soils
Dealing with Soil Problems
Plant nutrition and feeding

3 Pest, Disease & Weed Control

Weed control -hand weeding, mechanical, chemical and biological weed control methods
Integrated Pest Management
Non chemical pest control
Understanding Pesticide labels
Understanding the law in relation to agricultural chemicals
Plant Pathology introduction
Understanding Fungi
Understanding insects, virus and other pathogens
Insect control -quarantine, clean far5ming, chemicals, biological controls
Review of common diseases
Review common pests
Review common environmental problems
Review common weeds

Hydroponic & Greenhouse Growing

Introduction to hydroponics
Types of systems
Nutrient solutions
NFT and other systems for vegetable production
Growing in a greenhouse (in the ground or hydroponics)
Components of a Greenhouse System
Types of Greenhouses and common greenhouse designs (venlo, mansard, wide span, multi span, poly tunnel, Sawtooth, Retractable roof, etc)
Shade houses, Cold Frames
Environmental Control -heating, ventilation, lighting, etc
Controlling moisture (misting, fog, etc)
Review of various vegetables – Cucurbits (Cucumber, Melon, Pumpkin, Watermelon, Zucchini)

Growing Selected Vegetable Varieties

Determine specific cultural practices for selected vegetable varieties.
Tropical Vegetables – Sweet Potato and Taro
Less common vegetables – Globe Artichoke, Jerusalem Artichoke, Asparagus, Chicory, Endive, Garlic, Leek, Okra, Rhubarb
Other Crops -Beetroot (Red Beet), Capsicum, Carrot, Celery, Sweet Corn, Eggplant, Parsnip, Spinach

Irrigation

Water and Irrigation
Infiltration
Internal Drainage
Flood, Sprinkler and Trickle irrigation
The objective of irrigation
Transpiration and Wilting Point
When to irrigate Timing irrigations
Detecting water deficiency or excess
Understanding soil moisture
Pumps, sprinklers and other equipment
Water hammer
Improving Drainage
Managing erosion

Harvest & Post-Harvest

Introduction to harvesting
Post harvest treatment of vegetables
Cooling harvested produce
Harvesting tips
Storing vegetables

Marketing Vegetables

Introduction
Standards for cost efficiency, quality and quantity
Options for Marketing Produce
Market Research
How to sell successfully

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.

Learning Goals

Practical (Set Tasks)

Practicals:

Compile a resource file of sources of information regarding vegetable varieties.
Describe the classification of different vegetables into major groups.
Prepare a collection of plant reviews of different vegetable varieties.
Determine three appropriate cultivars from each of different species of vegetables to be grown on a specified site.
Prepare a planting schedule of vegetable varieties, to be planted over a twelve month period, in your locality.
Differentiate between soil management practices for different vegetable varieties.
Explain the establishment of vegetables by seed.
Explain how to establish three different vegetables from seedlings.
Prepare a table or chart showing the planting distances, and planting depth of seed for different vegetable varieties.
Describe the application of pruning techniques to the production of specified vegetables.
Prepare a crop schedule (ie. production timetable) for a specified vegetable crop.
Prepare a pressed weed collection of different weeds.
Differentiate between different specific techniques for weed control in vegetable crops, including different chemical and different non-chemical methods.
Determine pest and disease problems common to different specified types of vegetables.
Identify appropriate control methods for the pest and disease problems you determined (above).
Develop pest and disease control programs, for the lifespans of different vegetables.
Determine the environmental disorders occurring with vegetable crops inspected by you.
Explain the methods that can be used to prevent and/or overcome different environmental disorders affecting vegetables.
Determine the potential benefits of greenhouse vegetable production in a specified locality.
Differentiate between the characteristics of different types of greenhouses.
Compare vegetable growing applications for different environmental control mechanisms used in greenhouses, including:
Different types of heaters
- Shading
- Lighting
- Different types of coolers
- Vents
- Fans
Describe how a specified commercial vegetable crop might be grown in a greenhouse visited by you.
Compare vegetable growing applications for the major types of hydroponic systems
- Open and closed systems
- Aggregate
- Water
- Aeroponic culture
Determine reasons for choosing to grow vegetables in hydroponics rather than in the open ground.
Explain how a specified vegetable can be grown in an hydroponic system.
Determine two commercially viable varieties suited to growing in a specified locality, from each of the following different types of vegetables:
- Brassicas
- Cucurbits
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Legumes
Determine specific cultural requirements for growing each of the vegetable varieties selected (above) on a specified site.
Describe the culture of less commonly grown vegetables chosen by you.
Produce a log book, recording all work undertaken to grow a crop of different vegetable varieties, suited to your locality.
Describe different harvesting methods, including both manual and mechanical techniques, used in vegetable production, for specified vegetables.
Identify the appropriate stage of growth at which different types of vegetables should be harvested.
Evaluate commonly used harvesting techniques of vegetables.
Evaluate commonly used post-harvest treatments of vegetables.
Determine post-harvest treatments to slow the deterioration of different specified vegetables.
Develop guidelines for post harvest handling, during storage, transportation and marketing, of a specified vegetable variety.
Analyse vegetable marketing systems in your locality.
Explain the importance of produce standards to marketing in different vegetable marketing systems.
Explain the impact of quarantine regulations on transport of different types of vegetables, in your locality.
Explain an appropriate procedure for packaging a specified vegetable for long distance transport.
Develop marketing strategies for different specified vegetables.

