Horticulture Operations

Overview

Programs in horticulture operations prepare people to manage and operate nurseries, greenhouses, and other horticulture enterprises.

Horticultural operations programs include topics such as:

Fundamentals of operations and management
Plant science
Tree, shrub, and flower cultivation
Water, soil conditions, and plant diseases
Farm and business management

Concentrations

In horticultural operations programs, students may be able to specialize in:

Greenhouse operations
Plant nursery operations
Horticultural business services

Schools

Many community colleges and other two-year schools offer certificate and associate degree programs in horticulture operations. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

A few colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in horticultural operations. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

See schools that offer this program.

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Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

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Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Agriculture Science
Algebra
Biology
Business Computer Applications
Business Management
Business Math
Chemistry
Horticulture

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

In this undergraduate program, you typically take courses such as the following:

Accounting
Applied Entomology
Chemistry
Floral Crops Production
Flowering Landscape Plants
Fruit and Vegetable Crops
Fundamentals of Horticulture
Greenhouse Management and Production
Horticultural Business Management
Horticultural Production Technologies
Human Resources Management
Irrigation Management
Marketing Principles
Microeconomics
Nursery Production and Practices
Plant Breeding
Plant Ecology
Plant Identification
Plant Materials
Plant Nutrition
Plant Physiology
Plant Propagation
Plant Science
Postharvest Physiology of Fruits and Vegetables
Soil Science
Weed Science

Several programs incorporate practicums or internships into their curriculums. These allow you to work part time in a horticulture operations setting while earning credits. You gain hands-on experience and exposure to the application of horticulture operations that most interests you.

For example, you might work in a wholesale horticulture equipment company, assisting with processing orders. Or you could help an operations manager develop a tracking system for routine maintenance of the temperature regulation system in a greenhouse. These are just a couple of different opportunities you could pursue in this program of study.

Whatever setting you choose, you benefit from the guidance and direct supervision of an experienced horticulture operations professional.