Plant Sciences

About This Program

Students in Sustainable Horticulture enjoy working with plants and flowers. In our labs and greenhouses, students will learn how to create marketable floral designs for a variety of occasions, maintain interior plants in a variety of settings and also learn how to grow a variety of crops, including seasonal foliage and flowering plants, tropical plants and bedding plants. In this hands-on major, students are provided with real-world work experiences for careers in the floral industry where a broad understanding of floriculture and botany are important. Students can expect to find jobs in the greenhouse industry, within interior landscape firms, as well as in floral shops. See below for full course description.

Sustainable Horticulture Course Descriptions

Course Number	Name	Credit	Grade Level
sh101	Sustainable Horticulture Exploratory 9	1.0	Grade 9
sh103	Sustainable Horticulture 9	10.0	Grade 9
sh200	Sustainable Horticulture 10	20.0	Grade 10
sh300	Sustainable Horticulture Technology 11	20.0	Grade 11
sh305	Sustainable Horticulture Cooperative Education 11	12.0	Grade 11
ht301	Horticulture Theory 11	4.0	Grade 11
pap301	CTE Pathway: Agricultural Sciences	4.0	Grade 11
sh400	Advanced Concepts in Sustainable Horticulture	20.0	Grade 12
ht401	Horticulture Theory 12	4.0	Grade 12
sh405	Sustainable Horticulture Cooperative Education 12	24.0	Grade 12
pap401	CTE Pathway: Agricultural Management	4.0	Grade 12

Sustainable Horticulture Exploratory 9 

Course # sh101 | | Credit: 1.0 
This five-day cycle exploratory course introduces grade 9 students to the diverse field of Sustainable Horticulture through hands-on projects that include plant propagation, microgreens production and harvest, a tour of the Essex orchard, floral arrangements, career exploration, the basics of soils, and a field trip to a local farm. Students are taught the basics of plant care and safety skills that they practice throughout the exploratory cycle. 

Sustainable Horticulture 9 

Course # sh103 | Credit 10.0
This semester-based course allows students to explore the diverse field of Sustainable Horticulture and begin to build a foundation in the art and science of plants. Students will learn about a variety of topics in horticulture with specific focus on botany, plant anatomy and physiology, propagation, hydroponics, vegetable and cut-flower production, greenhouse management, and basic floral design. Students will also establish a knowledge and practice of safety, work ethics, and communication skills needed to succeed in the horticulture industry. 

Sustainable Horticulture 10 

Course # sh200 | Credit: 20.0
This full-year course continues to build a foundation in the art, science, and aesthetics of growing plants. Students will explore a variety of topics in Sustainable Horticulture with specific focus on sustainable food systems, the cultivation of mixed fruit, vegetable and cut flowers, greenhouse management, and exposure to the diverse local food system on the North Shore. Students will continue to practice safety protocols as they learn about ethics and communication in the horticulture industry. 

Sustainable Horticulture Technology 11 

Course # sh300 | Credit: 20.0
This full-year course will continue to explore student understanding of topics related to horticulture, floriculture, nursery and greenhouse production, garden design, construction and maintenance, tools safety, and interior and exterior plants. These skills are intended to connect students to the various career areas in the horticulture industry. In addition, students will continue to learn about and practice techniques that promote sustainability. 

Horticulture Theory 11 

Course # ht301 | Credit: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course continues to deepen student understanding of horticulture through botany, pest management, plant propagation, nutrition, production, and soil science. Topics will includeacloser examination of irrigation, growing media, planting beds and sites; propagation; marketing; repair and maintenance of nursery equipment and facilities. 

Sustainable Horticulture Cooperative Education 11 

Course # sh305 | Credit: 12
This semester-based course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle. Please note that juniors are eligible for Cooperative Education during third and fourth quarters only. 

Advanced Concepts in Sustainable Horticulture 12 

Course # sh400 | Credit: 20.0
This full-year course continues to explore topics within horticulture-greenhouse production, interior plants, floral design, and garden design. Within these specialty areas, students will deepen and expand their understanding of greenhouse system construction and maintenance; crop production of specialty plants, edible plants, interior plants and bedding plants; advanced floral design skills such as bouquet making, specialty-event work and project planning. Students will also learn supply-list creation; interior plant propagation and maintenance; garden design creation and implementation with a focus on using strategies that promote sustainability and growing requirements for plants. 

Horticulture Theory 12 

Course # ht401 | Credit: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course continues to deepen student understanding of horticulture through studying sustainable landscapes: green roofs, permeable hardscapes, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, drought tolerant plantings, heritage and perennial vegetables, native plants, drip irrigation and energy efficient landscape designs. 

Sustainable Horticulture Cooperative Education 12 

Course # sh405 | Credit: 24
This full-year course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle.