Diploma In Landscaping

Course Structure:

This course is made of 21 modules -19 compulsory modules, plus two elective modules.

Module 1. Landscaping I

The ten lessons are as follows:

1. Basic Design Procedure A. - collecting pre-planning information, landscape elements, principles, etc.

2. History of Gardening ‑ garden styles and themes, famous designers, garden influences.

3. Draughting & Contracting - drawing techniques, specifications, details.

4. Basic Landscape Construction - timber, steps, retainer walls, pathways, playstructures, etc.

5. Surfacings - concrete, asphalt, gravels, mulches, grasses, gradients, etc.

6. Furnishings & Features - chairs, statues, figurines, birdbaths, skateboards, safety, etc.

7. Park Design A - good/bad park design characteristics, recreational landscaping.

8. Home Garden design - good/bad garden design characteristics.

9. Design Procedure B - development of concept plans and detailed planting plans.

10. Park Design B - development of park design, fun & fitness trails.

Module 2. Horticulture I

There are twelve lessons in this course, as follows:

1. Plant Identification: Naming plants; distinguishing the taxonomic divisions of plants including family, genus, species and variety or hybrid; identifying the different parts of a flower; distinguishing the morphological characteristics of leaves.

2. Planting: Planting methods used for different types of plants including annuals, perennials, evergreen and deciduous plants; influence of environmental factors on planting techniques.

3. Soils: Classifying soils; sampling and testing soils; chemical and physical properties of soils; soil improvement techniques; composting; potting mixes.

4. Nutrition: Major and micro elements necessary for plant growth; nutrient deficiencies and toxicities; fertilisers.

5. Water Management: Irrigation systems – characteristics, advantages and disadvantages; drainage systems; waterwise gardening.

6. Pruning: Pruning techniques; importance of pruning to growth, flowering and fruiting; pruning tools.

7. Weeds: Identifying common weeds; characteristics of weeds; control techniques; herbicides.

8. Pests and Diseases: Identifying common insect and disease problems; control methods; Integrated Pest Management; pesticides; hygiene procedures; chemical safety.

9. Landscaping: Stages of landscaping; design procedures; collating pre-planning information; preparing plans; selecting plants for specified sites.

10. Propagation: Asexual and sexual propagation; taking cuttings; sowing seeds; aftercare of propagated plants.

11. Lawns: Turf grass varieties; laying a new lawn; cultural techniques including watering, fertilizing, topdressing, aerating, pest and disease control.

12. Arboriculture: Tree management techniques including pruning, removal and tree surgery; identifying tree problems.

Module 3. Landscaping II

There are twelve lessons in this subject as follows:

1. The Garden Environment

2. Landscape Materials

3. Using Bulbs and Annuals

4. Landscaping with Trees

5. Ground Cover Plants

6. Walls and Fences

7. Paths and Paving

8. Treatment of Slopes and Other Problem Areas

9. Garden Features

10. Designing for Low Maintenance

11. Development of a Landscape Plan

12. Management of Landscape Projects.

Module 4. Landscaping III (Landscape Styles)

There are 10 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Creating the Mood
2. Historic Gardens
3. Formal Gardens
4. Oriental Gardens
5. Middle Eastern and Spanish Style
6. Mediterranean Gardens
7. Coastal Gardens
8. Modern Gardens
9. Eclectic Gardens
10. Other Styles

Module 5. Plant Establishment and Selection

There are ten lessons as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Woody plants
3. Windbreaks, hedges and screens
4. Alpine and water plants
5. Annual and herbaceous plants
6. Turf
7. Maintenance
8. Pest and disease control
9. Weed control
10. Risk assessment

Module 6. Landscape Construction

There are ten lessons as follows:

1. Tools and Machinery
2. Landscape Plans and Setting out a Construction Site
3. Drainage in Landscape Construction
4. Earthworks
5. Surfaces, Paths, Paving and Turf
6. Construction of Garden Structures I
7. Construction of Garden Structures II
8. Irrigation Systems
9. Establishing Hedges and Other Plants
10. Workplace Safety and Management of Landscape Construction Work

Module 7. Horticulture II

There are ten lessons in this course plus one Special Assignment (see later for details). The content of each of the ten lessons is outlined below:

1. The Groups of Plants ‑ setting a framework for the whole subject.

To identify plants from a wide range of taxonomic and cultural groups, using a range of different techniques.

2. Use of Plants ‑ plant selection, soils.

3. Australian Native Plants

To determine techniques for the growing of native shrubs and trees, including the selection, culture and use of different species.

4. Exotic Ornamental Plants

To determine techniques for the growing of exotic ornamental shrubs and trees, including the selection, culture and use of different species.

5. Indoor & Tropical Plants

To determine techniques for the growing of indoor plants, including selection, culture and use of different varieties

6. Bedding Plants

To determine techniques for the growing of bedding plants, including selection, culture and use of different varieties.

7. Vegetables

To develop techniques for the growing of edible crop plants, including selection, culture and use of vegetables, fruit, berries and nuts (Part A).

8. Fruits, Nuts & Berries

9. Herbs

10. Alternative Growing Techniques ‑ hydroponics, container growing, terrariums. Determine appropriate applications for a range of alternative growing methods.

Module 8. Horticulture & Research I

The course contains seven lessons:

1. Determining Research Needs

2. Searching for Information

3. Research Methods

4. Using Statistics

5. Conducting Statistical Research

6. Research Reports

7. Reporting on a Research Project

Module 9. Water Gardening

There are eight lessons as follows:

1. Introduction: Scope & Nature of water features, water quality, plants & animals in water, etc.

2. Construction

3. Equipment: Pumps, Lights, Filters etc.

4. Ponds, watercourses, bog gardens, dams –Design & Aftercare.

5. Spas and Swimming Pools –Design & After care

6. Water Features –Indoor & Outdoor –Fountains, Waterfalls, Fish tanks, ponds etc

7. Water Plants

8. Aquatic Animals

Module 10. Playground Design

There are eight lessons in this unit as follows:

1. Overview of Parks & Playgrounds

2. Playground Philosophy

3. Preparing a Concept Plan

4. Materials

5. Park & Playground Structures and Materials

6. Local and Neighbourhood Parks

7. Community Participation In Park Development

8. Special Assignment.

Module 11. Planning Layout and Construction of Ornamental Gardens

There are eight lessons in this unit as follows:

1. Overview of Parks & Playgrounds

2. Playground Philosophy

3. Preparing a Concept Plan

4. Materials

5. Park & Playground Structures and Materials

6. Local and Neighbourhood Parks

7. Community Participation In Park Development

8. Special Assignment.

Module 12. Cottage Garden Design

There are eight lessons as follows:

1. Introduction To Cottage Gardens

2. History Of Cottage Gardens

3. Design Techniques and Drawing Plans

4. Plants For Cottage Gardens

5. Planting Design In Cottage Gardens

6. Landscape Features and Components

7. Cottage Gardens Today

8. Special Assignment - Design Of A Complete Garden.

Module 13. Permaculture Systems

The course is divided into eight lessons as follows:

1. Permaculture Principles

2. Natural Systems

3. Zone & Sector Planning

4. Permaculture Techniques

5. Animals in Permaculture

6. Plants in Permaculture

7. Appropriate Technologies

8. Preparing a Permaculture Plan

Module 14. Horticultural Management

There are ten lessons in this course as follows:

1. Horticultural Business Structures

2. Management Theories and Procedures

3. Horticulture & The Law

4. Supervision

5. Financial Management

6. Staff Management

7. Improving Plant Varieties

8. Productivity and Risk

9. Managing Physical Resources

10. Developing an Horticultural Business Plan

Module 15. Natural Garden Design

There are 8 lessons in this course as follows:

1. Introduction to Natural Gardens.

2. History of Natural Gardens

3. Developing Concept Plans

4. Plants for Natural Gardens

5. Planting Design in Natural Gardens

6. Natural Garden Features

7. Natural Gardens Today

8. Bringing It All Together.

Module 16. Project Management

There are nine lessons as follows:

1. Introduction
   Understanding what project management is, and what its applications might be.
2. Project Identification
   Identification and defining projects which need management.
3. Project Planning
   Developing a strategy and framework for the plan.
4. Project Implementation
   Managers duties during implementation, developing a Preparation Control Chart,
   Regulating implementation.
5. Project Completion & Evaluation
   Dangers in this stage, Steps in Project completion, Declaring a project sustainable,
   Developing an evaluation method.
6. Technical Project Management Skills
   Preparing a proposal, budget control/management, steps in drawing up a
   post project appraisal.
7. Leadership Skills
   Styles of leadership, leadership principles and methods.
8. Improving Key Personnel Skills
   Listening skills, Negotiation skills, Conflict management.
9. Major Assignment
   Developing full documentation for a project.

