OVERVIEW OF MAJOR
Do you enjoy working in landscapes and making them attractive? Can you plant flowers and shrubs and have them look just as you imagined? Do you like to draw? Do you enjoy starting plants from seed or propagating them? Does designing irrigation or sprinkler systems sound like fun? What about designing landscapes for homes or businesses or creating aesthetic, interior-using plants? Have you always wanted to have your own nursery business or garden center, tree-care company, or manage the greens at a golf course or baseball field? If you answered “yes” to some of these questions, a major in Landscape Horticulture may be for you.
Landscape horticulturists are responsible for many tasks necessary to achieve a pleasant and functional outdoor environment. They also care for indoor and outdoor gardens and plantings in public facilities, such as malls, hotels, and botanical gardens. Three concentrations are offered in the Landscape Horticulture major:
Landscape Design and Contracting prepares students to design and develop landscape plans for residential, commercial, and small-scale public properties. Contractors coordinate and oversee projects including the installation of trees, flowers, shrubs, sod, benches, and other ornamental features. They implement construction plans at the site, which may involve grading the property, installing lighting or sprinkler systems, and building walkways, terraces, patios, decks and fountains. Contractors determine the type and amount of labor, equipment, and materials needed to complete a project and inspect work at various stages. Knowledge of local, state, and Federal environmental regulations and local building codes is essential. Courses in this concentration include design principles, the creative use of plant materials, graphics, grading, and construction methods
Nursery and Landscape Management provides extensive training in landscape plant systems, culture, and use; and also develops skills needed to start and manage a personally owned nursery, garden center, or landscape management firm. Nursery specialists propagate and produce trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and herbaceous perennials for the landscape industry. Nursery and landscape managers oversee general operations, choose the type and quantity of horticultural plants to be grown; select and purchase seed, fertilizers, and disease control chemicals; hire employees, direct and coordinate work activities; manage record-keeping, and implement marketing plans. Supporting courses are taught in soil and plant science, pest management, business management, horticulture and plant materials.
Turf Management trains students for management opportunities ranging from sod production to the establishment and maintenance of private and public grounds. Turfgrass managers are supervisors for golf courses, ski resorts, sports fields, and parks departments. Turfgrass professionals manage and train personnel, draw up work contracts, and allocate labor and financial resources efficiently. Graduates develop expertise in production and maintenance of ornamental and functional turfgrass areas with supplemental courses in nursery and landscape management, plant and soil science, business management, and irrigation design.
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CHARACTERISTICS AND SKILLS
* Strong interest in plants and plant propagation
* Interest in designing landscapes
* Enjoy working outdoors
* Creative abilities
* Attention to detail
* Enjoy working with people
* Problem solving skills
* Strong oral communication skills
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POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS
Professional management of landscapes is in high demand due to modern lifestyles. Expected growth in construction also contributes to demand in this field. Nursery and garden center businesses are strong, and should remain so in the future. The nursery, landscape management, arboriculture and botanic garden-arboreta industries provide many different career options. Graduates typically receive positions as propagators, superintendents, managers, and salespersons. Turf management graduates command some of the highest salaries in professional agriculture. Other employment opportunities in that field are industrial grounds, erosion control and highway reclamation. Participation in internships and cooperative education opportunities is highly recommended to enhance your practical training and development. Graduates who go on for advanced studies can attain more responsible positions with the possibility of rising to top professional levels. Some of the career opportunities available to landscape horticulture majors include:
* Arborist
* Athletic field manager
* Botanic garden or arboretum specialist
* Community forester
* Golf course turf manager
* Landscape designer and contractor
* Interior Plant Maintenance
* Landscape maintenance
* Plant diagnostician
* Retail garden center manager
* Seed producer
* Sod producer
* Wholesale and retail nursery manager
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RELATED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
* Agricultural Sciences College Council
* Horticulture Club
* Pi Alpha Xi (National Horticulture Honor Society)
* Student Organization of Landscape Design and Construction (SOLDAC)
* Turf Club
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MORE INFORMATION
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
111 Shepardson Building
1173 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173
970-491-7019
http://hla.colostate.edu/undergrad/lahort.htm
* Academic and career advising for majors
Center for Advising and Student Achievement (CASA)
TILT Building
801 Oval Drive
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1033
970-491-7095
http://www.casa.colostate.edu
* Academic advising/Major exploration
Career Center
26 Lory Student Center
Lower level, by Student Media
Fort Collins, CO 80523
970-491-5707
http://career.colostate.edu/
* Major and career exploration/Job search information
Admissions and Undergraduate Recruitment
Ammons Hall
711 Oval Drive
8008 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
970-491-6909
http://www.admissions.colostate.edu
* Admission applications/University visits and tours
General Catalog Online
http://www.catalog.colostate.edu/
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