Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
Focuses on the general production and processing of domesticated plants, shrubs, flowers, foliage, trees, groundcovers, and related plant materials; the management of technical and business operations connected with horticultural services; and the basic scientific principles needed to understand plants and their management and care.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 10 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General
- Focuses on the general production and processing of domesticated plants, shrubs, flowers, foliage, trees, groundcovers, and related plant materials; the management of technical and business operations connected with horticultural services; and the basic scientific principles needed to understand plants and their management and care.
- Ornamental Horticulture
- Focuses on domesticated plants and plant materials used for decorative and recreational applications and prepares you to breed, grow, and utilize ornamental plant varieties for commercial and aesthetic purposes. Covers applicable plant science subjects, the environmental design and artistic aspects of horticultural product usage, and the management of horticultural operations.
- Greenhouse Operations and Management
- Prepares you to produce, store, and deliver plant species in controlled indoor environments for wholesale, commercial, research, or other purposes. Covers applicable principles of plant science; climate, irrigation, and nutrition control equipment operation and maintenance; facilities management; inventory control; safety procedures; and personnel supervision.
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping
- Prepares you to manage and maintain indoor and/or outdoor ornamental and recreational plants and groundcovers and related conceptual designs established by landscape architects, interior designers, enterprise owners or managers, and individual clients. Covers applicable principles of horticulture, gardening, plant and soil irrigation and nutrition, turf maintenance, plant maintenance, equipment operation and maintenance, personnel supervision, and purchasing.
- Plant Nursery Operations and Management
- Prepares you to operate and manage outdoor plant farms, tree and shrub nurseries, and related facilities that develop domesticated plant products for propagation, harvesting, and transplantation. Covers applicable principles of plant science, farm and business management, nursery operations, equipment operation and maintenance, safety procedures, and personnel supervision.
- Turf and Turfgrass Management
- Focuses on turfgrasses and related groundcover plants and prepares you to develop ornamental or recreational grasses and related products; plant, transplant, and manage grassed areas; and to produce and store turf used for transplantation. Covers applicable plant sciences, genetics of grasses, turf science, use analysis, turf management, and related economics.
- Floriculture/Floristry Operations and Management
- Prepares you to operate and manage commercial and contract florist enterprises, supply and delivery services, and flower catering services. Covers the applicable principles of plant science; purchasing, storage, and delivery systems; floral design and arranging; and principles of business management.
- Public Horticulture
- Study that focuses on combining traditional horticulture and public education and outreach. Covers botany, soil science, plant science, agricultural economics, leadership, and business.
- Urban and Community Horticulture
- Focuses on principles and techniques for the production of horticultural crops in an urban environment. Covers ecology, environmental sustainability, food production systems, and plant and soil sciences.
- Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other
- Horticultural service operations not listed above.
Also called Greenspace
Also called Golf and Sports Turf Management
Also called Floral Arrangement, Floral Design, Floristry, Retail Floristry
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
- Median pay
- $39,150
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.7%
- Job openings a year
- 149,500
To get hiredNo formal educational credential
Explore this career ShrinkingFarmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
- Median pay
- $89,900
- Hiring change through 2035
- −3.4%
- Job openings a year
- 70,800
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyFirst-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
- Median pay
- $58,430
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.0%
- Job openings a year
- 23,900
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career ShrinkingFirst-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
- Median pay
- $48,520
- Hiring change through 2035
- −3.7%
- Job openings a year
- 113,500
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyFirst-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
- Median pay
- $59,320
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.8%
- Job openings a year
- 7,200
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyPesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
- Median pay
- $46,340
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.9%
- Job openings a year
- 3,300
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyAgricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $98,700
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.9%
- Job openings a year
- 800
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career ShrinkingFarm and Home Management Educators
- Median pay
- $60,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- −3.2%
- Job openings a year
- 800
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingForest and Conservation Workers
- Median pay
- $43,680
- Hiring change through 2035
- −1.5%
- Job openings a year
- 2,200
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $35,444 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
This field leads to a mix of in-person and computer-based work. About 40 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
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