Module 17. Restoring Established Ornamental Gardens

There are 8 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Landscape History & Design Styles
2. Surveying the Site
3. Assessment of Plantings and Features
4. Selecting Components for Retention
5. Work Programming and Risk Management
6. Drainage
7. Hard Landscape Feature Restoration
8. Planting Restoration and Maintenance

Module 18. Horticulture & Research II

There are 7 lessons in this module as follows:
1. Identifying research issues and determining research priorities.
2. Acquisition of technical information
3. Specialised research techniques
4. Research planning and designing
5. Statistics
6. Conducting research
7. Writing reports

Module 19. Workshop I

This course uses PBL (problem-based learning) study projects to develop a "real world" relevance in your overall learning experience

There are 3 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Workplace Tools, Equipment and Materials: Identifying and describing the operation of tools and equipment used in the workplace; routine maintenance of tools and equipment; identifying and comparing materials used in the workplace; using different materials to perform workplace tasks.

2. Workplace Skills: Determining key practical skills in the workplace; identifying and comparing commonly-performed workplace tasks; determining acceptable standards for workplace tasks; implementing techniques for improving workplace efficiency.

3. Workplace Safety: Identifying health and safety risks in the workplace; complying with industry OH&S standards; developing safety guidelines for handling dangerous items

Modules 20 and 21.

plus two relevant electives from horticulture or another area of study of value to people working in landscaping.

For example … Advanced Permaculture; Irrigation – gardens; Trees for Rehabilitation; Horticultural Marketing; Plant Ecology; Conifers; Roses; Perennials; Australian Natives I; Tropical Plants; Photoshop; Starting a Small Business.

MORE DETAIL ON SELECTED MODULES

Landscaping I

Course Structure

There are twelve lessons in this course, as follows:

1. Plant Identification

2. Planting

3. Soils

4. Nutrition

5. Water Management

6. Pruning

7. Weeds

8. Pests and Diseases

9. Landscaping

10. Propagation

11. Lawns

12. Arboriculture

What you will do in this course

· Distinguish between plants in order to identify at least 120 plants on plant review sheets.

· Plant out a container plant following a recommended procedure.

· Sample and carry out simple tests on different soils.

· Identify a range of nutrient problems in plants.

· Identify a range of pest and disease problems in plants.

· Demonstrate the correct procedure for pruning a plant.

· Identify a range of different plants, based on their flower and leaf structures.

· Determine appropriate procedures for planting according to type of plant and site.

· Demonstrate knowledge of how to care for plants in the garden.

· Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate plant selection for a range of different sites.

· Identify a range of plant health problems and describe appropriate chemical and non-chemical control methods to control those problems.

· Identify characteristics of plant growing media necessary for healthy plant growth.

· Explain the importance of organic matter in soil management.

· Describe the principles and techniques of composting.

· Determine nutrient problems and describe chemical and non-methods for overcoming these problems.

· Identify management solutions to a range of plant problems including weeds, pests and diseases.

· Explain the principles of Integrated Pest Management.

· Determine appropriate water management practices applicable to plant growth.

· Describe the characteristics of irrigation and drainage systems.

· Describe the importance of pruning to plant growth, flowering and fruiting.

· Describe safe use of chemicals.

· Develop criteria for selecting suitable plants for a landscape project.

· Prepare concept plans for landscape redevelopment.

· Draw a concept plan for a garden redevelopment.

· Demonstrate the correct procedure for taking cuttings from a range of plants.

· Distinguish between different pre-germination seed requirements and techniques, for different plant species.

· Determine appropriate turf species for different purposes and chosen climatic conditions.

· Explain the composition of lawn seed mixes and fertilizers.

· Observe and report on lawn management techniques.

· Determine solutions to lawn problems.

· Explain the cause and effect of common tree problems.

· Determine appropriate methods for treating tree problems.

Landscape Construction

Course Structure

There are ten lessons as follows:

1. Tools and Machinery

2. Landscape Plans and Setting out a Construction Site

3. Drainage in Landscape Construction

4. Earthworks

5. Surfaces, Paths, Paving and Turf

6. Construction of Garden Structures I

7. Construction of Garden Structures II

8. Irrigation Systems

9. Establishing Hedges and Other Plants

10. Workplace Safety and Management of Landscape Construction Work

What You Will Do In This Course

· Compare the quality and cost of a range of different tools and machinery used in landscape construction.

· Identify tools and machinery used in everyday work by landscape contractors.

· Explain appropriate uses for different tools and machinery on a landscape construction site.

· Prepare landscape plans for a number of landscape sites

· Research and report on marking out boundaries in construction sites

· Describe how to locate contours

· Determine the fall of existing drains, and identify appropriate falls, spacing and depths of drains

· Observe and report on earth moving equipment in operation

· Survey a site and recommend earthworks necessary

· Examine surfacing materials for paths, gardens, etc and determine the appropriate landscaping function of each.

· Assess the construction of a range of different existing landscape features

· Describe preparation of foundations for a specified garden structure, on a specific site.

