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Outdoor Plant Production
Outdoor Plant Production (Crops I) 100 Hours Certificate Course
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Learn About Outdoor Plant Production
Outdoor Plant Production Online Course
This online distance learning course from ADL will give you a broad grounding in outdoor plant production.
Ten lessons cover site, crop selection, soil management, cut flowers, vegetables, berries, nuts, herbs, tree fruits, other crops, managing a market garden and more.
Course Information
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Lessons
Lesson Structure: Â Outdoor Plant Production (Crops I) BHT112
There are 10 lessons:
1 Â Crop Production Systems
- Introduction
- Where To Get Helpful Information
- Statistics: Outdoor Crop Production Systems, Monoculture vs Mixed Culture
- Consider Your Crop Options: Citrus, Berry Fruits, Nuts, Vibes, Pome Fruits, Stone Fruits, Vegetables, Cut Flowers, Bulbs, Nursery Crops, Herbs, Fibres, Oils And Essences, Seeds, Other Crops
- Crop Plant Reviews
- How To Present A Plant Review
2 Â Organic Crop Production
- Introduction
- Organic Certification
- Organic Techniques
- Organic Definitions
- Composting: What To Use In Compost, What can go Wrong? Factors Affecting Nitrogen Release From Organic Sources
- Mycorrhizae
- Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (i.e. VAM)
- Some Plants Are Not Mycorrhizal
- Crop Rotation
- The Use Of Legumes: Nitrogen Fixation in Legumes, The Rhizobium Bacteriartification.
3 Â Soils and Nutrition
- Introduction
- Soil Structure
- Water And Air
- Soil Temperature
- Soil Life: Earthworms, Mycorrhiza, Nitrogen Fixing
- Improving Soils  1
- Soil Problems: Types of Soil Problems, Erosion, Common Human Causes of Erosion, Types of Erosion, Control of Erosion, Salinity, Control Methods for Salinity, Soil Structural Decline, Soil Acidification, Causes of Soil Acidification, Chemical Residues
- Improving Soils 2
- Adding Non-Organic Materials To Soils: Lime, Acidic Materials To Lower Soil PH, Sulphur, Gypsum
- Cation Exchange Capacity
- Soil PH
- Nutrient Availability And PH
- Conductivity: Conductivity and Plants, Salinity Build Up
- Plant Nutrition: The Nutrient Elements
- Major Elements: Choosing the Right Fertiliser, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sulphur
- Minor Elements
- Total Salts
- Diagnosis Of Nutritional Problems
- Fertilisers: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
- Natural Fertilizers
- A Look At Organic Fertilizers: Animal Manures, Poultry Manure, Blood and  Bone Meal, Rock Dusts, Seaweed, Seaweed Extracts
4 Â Nursery Stock Production
- Introduction
- Growing Plants In Containers: Factors to Consider
- In-Ground Production: Factors to Consider
- Propagation
- Seed Propagation
- Cutting Propagation
- Potting Up Plants
- Removing The Plants From The Container
- Potting Machines: Possible Problems to Consider
- What To Grow
- How To Grow: Comparison of Container versus In-ground Nursery Production
- Nursery Standards: Cost Efficiency, Quality Standards, Size Standards
- Starting Out As A Nursery Producer
- Revamping an Existing Nursery
- Nursery Products: Open Ground Grown Plants, Tropical Indoor Plants And Ferns, Perennials, Seedlings, Turf, Trees And Shrubs
5 Â Tree Fruit Production
- Introduction: Deciduous Tree Fruits, Evergreen Tre Fruits
- Site Selection: Climate, Soil, Aspect, Wind
- Rootstocks
- Field Preparation: 2 years prior to planting, 18 months prior to planting, 12-8 months prior to planting, 6 months prior to planting, 4 months prior to planting, 1 month prior to planting
- Fruit Tree Production And Training Systems
- Pollination
- Pollination Requirements: Usually Self Unfruitful, Usually Self Fruitful, Sometimes Require Cross Pollination
- Winter Chilling Requirements
- Grading Systems: Mechanized Grading, Fruit Grading in the USA, Fruit Grading in the UK (European Union), Equipment that may be needed in a Grading Shed
- Fruit Types: Apples, Apricots, Avocdo, Banana, Cherry, Cumquat, Fig, Grape, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Loquat, Mango, Medlar, Nectarine, Olive, Orange, Passionfruit, Paw Paw, Pear, Peach, Pineapple, Plum (European), Plum (Japanese), Pomegranate, Quince, Tree Tomato Or Tamarillo
