PLANT AND LANDSCAPE SCIENCES (PALS)
 310100
 One of the most rapid growth areas of biological sciences is the study of horticulture. Increased career opportunities in the field of horticulture and a return to gardening as a hobby and leisure activity have prompted this growth. This course will provide the student with an overview of the industry, a scientific study of botanical plants, propagation and growth experiences of cultivated horticultural plants. Hands-on laboratory based exercises in landscape design and maintenance, principles of plant propagation, turf and lawn care, pest controls, hydroponics, and vegetable and food production will be employed. The student will be introduced to CAD landscape designs well as many computer based programs. Career opportunities for the college-bound and non-college bound student will be emphasized. Course content will incorporate the Illinois State Colleges admission lab science program of “Science Application in Agriculture.”
 Level : 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credit: ½*
 Prerequisite: None
 Materials Fee Required
 *May be used to satisfy high school graduation science requirement.

I.                     Horticulture: An Introduction

a.        Exploring the Horticulture Field

b.       Plant Taxonomy: How Plants are Named

II.                   Plant Science

a.        Parts of the Plant and Their Functions

b.       Environmental Requirements for Good Plant Growth

c.        Growth Stimulants, Retardants, and Rooting Hormones

III.                 Plant Propagation

a.        Seeds

b.       Softwood And Semihardwood Cuttings and Micropropagation

c.        Hardwood Cuttings

d.       Separation and Division

e.        Grafting

f.         Budding

g.       Layering

IV.                 Greenhouse Management and Crops

a.        Poinsettias

b.       Chrysanthemums

c.        Easter Lilies

V.                   Integrated Pest Management

a.        Integrated Pest Management and the Biological Control of Pests and Diseases

b.       The Safe Use of Pesticides

c.        Insecticides

d.       Fungicides, Rodenticides, Molluscidides, and Nematocides

e.        Herbicides

VI.                 Container-Grown Plants

a.        Dish Gardens

b.       The Art of Bonsai

c.        The Interior Landscape: House plants and Plantscaping

d.       Shrubs and Trees

VII.               Using Plants in the Landscape

a.        Annual Bedding Plants

b.       Perennials, Ornamental Grass, Vines Bamboo, and Prairie Gardens

c.        Narrow-leaf Evergreens

d.        Broad-leaf Evergreens

e.        Deciduous Trees

f.         Deciduous Shrubs

g.       Ground Covers

h.       Bulbs

i.         Techniques of Pruning

j.         Principles of Landscaping, Maintenance, Xeriscaping, Water Gardens, and Irrigation

VIII.            Lawn and Turfgrass Establishment and Maintenance

a.        Establishing the Lawn

b.        Maintaining the Lawn

c.        Renovating the Lawn

IX.                The Vegetable Garden

a.        Planning and Preparing the Garden Site

b.        Planting the Vegetable Garden

c.        Caring for the Vegetable Garden

d.        Favorite Garden Vegetables and Herbs

X.                  The Small Fruit Garden

a.        Strawberries

b.        Blueberries

c.        The Bramble Fruits

d.        Grapes

XI.                Holiday Crafts and Floral Designs

a.        Wreaths and Door Swags

b.        Creating Holiday Centerpieces

c.        Enhancements and Accessories for Floral Designs

d.        Floral Designs

e.        Corsages and Boutonnieres

Required Materials:

a. 3 ring notebook with dividers

b. supplies for a creative arrangement (Handout)

Grading:

100‑90 = A                    First Quarter  = 45%

 89‑80 = B                    Second Quarter = 45%

 79‑70 = C                    Final Exam     = 10%

 69‑60 = D                                _________

Below 60 = F                        Semester Grade =100%

* All grades will be based on a point accumulated basis.  Grades

  will consist of unit tests, unannounced and announced quizzes,

  take‑home and in‑class assignments, special projects, floral

  design, and class participation.  Three (3) points are earned each day for daily working ability, non‑tardiness, and good behavior.

* Make‑up work will follow the school handbook.  It is the

  student's responsibility to make sure all assignments are made

  up after an absence in the required time.

* Late work will not be accepted!

* Tardiness will follow the school handbook.  You must be in the

  room and at your assigned seat at the time of the bell.

Extra Credit:

Additional points may be acquired through the following list of activities.

1. Arrange a guest speaker. (10 points)

2. Set up a demonstration on any area of floral which could

   be used in a science fair. (15 points)

3. Be a member of the FFA. (10)

4. Attend and compete in Ag/hort related contests. (10 each)

5. Bring in a design idea and teach the class. (15)