· Design a rockery at least 30 square metres in area

· Contact a range of suppliers of landscape materials and compare the products available in your locality.

· Identify materials needed to install an irrigation system on a site selected by you.

· Prepare plans of irrigation systems

· Research which species of plants are suitable for hedging in your locality

· Outline how to effectively transplant an existing tree

· Prepare a detailed risk assessment for a landscape construction site

· Identify safe working practices for a landscape construction site

· Determine a list of work tasks to be undertaken on a landscape construction site. Give a time frame for completion of the entire project

Playground Design

Course Structure

There are eight lessons in this unit as follows:

1. Overview of Parks and Playgrounds

2. Playground Philosophy

3. Preparing a Concept Plan

4. Materials

5. Park and Playground Structures and Materials

6. Local and Neighbourhood Parks

7. Community Participation In Park Development

8. Special Assignment.

What You Will Do In This Course

Below are just some of the activities in this course:

- Explain how an understanding of play theory can be applied to the design of a playground.

- Explain how the concept of recreational planning may influence the design of a specified park.

- Determine factors which distinguish park design from home garden design.

- Compare different planning processes used for developing designs for public landscapes, including:

advocacy planning, strategic planning and community participation.

- Explain historical influences upon park design, in your locality, including: *local history *national history.

- Evaluate the functional depreciation of a specified playground over a period of at least ten years.

- Explain the significance of demographic considerations on park design, in a specific locality.

- Evaluate the designs of two different established parks, and two established playgrounds, visited by you.

- Develop a brief for a park plan, through an interview with management of a specific site.

- Collect preplanning information for a proposed park design; through surveying the site and interviewing both managers of the site, and intended users of the site.

- Develop three alternative concept plans for a proposed park development; in accordance with a real design brief, either prepared by you with a client, or obtained as a brief for a job being put to tender.

- Compare three alternative concept plans in an interview with a client, or prospective client, for a proposed park development; recording the interview session on audio tape.

- Describe the design features of four different items of outdoor furniture intended for use in parks and playgrounds.

- Compare the suitability of different barriers, including bollards, fences, plantings and walls, used in three different parks and/or playgrounds; visited and inspected by you.

- Assess the design of garden constructions inspected by you in a children’s playground.

- Compare various ground surfacing materials in terms of their application in park or playground design.

- Explain design considerations for earth forming, in a specific park and playground.

- Design a park plan for a specified site of 1,000 to 10,000 square metres, incorporating a themed play area.

- Prepare a costing for the construction of a themed play area, designed by you.

- Compare the appropriateness of fifteen different plants for use in a playground in terms of different factors including: -play possibilities -hardiness -toxicity.

- Determine appropriate design criteria for the use of water in playgrounds.

- Determine appropriate functions for neighbourhood parks.

- Determine inappropriate functions for a neighbourhood park.

- Analyse two neighbourhood parks by both; surveying users and observing users.

- Evaluate the design of two different neighbourhood parks, visited and studied by you, against different criteria including: *Function *Aesthetics *Maintenance requirement *Environmental sympathy.

- Recommend design modifications for a surveyed neighbourhood park.

- Explain the significance of danger to the children’s learning experience.

- Determine how two different specific playground designs have been affected by concerns about legal liability.

- Conduct a legal risk analysis of a playground which has been established for more than ten years.

- Develop guidelines for minimizing legal liability in playground design, for an authority responsible for a specific playground.

- Determine design criteria for different types of trails in parks including: *Fun and fitness trails *Environmental interpretation trails *Cycle paths *Linkages between parks *Roadways.

- Compare the construction of three different specified paths within parks with reference to: *Durability *Safety *Function *Maintenance requirements.

- Prepare a concept plan for a "specialist trail" in a park, such as; a fun and fitness trail, a cycle path or an environmental interpretation trail, following design standards in the industry.

- Determine factors which impact on the success of a park/playground development which involves community participation.

- Analyse community attitudes to a park or playground development, which has used community participation, by either * survey * discussion with local Parks Department management.

- Explain how to promote community involvement in park development in a way which will optimise the chance of success.

- Determine a procedure to involve a community in the development of a park/playground facility, on a site visited by you.

Project Management

Course Structure

There are eight lessons in this unit, as follows:

1. Introduction

2. Project Identification

3. Project Planning

4. Project Implementation

5. Project Completion and Evaluation

6. Technical Project Management Skills

7. Leadership Skills

8. Improving Key Personnel Skills

Major Assignment - Developing full documentation for a project.

What You Will Do In This Course

· Research two projects and explain how they are being managed

· Explain the difference between general management and project management

· Decide on a project idea and describe: your project objective