HORT 1173 Greenhouse Operations Syllabus H01 Fall 2026

Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 2 Clinical/Lab Hours 2
Type of Credit
CIP Code
01.0604
Course Meeting Time

Tuesday and Thursday 

9:30-10:45

Course Description
The purpose of this course is to provide information needed for basic greenhouse production including study of the principles and practices used by commercial growers in production of bulbs, cut flowers, and potted plants. Environmental and nutritional factors are emphasized along with concentration on flowering potted plants production.
General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Communication
Explanation of Course Alignment

The purpose of this course is to provide you the skills and training needed for basic greenhouse operation and production, including the study of the principles and practices used by commercial growers in production of bulbs, cut flowers, and potted plants. Environmental and nutritional factors are emphasized along with concentration on flowering potted plants production.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Matthew Berger
Faculty Email
Faculty Office Number
815-802-8859
Faculty Information

Matt Berger
mberger@kcc.edu
815-953-5198 (cell) 

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe greenhouse heating and cooling problems,
  2. Explain the relationship of soil and water,
  3. Explain the nutritional aspects of plant production,
  4. Explain various insect and disease control methods used in greenhouse production,
  5. Develop a schedule of crop production as it relates to product marketing
  6. Describe the types of greenhouse crops produced in the industry today.
Topical Outline
  1. Intro to Horticultural Literature & Careers
  2. Floriculture Industry
  3. Business Management
  4. Greenhouse Construction
  5. Root Substrate
  6. Root Substrate Pasteurization
  7. Greenhouse Heating
  8. Greenhouse cooling/environmental control systems
  9. Watering/fertilization
  10. Alternative cropping systems/aquaculture
  11. Marketing/package design
  12. Carbon dioxide fertilization
  13. Light & temperature/regulation of plant growth
  14. Insect & Mite manangement in greenhouses/disease management
  15. Maintaining postproduction quality
  16. Ethylene control
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Greenhouse Operations & Management

7th Edition

P.V. Nelson

Prentice Hall

2012

ISBN 0-13-243936-0 (paperbound)

ISBN 0-13-507115-1 (loose leaf)
 

Methods of Evaluation

Students will be evaluated by the following criteria:
Lecture quizzes (10%)
Laboratory exercises and assignments (40%)
Lecture midterm and final examinations (20%)
Special project (20%)
Professionalism (10%)
Grading scale:
100 – 90 A
89 – 80 B
79 – 70 C
69 – 60 D
59 and lower F

Academic Division

Business, Technology & Human Services

Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650

Course Policies

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory and accounts for 10% of your overall grade. If a class or lab session must be missed, arrangements must be made prior to the absence. If an absence is not planned, a valid excuse (i.e., doctor’s note, etc.) must be provided to the instructor for each missed session at the beginning of the following class session. Make-up work, including assignments, quizzes, exams, etc., is provided at the discretion of the instructor and must be completed within one week of the missed class period.

Textbook Readings

This course requires you to read the assigned pages from the textbook. Lectures will provide only an overview of the textbook material. You are expected to come to class prepared for that day’s lecture. This is your class, get everything you can out of it. 

Quizzes, Assignments, & Exams

Each of you possess different test taking abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. With this in mind, due diligence has been used in designing all quizzes, assignments, and exams so that they may contain a mixture of multiple choice, matching, short answer recall, essay, and concept application quests. Quizzes are meant to assess your recall and retention of lecture, reading, and lab materials. Throughout the course there will be two pop quizzes given. Assignments will be administered as a follow up for select topics throughout the semester. Exams are designed to assess retention of lecture and reading materials, while also assessing your ability to compare /contrast and apply concepts. Additional information:

∙ On quiz and exam days, students must arrive on time and be ready to take the quiz or exam at the start of class.

o If a student enters the classroom late on a quiz day, he/she may take the quiz as long as at least one student is still in possession of the quiz. If all students have completed and turned in the quiz, he/she may not take the quiz.

o Students will not be permitted to enter the classroom and take the exam once the exam has started.

∙ Once an exam or quiz has been administered, a student will not be permitted to leave for any reason until he/she turns the exam in.

