HORTICULTURE : Advanced (Book with DVD) (Workbook Included)

Horticulture: Advanced combines many different practical and visual skills with knowledge of specialized materials and techniques. Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of vegetable garden plant growing. It includes the cultivation of medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and non-food crops such as grass and ornamental trees and plants.. This book will introduce the knowledge and skills for those studying and/or working in horticulture.

About this Book

This book consists of competencies that a person must achieve in farm operations, produce vegetables, produce fruit bearing crops, perform post-harvest operations of major tropical fruits and perform post-harvest operations of major lowland and semi-temperate vegetable crops.

About the Horticulture Industry

Many people see horticulture as gardening and horticulturists are therefore gardeners. But that is to take a very limited view of a broad and important industry which is vital to the health and quality of life of our nations. Plants play a vital role in carbon reduction, air quality and water cycle regulation and horticulture is the industry, science and art of plant cultivation. Horticulturists are responsible for the cultivation of the vegetable, fruit and salad crops that make such an important contribution to the quality of our diet, and the flowers, bulbs, shrubs and trees enrich our environment. Horticulturists run the garden centers and nurseries that supply millions of gardeners with the plants and other goods they need for what is the most popular pastime. Without the skill and dedication of the horticulturists who prepare and manage our sports pitches, golf courses, and bowling greens, far less sport at all levels would be possible and we’d all be much the poorer for the loss of enjoyment and exercise. In parallel with this, education and training have ensured that those who choose to work in the industry have the knowledge and skills they require. The total value of output for the horticulture industry in the UK is estimated at £9 billion per annum and over €400 million in Ireland and it provides regular employment for over 37,000 people in the UK and 6,000 in Ireland – many of those jobs in rural areas. Horticulture sustains many additional jobs in industries such as fertilizer and compost production and in supply chain industries such as food packing and processing. Approximatley 85% of the sector is managed within small and medium sized enterprises, with a high proportion of micro businesses. In such a diverse and important industry, Horticulture plays an important role in bringing together all the professionals – gardeners, botanic and heritage gardeners, landscapers, designers, commercial growers, grounds men, conservationists, researchers, consultants, and garden center managers.