Horticulture
Horticulture, a branch of agriculture, focuses on the production and care of fruit, vegetables, and ornamental plants. KPU Horticulture has expanded this focus to include skills-based education for three main areas: (1) production of greenhouse vegetables, flowers, and nursery crops, (2) landscape design, installation and maintenance, and (3) turf management. These three areas are technology-intensive and knowledge-based areas of horticulture practice and have a great impact on the quality of life for our urban and sub-urban society.
KPU School of Horticulture facilities include science labs, a fully equipped Field lab, an extensive rooftop ecosystem laboratory and a greenhouse complex all on the Langley campus. The Field Lab supports year round activities typical of greenhouse and nursery production, as well as landscape installation and maintenance and sports turf management. Knowledge and skills standards are based on related horticulture industries located in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
In this section
- Diploma
- Diploma - Landscape Specialization
- Diploma - Production Specialization
- Diploma - Turf Specialization
- Citations
Student Profile
Students who wish to contribute to environmental and community well-being, engage in creative activities, own and operate their own business, or engage in hands-on work will enjoy horticulture.
Many students enter horticulture to upgrade their skills or facilitate a career change. Faculty and staff are supportive and sensitive to the issues faced by students who embark on a post-secondary program after a significant period away from formal education.
Individuals with allergies to dust, pollen or plant products, or specific chemicals should be aware of the potential impact of practicing horticulture on their health. Moderate physical fitness and a healthy back are generally required for a successful career in horticulture.
Career Opportunities
Horticulture graduates are successful and provide leadership and service to our communities through fields such as (but not limited to):
- Nursery and Field Crop Production
- Landscape Contracting
- Landscape Design
- Golf Course Management
- Irrigation Contracting
- Grounds Management and Lawn Care
- Garden Centre Management
- Interior Plantscaping
- Education
- Park Systems
- Botanical Gardens and Arboretum Care
- Floriculture Production
- Sales and Marketing
- Research, Development and Innovation
- Government departments involved with the agri-food industry
Horticulture offers you the opportunity to:
- Advance community sustainability
- Solve technical challenges
- Be entrepreneurial
Horticulture graduates can:
- Produce vegetables, flowers, and nursery crops
- Utilize business skills (finance, communications, supervision) in production horticulture
- Manage production environments and facilities
- Implement integrated pest management programs
- Maintain golf courses, athletic fields, and other recreational turf
- Install and maintain irrigation and drainage systems (including computer control systems)
- Implement integrated pest management programs
- Employ business techniques (finance, communications, supervision) in turf management operations
- Design gardens and landscape spaces (including computer-assisted design)
- Identify plants and select plants for specific sites
- Maintain landscapes
- Install landscape features