All Horticulture classes through Workforce Development are open to the public and are non-credit. These courses offer a practical, hands-on approach to the industry, whether you are looking for professional development or personal enrichment.
Dates: August 31, 2026 – December 19, 2026
Location: SUNY Niagara, 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd, Sanborn
Hands-on course focusing on the principles of design illustrated through the use of oral materials; oral designelements and techniques including color, form, line and texture; and the history and utilization of oral art in society.Design projects and critiques are conducted to build the student’s sense of aesthetics and technical skills.
The student will experience the process for residential design by working through the design process steps from siteanalysis through final design presentation. Class focuses on developing the students’ site assessment skills, drawingtechnique, and visual communication of landscape designs on paper. Landscape design principles, elements, andgraphics standards are emphasized. Field trips to landscape sites will be held during class hours. Students will be givena list of required textbooks and drawing supplies to obtain on the first day of class.
A hands-on course demonstrating the techniques for installing and maintaining trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants inthe landscape. Course includes the use and operation of landscape hand tools and power equipment such as skidsteers, tillers, and chainsaws, and basic construction techniques in a variety of landscape environments. Emphasis isplaced on current industry practices and the latest research. Hardscaping, water features, and irrigation are alsocovered.
This is a practical course introducing the principles of commercial greenhouse management. Topics covered include location, construction, efficient operating and management practices, soil/media, watering systems, lighting, climatecontrol, pest and nutritional issues, and new greenhouse technology and business management practices. Anintroduction to hydroponics production will be included. Some classes will be spent working on projects in the campus greenhouse. Field trips to commercial businesses will be held during class hours.
This is a two-faceted course that first introduces students to the artistic elements and concepts used within horticultureand landscape design as well as reviewing the part horticulture and landscape design has played in history. Anintroduction to major historical designers and their contributions to society is included. This course will provide insightinto the artistic use of color, form, scale, texture, light, dark, and season in horticulture and give the student anopportunity to observe the use of these elements within artwork and designs created by historically significantdesigners in art, the outdoor landscape, and other horticultural media.
A detailed study of the anatomy and physiology of plants. This course introduces students to the basics of plant biology:cell types, tissues and tissue systems, reproduction and development, mechanisms of photosynthesis, respiration andtranspiration, plant nutrition, hormone effects and growth regulation. Topics will be presented to increase awareness ofthe role external environmental factors play in producing internal responses in plants. Brief introductions to plantgenetics and the evolution and taxonomy of vascular plants are also included.
Study of selected deciduous and evergreen woody trees, shrubs and wines used in the landscape industry. Emphasis is on identification characteristics, horticultural uses, cultural requirements, site assessment and design attributes. Includes the latest variety and cultivar options, insect and disease concerns, invasive plants and native plants. required campus walks and field trips to local arboreta, botanical gardens and noteworthy woody plant installations will be held during class hours.