More Information

Assessment

How our courses work

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.

What's Included

Excerpt from the Course

Hydroponics: an introduction

Hydroponics is the process used to grow plants without soil and literally word means ‘working water’. The grower is taking ‘control’ of the plant’s root environment and losing the benefit of ‘mother nature’s’ finely tuned mechanisms which normally control that part of the plant’s environment.

Hydroponics is not an easier way to grow plants. It is a more controlled way of growing plants!

Growing in hydroponics can offer the following advantages:

It can reduce the physical work involved in growing.
It can reduce the amount of water used in growing.
It can save on space – more can be grown in the same area.

There are six basic types of hydroponic systems:

Wick
Water Culture
Ebb and Flow (or flood and drain system)
Drip (with either a recovery or non recovery process)
NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)

Over time the basic models have evolved and resulted in hundreds of different variations.

The Wick System

This is passive with no moving parts, and is also the simplest type of hydroponic system. The nutrient solution is drawn into the growing medium from the reservoir with a wick. The grower using this system can use a variety of growing medium such as perlite, vermiculite, coconut fibre, and so on. However, large plants tend to draw and use the nutrient water at a faster rate than the wick can supply it

The Water Culture System

This is the simplest active system to use. A styrofoam platform floating on the nutrient solution holds the plants. Oxygen is supplied to the roots of the plants through a bubbling air stone that is attached to an air pump. Water culture is the system is most often used for leafy vegetables such as lettuce that require fast growth and ample water. It is not suitable for most other plants that require a longer growing period.

The Ebb and Flow System

This is a versatile system that floods the grow tray with the nutrient solution for a short period and then drains the solution back into the reservoir using a submerged pump and timer. The timer cuts in several times a day and as it cuts in, the nutrient solution washes onto the tray. As it cuts out, the solution drains back into a reservoir. The frequency is dictated by the type of plants being grown and the growing medium used. Several types of growing mediums such as perlite, rockwool, gravel, or grow rocks can be used in this system. It is advisable to use a medium with greater water retention abilities such as rockwool as the incidence of root dehydration during power outages is lessened.

Drip Systems

These are simple to operate, very widely used, and the most popular system worldwide. A submersed pump is controlled by a timer and when the timer turns on the nutrient solution drips onto the base of each plant using a drip line. There are two types of drip systems:

The Recovery System – where the excess (drained off) nutrient solution is recovered in a reservoir and then recycled. This system uses a less expensive (and less precise) timer than the following system. It is more efficient in that it recycles nutrients and due to this does not need to be as precise as the non-recovery system. However, this system needs to be carefully monitored to ensure that the nutrient solution does not vary too much in pH and strength due to the recycling process.
The Non-Recovery System – where the excess nutrient solution is not collected or recycled. It needs to be more precise than the former system to ensure that the plant gets the correct level of nutrient solution and that the runoff is kept to a minimum. This system does not need the same level of maintenance as the former system as the nutrient solution is not recycled so pH and nutrient levels should always be correct.

NFT Systems

These do not use a growing medium but instead the plants are supported by a basket and the roots dangle in the nutrient solution. There is a constant flow of nutrient solution which means that no timer is required for the submersible pump. The nutrient solution is pumped into the growing tray using a tube where it flows over the roots of the plants, and then drains back into the reservoir. This is an inexpensive method as it does not require the expense of replacing the growing medium for each successive crop. Roots dry out rapidly, however, during power outages or equipment failure when the supply of nutrient solution is interrupted.

The Aeroponic System

This is probably the most high-tech type of hydroponic gardening. Once again, like the previous system, the plants are suspended in the air. The root system is periodically (every few minutes) misted with the nutrient solution using a timer and nutrient pump on a short cycle for a few seconds at a time. Due to root exposure in this system they can dry out rapidly during power outages or equipment failure.

EBook to compliment this course

Profitable Farming EBook

A complete guide and reference book for the entrepreneurial farmer ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Profitable Farming

By John Mason

Profitable Farming eBook course online. This full colour e-book will set you on the path towards profit in a world where markets, technology and climates are changing as never before. It is not enough for today’s farmer to do things as they have always been done, but change need not be bad news!

