Landscaping and Horticulture is an instructional program that focuses on landscape design, installation, and maintenance for commercial or residential property. Students will gain experience in hardscape application, such as retaining walls, dry-laid paver patios, walkways, and pond installation. They will also study floral design and greenhouse production, with hands on experience in operating a live greenhouse at our Teens and Greens retail facility. Students are engaged in chemical safety, preparing them for a pesticide applicators license. They will explore new technologies in agriculture including hydroponics. Additional activities, including Turf Grass Management, Bio-Diversity, and Wetland Development, are supported by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture. Students will also assist in maintenance of the school grounds.
Technical Skills:
Operate equipment in the horticulture field • Read and create landscape designs • Grow and market several types of plant material • Proper chemical applications for trees, shrubs & turf • Care and maintenance of plant material • Floral design • Growing and harvesting plants with water • Plant identification and production • Irrigation • Handling money
Professional Skills:
Computer experience • Teamwork • Communication • Customer service
Career Opportunities or Field Positions:
Landscape Designer • Garden Center Employee • Landscaping/Installing of Trees and Shrubs • Hardscaping Designer and Installer • Turf Maintenance • Greenhouse Grower and Sales • Hydroponics turf maintenance
• Arborist • Tree trimmer • Floral designer • Pesticide applicator • Park or golf course maintenance
What Certifications can I earn?
OSHA Certification • PA Certified Horticulturalist Private Applicators Spray License
What College Credits can I earn?
Click here for information on how you can earn college credits while in your Career Tech program.
Program Requirements & Expectations:
• Long hair must be tied back when operating machinery.
• Bangs that cover the eye must be pulled back.
• No baggy clothing permitted.
• No pants with straps or chains permitted.
• Shoes must be closed toe.
• Students may not wear necklaces, bracelets, rings, loose watches, and dangling earrings.
• Snug fitting watches are encouraged to be worn to learn time management skills.
• Aprons are available to help protect clothing when working with equipment.
Uniform Requirements?
A CareerTech gray or blue t-shirt is required. In addition, the following CareerTech items may also be purchased: Polo shirt, sweatshirt, zip fleece, flannel, or hooded sweatshirt (no strings). Uniforms may be ordered online or purchased at the school store.
Jeans or pants without holes.
Shoes must have a closed toe.
Are there any out of pockets costs?
School Uniform
Student Organizations?
FFA (Future Farmers of America) serves as part of the educational program, preparing students for careers in agriculture and related fields, such as horticulture, floriculture, and landscaping. This organization seeks to cultivate time management, leadership, and communication skills in students. For more information on FFA, visit https://www.ffa.org/.
SkillsUSA brings students who share common interests together for an exchange of ideas and the opportunity to work towards a common purpose. It offers students recognition through a national program of awards and contests and seeks to cultivate excellence in leadership and in their technical skills. Visit http://www.skillsusa.org/ for more information.
What else should I know?
Students are outside much of the time, as well as working in our greenhouses. They care for the school grounds and operate the Teens and Greens retail store in the spring and fall. Students will learn how to operate several types of equipment. They also learn about hydroponics and floral design.
Dave Perry
Mr. Perry is an alumnus of the Landscaping and Horticulture program. He began his career at age fifteen in the nursery landscape industry and has experience in the horticulture field, which includes plants, pesticide applications, hardscaping, design, production, and retail sales. He received his associate degree from Pennsylvania College of Technology in Nursery Landscape Applied Science. Mr. Perry is a certified commercial pesticide applicator and is certified to teach ICPI (International Concrete Pave Installation) as well as the PCH (Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturalist). He contributes over 15 years of teaching to CareerTech.
