Horticulture Classes

 

Haywood Community College’s Workforce Continuing Education Department is offering two horticulture classes running Mondays and Tuesdays, September 7 through December 21. Native Plants and Ecology will be held 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Landscape Design 2 will be held 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Native Plants and Ecology will cover native plant identification, culture, and roles in local ecology. Emphasis is placed on ecosystems, addressing invasive species, and practical reintroduction of those native species. This course will also involve and encourage community efforts to improve wild and private spaces. Students will also build skills in naturalized landscaping and some propagation.   

According to instructor Shana Ritch, “This class will allow students to understand the value of native plants. It will address climate change happenings, a recent hot topic. It will also address how roads intersect ecology pathways and permaculture. Anyone interested in the Earth Science field and has an interest in learning about integration of native plants and the ecology would enjoy this course.”

Landscape Design 2 will cover native plant identification, culture, and roles in local ecology. Emphasis is placed on ecosystems, addressing invasive species, and practical reintroduction of those native species. This course will also involve and encourage community efforts to improve wild and private spaces. Students will also build skills in naturalized landscaping and some propagation.

“The goal for this class is that students will be able to prepare a sample client proposal which would include a quote and design,” Ritch explains. “This is a great class for someone already in landscaping but wants to move more into design.”

Ritch will lead both classes. She graduated from HCC’s horticulture program in 2011. For the last ten years, she has gained a wide range of experience to complement the endeavors of her students. She started her career working at Jesse Israel and Sons Garden Center in Buncombe County. Moving to Oregon gave her the unique experience of not only a different climate but also a unique product. She worked on a 300-acre hazelnut farm where she learned to identify disease, operate farm equipment and learn all about the hazelnut. Ritch also started a community garden in Canton.

For more information about HCC Workforce Continuing Education Department’s horticulture classes, please call 828-627-4669 or email ssbrown@haywood.edu.