This is a thorough study of ornamental plants commonly used in the landscape industry in Ontario. Students are required to learn proper nomenclature, individual and group plant characteristics and cultural requirements, and potential landscape use through studies in the classroom and in the Humber Arboretum.

This course deals with plant pest and disorder identification covering a variety of plant material categories (both woody and herbaceous), utilizing plant health care and integrated pest management principles. Control measure selection to reflect current legislation, application methods and equipment selection, treatment preparation, equipment calibration, treatment application, equipment maintenance, materials disposal, and record keeping are all integral components of this course. On successful completion, the students may choose to write the Ontario Provincial Pesticide Exterminator licensing examination.

This course presents basic maintenance practices required for turf grass care in Ontario. Turf grass identification, fertilizing procedures, quality monitoring, and record keeping are important components. Also, detailed turf mowing practices, including equipment selection, calibration, and usage, are covered. Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, according to government legal requirements, will be introduced.

This is an introductory course in plant biology. Soils and the plant-soil relationship, the structure and function of the main plant organs, the impact of environmental change on plant growth and health, the assessment of soil and soilless media quality for optimal plant growth, the determination of nutrient deficiencies, and complete transplanting procedures for woody and herbaceous plants are all course components.

This practical course exposes students to the handling and installation of modular precast concrete landscape paving and wall units and landscape timber wall components according to pertinent safety legislation and safe workplace practices and municipal standards and codes. The selection, care and use of the required tools, materials identification and selection, sub-grade and base preparation and installation procedures are all completed in an outdoor lab environment.

This practical course presents scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance procedures for powered equipment typically used in the landscape industry. On completion, students will describe and demonstrate basic scheduled, preventative and on-going maintenance procedures for powered horticultural equipment according to respective federal, provincial and municipal legal requirements and current safety procedures.

Job site safety is the main theme throughout this course. Students are presented with the requirements of all governing legislation and regulations, including the use of all mandatory personal protection equipment. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic control, the impact of environmental extremes and emergency remedial actions are all included areas of study.

Garden and grounds maintenance procedures are the main components of this course. The on-site storage, installation and care of annuals, perennials, groundcovers and woody nursery stock are also covered in detail. The care of the required tools and equipment and recycling/disposal methods are also included.

Basic land surveying and measuring procedures employed in the landscape industry are introduced. This includes all aspects of site interpretation, measurement and layout. Mathematic methods and calculations typically used in the industry, in both systems of measurement, are studied in detail. The use of appropriate survey and measuring equipment is practised outdoors and in laboratory classes.

Today, proper, safe job performance depends heavily on accurate, concise and clear job-site communications. This course helps students improve their oral, written, hand and listening communication skills so they may function more effectively as part of a job crew/team. Problem solving, personal development and taking responsibility are also topics of discussion.