Garden Maintenance
| Course Code | VHT100 |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Statement of Attainment |
| Payment Options | Upfront & Payment Plans |
| Delivery | Online & Correspondence |
| Duration | 100 Hours |
We usually think of garden maintenance as a summer priority when lawns, weeds and plants grow vigorously but even in winter a garden may deteriorate without regular maintenance. Proper maintenance however costs both time and money. Fortunately, there are shortcuts but these require knowledge and the right materials and equipment.
There are 10 lessons in this course:
1. Introduction Planning and managing a garden.
- Cost of Maintenance
- Expensive and Less Expensive areas of a garden
- Planning
- Garden Checklists
- Analyzing Maintenance of Parks and Gardens
- Organising Garden Maintenance Staff
2. Garden Furnishings and Machinery
- What Tool for What Job
- Overview of Machinery
- Mowers and How to Mow
- Aerators, Chippers, Mechanised Sprayers, Chain Saws, Brush Cutters, etc.
- Tractors
- Tool Maintenance
- Engine Troubleshooting
- Outdoor Furniture -plastic, timber, metal
- Protecting Furnishings -paints, stains, preservatives
3. Feeding Plants
- Symptoms of Nutritional and other Problems
- Conducting an Inspection of Plants
- Soil Characteristics and identification of Soil Issues
- Review of Plant Nutrition
- Choosing the Right Fertiliser
- Diagnosing Nutritional Problems
- Improving soils
4. Weed Control
- Nature and Scope of Weed Problems
- Natural Ways to Control Weeds -suffocation, burning, cultivation, etc
- Common groups of weeds and options for treating and recognising different weed varieties.
5. Weedicides
- How Weeds Spread
- Types of chemicals found in weedicides and suitable weedicide
- Which chemical would control the weed.
- Chemicals and the Law
6. Natural Pest Control
- Scope and Nature of Natural Controls
- Cultural Controls
- Mechanical Control Methods
- Physical Control Methods
- Methods for controlling selected insects
- Companion Planting
- Common Environmental Problems
- Tolerance Levels in different plants
- Biological Controls
- Natural Sprays
- Buffer Zones
- Mulching
7. Chemical Pest Control
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Ways of Applying Chemicals
- Safety with Chemicals
- Understanding Pesticides -toxicity, LD50, Persistence, etc.
- Specific chemical treatments and a summary of pesticides.
8. Turf Management
- Common Turf Problems
- Turf Pests
- Chemical Damage
- Establishment and Maintence of Lawns
- Mowing, Fertilizing, Aeration, etc
- Turf varieties, appropriate turf for specific areas, low and high maintenance turf.
9. Irrigation
- Importance of Water
- Water Loss from different soils & Improving Water retention
- Understanding Water Dynamics in soil
- Irrigation -types of systems
- Planning an irrigation system
- Using an irrigation system
- Controlling slippery surfaces
10. Maintenance of Plants
- Why Prune
- Before Pruning
- Time of Pruning -does it matter?
- What to consider when pruning
- Removing Dead Wood
- Controlling shape and size
- How to prune different types of plants
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
- Select and maintain tools and equipment appropriately for use in garden maintenance.
- Describe maintenance requirements for garden structures such as furniture, gates and fencing.
- Maintain appropriate nutrition requirements for healthy plant growth.
- Control weeds in a garden.
- Use weedicides in a safe and effective way.
- Control pests using non chemical methods.
- Use chemical pesticides safely and efficiently.
- Maintain lawns in a healthy and well maintained condition.
- Describe options for managing water in a garden.
- Determine actions that should be taken to maintain a variety of different plants
Interested? Request a free informatiom pack today!
If you are an Irish citizen you may be eligible to receive financial support, meaning you can defer payment of your course fees. Additionally, if you are a resident of Ireland, you may also be eligible to receive a student grant under the Student Grant Scheme
Student supportWe live in a society where the pressures of daily living are high with financial expenses, personal and work commitments, and mortgage and rental obligations. Then there are the unexpected life challenges that also get thrown our way. With this in mind the thought of taking on study can be daunting for most people. Here at Learning Cloud we understand that life doesn’t run in a straight line it has many ups and downs.
As an enrolled student at Learning Cloud, you are entitled to access a variety of non-academic support services from the Student Services Unit. These supports are designed to walk beside you throughout your studies they will assist you in life’s ups and downs to provide you the best opportunity to successfully complete your chosen course.
STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
- Careers Counselling Service
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- E Counselling
- Your-Tutor
- Parent support
- Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP)
Call our student support today on 041 214 0000 or Email Faculty
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How will this course advance my career?
Learning Cloud programs have been developed in response to industry demand and are specifically designed to equip graduates with work-ready skills. Each participant will be trained and assessed in theory and in practical tasks and Real-world exercises are used throughout the program.
Studies prove, time and again, that college-educated workers earn more than those with only a high school qualification. College graduates often enjoy additional benefits, including greater job opportunities and promotions. Though the proof for greater earning potential exists, some might wonder whether the cost of the education warrants the overall expense in the long run.
College Graduate vs. Non-Graduate Earnings
The National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES) analyses employee earnings data biennially, according to education level. Findings indicate that workers with a qualification earn significantly more than those without. Since the mid-1980s, education has played a large part in potential wages, with bachelor's degree holders taking home an average of 66% more than those with only a high school diploma do. While college-educated workers' wages have increased over the past two decades, those with only a high school education have seen decreases in annual salaries in the same time period (nces.ed.gov).
How else will I benefit from studying with Learning Cloud?
- Studying online or distance means you can study where you want and at your own pace.
- Receive career-focused training with practical, hands-on learning.
- All course materials are provided and all digital platforms are interactive, work on any device and designed to be fun.
- Recognition of Prior Learning or Skills Recognition may be available for previous work experience, formal training or qualifications in this field.
