Growing Plants for Fun and Profit
Growing Plants for Fun and Profit
Details + Objectives
Course code: gpf
Turn your love of plants into an enjoyable and profitable home business. Learn how to grow and market plants on a small scale without major capital investment. In an area as small as 1000 sq. ft., you can generate thousands of dollars' worth of plant material in a single growing season.
This course is your practical guide to licensing, site preparation, equipment, how and where to find supplies, how to select and produce plants appropriate to your climate zone, how to produce quality material and, most importantly, how to market your product.
What you will learn
- Learn how to make the transition from gardener to nurseryman
- Understand climate zones and how to set up suitable growing grounds
- Learn the three major propagation methods used in nursery production
- Examine starter plants and obtain guidelines on what you should grow
- Learn about annuals, bulbs, vegetables and herbs and discusses organic production
- Understand how to grow and market perennials, shrubs, roses, vines and small fruits
- Learn the methods for producing and maintaining quality plant material
- Gain strategies for succeeding in the wholesale market and directly to the public
How you will benefit
- Turn your love of plants into a profitable home-based business
- Learn how to begin your nursery business with only a small capital investment
- Gain additional gardening skills that will benefit you both personally and professionally
How the course is taught
- Instructor-led or self-paced online course
- 6 Weeks or 3 Months access
- 24 course hours
Instructors & Support
Michael and Linda Harlan have been involved in the nursery industry since 1968. In 1985, they began a backyard nursery on a half-acre that grew into a successful 12-year business venture. The Harlans then shared their experience by publishing a self-help book entitled Growing Profits: How to Start and Operate a Backyard Nursery. Michael has been teaching a course on this subject matter through the extension services of local community colleges for the past four years.
Requirements
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 8 or later.
- Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.