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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.

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

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. At the successful completion of the second year, passing all required coursework, the student will receive the associate in applied sciences degree.

The following is a typical student schedule. Individual student schedules may differ slightly depending on course availability. Courses may only be offered in the quarter indicated.  Outlined curriculum assumes students begin the program fall quarter and continue winter and spring quarters, with summer quarter off. It is recommended that students work closely with the program advisor when planning classes.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Placement

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

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.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 95


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGHRT103
Introduction to Greenhouse and Nursery Production  
3
AGHRT104
Principles of Pest Management   2
5
AGHRT110
Fall Landscape Plant Materials  
5
AGHRT184
AgHort Occupational Preparation   1
1
Total Credits
 
14

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGHRT111
House Plants   2
5
AGHRT116
Green Industry Business Management   2
5
AGHRT126
Computer Essentials for Environmental Sciences  
2
ENVS 210
Environmental Soil Science   2
5
Total Credits
 
17

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGHRT105
Horticultural Retail Sales   2
3
AGHRT109
Introduction to Vegetable Gardening   2
3
AGHRT112
Spring Landscape Plant Materials   2
5
AGHRT185
AgHort Occupational Preparation   1
1
ENVS 110
Plant Biology   2
5
Total Credits
 
17

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGHRT106
Greenhouse and Nursery Management I   2
5
AGHRT115
Pruning  
2
AGHRT204
Landscape Design 1   2
4
AGHRT211
Floral Design Techniques   2
5
Total Credits
 
16

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGHRT107
Greenhouse and Nursery Management II   2
5
AGHRT202
Principles of Irrigation   2
4
AGHRT219
Soil Management and Fertility   2
5
Total Credits
 
14

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AGGEN151
Shop Skills  
4
AGHRT108
Greenhouse and Nursery Management III   2
4
AGHRT195
Practicum   4
2
AGHRT230
Plant Problem Diagnosis   2
5
AGHRT232
Pest Management Project   2
2
Total Credits
 
17

1 AGHRT 185 and 184 are related education requirements.
2 Related education requirement.
3 AGHRT 126 may be substituted with CIS 105 or 110. Related education requirement.
4 Practicum may be taken at any time during the second year.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Military Tuition Assistance Program
Tuition
$ 9,551
$ 11,592
$ 21,491
$ 7,465
Books
$ 150
$ 150
$ 150
$ 150
Course Fees
$ 490
$ 490
$ 490
$ 490
Institutional Fees
$ 672
$ 672
$ 672
$ 672
Total Costs
$ 10,862
$ 12,904
$ 22,802
$ 8,777

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

  • Cindy Deffe
    Cindy Deffe
    Agribusiness Management
    B.S., Washington State University; M.Ed.; Eastern Washington University; additional study: University of Washington, Eastern Washington University
    Cindy.Deffe@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7260
  • Teya Kuhle
    Teya Kuhle
    Horticulture
    B.A., Western Washington University; M.S., Washington State University
    Teya.Kuhle@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7261

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