CERTIFICATE OF HORTICULTURE (RHS)

The DIXONTECH Certificate of Horticulture (RHS) program is designed for professionals and enthusiasts seeking to master the principles and practices of horticulture according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) standards. This course provides a solid foundation in plant science, soil management, garden design, and sustainable cultivation methods. Participants will gain the technical and practical skills to manage horticultural environments effectively—from ornamental gardens to commercial plant production.

TRAINING TOPICS

• Principles of plant growth and development
• Soil management and plant nutrition
• Horticultural crop propagation and cultivation
• Garden and landscape design principles
• Integrated pest and disease management
• Sustainable and organic horticultural practices
• Greenhouse and nursery management
• Horticultural business and project planning

BY THE END OF THIS TRAINING COURSE, DELEGATES WILL BE ABLE TO:

• Apply horticultural science in plant production
• Design and maintain functional landscapes
• Manage soil fertility and irrigation effectively
• Control pests and diseases using sustainable methods
• Operate nursery and greenhouse systems efficiently
• Implement RHS horticultural standards professionally
• Manage horticultural projects from planning to execution

TRAINING IS TAILORED TO:

• Horticulturists and landscape designers
• Garden managers and supervisors
• Botanical garden and park staff
• Agricultural and environmental officers
• Plant nursery and greenhouse managers
• Sustainability and green project developers
• Students and researchers in plant sciences

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

DIXONTECH uses a blended methodology that combines expert instruction, hands-on horticultural workshops, and guided design sessions. Participants will engage in plant identification, soil analysis, and landscape planning exercises aligned with RHS best practices. The course emphasizes interactive learning, group collaboration, and field-based application for professional competence in horticulture.

DAY 1

PRINCIPLES OF HORTICULTURE AND PLANT SCIENCE

• Introduction to horticulture and its disciplines
• Plant structure, physiology, and life cycles
• Photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration processes
• Environmental factors influencing plant growth
• Horticultural classification of plants
• RHS standards and global horticultural practices
• Importance of sustainable horticulture

DAY 2

SOIL MANAGEMENT, PLANT NUTRITION AND IRRIGATION

• Soil composition, texture, and fertility management
• Soil improvement and organic amendments
• Nutrient cycles and deficiency diagnosis
• Fertilizer selection and sustainable use
• Irrigation methods and water conservation techniques
• Soil testing and interpretation for horticultural use
• Managing soil erosion and salinity in gardens

DAY 3

PLANT PROPAGATION AND CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES

• Seed selection and propagation procedures
• Cutting, grafting, and layering methods
• Greenhouse propagation systems
• Nursery management and plant care practices
• Transplanting and acclimatization techniques
• Disease prevention in propagation units
• Field exercise: propagation and nursery plan design

DAY 4

GARDEN DESIGN, LANDSCAPING AND PLANT MAINTENANCE

• Fundamentals of garden and landscape design
• Principles of color, form, and texture in design
• Site assessment and garden layout planning
• Selecting plants for ornamental and functional use
• Maintenance practices for gardens and parks
• Urban horticulture and green infrastructure concepts
• Practical: design a small landscape layout

DAY 5

SUSTAINABLE HORTICULTURE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

• Integrated pest and disease management (IPM)
• Composting and organic horticultural systems
• Sustainable plant production and green certification
• Managing greenhouse environments efficiently
• Budgeting and resource planning for horticultural projects
• Case studies: RHS-certified gardens and nurseries
• Capstone: develop a horticultural project plan