STOCKSCH 110
Dr. David Berle Email: david.berle@gmail.com
Course description
This is a one-semester introduction to the applied plant and soil sciences necessary to manage gardens and landscapes sustainably. This course introduces students to the basic principles utilized in the production of commercial horticultural crops. Topics include basic horticulture, plant biology, plant physiology, and other applied plant sciences, with an emphasis on environmentally sensitive practices.
In this course, students will …
1) learn how to assess environmental conditions and select the most appropriate plants.
2) gain a basic understanding of proper planting and sustainable plant care.
3) learn to identify signs of biotic and abiotic plant stress and determine the best treatment.
An underlying theme of this course is to empower students to identify common myths and misperceptions prevalent in the field of horticulture and know where to find and evaluate evidence-based horticulture plant production and care information.
Unit 1 – Introduction and basics
Scope of course
Where we get our plant information and how do we know it’s accurate
A little horticulture history
Unit 2 – Practical plant and soil sciences
How plants grow
How humans effect plant growth
Unit 3 – Environment and Plants
Effect and management of light, temperature and water
The nature of human-altered landscapes
Climate change
Unit 4 – Sustainable Soil Management
What is soil?
Soil testing and interpretation
Soil preparation and protection
Amendments vs. mulches
Unit 5 – Plant Selection
Native vs. nonnative plants
Plant names
Plant adaptability
Cultivar, hybrids, GMOs
Unit 6 – Plant Installation
Root preparation
Site preparation
Planting
Unit 7 – Water Management
Water stress symptoms
Water mobility in landscape
Irrigation
Unit 8 – Nutrient Management
Plant nutrients
Fertilizers – commercial vs. homemade
Nutrient deficiencies and toxicities
Reviewing soil test information – and how to apply it
Unit 9 –Pruning, Training, Trellising
Why, when and how we prune
Training and trellising systems for production and home garden
Unit 10 – Plant Health Care
Diagnosing and treating abiotic and biotic problems
Insects
Diseases
Weeds
IPM
Organics
Grading:
Grade is based on the following:
Unit Quizzes (30%)
Unit Discussions (30%)
Research Brief(s)(20% x 2 = 40%)
Prerequisites and Textbooks
This course has no prerequisites, though a basic understanding of plant biology would be helpful.
There is no required textbook, however students may find the following two books helpful:
How Plants Work: The Science Behind the Amazing Things Plants Do (Science for Gardeners) by Linda Chalker-Scott. 2015.
Botany for Gardeners by Brian Capon. Various editions.
Stockbridge Online 