Plant Nursery Training Course

Lesson 1 • Tools and Equipment Fundamentals

Identifies hand tools, power equipment, and irrigation hardware used daily. Proper tool selection and maintenance habits are established from the start.

Lesson 2 • Nursery Facility Layout and Safety

Explains greenhouse zones, outdoor growing areas, and workplace safety protocols. Students learn to navigate and maintain a safe, organized nursery environment.

Lesson 3 • Basic Plant Biology for Nursery Workers

Introduces plant cell structure, growth cycles, and organ functions. Provides the biological foundation needed to make informed decisions about plant care throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Soil Health and Amendments

Introduces compost, biochar, and microbial inoculants as soil health tools. Students apply amendments strategically to improve long-term substrate performance.

Lesson 2 • Sterilization and Media Reuse

Covers steam, solarization, and chemical sterilization methods for media. Students evaluate when to sterilize or replace media to prevent disease carryover.

Lesson 3 • Soil Composition and Properties

Examines mineral particles, organic matter, and soil structure. Understanding these properties enables students to diagnose and improve growing conditions effectively.

Lesson 4 • Soil pH and Nutrient Availability

Explains pH ranges, buffering capacity, and how pH affects nutrient uptake. Students can test and adjust pH to optimize plant nutrition in any growing medium.

Lesson 1 • Seed Propagation Fundamentals

Covers seed anatomy, dormancy, germination requirements, and sowing methods. Students achieve consistent germination rates by matching seed treatment to species needs.

Lesson 2 • Division, Layering, and Separation

Explains clump division, air layering, ground layering, and offset separation. Students apply each method to appropriate plant genera for efficient multiplication.

Lesson 3 • Propagation Environment Management

Covers mist systems, humidity tents, bottom heat, and light management for propagules. Students configure propagation environments to meet species-specific requirements.

Lesson 4 • Vegetative Propagation by Cuttings

Teaches stem, leaf, and root cutting techniques with rooting hormone application. Students select optimal cutting type and timing to maximize rooting success.

Lesson 1 • Fertigation Basics

Introduces injector systems, fertilizer solubility, and nutrient solution preparation. Students deliver accurate nutrient concentrations through the irrigation system.

Lesson 2 • Scheduling and Evapotranspiration

Teaches evapotranspiration principles, tensiometer use, and timer-based scheduling. Students calculate irrigation frequency and duration to match crop water demand.

Lesson 3 • Water Conservation and Runoff Management

Covers capture basins, recycling systems, and leachate management strategies. Students implement practices that minimize water waste and meet environmental standards.

Lesson 4 • Water Quality and Sources

Examines pH, alkalinity, salinity, and pathogen risks in irrigation water. Students test and treat water to prevent nutrient lockout and disease introduction.

Lesson 1 • Fertilization Program Design

Covers crop-specific nutrient schedules, application rates, and record keeping. Students build complete fertilization programs aligned with production goals and plant stage.

Lesson 2 • Essential Plant Nutrients

Identifies macronutrients, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients with their plant roles. Students connect nutrient functions to observable plant growth responses.

Lesson 3 • Fertilizer Types and Formulations

Compares granular, liquid, slow-release, and organic fertilizer forms. Students select formulations based on crop stage, application method, and cost efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Weed Identification and Control

Identifies common nursery weeds and their competitive impacts on crops. Students apply cultural, mechanical, and chemical weed control methods appropriately.

Lesson 2 • Plant Disease Identification and Management

Examines fungal, bacterial, viral, and oomycete diseases common in nurseries. Students implement cultural and chemical controls to prevent and manage outbreaks.

Lesson 3 • Integrated Pest Management Principles

Introduces IPM philosophy, economic thresholds, and decision-making frameworks. Students apply a systematic approach before selecting any control tactic.

Lesson 4 • Pesticide Safety and Application

Covers pesticide label reading, personal protection, mixing, and application equipment. Students handle and apply pesticides legally, safely, and effectively.

Lesson 1 • Container Sizing and Potting Up

Covers container selection, potting-up timing, and root-to-volume ratios. Students pot plants at the right stage to minimize stress and maximize growth efficiency.

Lesson 2 • Growth Regulation Techniques

Teaches pinching, pruning, chemical growth regulators, and DIF temperature management. Students control plant height and branching to meet quality specifications.

Lesson 3 • Quality Standards and Grading

Defines industry quality grades, plant appearance standards, and rejection criteria. Students inspect and grade finished plants to meet buyer and retail specifications.

Lesson 4 • Photoperiod and Light Management

Explains short-day, long-day, and day-neutral flowering responses and light manipulation. Students use supplemental lighting and blackout systems to control bloom timing.

Lesson 1 • Sales, Marketing, and Customer Relations

Introduces wholesale, retail, and online sales channels with customer service principles. Students develop communication skills to build lasting buyer and retail relationships.

Lesson 2 • Inventory and Record Management

Covers plant inventory tracking, input purchasing records, and digital management tools. Students maintain accurate records that support production decisions and audits.

Lesson 3 • Workforce Management and Training

Covers hiring, onboarding, task delegation, and performance evaluation for nursery staff. Students apply supervisory skills to build a productive, safe work team.

Lesson 4 • Cost of Production and Pricing

Introduces direct costs, overhead allocation, and break-even analysis for nursery crops. Students calculate production costs and set prices that ensure profitability.