Profitable Farming shows that for the farmer who is willing to think laterally and has planned ahead, there are many new opportunities for making money from the land –whether by changing the core business of a farm or simply diversifying for extra income and security.

The book features a comprehensive survey of new enterprise possibilities, but more importantly, it explains why change might be warranted and how to change with the minimum of risk.

Topics covered include:

Specialized crops and livestock;
Farm tourism;
Reducing costs through self-sufficiency and energy conservation;
Long-term planning and management of resources;
Value adding to produce;
Dealing with degraded land;
Working with climate change;

John Mason is a qualified horticulturalist, the founder and principal of the Australian Correspondence Schools and is author of many successful gardening, farming and horticultural books published by Kangaroo Press. He is also author of Sustainable Agriculture published by Landlinks Press.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 : Introduction

Creative ideas for profitable farming; What has changed; How to adapt/secrets of success

Chapter 2 : Solutions to Beat the Economic Squeeze

Spending less; Self sufficiency; Making decisions; The basic essentials; Basic non-essentials; Preserving & processing your food; Vegetables you can freeze; Harvesting & preserving; Drying; Energy use & conservation; Energy conservation techniques; Renewable energy sources compared; Some more on wind power; Using firewood

Chapter 3 : Making the Farm Pay

Conservation and management of resources for long term sustainability; Native vegetation and farms; Important reasons for using trees; Landcare programs; Sharing equipment; Rehabilitation; Hostile environments; Water management

Chapter 4 : Alternative Enterprises

New enterprises; Overcoming limitations; Some ideas for new enterprises; Some selected enterprises to consider in greater detail; Viticulture; What to plant; Setting up; Sesame seed; Mung beans; Plant fibre crops; Nuts; Cut flowers and foliage; Organic farming; Agroforestry; Hydroponics; Herbs; Essential oils; Methods of extracting essential oils; Farming medicinal herbs; Cultivation of herbs; Broad acre cultivation; Traditional plant row spacings; Expected yields of selected herbs; Postharvest handling of herbs; Deer; Ostriches; Emus; Alpacas and llamas; Goats; Aquaculture; Horse industry applications; Value adding; Farm tourism; Services you could or should offer

Chapter 5 : Towards Better Planning

A way of thinking; Economic principles; Scale of economies; Change or die; A planning procedure; Decisions; Plan drawing of the farm; Risk; Quality systems; Contingency planning; Liquidity; Financial records; Controlling growth

Call us: +44 (0)1227 789 649 - Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Commercial Vegetable Growing

Commercial Vegetable Production 100 Hours Certificate Course

Enrolling Made Simple

From £297

Learn About Commercial Vegetable Growing

Course Information

Lesson Structure: Commercial Vegetable Production BHT222

Learning Goals: Commercial Vegetable Production BHT222

Practicals:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Enrolment

Assessment

Qualifications

Tutors

Excerpt from the Course

EBook to compliment this course

Profitable Farming EBook

Other Categories

DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSE

DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSE

DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSE

DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSE

Academic

General

FINANCIALS

CONTACT US

Find us

REQUEST A CALLBACK

To speak to one of our course advisors, please enter your name and phone number below and click the "Please Call Me" button. We will call you back as soon as possible!

By submitting this form, I provide my consent to ADL to contact me via email or telephone, regarding the course I selected. All information provided is protected in conformity with our Privacy Policy.

CONTACT US

required fields are marked with *

By submitting this form, I provide my consent to ADL to contact me via email or telephone, regarding the course I selected. All information provided is protected in conformity with our Privacy Policy.

Call us: +44 (0)1227 789 649 - Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Commercial Vegetable Growing

Commercial Vegetable Production 100 Hours Certificate Course

Enrolling Made Simple

From £297

Contact us

Learn About Commercial Vegetable Growing

Course Information

Lesson Structure: Commercial Vegetable Production BHT222

Learning Goals: Commercial Vegetable Production BHT222

Practicals:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Enrolment

Assessment

Qualifications

Tutors

Excerpt from the Course

EBook to compliment this course

Profitable Farming EBook

Other Categories

DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSE

DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSE

DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSE

DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSE

REQUEST A CALLBACK

To speak to one of our course advisors, please enter your name and phone number below and click the "Please Call Me" button. We will call you back as soon as possible!

By submitting this form, I provide my consent to ADL to contact me via email or telephone, regarding the course I selected. All information provided is protected in conformity with our Privacy Policy.

CONTACT US

required fields are marked with *

By submitting this form, I provide my consent to ADL to contact me via email or telephone, regarding the course I selected. All information provided is protected in conformity with our Privacy Policy.