After several weeks of learning, our largest subject in the Certificate III in Horticulture is now complete, and I am feeling much more assured in the knowledge I have gained throughout the course.
One of the biggest areas of growth for me has been developing the ability to identify plants with greater confidence. At the beginning, plant identification felt like a challenging task, especially with so many different plant names, features, and growing requirements to remember. However, as the unit progressed, I began to understand that identifying a plant is only one part of the skill.
Even more importantly, I have learned how to decide which plant belongs in which location. Understanding the “right plant, right place” principle has helped me think more carefully about soil, sunlight, water, wind exposure, growth habits, and long-term plant health. This knowledge will be valuable not only in the workplace, but also in my own garden.
I was a little nervous about passing the assessment, especially as it was the first formal test I had completed in several decades. However, with the great support and guidance of my educator, Mark, I was able to work through the challenge and successfully pass.
This achievement has given me a real sense of confidence. I now feel better prepared to observe plants, understand their needs, and make more informed decisions about where they should be planted and how they should be cared for.
As spring approaches, I am especially looking forward to putting this knowledge into practice by planting out my garden borders with much greater confidence. Completing this subject has reminded me that learning new skills can be challenging, but also extremely rewarding.