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    Non-Credit Fee-Based Classes

    Landscape Horticulture

    The Merritt College Landscape Horticulture Department is to help students attain knowledge, skills, and broad-based outlooks needed to succeed as professionals, as stewards of the land, and as responsible citizens. To accomplish these goals the department provides open access to educational programs, support services, and community outreach in a rigorous, diverse, and culturally rich learning environment.

    Fee Based Classes: 

    Merritt’s Landscape Horticulture Department offers a number of fee-based class series in Aesthetic Pruning, Floral Design, Cannabis, as well as other topics. Noncredit courses are intended for students who want to gain general knowledge, learn a new skill, upgrade existing skills, enrich their understanding of a wide range of topics, or develop personal interests. Noncredit classes are NOT applicable toward a degree, and no units are earned. You do not need to be enrolled as a student at Merritt College to take these courses, you simply purchase fee-based classes via PayPal.   

    All in-person fee-based classes will be held at the NEW Landscape Horticulture Facility at Merritt College. For descriptions of the Aesthetic Pruning classes, please visit the Merritt College Aesthetic Pruning Club website: www.thepruningclub.org/classes 

    Please email danielleblack@peralta.edu with any questions about fee-based classes or registration issues. 

    Refund Policy 

    Refunds will only be granted with a valid excuse, and all refunds will be subject to the PayPal transaction fee. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you need to seek a refund, please email: danielleblack@peralta.edu. 

    Register for our Fee-Based Classes Here

    Aesthetic Pruning Classes

    Find classes/register here

    “Aesthetic pruning embraces the creative interpretation of small trees and shrubs in the urban context. The living art form combines the artistic skill of the pruner, the essence of a tree, the science of horticulture, and the needs of clients and surroundings.” 

    –Dennis Makishima, Founder 

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    Started by Dennis Makishima in collaboration with the Landscape Horticulture Department and Merritt College Aesthetic Pruning Club in 1993, the aesthetic pruning fee-based courses have been going strong for over 30 years! Those students who take the 15 Aesthetic Pruning series classes, along with other requirements, may be eligible to achieve the Aesthetic Pruning Award. The Margie Potts Scholarship is available for those who need help covering tuition costs for this class series. Applications for the Margie Potts Scholarship are due Dec 1st and can be submitted at: https://thepruningclub.org/scholarships. 

    PruningCalendar

    Bay Area Pruning Calendars are also available for purchase. Created by Margie Potts, the Bay Area Pruning Calendar lists trees, shrubs, and vines that can be pruned each month. Pruning tips and empty calendar pages are also included.  

    Cost: $20 ($25 if mailed) and proceeds from calendar sales fund the Margie Potts Aesthetic Pruning Scholarship.  

    To purchase the calendar: Contact Pete Churgel at petethepruner@earthlink.net and indicate “Pruning Calendar” in the subject line. 

    Pre-Recorded Class Policy Change: In order to simplify our billing processes, class recordings will no longer be available for purchase throughout the semester. If you are not able to make it to class in person, you will receive a pre-recorded online video on the day of the class. Recordings for all online classes will be sent out on the Monday after the class is held- BE SURE TO REGISTER FOR THE CLASS BEFORE REGISTRATION CLOSES! 

    IMPORTANT: Class registration for each course closes the Friday before the class at 12pm! The Zoom link for Saturday’s class will be sent out Friday afternoon.  

    Floral Design Classes

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    Find classes/register here

    This class series is taught by our floral design instructor, Kay Wolff. Kay is an Accredited Member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), a Certified Floral Designer (CFD), and a California Certified Florist (CCF), committed to ongoing study and the promotion of excellence within the industry. Kay is currently serving as the chair of the California Certified Florist Committee of the California State Floral Association (CSFA). For more information about Kay, you can check out her website at: https://www.makingarrangements.com/ 

    Registration fees are paid to Merritt College through the PayPal link, materials fees are paid directly to Kay Wolff. 

    Cannabis Classes 

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    The Landscape Horticulture Cannabis Program is offering one-off fee-based classes in addition to the regular Cannabis courses offered for the Cannabis Horticulture Certificate (these classes do not count toward the certificate program). Courses include topics such as extraction for edibles and topicals, cannabis production, cannabis home gardens, and more!   

    Find classes/register here

    Contact Information

     

    Landscape Horticulture Department

    Email: mer-lanht@peralta.edu


    Chris-Grampp-1

    Department Co-Chair
    Chris Grampp
    cgrampp@peralta.edu

    Laura-Forlin

    Department Co-Chair
    Laura Forlin
    lforlin@peralta.edu

    Nia-Hill

    Nursery Manager and
    Science Lab Tech
    Nia Hill
    nhill@peralta.edu

    Molly-Sealund

    Coordinator
    Molly Sealund
    msealund@peralta.edu

    Dani-Picture-1

    Staff Assistant
    Dani Black
    danielleblack@peralta.edu

    Merritt-College-Campus-2

    Apply Today!

    Completing your application takes less than 30 minutes! We’ve created an application guide to help you quickly and easily complete the steps to apply and enroll.

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