Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s “Accredited Certificates and Diploma Program” is offered in collaboration with Worcester State College. The New England School of Gardening (NESOG), based at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, offers the six certificates, plus one diploma. Academic credit is available through Worcester State College. One-unit courses carry three credits, half-unit courses 1.5 credits. NESOG courses are scheduled on a modified quarterly academic cycle. Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters begin in early September, January, and April, respectively, and meet once a week. Summer Quarter classes meet once or twice a week in July and August for half- or full-unit courses, respectively.
Please call 508-869-6111, x 124, to register or for further information, or register by fax at 508-869-0314, or use the link in the menu bar above to contact the Registrar.
6 Certificates and 1 Diploma Are Offered
One (1) unit = 4 credits or 39 contact hours
1. Certificate in “Horticultural Plant Materials” (8 units)
2. Certificate in “Garden and Landscape Design” (8 units)
3. Certificate in “Commercial Horticulture” (8 units)
4. Certificate in “Gardening” (8 units)
5. Certificate in “Botany” (8 units)
6. Certificate in “Applied Plant Science” (8 units)
D. “Diploma in Horticulture” (20 units)
Students seeking the “Diploma in Horticulture” may apply toward it all appropriate classes taken for any combination of the certificates. When the student has successfully completed 20 units, which must include all of the required courses for the Diploma, he or she then will be granted the Diploma upon written application to the NESOG Registrar. Any remaining required courses for the Diploma may be taken to complete the requirements and written application then made to NESOG.
2008 Spring Semester Schedule
Certificate Program: $400 member tuition fee per one unit course, $445 non-member
$200 tuition fee per half unit course, $245 non-member.
Audit: $250 member tuition fee per one unit course, $300 non-member
$125 member tuition fee per half unit course, $150 non-member.
Academic credit for some classes available through Worcester State College.
Herbaceous Plants
HORT1600/ADED 1600 1.0 Unit
Wednesdays, April 16 through July 9, 5 – 8 P.M.
Instructor: Michael Nelson
Become familiar with the identification, culture, and landscape use of the groups of annuals and herbaceous perennials suitable for garden use in Zone 5. Learn to identify plants according to their scientific and common names and to place them in their proper families. Both common and unusual annuals and perennials are covered in this course.
Landscape Design I
HORT 1300/ADED 1300 1.0 Unit
Tuesdays, April 15 through June 10, 6 – 9 P.M.
Instructor: Marie Stella
An attractive landscape setting enhances properties and their overall appeal, utility, and value. Learn how to analyze a site and to formulate a design concept based on physical characteristics. See how to address drainage, microclimate, and soils issues, and assess legal and site ramifications. A fieldtrip will be scheduled after first class.
Ornamental Woody Plants
HORT 1640/ADED 1620 1.0 Unit
Wednesdays, March 12 through June 4, 1 – 4 P.M.
Instructor: John W. Trexler
Explore the seasonality, basic culture, identification, and landscape uses of a wide spectrum of woody trees and shrubs, including conifers, broad-leaved evergreens, ground covers, and vines, as well as deciduous varieties that are grown for their ornamental foliage and fruit. Fruit, flowers, and other ornamental features will be emphasized. Sources of plants, and what to look for when purchasing woody plants, will be discussed. Most class sessions will take place outdoors on the grounds of Tower Hill Botanic Garden.
Plant Pests and Diseases
HORT 2110/ADED 2110 1.0 Unit
Tuesdays, May 6 through July 29, 6 – 9 P.M.
Instructor: Marsha Pomeroy
Study the practical aspects of plant pathology and fundamental principals of entomology, the scientific study of insects, with an emphasis on diseases and pests of horticultural significance. Learn to identify common diseases of woody and herbaceous ornamentals caused by bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and viruses. The course also examines cultural, biological and chemical means of control.
Water Gardening Features and Accessories
HORT 1400/ADED 1400 1.0 Unit
Wednesdays, April 16 through July 9, 5 – 8 P.M.
