Introduction to Horticulture Sample Syllabus

This course is designed to introduce students to areas and concepts involved in Horticulture.  Students will learn to apply scientific principles and  concepts through classroom and hands-on experiments. This course will strengthen the students' knowledge of science and give them a better understanding of the environment, plant growth, plant classification and identification, and the importance of soil.  It will also introduce students to the careers and opportunities available in the field of Horticulture.

The goal of the course is for the students to leave at the end of the year with ability to select, plant, care, and grow plants for the home or horticulture industry.

Course Content:

A.    The Horticulture Industry

1. Describe the values of horticulture.
2. Identify position descriptions associated with each level of the horticultural career ladder.
3. Distinguish among plant nomenclature and taxonomy terms.
4. Match standard measures to their equivalents.
5. Write the basic formulas for surface area, area of a triangle, and volume.
6. Calculate mix ratios.
7. Calculate slope ratios.

B.    Tools used in the Horticulture Industry

1. Match terms associated with hand and power tools to their correct definitions.
2. State safety rules for using hand tools.
3. Match hand tools to their uses.
4. Select from a list characteristics of quality tools.
5. Complete procedures for maintaining hand tools.
6. Complete rules for storing hand tools.
7. State fuel safety practices for power equipment.
8. State safety rules for operating power equipment.
9. State safety rules for operating electric power tools.
10. State safety rules for specific pieces of equipment.
11. Match power tools with their uses.

C.    General Safety in Horticulture

1. Match terms associated with safety to their correct definitions.
2. State the major causes of accidents.
3. State general job-safety rules.
4. Describe the purpose of protective clothing.
5. Complete statements about dress precautions.
6. Distinguish among federal safety code colors.
7. Determine type of fire extinguisher required to put out specific types of fires.
8. Select from a list precautions to avoid a lightning strike.
9. Match terms associated with electrical safety to their correct definitions.
10. Distinguish between voltage applications.
11. Complete electrical safety rules.
12. Match electrical protections devices to their correct descriptions.
13. Label three-wire receptacles.
14. State safety rules for the work area.

D.   Growing Facilities

1. Match structural parts of a greenhouse to their descriptions.
2. Match types of greenhouses to their descriptions and to their pictures.
3. Select true statements concerning characteristics of materials used for greenhouse frames.
4. Distinguish among characteristics of greenhouse covering materials.
5. Select true statements concerning greenhouse heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
6. Match characteristics of greenhouse benches and beds to their descriptions.

E.    Greenhouse Watering

1. Match terms associated with greenhouse watering to their correct definitions.
2. Select true statements about environmental factors that affect watering.
3. Distinguish between manual, automatic, and foliage watering systems.
4. Match types of watering equipment to their descriptions.
5. Select true statements about types of irrigation fertilizing equipment.
6. Select true statements about proper drainage and salt build-up.
7. Complete statements about determining water quality.
8. State indicators used to determine the watering needs of plants.
9. Select true statements about water quality and temperature.
10. List the advantages and disadvantages of hand watering.
11. Select true statements about the proper procedure for using a greenhouse watering system to feed plants.
12. Select true statements about proper humidity and ventilation.
13. Describe the correct watering method for propagating plants.
14. Determine the watering needs of plants.
15. Calculate the water quantity for bench plants using an automatic watering system.
16. Calculate the amount of fertilizer for a proportioning pump in an automatic watering system and a hand-held hose.
17. Create a line drawing of a design for an automatic watering system, label all parts, and prescribe system maintenance.
18. Demonstrate the ability to:
                a.  Water by hand.
                b.  Check moisture levels.
                c.  Determine watering frequency. 
                d.  Check water temperature, water by hand, and leach soil.

F.  Propagation

1. Start plants from seed using propagation mats.
2. Start plants from seed using soil media.
3. Start plants from cuttings.
4. Start a flat of bedding plants from seed with a grade being taken weekly on the progress of the plants.
5. Start a flat of vegetables from seed with a grade being taken weekly on the progress of the plants.
6. Start a hanging basket from a cutting with a grade being taken weekly on the care and progress of the plant.
7. Identify types fertilizers and chemicals used in propagation and safety precautions to be taken when handling such items.

G.  Landscaping
(Note:  a modest budget may be given to each team for decorative items they may want to use.  Take them on a field trip to the local garden store to get ideas and then back when they are ready to purchase the items.)

1. Using teams, have them design a flower bed in a location around school or the Ag facility.
2. Prepare the area for planting and landscaping.
3. Have them plant the bedding plants in the greenhouse.
4. When the plants are ready, have them plant.
5. Add the landscaping decorative items as viewed in the drawing.
6. List safety procedures while at work.

H.  Lawn Care

1. Identify types of grasses used in yard lawns.
2. Identify common weeds in lawns.
3. Determine proper type of weed control.
4. Identify common pests in lawns.
5. Determine proper type of pest control.
6. Determine needed soil treatments by the look of the grass.
7. Identify types of fertilizers and chemicals used in lawn care.
8. Discuss mowing procedures and intervals.
9. List safety precautions used while mowing.
10. Show proper methods of caring for mowing equipment.

Grading Policy:  The course will follow the school grading policy.
93-100        A
85-92          B
75-84          C
65-74          D
below 64    F

• Grades will be determined by averaging test scores to equal 45% of the grade, averaging scores earned through hands-on classroom activities and projects to equal 45% of the grade, and the score earned in the area of their supervised project to equal 10% of the grade.

Note
Other items to consider when completing this course syllabus include:

1. Textbook used
2. Behavior expectations or routine you want followed
3. What to bring to class each day
4. Supplies or money that will be needed for the class
5. Any other item you feel would help parents and students know what to expect.

Suggestions:

1. Try and keep the syllabus to one page, front and back
2. Give a copy to students the first day of class and have them available for parents at the parent teacher meetings.
3. Use the syllabus to recruit students and visit with parents about "what will my child learn in Ag?"
4. Parents, students and administrators all feel more comfortable with a class where they know what is being taught.