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Certificate in Organic & Sustainable Horticulture

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for Leaving Certificate graduates is an ordinary D3 in five subjects including  Mathematics and either English or Irish. It is also recommended that applicants have attained the certificate in Plant Studies , BN749 or equivalent.

The minimum entry requirements for graduates of FETAC level 5 or 6 awards is any full award.

Mature applicants (i.e. those who are aged 23 years or more on January 1st in the year of entry) applying for the first level of programmes are exempt from this requirement.

Course Content

Individual modules

Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

This module will focus on the study of soil, its formation, properties, characteristics and its role in plant growth. The learner will study the major soil groups in Ireland, their origins, components and characteristics, the nutritional status of soil and how it may be enhanced and the behaviour of water in soil. Learners will then be able to
adjust the components of soil through certain techniques involving fertilisers,
composting, mulching and with other biological methods, identify the need for
drainage and irrigation in appropriate circumstances and know how plants react
to unbalanced nutritional soil status and identify the symptoms on plants where
specific elements are deficient and suggest remedial action.

Principles of Sustainability
This module gives the student a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and its specific application to Horticulture. The idea of sustainability will include its social, environmental and economic aspects. The student will gain an understanding of the general principles of sustainability, including development, scale, population, consumption, technology, resources and direct and indirect impacts. The students will develop a comprehensive set of practical skills and techniques associated with sustainable Horticulture, in terms of common skills, techniques, production processes, and design and construction specifications. This will also include knowledge of relevant EU and Irish legislation pertaining to sustainability, including building regulations, pesticide use, water use, pollution, habitat and endangered species (flora) protection and genetically modified crops. They will thereby gain an appreciation of the need to maintain an up to date knowledge of Sustainability, its horticultural application and keep abreast of scientific advances.

Biodiversity and Ecology
This module gives the student an understanding of the principles of ecology, that is, how animal and plant species live and the interactions between species and their habitats, followed by an analysis of how human activity, both historical and modern, has affected the physical and habitat geography of Ireland and continues to shape it. The student will also learn about Biodiversity, which describes the variety of life,
encompassing all living organisms and includes variations within ecosystems and species. The course will focus on the environmental issues relevant to the Irish landscape, including the impact of economic development on habitats and biodiversity indices. Information on relevant legislative measures for the protection of habitats, details of the National Biodiversity Plan and the concept of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) will be included. Finally a review is presented of the evidence for and current thinking on the effect of climate change on the Irish landscape.

The Principles of Organic Growing
This module gives the student an understanding of the principles of organic growing, with a particular emphasis on the production methods employed both in
the field and within protected structures, when growing organic fruit, vegetables and herbs. The student will learn to identify a range of native Irish flora, common weeds, fruit, vegetables, herbs and ornamentals commonly found in an organic production setting, and develop a comprehensive set of practical skills associated with organic crop production They will be able to adopt the Principles of Organic growing to general horticultural practices, including their applications to domestic gardens and
commercial cropping arrangements, including a variety of production methods such as field, protected cropping arrangements and general ornamental garden growing techniques and practices. The module will show the implications of organic practice for species choice including vegetable and fruit crops, herbs and ornamental plants, and the full production cycle, including extended season crops. This will also impart
a comprehensive knowledge of the conversion process to an organic system . In particular, the module will cover the importance of good soil management and its relationship to plant nutrition and a range of common plant pest and diseases. It will also cover relevant Irish legislation and organic certification.

How to Apply ?

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For further details please contact the marketing team on 01 885 1000 or e-mail: info@itb.ie.