Instructor: Jay Bearfield, C.P.P.C. I.P.P.C.A., Liquid Landscape Designs
This course takes an in-depth look at pools, streams, and aquatic plants and the basics of setting up water gardens, Koi ponds, pondless waterfalls and fountains. Topics include choosing a site, materials to use, and the role of plants. Also covered will be the history and use of garden ornaments such as fountains and statuary. Discussions will touch upon the types and styles of ornaments and furniture in the trade.
Irrigation
HORT 1410/ADED 1410 0.5 Unit
Lectures: Wednesdays, May 21, 28, and June 4, 5:30 – 8:30 P.M.
Workshops: Saturdays, June 7 & 14, 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Instructor: Joseph A. Biagioni, Principal, Arbor Alliance, Inc.
This hands-on course will present an overview of the various types of garden irrigation systems available (rotary, spray, and drip) for lawns and garden and flower beds, installation procedures for them, and their maintenance needs. This course teaches the basic techniques of landscape irrigation design, components, and installation. The first half of the course will introduce basic hydraulics and the proper designing of irrigation systems, which promote water conservation. The final weeks of the course will involve doing an actual lawn and low-volume drip system installation. The course will include tips not covered in any textbook.
Advanced Pruning Techniques
HORT 1700/ADED 1700 0.5 Unit
Lectures: Wednesdays, April 9 & 16, 5:30 – 8:30 P.M.
Workshops: Saturdays, April 19 & 26, 9:00 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.
Instructor: Joseph A. Biagioni, Principal, Arbor Alliance, Inc.
Advanced pruning is the follow-up segment of our two-part program on Ornamental Pruning. All students will need to have successfully completed Introduction to Pruning, as Advanced Pruning Techniques builds on the many principles learned in the first course. The course will start with a class which reviews the basic pruning procedures. The second class will elaborate on tool safety, equipment maintenance, and anticipation of hazards. The remaining classes will focus on hands-on work to develop the pruner’s vision and teach pruning efficiency.
Advanced Garden Design: Eco-Elegance
HORT 1215/ADED 1215 0.5 Unit
Tuesdays, June 3 through July 8, 9 A.M. – 12 P.M.
Instructor: Priscilla Randall
Eco-Elegance, a cross-pollination of ecology, modern technology, and humanism, is a new understanding of gardens which will be the 21st century style. To design in this new style, one begins with the pre-existing ecology and history of the place. The plants which should be there - were once there - become the plant palette. History is not tossed away; it is incorporated and becomes the emotional density of the site. All the principles of art and design are employed to create usefulness and delight in a garden – maintaining it is no longer a battle but a romance, a fascination with nuances. The green of eco-elegant gardens evolves; maintenance is subtle and timed by the season; treasured plants and colors are accents. Our moods lead us to garden less and observe more.
Gardening in Difficult Landscapes
HORT 1310/ADED 1310 1.0 Unit
Thursdays, April 17 through July 10, 6 – 9 P.M.
Instructor: Michael Nelson
Learn how to address the most daunting of landscapes and how to garden in seemingly impossible conditions, from the wettest to driest conditions, as well as rocky and shallow soils. Discover how to contain rocky and sandy conditions in the landscape by introducing design contrasts and utilizing the natural features to achieve positive results. The class will become well versed with the site analysis process in recognizing and addressing difficult landscapes.
Garden Management: Community Gardens
HORT 1920/ADED 1920 1.0 Unit
Saturdays, June 7 through August 23,
9 A.M. – 12 P.M.
Instructor: Marty Yenawine, M.C.L.P.
Growing Vision Design Group
Community gardening can transform neighborhoods by bringing together residents of all ages, cultures and backgrounds for a common purpose —creating a healthier and more sustainable urban environment. This course will focus on the theory and practice of cooperative gardening including issues and concerns in starting a community garden. Topics will cover forming a planning committee; site preparation and development; legal issues to consider; running effective community meetings; marketing urban garden efforts; training techniques for children, young adults and community volunteers; and catalyzing the teamwork requisite to success in operating a community garden.
Mr. Yenawine organized his community with the EarthWorks Projects team in Roxbury, MA as a volunteer, Board Member and past President of the Board of Directors.
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