Gardening – Advanced

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This course follows the introductory course ‘Gardening-Introduction’. This course goes into more detail on a range of topics that are vital for the correct management and up-keeping of a public or private garden. The topics discussed and the take-home messages of this course will provide learners with essential knowledge on the best methods to tend for their garden. This knowledge is very important since it is lacking in most garden owners who rely on hearsay or basic online research to understand what needs to be done to keep their garden in good condition. This course will also provide a deeper understanding of the principles at stake by giving the learner further autonomy in his or her pursuit for the garden s/he’s striving to have.

This is a 30 guided hour course.  Lessons are held as indicated on the prospectus and website.

This course offers an ideal opportunity to understand the biology and science related to the growing of plants for food and ornamental purposes. This course has been designed to give a broad picture of the many cultural and scientific requirements of growing healthy plants. This course will cover the basic skills required to cultivate plants. All the necessary information about the plant husbandry will be given with the help of practical sessions                  

Learning Outcome 1: Outline the plant’s morphology and basic physiological processes

Content

• Plant Anatomy: Plant cells, vascular systems, stomata, annual rings, etc.
• Plant Physiology: Photosynthesis, respiration, osmosis, pollination, seed germination, photoperiodic initiation of flowering, etc.

Learning Outcome 2: Describe the properties of different media used for growing plants

Content

• Composite material making up media, relationship and contribution to plant growth, different growing media for different plant species.
• Characteristics of the various plant media: organic media, perlite, vermiculite; wetting agents, slow-release fertilizers
• NFT- advantages and disadvantages

Learning Outcome 3: Determine the basic landscaping and plant selection principles for a garden

Content

• Aspects of urban landscaping: planning, tree forms, color schemes, water requirements & availability, etc.
• Plant selection: considerations, the Maltese landscape

Learning Outcome 4: Identify the different pruning, grafting and propagating techniques required for a variety of plants

Content

• Pruning: canopy formation, different pruning systems, examples
• Grafting & Propagation: grafting techniques, multiplication of bulbs, etc.

There are no entry requirements for this course, but ideally applicants should have achieved the MCAST Certificate of Attendance in Gardening – Introduction or any other equivalent qualifications.  But this is not imperative.

Good functional skills in the English language are requested even though lessons will be carried out in Maltese.

An MCAST Certificate of Attendance will be issued, provided that students attend more than 80% of lectures.

There are no summative assessments in this course.

Any material required during the course should be provided by the student.