Online Plant Selection And Establishment Course

Plant Knowledge is the foundation for any good landscaping. If you choose inappropriate and unpredictable plants, a garden can grow into something that was unforseen by the landscaper (and that really defeats the whole reason for landscaping!). This course is a wonderful foundation for landcapers and students of landscaping. Learning about plants is in reality, a lifelong journey of discovery; but that journey is so much easier to walk, and more productive; if you have a proper and fundamental undertstanding of "plant selection and use".

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • What to plant where, Plant selection, Plant varieties, Colourful year round foliage, Establishment (timing, soil preparation, plant size, planting technique), Maintenance programs, etc
2. Woody plants
   • Selecting woody plants, trees, shrubs, deciduous/semi deciduous/evergreen; flowering shrubs, Establishing woody plants, Planting procedure, Dealing with shade, etc
3. Windbreaks, hedges and screens
   • Plant selection, establishing windbreaks & screens, Trimming a hedge, etc
4. Alpine and water plants
   • Selecting & establishing alpines, Selecting water plants, Establishment & maintenance of water plants
5. Annual and herbaceous plants
   • Selecting annuals, Types of annuals (by height, flower, edge plants, dot plants, groundwork plants), types of bedding schemes, Planting seed or seedlings, Container culture, Selection & Establishment of herbaceous plants (Bulbs & Perennials), Maximizing flowering effect, etc
6. Turf
   • Varieties, Lawn mixes, What to grow where, Wildflower Meadows, Turf establishment, Soil Preparation, Seeding, Sodding, Stolonizing, Sprigging, Plugging, Mowing, Fertilising, etc
7. Maintenance
   • Fertilizing, Managing pH, Replacing plants, Pruning, Irrigation, Humidity, Mulch, Developing a maintenance Program,
8. Pest and disease control
   • Problem prevention, Non chemical control, Chemical control,
9. Weed control
   • Non chemical control, Chemical control, Safety, Alternative strategies.
10. Risk assessment
    • Identifying risk, Duty of care, Workplace safety, Protective clothing, Safety with tools, Significance of illness, etc

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:

Develop knowledge of the range of applications for and selection and establishment of horticultural plants.

• Develop knowledge in the establishment and maintenance of a range of woody plants, with different modes of growth, for different situations
• Develop knowledge in selection, establishment, and maintenance of species suitable for hedges windbreaks and screens.
• Describe the cultivation of alpine and water plants.
• Describe the selection, cultivation, and maintenance of herbaceous plants.
• Explain the selection, establishment and maintenance of turf and lawns.
• Explain the maintenance and cultural requirements of herbaceous, woody, and other plants.
• Consider the different pest and disease control implications resulting from the choice of different plant varieties.
• Determine pest and disease control requirements for a new garden.
• Explain the control of weeds in a garden.
• Explain the implications upon weed management that result from selection of particular plants for use in a garden.
• Manage establishment and maintenance of plants in a way that minimizes safety risks to people working in or visiting a garden.

Interested? Request a free information pack today!