​What is the Options Horticulture Program?

The Options Horticulture program seeks to teach its participants workplace skills–using horticulture and woodworking training as a medium–to help them reach employment goals in a variety of industries.
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Training is facilitated by the program instructor who is an avid gardener and former shop teacher.

Outcome Goals
Demonstrated abilities suitable for applicable industries. These include:

• Understand worksite and tool safety
• Maintain a garden and produce sellable crops
• Build and/or deconstruct simple wooden items and structures
• Customer service skills at related events such as farmers markets

Skills Taught

• Plant identification
• Planting seeds
• Transplanting seedlings
• Proper watering
• Maintaining soil
• Trimming and pruning
• Weeding
• Harvesting​
• Use of hand and power tools
• Preparing and maintaining an indoor grow room - setting up trays for microgreens with accompanying grow lights

Examples of Produce - This Year's Crop
Yard Garden

• Corn
• Romano Beans
• Carrots
• Brown Onions
• Giant Beets
• Parsley
• Chives
• Garlic
• Sunflowers

Raised Bed Gardens

• Green Peppers
• Vine & Bush Tomatoes
• Ground Cherries

Potted and Hanging Plants

• Alyssum
• Pansies
• Petunias
• Calendula

Those who participate will receive a share of the profits from the produce sold. Profit share amounts will be dependent on the amount of work contributed by participants.

​Microgreens Classes

​Cost of Program
The cost of the program is $35 for once a week, $50 for twice a week, with periodic retail shifts at the Port Credit Farmer's Market on Saturdays during its operation. The fees for the program help cover the cost of staff wages, program planning, facility rental, seeds, equipment and materials.

All program spots are full at this time.

Join the Program

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HEALTHY OPTIONS ​MICROGREENS

Options Mississauga sells fresh-grown produce at the Port Credit Farmer's Market. LEARN MORE