Greenhouse/Nursery

Degrees/certificates at a glance

Associate in Applied Science - Greenhouse-Nursery

Program Length

3 quarters

Certification Star icon Certificate - Greenhouse-Nursery

Start Quarter

Fall, Winter, Spring

Location

Spokane Community College

Financial Aid Eligible

Yes. Read more about Financial Aid.

Certificate - Greenhouse-Nursery

If you enjoy working with plants and want the expertise to make them thrive, then a career in greenhouse and nursery management may be for you.

In this program, you’ll learn to grow and care for landscape plants and vegetables as a horticulture professional. Through both classes and hands-on practice in the greenhouse, you’ll study plant propagation, greenhouse construction, climate control, postharvest crop care, and greenhouse business management.

Whether you want to own or manage a nursery or greenhouse, work for a city’s parks department, or get involved in plant research and breeding at a four-year university, this degree can help turn that dream into reality.

We also have a program for students interested in growing food crops on a small farm or garden. For more on small farm production, visit our small farm production page.

Apply the concepts of floral design and management to a commercial florist business.
Apply growing and maintenance practices to greenhouse and container grown stock during the course of the year.
Identify and be able to care for the major indoor plants used in interiorscaping.
Understand and apply the principles of business management and human relations to agribusiness management.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway

Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

The Greenhouse and Nursery Management program provides students with knowledge and practice in plant production. Graduates of the program are experienced in topics including plant propagation, pest and disease management, greenhouse management, floral design, plant identification, and business management. If students stay and complete the second year, passing all required coursework, the student will receive the associate in applied sciences degree.

This is a hands-on program requiring students to work in the natural elements and in the season most appropriate for course content. This means courses are offered in the quarter that best aligns with the subject content and there is limited flexibility. The following is an example of a program map for a student starting in the fall quarter. Individual student schedules may differ slightly depending on course availability. Courses may only be offered in the quarter indicated. It is recommended that students work closely with program faculty when planning classes.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 48

Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID

Course Title

Credits

AGHRT103

Introduction to Greenhouse and Nursery Production

AGHRT110

Fall Landscape Plant Materials

AGHRT184

AgHort Occupational Preparation

ENVS 126

Computer Essentials for Environmental Sciences 1

ENVS 210

Environmental Soil Science

Total Credits

Second Quarter

Course ID

Course Title

Credits

AGHRT111

House Plants

AGHRT116

Green Industry Business Management

ENVS 110

Plant Biology

Total Credits

Third Quarter

Course ID

Course Title

Credits

AGHRT104

Principles of Pest Management 3

AGHRT105

Horticultural Retail Sales

AGHRT109

Introduction to Vegetable Gardening

AGHRT112

Spring Landscape Plant Materials

AGHRT185

AgHort Occupational Preparation

Total Credits

1	May be taken in the first or second quarter depending on starting quarter and substiuted with CIS 105, CIS 110, AGHRT 126, ENVS 120, or NATRS 120.
2	Or AGHRT 104 Principles of Pest Management depending on start quarter.
3	Or ENVS 210 Environmental Soil Science depending on start quarter.

Estimated costs for completing this program

WA Resident

Non-Resident

International

Tuition

$ 5,130

$ 6,586

$ 11,503

Books

$ 240

Course Fees

$ 76

Institutional Fees

$ 336

$ 1,597

Supplies and Materials

$ 50

Total Costs

$ 5,832

$ 7,288

$ 13,466

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

Cindy Deffe
Instructor
Cindy.Deffe@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7260

Bio

Cindy Deffé teaches pest management, plant problem diagnosis, arboriculture, soil management and fertility, pest management project, weed biology, and green industry business management. Prior to joining SCC in 1999, she was the urban pesticide specialist and a pesticide investigator for the Washington State Department of Agriculture. She also worked in the local landscape industry for 13 years as a technical director/manager/trainer. Cindy earned a BS in ornamental horticulture with an emphasis in pest management from Washington State University and a MEd in adult continuing education from Eastern Washington University. She is also an ISA Certified Arborist.
Teya Kuhle
Horticulture
B.A., Western Washington University; M.S., Washington State University
Teya.Kuhle@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7261

Art/Craft/Food Fair

Bio

Teya Kuhle came to SCC in 2008. Previously, she worked as a landscape designer focused on high-end residential landscapes. In the summer, she continues to work in the industry to keep up on landscape trends, with a focus on sustainable and edible landscapes. She holds a BA in art history from Western Washington University and a master’s in landscape architecture from Washington State University.