About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 2 Year Diploma
  • Campus: Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Code: 0775 P0775
  • Delivery Length: 2 Years
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Overview

Do you enjoy working outdoors, have an eye for design, and want to improve your community’s landscape?

As a Landscape Technician, you are well-equipped to plan, design and develop beautiful and sustainable landscapes for residential and commercial clients. This program starts in January.

Highlights
  • Campus serves as an outdoor living lab, providing unique practical learning opportunities.

  • Indoor heated workshop plus horticultural yard including safe equipment training on large and small power equipment.

  • Design studio provides an optimal learning environment to gain a theoretical understanding of landscape design.

  • Gain experience through community landscape design/construction projects.

  • Graduates are in high demand.

  • Graduates can earn a diploma in greenhouse or horticulture fields with an additional year of study. Visit the Pathways tab for details.

Career Opportunities
  • Design/build landscape company
  • Fencing and deck company
  • Golf course construction
  • Green roof/wall installation
  • Interior plantscape installation
  • Landscape sales and marketing
  • Snow management
  • Sustainable landscape design
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Courses

Term one (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
COMM1101 Language and Communications 3
HORT1006 Nursery Management 2
HORT1007 Plant Science I 3
HORT1008 Evergreen Ornamentals 3
MATH1100 Mathematics for Horticulture 3
HORT1018 Landscape Graphics and Design 3
HORT1009 Horticulture Entomology 3
Term two (2026 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
HORT1003 Deciduous Trees and Shrubs 3
HORT1015 Plant Science II 3
HORT1004 Horticulture Practices and Operations 3
HORT1021 Landscape Design Build 3
HORT1248 Greenhouse Production Science 3
COMM1250 Advanced Communications for Horticulture 2
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Term three (2026 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
HORT1230 Annuals and Herbaceous Perennials 3
HORT1316 Turf and Weed Management 3
HORT1265 Landscape Construction Installation 4
HORT1331 Landscape Design and Projects 3
HORT1241 Sustainable Urban Arboriculture 3
HORT1318 Pest Management 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Term four (2027 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
HORT1477 Sustainable Landscape Management 3
HORT1465 Advanced Landscape Construction 4
HORT1380 Landscape Costing and Estimating 2
HORT1431 Advanced Landscape Design 3
HORT1422 Horticulture Business and Sales 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

AND Completion of additional elective 1 course required

Elective Options
Code Course Name Credits
HORT1317 Architectural Green Spaces 3
HORT1341 Advanced Urban Arboriculture 3
Learning Outcomes Term: 1261
  1. Prepare soil according to the type of plants, how they interact in a variety of environments, and the maintenance required to ensure the viability of crops.

  2. Perform maintenance of plant species utilizing economic, social, and environmental horticulture practices.

  3. Participate in the design, preparation, planting, and maintenance of horticultural displays that meet the project needs.

  4. Perform installations and constructions according to the horticultural setting and goal.

  5. Implement proactive and restorative maintenance procedures for plants, property, landscapes, and equipment.

  6. Identify plants and plant care requirements for a variety of settings and purposes.

  7. Recognize the potential environmental impacts of projects to prevent environmental damage, promote and maintain healthy interconnected ecosystems.

  8. Prepare an Integrated Pest Management plan to prevent, monitor and control insect infestation or disease found on the plants.

  9. Contribute to the effective planning, implementation, and conclusion of horticultural projects and crop production.

  10. Adhere to Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations that apply to this work.

  11. Manage inventory to ensure products and services are available to meet operational needs.

  12. Act in a professional manner, maintain professional relationships, and communicate effectively with clients, co-workers, supervisors, and others.

  13. Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance and career opportunities, and to keep pace with industry changes.

  14. Act with respect for and reflect on Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing as they relate to horticulture.

  15. Perform pre-construction site preparations, grading, and drainage prior to installation adhering to landscape drawings and specifications.

  16. Construct and install advanced landscape components including outdoor lighting, irrigation, hardscape and water features in accordance with project plans and industry standards.

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
Recommended Courses and/or Skills:

These courses and skills may help you succeed academically in this program, but they are not required for admission.

  • Biology – Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U)
  • Chemistry – Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U)
  • Mathematics – any Grade 12 (C) or (U)
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Program Requirements
Physical Fitness
  • Students applying to Environment and Horticulture programs are often required to tolerate physical activity such as walking over uneven terrain, standing, bending, lifting, and carrying equipment.
  • These expectations are reflected in our coursework, and applicants of this program should be highly motivated and have an appropriate level of fitness when entering this program.
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.

Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Horticulture Technician – Landscape program below.

  • NC Pathway
    Advanced Standing in:
    Niagara College Greenhouse Technician
  • NC Pathway
    Advanced Standing in:
    Niagara College Horticultural Technician
  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Advanced Standing to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Horticultural Technician
  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Advanced Standing to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Greenhouse Technician
  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Advanced Standing to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Landscape Horticulture Techniques
  • From NC to
    Thompson Rivers University Bachelor of Technology Canada
  • From NC to
    Thompson Rivers University Bachelor of Technology - Trades and Technology Leadership Canada
Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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Our company has greatly benefited from the positive contribution of Niagara College graduates. The training provided by Niagara’s Landscape program is extensive and relevant to the landscape industry.

Michael Schmahl, N.P.D. Horticultural Coordinator
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#myncstory

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Watch NC Landscape Technician students create an exhibit.

Landscape Technician students gain industry ready skills in this 2 year hands on program

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