Utility Course in Garden Craft

The University of Mumbai offers Utility Course in Garden Craft to its students. The course structure for it is as follows:

Understanding plants & their needs

Basic functions of plant parts, understanding needs of plants Selecting locations for different type for trees, shrubs, creepers, potted/ground plants, Seasonal/perennial plants, Forcing plants to bloom.

Preparations for planting

Soil types, Implements, Watering methods Filling pots/poly bags, making ground beds Direct/transplanting/broadcasting methods of sowing seeds.

Manures, Composts, Fertilizers

Organic manures: Farmyard manure, compost, green manure, Fish/bone meal, oil cakes Chemical fertilizer : Simple & compound fertilizers, Foliar fertilizers, micro nutrients.

Trees & Shrubs

Trees/Shrubs suitable for different locations, flowering type, decorative foliage type

Creepers & Hedge plants

Types of creepers, ramblers, hedges for security, topiary

Hanging baskets & Orchids

Various types of hanging planters, filling up baskets, use of moss/coir, suitable plants. Making moss-sticks, Types of orchids, planting medium, humidity, special needs.

Plant propagation methods

Sexual/vegetative propagation, Vegetative propagation by cutting of branches, leaves & roots, air layering, Wedge grafting, side grafting, veneer grafting, inarching, budding

Bonsai

Bonsai types/styles, technique, suitable plants, containers, planting medium, Training/wiring

Roses

Different types of roses, potted/ground rose plants, Manure/fertilizer needs, pruning etc.

Kitchen garden & terrace garden

Seasonal/perennial vegetables, fruit plants Green spices, medicinal plants

Lawns, Seasonal flowers, Cacti & Succulents, Aquatic plants

Types of lawn grasses, other ground covers. Preparation & maintenance ofImportant seasonal flowers, care & needs
Easy growing cacti, succulent & aquatic plants, special care & needs

Insects, pests, diseases & weeds

Insect pests, their prevention & control, some beneficial insects, Common diseases, prevention & control, Weeds prevention & control

Indoor gardening

Suitable plants, their special needs, growing plants under artificial light Flowering/foliage plants, Bottle gardens, tray landscapes