- Pruning Fruit Trees: Before Pruning, Points to Consider when Pruning
6 Â Soft Fruits Production
- Introduction
- Growing Grapes
- Where To Grow Them
- Harvesting And Selling Grapes
- Influence Of Weather
- Harvest Techniques
- Strawberies: Where to Plant Strawberries
- Grading Soft Fruit
- Berry Fruit: Strawberries, Raspberries, Chinese Gooseberry, Cape Gooseberry, Gooseberry, Mulberry, Blueberry, Elderberry, Redcurrents, American Cranberry
- Bramble Fruits: Loganberry, Youngberry, Boysenberry, Lawtonberry, Mammonthberry, Phenomenalb
7 Â Vegetable Production
- Introduction
- Production Factors To Consider: Production Materials and Equipment
- Planting Vegetables
- Seed
- Hybrid Seed
- Storing Seed
- Sowing Seed Outdoors
- Sowing Seed Indoors
- Transplanting Seedlings
- Buying Seedlings
- Transplanting Crowns, Offsets, Tubers Etc
- Some Useful Suggestions On Planting: What to Grow, Crop Rotation
- Varieties And Seed
- Summary Of Vegetables For Quick Reference
- Mushrooms
- The More Common Crops: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Bean, Pea, Lettuce, Onion, Potato, Tomato
- General Harvesting Guidelines
- General Guidelines for Storing Vegetables
- Harvesting And Grading
- What Is Considered Within A Grading Standard
8 Â Cut Flower Production
- Introduction
- Harvesting And Storage
- Grading: Summary of the EU common quality standards for cut flowers, Summary of EU common quality standards for fresh ornamental foliage
- Directory Of Flower Crops
9 Â Herbs, Nuts and Miscellaneous Crops
- Herbs – Introducton
- Nuts
- Quick Guide To Choosing And Growing Nut Trees
- Nut Varieties> Walnut, Chestnut, Almond, Peanut, Macadamia, Pecan, American Hazelnut, Filbert, Pistachio, Cashew, Other Edible Nuts
- Prpagating Herbs: Self seeding
- Herb Varieties: Angelica, Basil, Borage, Chives, Dandelion, Garlic, Horseradish, Lavender, Lemon Grass, Marjoram, Mint, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Sorrel (Garden), Thyme
- Harvesting Herbs: Harvesting Leaves, Harvesting Roots, Harvesting Fruit and Seeds
10 Crop Production Risk Assessment
- Risk Assessment Of A Crop Production Site: Background Information and the Purpose of the Project, The Area(s) and People that may be at Risk, The Risks, The Consequences of an Event Happening, The Adequacy of Existing Controls, A Rating of the Consequence, Likelihood and Level of Risk
- Keeping The Work Site Safe
- Duty Of Care: Employer Duties, Employee Duties, ‘Other person’ Duties, Manufacturer Duties
- Work Place Safety
- Protectve Clothing: Winter Gear for Horticultural Workers, Gloves, Eye Protection, Ear Protection, Face Masks, Clothing, Knee Protection, Footwear, Sunscreen, A Good Hat
- Safety With Tools And Equipment: General Safety Rules
- Safety For Different Equipment: Chainsaws, Mulchers/Shredders, Brush Cutters, Hedge Trimmers, Lawn Mowers
- Safety With Electricity
- Tool Maintenance: Harvest and Storage Risk
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the academy and marked by your tutor and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Learning Goals
Learning Goals: Â Outdoor Plant Production (Crops I) BHT112
- To explain different cropping systems and their appropriate application for the production of different types of crops
- To evaluate and explain organic plant production, and the requirements in at least two different countries, to achieve organic certification.
- To understand 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
- To develop an understanding of the techniques used to produce a range of soft fruits
- To develop an understanding of the techniques used to grow a range of vegetables
- To develop an understanding of the commercial production of outdoor cut flowers
- To develop an understanding of the commercial production of herbs, nuts and other miscellaneous crops
- To understand the risks that may occur in outdoor crop production
Practical (Set Tasks)
Examinations
Program Summary
More Information
Assessment
Assessment is based on a combination of completing all assignments and sitting for a final short one and a half hour exam, in your own location.
If you don’t cope well with exams then you may elect to undertake a project instead. This is a popular option.
