About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 2 Year Diploma
  • Campus: Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Code: 0735 P0735
  • 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 graduate, you are well-equipped to plan, design and develop beautiful and sustainable landscapes for residential and commercial clients. This program starts in September.

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, and a co-op work term.

  • Graduates are in high demand.

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

Career Opportunities
  • Arborist
  • Green roof/wall installation
  • Interior plantscape installation
  • Landscape construction
  • Landscape design
  • Landscape maintenance
  • Landscape/parks management
  • Landscape sales and marketing
  • Snow management
  • Sustainable landscape design
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Courses

Term one (2024 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
HORT1003 Deciduous Trees and Shrubs 3
HORT1004 Horticulture Practices and Operations 3
HORT1006 Nursery Management 2
HORT1018 Landscape Graphics and Design 3
HORT1007 Plant Science I 3
MATH1100 Mathematics for Horticulture 3
COMM1101 Language and Communications 3
Term two (2025 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
HORT1008 Evergreen Ornamentals 3
HORT1009 Horticulture Entomology 3
HORT1015 Plant Science II 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 (Co-op) (2025 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
COOP1125 Co-op Work Term 0
Term four (2025 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 five (2026 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
Program Outcomes Term: 1244
  1. Assess a site for grading, reclamation, planting to execute the landscape plan.

  2. Identify and develop growing conditions for the care and maintenance of plants.

  3. Understand plant structures and functions - cells, organs, flowers, fruit, the ambient environment - light, temperatures, water, soil, mineral nutrition, control of plant growth.

  4. Organize, direct and install fence, deck, patio, walkway and retaining wall projects.

  5. Construct the landscape components of hard/soft paving, retaining walls and drainage.

  6. Gain practical knowledge to inspect and maintain equipment in accordance with the manufacture specifications.

  7. Conduct and apply preventative equipment maintenance/repair.

  8. Identify and control disease and pests using an environmentally responsible, Integrated Pest Management approach.

  9. Interpret blueprints to construct a landscape.

  10. Design a working plan of landscape, complete with construction details.

  11. Perform computer skills and in AutoCAD and 20/20 design programs, and in word processing.

  12. Obtain interpersonal skills in directing and in receiving written/oral details.

  13. Recognize safety hazards and take necessary corrections to ensure a safe work place.

  14. Understand how to develop a business proposal and detailed plan.

  15. Plan and estimate the materials and labour requirements for individual contracts.

  16. Maintain financial, personnel and job-site records.

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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/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) 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: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (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

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Landscape Technician (Co-op) program below.

  • NC Pathway
    Advanced Standing in:
    Niagara College Greenhouse Technician (Co-op)
  • NC Pathway
    Advanced Standing in:
    Niagara College Horticultural Technician (Co-op)
  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Advanced Standing to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Greenhouse Technician (Co-op)
  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Advanced Standing to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Horticultural Technician (Co-op)
  • From NC to
    Royal Roads University Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice Canada
  • From NC to
    Royal Roads University Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science 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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Co-op

A program with a co-op (co-operative education) component means that the curriculum combines an in-class education along with hands-on experience of working a job in the program's field of study.

During co-op work terms students are able to link what they learned in the classroom in a real workplace. Understanding the skills they've developed academically helps create a more meaningful college experience, and means they are better prepared for their career after graduation.

For Students
  • Co-op terms are paid. Earn while you learn!
  • Practice the skills you’ve learned in the classroom.
  • Gain experience in your field of study before you graduate.
  • Develop references and connections.
  • Hone your skills with feedback from your employer.
Learn More About Co-op @ NC
For Employers
  • Low cost with tax credits and other funding available.
  • Hire for peak season, staff coverage, special projects, etc.
  • Help prepare students with career-related work experience.
  • Minimal training required.
  • Proven recruiting strategy for future staff.
Hire NC Co-op Students

Our company has greatly benefited from the positive contribution of both Niagara College graduates and co-op students alike. 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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