LANDSCAPING AND GARDEN DESIGN ONLINE COURSE
" I compliment you on the quality of the course. It has helped me immensely, already, in my job with the local council's parks & gardens department"
- Lester, studying Certificate in Horticulture (Landscaping)
OUR MOST POPULAR COURSE FOR ANYONE JUST STARTING OUT IN HORTICULTURE AND LANDSCAPING
Meet one of the Graduates:
Jamie Speeding studied and completed this certificate in the mid 1990's. While studying he formed his own business, Greenhort Design. Soon after Jamie became a member of The Australian Institute Of Horticulture (AIH) and was elected inaugural Chair of the Gold Coast branch, a position he held for three consecutive terms. His dedication to the industry saw him appointed on various industry advisory committees, form strong ties between the local nursery industry and help initiate the move to establish a botanic garden on the Gold Coast. He has also been a lecturer, magazine journalist and spent several years hosting a radio show on the local ABC.
Today he is fully occupied with commercial Landscape design. "For the past 18 months I have been mainly designing/drafting ACAD residential development landscape plans and childcare centers nationwide for Council submission. I now employ several full-time drafters and designers as the demand for our services has increased ten-fold."
Jamie believes that a lot of his success in the horticulture industry can be attributed to ACS Principal John Mason and past tutor Paul Plant who both encouraged and supported his career.
COURSE CONTENT
This certificate entails the following:
Core studies - half of the course, involving approximately 300hrs over 15 lessons.
Elective studies - half of the course, involving stream studies specific to landscaping.
Core units
1. Introduction to Plants
Nomenclature and taxonomy, the plant kingdom, genus, species, hybrids.
2. Parts of the Plant
How plants grow, plant structure, parts of the flower and leaf, modification of stems and roots.
3. Plant Culture - Planting
How to plant and protect newly planted specimens, terms like: annuals, biennials, perennials, deciduous, evergreen and herbaceous plants.
4. Plant Culture - Pruning
Purpose for pruning, rules for pruning, how to prune.
5. Plant Culture - Irrigation and Machinery
Different irrigation systems, components of an irrigation system, designing an irrigation system, maintenance in the garden and for tools.
6. Soils & Media
Soil classifications, testing soil, potting mixes, the U.C. System, ingredients of potting mixes.
7. Soils & Nutrition
Fertilizers - deficiencies and toxicities, N:P:K ratios, salting, fertilizer programming, compost.
8. Propagation - Seeds & Cuttings
How to propagate plants with the two easiest techniques, propagating mixes, cold frame construction, after care for young plants.
9. Propagation - Other Techniques
Other methods to increase plant numbers - budding, grafting, layering, division and tissue culture.
10. Identification and Use of Plants
How are plants used in the landscape, how to choose and purchase plants, selecting plants suitable for the climate and site.
11. Identification and Use of Plants
Problems with plants and choosing plants for problem sites.
12. Identification and Use of Plants
Indoor and Tropical Plants, flowers, herbs, bulbs, ferns.
13. Pests
Identifying and controlling pests, chemical and natural methods for control, chemical safety precautions.
14. Diseases
Identifying and controlling diseases, plant pathology, fungi, viruses, non pathogenic problems, interactions with the host and the environment.
15. Weeds
Identifying and controlling weeds, chemical terminology.
Stream(elective) studies: LANDSCAPE AND GARDEN DESIGN
The aim of the stream studies is to develop skills and knowledge in landscape design, construction, features and landscape business management.
The student will engage in the following activities as part of the stream studies:
Review the historical evolution of gardens.
Obtain pre-planning information and use of that information to draw plans.
Identify different principles and styles of landscape designs.
Analyze garden designs.
Develop graphic skills, and a knowledge of drawing materials and techniques.
Prepare cost estimates for a landscape job.
Describe surfacing materials and their effects.
Explain the quality and cost of different landscape materials.
Develop a knowledge of plants, both native and exotic, suitable for local conditions.
Select plants for difficult sites and conditions.
Describe advantages and disadvantages of various pipes, sprinklers and pumping equipment.
Recommend irrigation systems for different landscape situations.
Design a simple irrigation system.
Design a bush garden and the value and relevance of using native plants.
Analyze and report on a cottage garden design.
Analyze and report on a playground design.
Prepare a playground design for a school or public park.
Draw layout plans for a range of gardens.
Conduct a detailed survey of a site, prepare a detailed plan based on that survey, estimate costs and develop contract documentation for that project.
Explain earthworks and soil preparation techniques used in landscaping.
Describe alternative techniques for establishing and growing plants.
Explain a range of landscape construction techniques including building fences, walls, rockeries, paths, water gardens, paving and drainage.
Compare different landscape materials with respect to their quality, cost, availability and application in garden construction.
Describe the correct procedures for the proper and safe removal of a limb from a tree, and for the felling of trees.
Develop a detailed maintenance program for a garden.
Demonstrate the ability to prepare for, and plant a new lawn.
Explain how to establish turf on a steep slope.
Write and advertisement for a landscaping business.
Explain basic management procedures.
Show a reasonable level of communication skill.
Explain health and safety requirements on a landscape site
Horticulture Tutors
Diana Cole B.A. (Hons), Higher Dip. (Garden Design), RHS Advanced Cert. Horticulture, Cert Admin.Mgt., Dip. Inst. Personnel Management
In addition to her RHS horticulture, garden design, City & Guild construction, NPTC pesticide/legislation and business/management qualifications, Diana has a variety of skills drawn from setting up Arbella Gardens, a landscape gardening business. She also has administrative, management and training delivery experience drawn from her employment in other organisations such as the NHS and other educational institutions such as schools & universities. She has augmented her training expertise having gained the Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector qualification. She also has experience gained through working as a volunteer in a number of different roles including amenity style gardening in parks and practical conservation work. Diana is also a member of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Limited (NSALG).
Maggi Brown Cert.Ed.(Environment)
Maggi is regarded as an expert in Organic Growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic). She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more them three decades.
Yvonne Sharpe RHS Cert.Hort, Dip.Hort, M.Hort, Cert.Ed., Dip.Mgt.
Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne hastravelled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades. Yvonne is also a member of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG).
Thady Barrett M.Hort (RHS) Thady is a consultant to the horticulture industry in the UK, with particular interest in the ornamental plant sector. Previously a senior lecturer at Writtle College for 20 years which included being course tutor for RHS qualifications. Wide ranging practical horticultural experience but with specific interest in propagation techniques and plant production technologies. Member of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) and awarded the Rose Bowl Award in 2009 in recognition of his contribution to the society.
Would you like to speak to one of our tutors about where to start?Are you interested in becoming a landscape gardener?