∙ If a student’s cell phone disrupts the class during an exam or quiz, the student will receive a zero on that exam.

∙ If a student is found using their cell phone in any way during an exam or quiz, it will be considered to be a case of cheating and the student will receive a zero on the exam as well as the possibility of receiving an F for the course grade.

∙ Late assignments will not be accepted.

Lab

Lab sessions will meet in the same location as lecture sessions, unless otherwise noted. Students that arrive after the pre-lab lecture has begun will not be permitted to participate in the lab that day and will receive a zero for that lab. Labs will be hands-on and reinforce the concepts and practices discussed during lecture. During each lab exercise you will be required to complete a lab worksheet. These worksheets will be due to the instructor when directed.

Special Project: Greenhouse Crop Production

As a major part of this course, you will be required to grow two horticultural crops. Crop production will be from seed and/or cuttings, depending on the plant material assigned. This exercise is designed as a real world test of your greenhouse crop production skills—you will be the greenhouse grower responsible for delivering a salable crop to the instructor (your end consumer). In addition to growing the crop, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate records that may include:

▪ Time to seed germination or rooting

▪ Potting media requirements

▪ Growth rate

▪ Water and fertilizer application rates and times

▪ Need for repotting

▪ Disease and insect problems and solutions

You will also be responsible for designing and presenting a crop marketing and packaging system.

You will be responsible for setting your own crop production schedule. Your instructor will provide some open lab and greenhouse times throughout the semester; however, you will find a need to work in the lab or greenhouse outside of these designated times in order to complete this project. Additional details for this special project will be provided by the instructor.

College Policies

Withdrawals

When it is necessary to withdraw from a course or from the college, a student may do so on or before the withdrawal date stated on the syllabus without receiving a punitive final grade. Change of Schedule forms (used to add or drop a course) are available in Student Services and the student should obtain the required signatures prior to submitting the Change of Schedule form to an adviser in Student Services. Students may submit Change of Schedule forms through the mail, but they must be postmarked no later than the withdrawal date. No withdrawals are allowed by phone. To determine the last date to withdraw with a grade of “W” in this course, log onto KCConnect and click on “my registration statement” under Academic Profile.

Code of Conduct

Students must adhere to the Code of Conduct located in the college catalog.

College Resources

Academic Skills Center

Tutorial Assistance – The center offers free tutorial services on a walk-in basis to support students enrolled at KCC in a wide range of college courses and individual skill development activities. The Learning Assistance Center, L335/339, is the location of most tutorial services. For current tutoring schedule, go to http://www.kcc.edu/tutoring.

Learning Laboratory – The Learning Lab, located in Room L329, uses instructional technology to provide individualized learning for students enrolled at KCC. In the lab, students can review and practice math, writing, reading, basic sciences, study skills, word processing, and other basic skills. For a current tutoring schedule, go to http://www.kcc.edu/tutoring.

Office of Disability Services – KCC offers advisement and special instructional support for students who are physically and learning disabled, as well as those with academic deficiencies. Students will receive appropriate academic instructional support, including preparatory courses, tutorial assistance, study skills assistance, and self-instructional programs. For disability services, go to room D234, Tel: 815-802-8632.

Miner Memorial Library

The Miner Memorial Library provides a variety of services free to students, including books, computer access, WiFi access, and numerous research databases available online. Reference librarians are also available to assist in locating information. The library is open Monday through Saturday and online resources are available 24/7. For additional information go to http://www.kcc.edu/library.

Copyright

The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further Information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at http://www.kcc.edu/copyright.

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

Classroom Guidelines

∙ Turn off all cell phones and all other items that may beep, buzz, or otherwise interrupt the instructor and other students. If you must have your cell phone on for work or a family emergency, set it to vibrate and leave the classroom if you receive a call.

∙ No texting during class.

∙ Failure to follow either of the above rules will result in a warning (first offense), 5 point deduction from your class grade (second offense), and removal from the class period (third and beyond offense).

∙ This is your course! You will gain the most from this course if you actively participate in classroom and lab discussions, and share your experiences and questions.

∙ Learn the names of your classmates, and help one another whenever possible (but not during quizzes and exams).

