How Do I Choose the Best Online Horticulture Classes?

Online horticulture classes vary in structure and purpose, so when you are making decisions about studying horticulture online, you should consider your reasons for wanting to learn about horticulture. It's always a good idea to find out whether distance-learning classes may incorporate some in-person training into their requirements. If you plan to take online horticulture classes to meet requirements for a degree or some type of professional certification, you should ensure that the school is accredited or approved to offer qualifying education. Other things to consider include course costs and whether your tuition includes materials that you will need to complete your training.

When you study horticulture, you will be learning how to cultivate various types of plants. This is a distinctly hands-on discipline, but many schools do offer the option of taking online horticulture classes. When reviewing class options, find out what you will need to complete course assignments, particularly those that actually involve growing plants. In some cases, your online horticulture classes may include a component that requires you to meet with the class or instructor in person to go on field trips or work in a lab together. If you are enrolling in a horticulture degree program, be aware that you may need to take some science courses that require a laboratory component and you will need to find a local college or university that will allow you to take a laboratory course on its campus.

Some schools offer online horticulture classes to both degree-seeking students as well as professionals and hobbyists who wish to improve their horticulture skills. When reviewing course offerings, consider the length of the course as well as its tuition and fees. If you don't need to study horticulture as part of a degree program, you may find that continuing and professional education classes offered by a reputable school provide you with the knowledge that you need at a fraction of the cost or time commitment required by academic courses. You should also consider the areas in which you wish to gain more knowledge when selecting online horticulture classes so you can match a course's curriculum to your needs.

If the instructor for your online horticulture classes wants to see evidence of the work that you do, you may be required to grow plants on your own and take photographs of them to upload to the course environment. The cost of maintaining a greenhouse or other environment for growing plants can, in some cases, be considerable. In some cases, your course tuition and fees may include materials that can help you cultivate plants, while in other cases you may be expected to spend additional funds on these items. Always take time to clarify this before enrolling in a course so that you can plan your expenses accordingly.