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Horticulture & Gardening

horticulture-fos-header
Lay the foundation to succeed in the landscape industry.

Founded in 1974 by world-renowned botanist Dr. Mildred E. Mathias, UCLA Extension’s Horticulture & Gardening program has a long history of excellence.

The Horticulture Certificate provides a solid foundation in plant biology, soil health, plant identification, and horticultural care. And our three specializations, Arboriculture, Gardening, and Plants for the Landscape, give you skills you can learn and apply immediately.

If you're looking for a career in the “green” industry, we have a robust series of offerings that can help further your goals.

Our programs are comprehensive, with courses that combine environmental stewardship with the art and science of horticulture.

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New! UCLA Extension's Horticultural Therapy course series, approved by the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA), equips you with the skills to implement evidence-based techniques in specialized treatment and wellness care settings. Learn More.

Horticulture & Gardening

Programs

A certificate offers an in-depth study of a professional field. A specialization is a short series of courses to quickly gain knowledge in a focused area of study.
Two people cutting Apple Blossom In Orchard

Arboriculture

specialization
specialization Trees have immense economic, environmental, and community benefits. The Arboriculture Specialization informs students of these benefits and introduces them to the proper care of trees.

Trees have immense economic, environmental, and community benefits. The Arboriculture Specialization informs students of these benefits and introduces them to the proper care of trees.

Community farming on a small holding.

Gardening

specialization
specialization The Gardening Specialization is designed for beginning gardeners looking for fundamental gardening and plant care knowledge.

The Gardening Specialization is designed for beginning gardeners looking for fundamental gardening and plant care knowledge.

Young couple running a garden center.

Horticulture

certificate
certificate Take your love of plants and turn it into a career. The Horticulture Certificate provides students with the foundational science behind maintaining plants and their environment. This program may be completed 100% online.

Take your love of plants and turn it into a career. The Horticulture Certificate provides students with the foundational science behind maintaining plants and their environment. This program may be completed 100% online.

specialization Plant identification and knowledge is essential for both working and aspiring landscape and design professionals. The Plants for the Landscape Specialization equips students with an extensive plant palette necessary to succeed in the fields of landscape maintenance and design.

Plant identification and knowledge is essential for both working and aspiring landscape and design professionals. The Plants for the Landscape Specialization equips students with an extensive plant palette necessary to succeed in the fields of landscape maintenance and design.

Horticulture & Gardening

Courses

BIOLGY X 492.67

The Study of Trees

Trees provide shade, food, habitat, and clean our air. Selecting and caring for trees is the study of arboriculture.
BIOLGY X 492.68

Management of Urban Trees

Core course in the Arboriculture Specialization. Focusing on recognized industry standards for care, protection, preservation and industry ethics, leading to certification.
BIOLGY X 493.2

Soil and Plant Nutrition

Learn the physical, biological, and chemical properies of soils; learn what is in a soil report and how to improve your soil's yield.
BIOLGY X 494

Introduction to Horticulture

An overview of horticulture and plant care, this course provides the knowledge to solve many of the problems commonly faced in keeping plants healthy.

What our students are saying.

tending to cabbage horticulture

 

J. Michael Baer Horticulture Scholarship

Students pursuing the Horticulture Certificate with demonstrated financial need are encouraged to apply. 

Application deadline: January 15th of every year

Learn More and Download Application