In addition, most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson placed before the assignment. This is an opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge and skills and practical experience. This ADL feature is an added bonus not found at most online schools. Set Tasks are not required for assessment.Â
Some courses also have optional Self-Tests which are available on our online learning platform. These are not available by correspondence or by USB, and do not form part of your overall grade.
How our courses work
- Choose Your Learning Method
You choose how you would like to receive your course material, i.e., Online, USB or Correspondence. The choice is yours. You may also work on online or offline. - Tutor Allocation
Every student is assigned their own dedicated tutor who is an expert in their subject area. They provide as much or as little individual contact as you require. You can contact your tutor whenever you need – your hours are not limited. - Feedback and Assignments
Tutor Feedback is an essential component in helping you understand the subject matter. Tutor feedback is given in the form of notes written on the assignment. We encourage you to contact your Tutor where help with clarification and understanding of course material may be required.
Your assignments are located at the end of each lesson. You submit them for marking whenever you are ready. There is no time limit.  - Set Tasks and Self-Tests
Most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson before for the assignment. This is where you get the opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge, skills and practical experience. Many modules also have short Self-Tests. - Exams
Once all assignments have been completed you may then elect to sit for a one and half hour exam in your own location. If you prefer not to take the exam you do have the option to undertake a project instead.
Once the exam or project part of the course is completed, your Certificate is then processed. Please allow approximately 4 weeks for this. - Design Your Own Qualification
ADL offers students the flexibility to self-design their own qualification – bundling together a combination of 100-hour modules into a qualification higher than a certificate.
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. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.
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.
Career Options
What's Included
What your tuition fees include
- All Course Material via Online, USB or Correspondence
- Assignments Marked
- Professional Tutor Feedback
- Set Tasks - Practical Exercises to help you develop skills
- Self-Tests – multiple choice questions at the end of lessons in most modules
- Unlimited Personal Tutor Support – via our student classroom
- Committed and Friendly Admin Support – vital to your success
- All ADL Exam or Project fees (exception RHS exams)
- Qualification Certificate
- Official Transcript with assignment grades
- Student Manual
Plus FREE
- Academic Writing course (optional - 10 hours only)
- Critical Thinking course (optional - 10 hours only)
- Job Seekers Careers Guide
- Study Tips on How To Study Better
- Career Counselling by ADL Staff
- CV Writing Help, Tips and Advice
There are no hidden extras
Career Opportunities
FAQ - RHS Theory Qualifications
GENERALÂ
If you require further details about any of the RHS industry recognised qualifications please, call one of our friendly RHS Course Advisors on +44 (0)1227 789 649 or email: [email protected]
Q:Â When can I Enrol/Start My RHS Course With ADL?
A: Anytime, Anywhere. There are no enrolment deadlines.
Q:Â I live Overseas. Can I Study From Overseas?
A: You can study any of the RHS theory qualifications overseas. All courses are offered in English. You will need to email RHS Qualifications direct to arrange sitting for your examination overseas.
Q: Is There a Time Limit for Completing an RHS Qualification?
A: At present there are no time limits. However, RHS is contemplating in the future, the introduction of course time-lines.
Q:Â Are There Any Entry Requirements (Pre-Requisites)?
A:Â The RHS Theory courses do not require prerequisites, previous experience or any knowledge of horticulture. You just need passion for all things horticulture.
Q: What Course Should I Start With First? I Am New To RHS Qualifications.
A: We highly recommend that you start with Level 2 – Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance.
Q:Â What Does ADL Course Material Include?
A:Â Includes Power Point Presentations, Videos and written course lessons.
RHS EXAMS
Q:Â When Do Exams Take Place?
A: Exams are held on fixed dates in February and June of each year. You should register as a candidate at least 3 months before these dates, so please do not leave exam registration to the last minute
Q:Â Where Do I Take My Exams?
A:Â UK: You take the exams at the RHS Wisley Centre, located between Cobham and Ripley in Surrey or at other authorised RHS centres around the UK.
Overseas: please email RHS qualifications direct for centre information.
Q:Â Exam Pass Marks?
A:  Module – pass 50%.  Commendation 70%.
Qualification:Â 50% pass for all modules.
Commendation awarded for all modules.
Each question carries a value of 10 marks.
Q: I’m Not Happy With My Exam Results?
A:Â You have the opportunity to re-sit your exam at the next opportunity.
There are no restrictions on the number of re-sits you can take. The highest mark you achieve will remain.,