Horticulture Production

Landscape your own career

Everybody needs plants; you fill that need by giving ornamental and native plants a strong start. The plants you produce supply the landscaping industry, ecological restoration projects and retail plant sellers.

Bring your enthusiasm for growing plants to our two large greenhouses, campus farm and five-acre woody plant collection. It’s the perfect environment for your strong start, and one that only a few colleges in the region have.

A horticulture production certificate takes 12 months to complete. In that year, you will have time to learn new techniques and explore career options.

Gain the skills used by local employers, including:

nursery production
plant propagation
greenhouse crop production

What can you do with a Production Certificate in Horticulture?

Horticulture courses prepare you to work with organic and sustainable production and propagation methods. You will learn about a variety of growing situations, including greenhouse, high tunnel and nursery production applications.

Put your certificate to work in a local enterprise, a family business or one you start.

plant production specialist (nursery or greenhouse)
plant production technician (nursery or greenhouse)
plant production supervisor (nursery or greenhouse)

One certificate may be enough for you to begin working in horticulture. However, each certificate is focused on a single area of expertise. Stack two complementary certificates together for a more well-rounded skill set. Individual certificates require 18-20 credits. Dual certificates require less than twice that (only 27-30 credits total) because of common courses.

Consider these combinations:
- Horticulture Production + Sustainable Agriculture
- Natural Areas Management + Arboriculture
- Construction and Maintenance + Arboriculture
- Natural Areas Management + Construction and Maintenance
- Design + Construction and Maintenance

Highlights

Stackable Credentials

Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials.
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 1 Year

Full-time students finish in 1 year.

Career Outlook

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $9,213
  
  Median
  
  $40,785
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $202,845
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $4.42
  
  Median
  
  $19.61
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $97.52
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  4.16%
  
  Certificate
  
  8.82%
  
  Some college
  
  18.5%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  23.84%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  44.67%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; or cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $26,280
  
  Median
  
  $34,818
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $59,256
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $12.63
  
  Median
  
  $16.73
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $28.49
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  67.5%
  
  Certificate
  
  0.32%
  
  Some college
  
  5.32%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  2%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  16.8%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  8.07%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $25,952
  
  Median
  
  $54,391
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $93,439
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $12.47
  
  Median
  
  $26.15
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $44.92
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  41.24%
  
  Certificate
  
  13.7%
  
  Some college
  
  6.1%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  4.06%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  32.89%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  2.01%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and workforce requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $39,342
  
  Median
  
  $47,862
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $83,352
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $18.91
  
  Median
  
  $23.01
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $40.07
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  24.17%
  
  Certificate
  
  13.23%
  
  Some college
  
  10.38%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  13.55%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  32.32%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  6.34%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $27,503
  
  Median
  
  $35,797
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $58,422
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $13.21
  
  Median
  
  $17.21
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $28.08
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  76.68%
  
  Certificate
  
  0.9%
  
  Some college
  
  11.17%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  3.34%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  7.91%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $27,222
  
  Median
  
  $42,471
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $59,079
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $13.08
  
  Median
  
  $20.41
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $28.40
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  47.37%
  
  Certificate
  
  31.2%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  3.1%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  18.33%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or crops. Usually requires specific training and state or federal certification.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $37,342
  
  Median
  
  $51,699
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $74,955
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $17.95
  
  Median
  
  $24.85
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $36.03
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  71.24%
  
  Certificate
  
  15.68%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  0.26%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  12.82%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

View program in catalog

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Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
CLC 120	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.	2
HRT 121	HRT 121 Introduction to Horticulture Class Description This course introduces students to basic plant taxonomy, terminology, anatomy, physiology and the functions/responses of plants. Professions working with the culture and use of plants and applications of plant science will be included.	3
HRT 228	HRT 228 Nursery Production Class Description This course addresses the principles and practices of nursery production and management, and how these have changed over recent years to reflect environmental sustainability in the green industry. Course will include production techniques for traditional nursery crops as well as native species, and will include fieldwork at nearby growing facilities. This course will be taught through a blended structure, with the lecture and discussion handled online, and the lab handled through clinical placement at a local nursery. Students are responsible for their own transportation to/from the clinical site.	3
HRT 127	HRT 127 Perennials, Annuals and Weeds Class Description This course covers the identification, care, and maintenance of herbaceous plants including perennials, annuals, ornamental grasses, vines, groundcovers and weeds. Approximately 600+ plants will be covered in this course. Students will review materials through photo and herbarium samples.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CLC 120
Course Title	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
Credits	2

