Landscaping and Gardening
Gain hands-on horticulture and landscaping skills while earning college credit.
CFCC offers multiple 16-week courses designed for current landscaping professionals, future degree students, and all yard & garden enthusiasts. Each course provides hands-on, practical training that directly applies to the field—and all courses fully articulate into the Landscape Gardening & Horticulture Science program .
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COURSES – Each course is $190
Horticulture Pest Management (6.4CEUs)
Learn how to identify and manage plant pests—including insects, diseases, and weeds—using safe and environmentally responsible methods. Gain skills in pest identification, pesticide application safety, and the use of least-toxic control methods. This course prepares you for the North Carolina Commercial Pesticide Ground Applicators License exam.
Textbook(s) Required: Applying Pesticides Correctly NCDA, Turf and Ornamental Pesticide Application Manual NCDA.
Supplies or Other Requirements: Students are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment as directed by the Instructor during field trips or labwork.
Equivalent Degree Course: HOR-164 Horticulture Pest Management
Landscape Construction (6.4 CEUs)
Discover the principles of designing and building landscape structures and features. Develop skills in tool use, material selection, and construction techniques with an emphasis on safety and craftsmanship. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to design and construct common landscape elements that bring outdoor spaces to life.
Textbook(s) Required: None
Supplies or Other Requirements: Engineer’s scale, calculator, steel-toe work boots or shoes, your own set of safety glasses, and a pair of leather gloves. Students are
required to wear Personal Protective Equipment as directed by the Instructor during field trips or labwork.
Equivalent Degree Course: HOR-114 Landscape Construction
Plant Materials (6.4 CEUs)
Build a strong foundation in plant identification, growth requirements, and cultural practices. Explore the characteristics and applications of a wide variety of plants, including native and invasive species, and learn how to select the right plants for sustainable landscaping projects.
Textbook(s) Required: The Manual of Woody Plants by William Dirr
Supplies or Other Requirements: Hand lens or magnifying lens and a notebook for notes. Students are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment as directed by the Instructor during field trips or labwork.
Equivalent Degree Course: HOR-160 Plant Materials
Turf Operation and Management (8.0 CEUs)
Learn the essentials of professional turfgrass management in this hands-on course designed for golf courses, sports fields, and high-quality lawn care. Students will explore how turfgrass grows, how to identify common species, and how to establish and maintain healthy, attractive turf using sustainable practices. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to create effective maintenance plans that support vibrant, safe, and well-managed turf environments.
Textbook(s) Required:
Diagnosing Turfgrass Problems – A Practical Guide by Bert McCarty
Weeds of Southern Turfgrasses (Golf Courses, Lawns, Roadsides, Recreational Areas, Commercial Sod) by Tim Murphy
Weeds of Southern Turf grass by University of Georgia College of Ag and Environmental Science
Supplies or Other Requirements: Students are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment as directed by the Instructor during field trips or labwork. Every class has the potential to be outside on turf or on field trips; students should always dress to work on turf.
Equivalent Degree Course: TRF-110 Intro Turfgrass Cult & ID
Career and Job Information
Looking to transfer into a degree program?
All courses are eligible for transfer into CFCC Landscape Gardening & Horticulture Science Programs !
