Landscape Maintenance

Career Certificate
Cost
$3,507*

A career in green entrepreneurship

Landscape maintenance staff manage landscaping projects in a variety of ways, including pest surveillance, responsible fertilizing, pruning and customer service. Sustainable landscape and business practices are emphasized in all of our courses.

Practice your skills in the horticulture department's five-acre woody plant collection and two large greenhouses, facilities that few other community colleges have to offer. A landscape maintenance certificate takes 12 months to complete.

Gain the skills local employers use in landscape maintenance, including:

  • plant identification
  • sustainable landscape maintenance
  • green business and entrepreneurship

What can you do with a Landscape Maintenance Certificate in Horticulture?

Students who earn a Landscape Maintenance Certificate will begin in an entry-level position. They will also take coursework to prepare them for running their own business!

  • landscape maintenance technician
  • landscape maintenance supervisor
  • landscape construction technician

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

Need help?

Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.

Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.

Talk to a CCN

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.

Icon Key

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

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    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 125

    HRT 125 Tree and Shrub Identification

    Class Description

    This course covers the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs by their common and botanic names. Emphasis is placed on trees and shrubs commonly used in the landscape and their key characteristics. Field study will compliment lectures.
         		3
    HRT 260

    HRT 260 Landscape Construction

    Class Description

    This course explores the practical, hands-on installation of landscape features. Project organization, job set up, and construction methods will be covered. Students will be assigned projects that will include design specifications and cost estimates. How to handle equipment and participation in actual construction tasks are included.
         		3
    • 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 125
      Course Title

      HRT 125 Tree and Shrub Identification

      Class Description

      This course covers the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs by their common and botanic names. Emphasis is placed on trees and shrubs commonly used in the landscape and their key characteristics. Field study will compliment lectures.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 260
      Course Title

      HRT 260 Landscape Construction

      Class Description

      This course explores the practical, hands-on installation of landscape features. Project organization, job set up, and construction methods will be covered. Students will be assigned projects that will include design specifications and cost estimates. How to handle equipment and participation in actual construction tasks are included.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    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
    HRT 162

    HRT 162 Sustainable Landscape Management

    Class Description

    This course is focused on foundational landscape maintenance practices with the additional dimension of sustainability. Content includes planting, soil care/preparation, pruning, general turf care, and pest identification and control. It explores how all these practices are adapting around sustainable standards, and also covers new approaches such as greenroof systems, living walls, gray water catchment systems, rain gardens, bioswales, water quality treatment with plants, phytoremediation (plants) and mycoremediation (fungi) techniques for treating contaminated soils to create more sustainable landscapes and green infrastructure. Students will gain an understanding of how these approaches work, what is involved to design and build them, how to assess construction materials and costs, and operation of basic maintenance equipment. NOTE: Up to three labs will require field trips off campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites.
         		3
    HRT 225

    HRT 225 Green Business & Entrepreneurship

    Class Description

    This course addresses the fundamental business skills needed to run or manage a horticulture-related business or small farm enterprise. Issues including establishing wholesale accounts for purchasing, hiring and managing seasonal employees, creating client contracts and creating value-added products are covered. Various farm-to-market models such as CSAs vs. wholesale distribution will be reviewed. This class also covers front office issues like creating billing statements, responding to "requests for proposals" and marketing seasonal products.
         		3
    • 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 Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 162
      Course Title

      HRT 162 Sustainable Landscape Management

      Class Description

      This course is focused on foundational landscape maintenance practices with the additional dimension of sustainability. Content includes planting, soil care/preparation, pruning, general turf care, and pest identification and control. It explores how all these practices are adapting around sustainable standards, and also covers new approaches such as greenroof systems, living walls, gray water catchment systems, rain gardens, bioswales, water quality treatment with plants, phytoremediation (plants) and mycoremediation (fungi) techniques for treating contaminated soils to create more sustainable landscapes and green infrastructure. Students will gain an understanding of how these approaches work, what is involved to design and build them, how to assess construction materials and costs, and operation of basic maintenance equipment. NOTE: Up to three labs will require field trips off campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code HRT 225
      Course Title

      HRT 225 Green Business & Entrepreneurship

      Class Description

      This course addresses the fundamental business skills needed to run or manage a horticulture-related business or small farm enterprise. Issues including establishing wholesale accounts for purchasing, hiring and managing seasonal employees, creating client contracts and creating value-added products are covered. Various farm-to-market models such as CSAs vs. wholesale distribution will be reviewed. This class also covers front office issues like creating billing statements, responding to "requests for proposals" and marketing seasonal products.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

Total Credit Hours

20

Female student taking notes in class

Horticulture at CLC

Get the bigger picture

A landscape maintenance 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

*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

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