Course Overview.
Horticulture can simply be described as a branch of agriculture which entails the science, technology, art as well as business of growing flowers, vegetable and landscape or garden plants. Environmental horticulture is a sub branch of horticulture that encompasses the science of floriculture (growing of flowers and ornamental plants), turf grass management, plant nursery management, landscape design, landscape management and the development of recreational areas for public and private use. Landscaping on the other hand refers to any process or activity that modifies the visible features of an area of land using softscapes such as plants, shrubs, trees etc as well as hardscapes such as bricks, pavements, water features etc with a goal of creating a beautiful environment within the landscape. Professionals in this field can be referred to as landscapers, landscape or garden designers, landscape specialists, grounds maintenance officers among many other titles. The work of landscapers entails creating and maintaining parks, gardens and other outdoor areas to ensure that the outdoor environment for recreational parks, gardens, businesses, houses and other outdoor areas are orderly, attractive and healthy for the people using them.
Professional landscaping is an emerging concept in Kenya. The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture & Landscaping Technology is a four year course that has been designed to equip students with skills and knowledge on how plants can improve the environment and the quality of our lives. The focus of the programme is on the biological and physical concepts and horticultural principles of plant production, management of ornamental plants, plant ecosystems in landscape settings and sociological aspects of plant/people interactions, greenhouse productions, landscape design, landscape construction, interior plantscaping among other landscape and horticulture oriented areas. The course emphasises on ornamental use of plants to improve the aesthetic quality of interiorscapes, urban forestry and recreational areas among other areas. Graduates of this course will have knowledge of the principles and practices of plant growth, development, production and utilization as well as an understanding of environmental planning and landscape management processes involving plants and people in landscape and natural settings all geared towards improving landscapes around us.
Entry Qualifications.
For self-sponsored students, at least a mean grade of C+ in KCSE. For Government sponsored students, the minimum cut point which is announced annually applies. The students should in addition have good performance in the following cluster subjects; Subject 1 BIO, Subject 2 CHE, Subject 3 MAT A or PHY or GEO, Subject 4 ENG/KIS or 3rd GROUP II or a GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V.
Becoming a landscaper.
If you like putting your hands in soil, are passionate about plants, can work in all-weather conditions and above all you are creative and interested in garden design, then pursuing this course might be a good choice for you. In addition, you should be prepared to develop skills that can help you grow and succeed in this field.
Landscapers have got good physical stamina as during ground maintenance work, in addition to supervision, these professionals must be capable of doing physically strenuous labor for long hours, occasionally in extreme cold or heat. They are also self motivated people who must be able to do their job independently with little supervision. Landscapers are also creative people with keen interest in garden design, development and management.
Landscapers sometimes may work in collaboration with landscape architects who draw or conceptualize landscape drawings, landscapers must therefore have the ability to understand and work with garden design drawings and implement them accordingly. Landscaping is all about working with plants and other landscape materials, landscapers must therefore be passionate about the environment coupled with a good knowledge of landscaping plants & materials.
Good practical skills to work with a variety of tools and possibly small plant machinery are crucial. Landscapers must also be effective communicators, be able to lead landscaping crews as well as being able to work well with other people. Those in self-employment must also have good business acumen for them to remain relevant in the business.
Work environment.
Landscapers spent most of their time in the field creating new and maintaining existing gardens or landscapes. They may spend some time in office, however much of the time is spend outdoors.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course can find work with landscape contracting companies, horticultural farms, greenhouses/plant nurseries, garden centers, clubs/resorts/hotels, golf courses, agrochemical companies, business parks, county government departments dealing with environment and parks, environmental organizations among other areas. Others may decide to start their own landscaping businesses.
You may explore these courses
Bachelor of Science in horticulture
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Science in Forestry
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Bachelor of Science in Range Management