∙ This is your classroom! Take responsibility for the classroom and lab areas by picking up after yourself. ∙ Audio/video recording of class is not permitted unless pre-approved by the instructor

∙ Laptop usage is not allowed during class, unless otherwise stated by instructor.

∙ iPod usage or headphone devices of any kind are not allowed during class

∙ Arrive promptly before class begins.

∙ No tobacco products may be used on campus.

∙ Know and follow basic safety rules. Report any accidents, injuries, spills, or problems to the instructor immediately.

∙ Do not come to class when you are ill and likely to infect others.

∙ Minor children are not allowed in the classroom or lab areas for safety reasons.

Student Integrity

All students are expected to take quizzes, exams, write papers, and conduct themselves with integrity, common sense, and respect for their fellow students, the instructor, and the academic institution. Students should not jeopardize their own honesty or that of other students.

Cheating will not be tolerated. Upon evidence of student cheating, the student will be dropped from the course and receive a grade of F in the course

Course Calendar

Syllabus Disclaimer

Course syllabus and/or calendar is likely to change to accommodate tours and guest speakers.  Instructor will attempt to announce any change(s) at the time they are made. 

 

Lecture & Lab Schedule

This lecture and lab schedule is subject to change. Your instructor will notify you about changes.

DateLectureReadingQuiz
8/18

∙ Class Introduction

∙ Facilities Tour

∙ Introduction to Horticultural Literature & Careers

  
8/20∙ Greenhouse Construction

∙ Nelson, pp. 35-76

 
8/25∙ Greenhouse Construction - continuedNelson, pp. 35-76 
8/27∙ Lab 1 – Greenhouse Covering Evaluation ✔ Special Project Handout x
9/1

∙ Floriculture Industry

✔ Crop Assignment

∙ Nelson, pp. 1-33 
9/3

∙ Special Project Set Up

∙ Greenhouse Work Day

 x
9/8

∙ Root Substrate

∙ Root Substrate Pasteurization

∙ Nelson, pp. 161-194

∙ Nelson, pp. 195-209

 
9/10∙ Lab 2 – Root Substrate Evaluation x
9/15∙ Watering∙ Nelson, pp. 211-260 
9/17

∙ Fertilization

∙ Carbon Dioxide Fertilization

∙ Nelson, pp. 261-318

∙ Nelson, pp. 319-327

 
9/22Lab 3 – Effects of Watering & Fertilization  
9/24∙ Light & Temperature∙ Nelson, pp. 329-372 
9/29∙ Light & Temperature - continued∙ Nelson, pp. 329-372 
10/1∙ Lab 4 – Effects of Light & Temperature x
10/6

∙ Midterm Exam Review

✔ Midterm Progress Summary Due

  
10/8-Midterm (available on Canvas)  
10/13∙ Special Project/Greenhouse Work Day  
10/15

∙ Insect & Mite Management in Greenhouses

∙ Nelson, pp. 391-442 
10/20∙ Insect & Mite Management in Greenhouses - continued∙ Nelson, pp. 391-442 
10/22∙ Lab 5 – Pest Management x
10/27

∙ Disease Management

✔ Crop Production Report Outline Due

∙ Nelson, pp. 443-462 
10/29Special Project/Greenhouse Work Day x
11/3   
11/5∙ Greenhouse Heating∙ Nelson, pp. 77-123 
11/10∙ Greenhouse Cooling∙ Nelson, pp 125-149 
11/12

Environmental Control Systems

✔ Crop Production Report Rough Draft Due

∙ Nelson, pp 151-160x
11/17∙ Regulation of Plant Growth∙ Nelson, pp 373-390 
11/19∙ Lab 6 – Ethylene Control  
11/24

∙ Maintaining Postproduction Quality

∙ Marketing

∙ Nelson, pp. 463-488

∙ Nelson, pp. 489-530

 
11/26∙ No Class; Thanksgiving Break  
12/1∙ Lab 7 – Marketing & Packaging x
12/3∙ Business Management∙ Nelson, pp. 531-586 
12/8∙ Final Exam Review  
12/10∙ Final Exam  

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.