Horticulture

Learn the science and art of growing, caring for and using plants.

topics Agricultural Sciences

Skills & InterestWorking with your hands

CareersAgricultural Science

Why choose Horticulture?

The nursery and greenhouse industry remains the top segment in all of Oregon agriculture in 2020 with $1.19 billion in sales. Forty percent of that was from Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties.

Chemeketa’s horticulture program helps you start or advance your career in horticulture. The greenhouse at Chemeketa's Salem Campus provides you with hands-on training while you earn your Associated of Applied Science degree in horticulture, and you also have the chance to earn credit for real-world work experience.

What will you learn?

Completing the Horticulture degree will teach you to –

Perform skills and use equipment to care and grow plant in nurseries and greenhouses
Recognize, name and understand management needs for plants grown in Oregon nurseries and greenhouses
Know government regulations for nursery and greenhouse operations, work and pesticide safety, water regulations and crop sanitation
Evaluate production in terms of sustainability

See Course Sequences for more information.

What will you do?

The Horticulture degree prepares for a number of different careers in nursery and greenhouse work, including –

Manager
Crew Leader
Inventory controller
Irrigation specialist
Plant seller
Customer service representative

2025 Courses

Fall 2025 Courses

Fall Term 2025: September 29th, 2025 - December 13th, 2025
(Holiday Closures: 11/11/25, 11/27-28/25, 11/29/25, 12/25-26/25, 1/1-2/26)
Note: Horticulture classes are in person unless noted otherwise.

HOR111
Introduction to Horticulture

Monday

Wednesday

Lecture 2:30pm - 4:20pm

Lab 2:30pm - 4:20pm

Joleen Schilling

HOR203
Fall Horticulture Practicum

Monday & Wednesday

Lecture 9:30am - 9:50am

Lab 10:00am - 11:20am

Joleen Schilling

HOR226

Fall Plant Identification

Tuesday

Thursday

Lecture 9:30am - 11:20am

Lab 10:30am - 12:20pm

Joleen Schilling

HOR237

Int Pest Mgt: Insects/Diseases

Monday & Wednesday

Tuesday

Lecture 12:30pm - 1:50pm

Lab 11:30am - 1:20pm

Joleen Schilling

HOR130

Irrigation Principles

Monday

Lecture 9:30am - 10:50am

Mark Akimoff

Winter 2025 Courses

Winter Term 2025: January 5, 2026 - March 21, 2026
(Holiday Closures: Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 1/19/26 & Presidents Day: 2/16/26)
Note: Horticulture classes are in person unless noted otherwise.

Stay tuned for class schedule.