Horticulture and Landscape Technology - Landscape

Overview

The Landscape concentration is an option of the Horticulture and Landscape Technology diploma program. You start this concentration at the beginning of your second year.

You build skills and knowledge in landscape design, construction, maintenance and operations. Through practice and study, you also develop a strong understanding of how plants and landscaping benefit the economy, environmental sustainability and lifestyles.

Other info

• Many employers in this industry require a current, official criminal record check as part of the hiring process. A conviction on your criminal record may impact your ability to secure employment.

September 2025

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

Admission requirements

• Successful completion of Horticulture and Landscape Technology – Year 1 or advanced standing.
• Advanced standing – To be considered, you must apply to and meet the admission requirements for the Horticulture and Landscape Technology program. Advanced standing is based on academic credits (certificate/diploma/degree) completed from a recognized public institution within the past ten years that meet the academic requirements of the full first year of the program. Advanced standing is subject to seat availability.

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 2024-25 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

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.

• Horticulture and Landscape Technology - Year 1
• Horticulture and Landscape Technology - Year 2 - Landscape

Career options

• Graduates may find employment in various sectors of the horticulture industry, including work in landscape operations at golf courses, lawn care companies, town parks and green spaces, botanical gardens and retail operations.

Future study options

• Certified Horticulture Technician – Graduates who wish to obtain a national professional designation must meet stated eligibility criteria from recognized governing institutions such as Landscape Nova Scotia. In addition to course work, you also need to meet required industry experience to complete your certification.
• Graduates who complete an apprenticeship program in this trade are eligible to write the provincial certification exam to receive their certification with a Red Seal.
• Red Seal – Landscape Horticulturist is a designated trade that qualifies for the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program. The Red Seal allows qualified tradespersons to practise the trade in any province or territory in Canada where the trade is designated without having to write further examinations.
• Continue your studies at university. This program includes courses that count towards a university degree. Learn more about having your diploma count towards a university degree

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.

HLAN 3001 - Sustainable Turf
Sustainable Turf is an applied learning opportunity. Topics will range from soil cultivation, installation, maintenance and renovation, all with a heavy emphasis on integrated pest management. Learners will be provided an actual turf area to practice lecture theory.

HLAN 3002 - Landscape Maintenance
During the fall semester, learners will practice plant identification, equipment operation, pruning, botany, soil science, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and basic gardening techniques around campus or other sites. Learners will investigate various methodologies and discuss the potential of each method as they relate to the difficult realm of landscape maintenance. Each learner will be provided a case study area to hone his/her skills.

HLAN 3004 - Landscape Plant Materials II
The focus of Landscape Plant Materials II is on identifying plant material in the autumn season using skills acquired in Landscape Plant Materials I and the universal language of Botanical Latin. Learners will be exposed to specific plant species, cultivar and variety. All plant material will be researched as they relate to family organization and their relationship with other plant communities.

HLAN 4002 - Landscape Installation
This course allows learners to explore and practice many of the skill sets required for the Certified Horticultural Technician designation. A cross section of landscape installation modules will be represented in a plan. Each learner will build his/her own mini landscape in the indoor training facility at Kingstec campus. Learners will be expected to complete various projects and demonstrate an ability to operate a range of equipment.

HLAN 4003 - Plants in the Landscape
Plants in the Landscape focuses on native plants and their allies in the natural environment. Emphasis is on recognizing dormant plants building on skills developed in Horticulture Science and Landscape Plant Materials I and II.

HLAN 4011 - Ornamental Pruning
This hands-on pruning course provides learners with an opportunity to combine theory from other horticulture courses to prune actual plant material around the campus and in the community. Each learner will be expected to create “pruning plans” prior to making any cuts. Pruning will be based on species, age, condition of the plant and customer needs. This one-week course will be offered in the 6th semester of the program when weather and horticultural timing permits.

HLTG 1004 - Landscape Site Management
Landscape Site Management provides an opportunity for learners to apply their learning by developing inputs and making decisions that impact sustainable plant growth. Learners will manage either a closed environment site, i.e. greenhouse or a landscape site. Learners will further develop independent learning, self-discovery and practice “project management” skills. As the “green industry” moves to environmental sustainability and increased regulatory practices, learners can develop strategies and creative solutions that reflect the fundamental principles of horticulture. Learners will document their management practices to an acceptable industry standard, including any research materials that formed the basis of their decision-making processes.

HLTG 1005 - Research, Practice and Application
This course will allow learners to manage specific Horticulture Operations and/or Landscape environments at Kingstec Campus or in the community. The course incorporates conducting practical experiments, conducting applied research, compiling data, managing the project, consulting with industry and developing supporting rationale to create the formal written and oral project results. The culmination of this project is to present research findings in a public forum.

HLTG 1006 - Landscape Analysis and Planning
The course is designed to provide a basic understanding of site analysis, customer survey and landscape planning strategies, exploring topics such as scale, plant symbols, plan layout and drafting tools. Learners will understand and practice manual drafting as it relates to the landscaping process using established landscape plan protocol.

HPRA 1100 - Work Experience
The work experience component provides the learner 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. Learners will identify personal outcomes they wish to attain during the work experience and will keep a journal.