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Landscape Technician

Develop skills in the landscape industry and prepare for a career building and maintaining outdoor spaces.

A landscape technician is knelt down beside a paver stone walkway. They are maintaining the plants and area beside the walkway.
Students work to build and maintain outdoor spaces in the Landscape Technician program.
Start Date(s):
September 2026
Typical Length:
1 Year
Credential:
Certificate
International Students:
Post-Grad Work Permit (PGWP) eligible

Apply Now

Overview

Landscape technicians build and maintain residential, commercial and public landscapes. This career path is well-suited for those who love to work outdoors, work with their hands and use their creativity. 

Work in the landscape horticulture field requires strong knowledge and skills in planting and caring for trees and plants, and the ability to assess, modify and maintain site conditions to ensure projects follow plans. 

In this program’s landscaping courses, you:

  • Learn how to select plants based on cultural requirements, characteristics and environment.
  • Get hands-on experience installing, maintaining and transplanting plants and trees according to project plans.
  • Learn how to install hardscaping elements like landscape structures, steps, walkways and retaining walls.
  • Use tools and equipment, including operating and maintaining landscaping-related machinery.
  • Develop skills and experience practicing industry safety standards and best practices.

Work experience

  • Field experience is a mandatory credit course, providing you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
    • Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
    • Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work experience are your responsibility.
  • For more information, visit work experience opportunities.

Is this program right for you?

  • You’re comfortable with physical activity, working on your feet and lifting heavy materials.
  • You enjoy working outdoors and are adaptable to a range of weather conditions and seasons.
  • You’re interested in the proper care of plants, trees and shrubs.
  • You’re comfortable working with power tools such as mowers and chainsaws.
  • You’re detail oriented.
  • You’re good at problem solving and troubleshooting issues.
  • You enjoy teamwork, collaboration and working on your own.
  • You value customer service and client satisfaction.

September 2026

Campus Full time/part time Delivery Availability
Kingstec Campus
Kentville
Full time In person
Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.
Seats available

Admission requirements

Program requirements

  • Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2025-26 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition (Domestic):
$3,620
Tuition (International):
$12,860

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for College services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

Career options

  • Graduates are prepared to work in several areas in the sector, including:
    • Landscaping and grounds maintenance
    • Horticulture
    • Parks and gardens maintenance
    • Golf course maintenance
    • Arboriculture (care of trees)

Future study options

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

INDR 1010 - Industry Readiness
A crucial component of trade practice is the ability to share information whether it's with customers, co-workers, or your mentor. Explaining work, applying trade skills and meeting industry standards involves communicating effectively. This course introduces these skills with a trade focus and will help prepare students to contribute to employment and in the classroom. Course work may tie directly to projects and assignments happening elsewhere in the program and in its shops.

INDR 1020 - Working Effectively in the Trades
Almost all trades professionals will need to work well with others. Students in this course will learn to be effective team members and adapt and analyze how they share information with others, including mentors. A selection of activities relevant to the particular trade will be used to practice collecting, analyzing and using trade information. Course work may tie directly to projects and assignments happening elsewhere in the program and in its shops.

LSTN 1001 - Horticulture Science
This course is designed to introduce students to the horticulture industry and the science of plant growth and development. The course introduces terminology used in the industry, soil science, and plant physiology and growth. Learners will have the opportunity to plant and grow seeds, as well as manage plant growth.

LSTN 1002 - Landscape Analysis and Planning
This course is designed to introduce topics necessary to collect information about site details in order to identify features, both existing and planned. Course material covers the styles of landscape and their components. Learners will have the opportunity to evaluate a site based on conditions and planned use.

LSTN 1003 - Landscape Plants I
This course is designed to introduce students to typical landscape plants, their characteristics, and use in design. The course material covers perennials and grasses, vines, and deciduous shrubs and trees. Learners will have the opportunity to choose plant specimens based on site and project requirements.

LSTN 1004 - Landscape Principles
This course is designed to provide the safety training necessary for work in the industry. Students will learn how to select, use, and care for the tools of the trade and to work safely on site. The course also introduces basic planting techniques, care, and maintenance of installations. The campus provides a living landscape site where students will be working in a horticultural environment, planting, moving, and maintaining plants.

LSTN 1005 - Sustainable Turf
This course is designed to give students the knowledge and skills to assess, install, and maintain turf grass. Students will be exposed to modern seeding practice and pest control. Course material covers equipment used in the installation and maintenance of turf.

LSTN 1006 - Landscape Installation
This course introduces students to various components and features used in the hardscape of sites. Course material introduces construction skills such as plan reading, wall building, paving, the use of concrete, and lighting. Course material also introduces grading, drainage, and irrigation. Students will have the opportunity to be involved in the installation and maintenance of features and components. Safety and efficiency will be stressed throughout the course.

LSTN 1007 - Landscape Maintenance
This course is designed to enable students to provide care and maintenance, both seasonal and long-term, to landscape sites and features. The course covers topics such as assessing site needs, setting up schedules for maintenance, and use of seasonal materials.

LSTN 1008 - Landscape Plants II
This course is designed to introduce students to herbaceous annual plants, evergreens, and bulbs. Course material covers plant characteristics and growing requirements. Students will become familiar with how these plants are used in a variety of landscapes and features.

LSTN 1009 - Environmental Stewardship
This course is designed to introduce students to sustainability in the context of landscape planning and management. Students will explore concepts of conservation, remediation and restoration as they relate to landscape installation and maintenance.

LSTN 1010 - Landscape Project Management
This course is designed to introduce students to the theory, skills, and techniques associated with administering and managing landscape projects. The course material covers the role of the contractor, client interaction, and the legal and financial considerations associated with landscape projects.

LSTN 1011 - Math For Landscape
This course is designed to enable students to apply mathematical principles to solve real-world problems in landscape design, construction, and maintenance. Students will explore business management concepts and basic financial accounting.

LSTN 1100 - Work Experience
The work experience component provides the student with an opportunity to apply skills and concepts appropriate for entry-level positions within the occupation. Learners will assess their own performance and be evaluated by an industry partner. Students will identify personal outcomes they wish to attain during the work experience and will keep a journal.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1019 - Safety and Sustainability Basics
This course provides an overview of your rights and responsibilities as a student, as well as those in the workplace under the NS Occupational Health and Safety Act. Topics such as duties and precautions, accident reporting, as well as personal and campus safety and sustainability initiatives will be explored.

SAFE 1021 - Safety Basics – Hazard Identification
The learners are introduced to the types of hazards encountered in workplaces and the approach that should be followed when recommending and implementing appropriate controls. Two key elements of Hazard Identification are addressed: Hazard Assessment and Inspection. The Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act is discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1023 - Safety Basics – Lock-out Tag Out
Lock-out Tag Out introduces students to the hazards related to energized systems and procedures to ensure worker safety. Related legislation and risk management is discussed and the student is exposed to the various types of lock-out devices. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1024 - Safety Basics – Respiratory Protection
This course introduces students to the potential of atmospheric hazards in the workplace and the available personal protection and control methods to maintain a safe work environment. Discussion topics include identification and testing for atmospheric hazards and workplace respiratory programs. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

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