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 121
Course Title	HRT 121 Introduction to Horticulture Class Description This course introduces students to basic plant taxonomy, terminology, anatomy, physiology and the functions/responses of plants. Professions working with the culture and use of plants and applications of plant science will be included.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 228
Course Title	HRT 228 Nursery Production Class Description This course addresses the principles and practices of nursery production and management, and how these have changed over recent years to reflect environmental sustainability in the green industry. Course will include production techniques for traditional nursery crops as well as native species, and will include fieldwork at nearby growing facilities. This course will be taught through a blended structure, with the lecture and discussion handled online, and the lab handled through clinical placement at a local nursery. Students are responsible for their own transportation to/from the clinical site.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 127
Course Title	HRT 127 Perennials, Annuals and Weeds Class Description This course covers the identification, care, and maintenance of herbaceous plants including perennials, annuals, ornamental grasses, vines, groundcovers and weeds. Approximately 600+ plants will be covered in this course. Students will review materials through photo and herbarium samples.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
HRT 222	HRT 222 Greenhouse Crop Production and Management Class Description This course covers the production of greenhouse crops, the cultural practices required for growth and the management of greenhouse production facilities. Seeding, watering, fertilization, containers, growing medias, temperature control, and insect and disease control will be covered. Bedding plants and containerized crops will be grown throughout the semester.	3
HRT 124	HRT 124 Introduction to Soils Class Description This course introduces students to the science and function of native and artificial soils as they relate to plants and the environment. Topics on formation, physical characteristics, nutrient content and availability, water movement, taxonomy and biota interactions are covered.	4
HRT 221	HRT 221 Plant Propagation Class Description This course focuses on the techniques and procedures involved in propagating plants. Sexual and asexual methods are practiced along with environmental conditions needed to promote growth and development. Seed propagating and grafting will be included.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 222
Course Title	HRT 222 Greenhouse Crop Production and Management Class Description This course covers the production of greenhouse crops, the cultural practices required for growth and the management of greenhouse production facilities. Seeding, watering, fertilization, containers, growing medias, temperature control, and insect and disease control will be covered. Bedding plants and containerized crops will be grown throughout the semester.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 124
Course Title	HRT 124 Introduction to Soils Class Description This course introduces students to the science and function of native and artificial soils as they relate to plants and the environment. Topics on formation, physical characteristics, nutrient content and availability, water movement, taxonomy and biota interactions are covered.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 221
Course Title	HRT 221 Plant Propagation Class Description This course focuses on the techniques and procedures involved in propagating plants. Sexual and asexual methods are practiced along with environmental conditions needed to promote growth and development. Seed propagating and grafting will be included.
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

21

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Horticulture at CLC

Get the bigger picture

A Horticulture Production certificate is just one possible way to study horticulture. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Horticulture Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

The horticulture department offers you a unique opportunity to learn and refine your skills. In particular, you can be a part of:
- on-campus ecological restoration
- arboretum redesign
- woody plant propagation
These programs will be conducted in collaboration with renowned organizations.
Our students come from varied backgrounds including recently graduated high school students, non-traditional students who are retraining for new careers, students who work for family businesses and those who are taking classes for personal enrichment.
Here’s what others have found:
- flexibility to explore a range of specializations and options
- increased employment options and opportunities
- an understanding of the relationships between different horticulture courses— they're all connected!
Learn scientific concepts and gain hands-on experience in horticulture classes. These include lab sessions (e.g., Plant Propagation, Landscape Design, etc.). For some courses, you will test different horticulture techniques which work best under certain conditions.

What students say about CLC

Yesenia Mercado
Graduate
“I learned so much from the people at CLC: peers, colleagues, coworkers, instructors. It's a great learning community.”
Yesenia studied horticulture at CLC and worked on the Campus Farm. She believes knowing what you eat and where it comes from leads to healthier lives and stronger communities.
Read Yesenia's story

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Landscape your own career

What can you do with a Production Certificate in Horticulture?

Do more with stackable certificates

Highlights

Stackable Credentials

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Career Certificate

Program Length: 1 Year

Career Outlook

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Floral Designers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 11 Credits

Semester 2 10 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Horticulture at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

How is my learning experience going to be different compared to other colleges?

Are there students like me in the program?

What’s the best thing about studying horticulture at CLC?

How will I learn in this program?

What students say about CLC

Yesenia Mercado

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Be debt-free at CLC

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