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The Horticultural Advisor Program at Kingsbrae Garden

Introduction

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This program is a course of study and practice for passionate gardeners, taught by passionate gardeners. The program is decidedly hands-on and plant-focused. The instructors are invited from among the ranks of practicing or retired professionals, both in Canada and from abroad. Completion of this program will give students an understanding of gardening history and design, a large amount of knowledge in the identification of plants, and thorough hands-on training in all aspects of the creation and maintenance of gardens. Graduates would be ideally suited for work in public gardens, on private estates, or in innovative landscaping enterprises.

The Program Schedule

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This program is designed as a full-year experience, running from January to December. In this way, students will experience the full garden cycle and become familiar with all the stages of plant growth. Students participate in a training/working environment under the supervision of a team of experienced practitioners. Throughout the program, students will work in the specialty gardens at Kingsbrae.

Regular tuition for the Horticultural Advisor Program at Kingsbrae Garden is $5,200 for the full year.

Because of the late start to the program in 2008, the Garden is rebating one-half of this amount. Thus, students will be required to pay only $2,600 for the program.

For the 2008 year, the program will run from Monday March 31 to Friday December 19.

There will be a textbook rental charge. Students will be required to purchase a small selection of personal gardening tools. Full details will be available when registering for the program.

Components of the Program

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Garden History From period gardens to great gardens and influential designers.

Horticultural Math Gives students a solid foundation of the practical math routinely encountered in the garden.

Plant Identification How to identify plants from aquatics to weeds. Approximately 300 plants are studied specifically.

General Horticulture Students learn about plant care and diversity and their use in specialty gardens.

Perennial Gardening Extensive study in the planting and long term care of perennials and their gardens.

Integrated Pest Management Includes material needed to challenge applicator’s certification.

Introduction to Arboriculture Students will learn to recognize and understand big tree work.

Propagation Through lectures, demonstrations and hands-on practice students will become familiar with the many methods of plant production.

Pruning and Training Covering styles, timing and techniques from structure development pruning to rejuvenation pruning and from espalier to pollarding.

Introduction to Design The right plant in the right place.

Soils The science of soils including structure, nutrients, and amendments.

Turf How to select, and manage a variety of turfs for various uses.

Horticultural Art How to sketch plants and designs.

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Part-Time Specialty Courses

The public is invited to take advantage of modules of this program which may be of interest to gardening enthusiasts. You'll have an opportunity to learn from professionals and to get loads of hands-on experience. The courses below are those which will take place in the short term; others may be available later on. Check back to see what might be added, or call in to let us know what you're interested in. Each course is priced at $250. Friends of the Garden may take a course for $150.

Note: The dates listed below are subject to change as we refine our schedule.

Plant Propagation: Plant propagation is designed to introduce the student to the theory and practice of artificial multiplication of plants. During this course the commercial methods used today will be discussed and developed with hands on materials.
Plant Propagation II: May 6 to May 9 and May 20 to May 23, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Landscape Design: This course will introduce the essential principles of landscape design that will enable students to create designs which can then be implemented into the landscape.
May 12 to May 16 and May 27 to June 16, 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Identifying Herbaceous Plants: This course will be an in depth study of perennials, annuals and biennial plants. Students will identify weeds, grasses, aquatic plants, herbs vegetables, ground cover and more.
May 12 to May 16 and May 27 to June 16, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Landscape Maintenance: This is a practical hands on course where students will “learn by doing” various tasks in the gardens at Kingsbrae. Theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom will be applied directly into daily work habits.
May 12 to May 16 and May 27 to June 16, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.