Horticulture A/M/V focuses on the processes and industry practices required to design, create, and maintain plant specific environments and business in an increasingly technological and information rich world. Students develop knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts in plant biology and physiology, soil nutrients and climate in conjunction with the skills to use traditional and contemporary tools, and materials of the horticulture industry for a range of purposes and in an array of contexts. They examine the challenges that exist in the horticulture industry in adapting to new technology, client demands, urbanisation and changing climatic conditions, and explore future options.

Students investigate the purpose of horticulture business, occupations, future directions, and trends. Industry practices and processes for a variety of contexts are explored and applied across a range of subsets within the industry, e.g., nursery, market gardening, arboriculture. Through both individual and collaborative learning experiences, students learn to meet employer expectations and establish productive and appropriate work habits. Participating in industry specific tasks promotes the development of adaptable, competent, self-motivated individuals who consider safety and work collaboratively with colleagues. Students develop skills for communicating orally, in written, and graphical modes. They plan, select, and organise materials to achieve desired horticultural outcomes, to meet design and client briefs. Students apply sustainable practices and environmental considerations. They interpret results and data from their own investigations to draw justified conclusions about sustainability.

Students develop relevant technical, vocational, and interpersonal capabilities suitable for employment and further training in the horticulture industry. The study of Horticulture also provides for the development of employability skills such as communication and teamwork which are transferable to other industry areas. Through the study of this subject, students will gain experiences that can be applied in a range of contexts, including work, study and recreation that will assist them to make informed choices.

This course provides opportunities to complete VET qualifications or a Statement of Attainment from the Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package (AHC). However, the course may be delivered as A/M/V, A/V, M/V, A or M.

The Horticulture course is written under the BSSS INDUSTRY AND SERVICES Framework.

Achievement Standards for INDUSTRY AND SERVICES courses can be found within the Framework.

Courses written under this framework provide students with knowledge, understanding and skills relating to areas of work inside the industry & services domains. In broad terms, students learn about industry practices, processes, procedures and concepts such as technical information, materials, sustainability, equipment and work health & safety (WHS). Students learn to analyse, problem solve, make decisions and develop interpersonal and intrapersonal skills suitable for employment and further training.

Nursery Systems

Students explore foundational botany and plant physiology concepts for nursery productions. They apply knowledge of plant functions to horticultural nursery techniques and practices. Students develop an understanding of how planting mediums, nutrients, seasons, climatic conditions, and environments influence growth and development. They investigate technology used in plant propagation, care, and maintenance, and apply these in line with Work Health Safety requirements.

Horticulture Maintenance and Management

Students investigate principles, processes and procedures for the maintenance and management of a variety of horticulture industries and enterprises. They investigate plant characteristics and requirements for optimal growth. Students design, interpret, and implement plans for the maintenance and management of horticultural environments. They develop work and maintenance practices in line with WHS and sustainability requirements.

Sustainable Horticulture and Conservation

Students explore concepts relating to horticultural conservation. They apply policies, practices and processes used for the improvement and sustainability of natural and built environments. Students explore the physiological properties and characteristics of various plants, and their benefits, to determine suitability for use in public and garden spaces. They investigate practices for the conservation of landscapes, including those of First Nations Australians. Students examine wholistic land care strategies to support biomes and pose solutions for improvement.

Producing Food

Students explore and research existing and emerging local and urban enterprises producing food. They assess their local context to identify opportunities for food production. Students analyse the benefits associated with local food production, including its carbon footprint. They develop and apply knowledge and skills in the planning and implementation of localised food production. Students research equipment and systems utilised in local food production contexts.

Independent Study

An Independent Study unit has an important place in senior secondary courses. It is a valuable pedagogical approach that empowers students to make decisions about their own learning. An Independent Study unit can be proposed by an individual student for their own independent study and negotiated with their teacher. The program of learning for an Independent Study unit must meet the unit goals and content descriptions as they appear in the course.

Independent Study units are only available to individual students in Year 12. A student can only study a maximum of one Independent Study unit in each course. Students must have studied at least three standard 1.0 units from this course. An Independent Study unit requires the principal’s written approval. Principal approval can also be sought by a student in Year 12 to enrol concurrently in an Independent Study unit and their third or fourth 1.0 unit in this course of study.