Horticulture students pursue a career interest in any one or combination of the major areas of horticulture: turfgrass establishment and maintenance, landscape design, construction and maintenance; greenhouse crop production; and floral design.

Turfgrass establishment and maintenance is the study of turf-grasses; soil identification and amendments; seasonal lawn maintenance and installation tasks; pest control and the establishment of lawns. This discipline includes the operation of lawn equipment and small engine repair, preventative maintenance. Landscape design, construction and maintenance includes the study and maintenance of landscape design; vegetation; pruning; propagation; the installation of hardscaping, lighting, and water features; garden installation and equipment operation. Greenhouse crop production is the study of crop scheduling and greenhouse crop care and sales. Floral design includes the study of fresh, silk, and dried floral arranging; holiday and special occasion designs and work, houseplant care, operating a small business, and trends in the floral industry.

The Horticulture program features an aquaponics system. Aquaponics blends together the technology of hydroponics and fish rearing methods of aquaculture. Based upon the nitrogen cycle, the fish produce essential nutrients for the plants, and in return, the plants filter the water. This sustainable technology allows for organic growing of crops like lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, and much more. BCTC’s Horticulture program is licensed with the PA Department of Agriculture to breed fish and provide for other educational programs. Students in the program work closely with Culinary students to plan menus and schedule the crops for proper harvest. This cross collaboration helps build networking skills while implementing a 21st century business model.

Students in the program gain invaluable experience by landscaping the grounds of the student built house project, maintaining portions of the campus, creating seasonal floral arrangements for customers, working on community service projects, and engaging in the production and sale of bedding plants each spring. Students should hold interest in working outdoors, indoors, and in all weather conditions; students will get dirty and work in a physically demanding career field.