Qualification -CERTIFICATE IN LANDSCAPE GARDENING VHT029

Interested in Building Gardens? 

Want to be a landscape gardener?
 
Then this is the course for you!

Landscape gardeners do the physical work of constructing a garden. Through this course you can develop knowledge and skills that are in demand in this industry and for a career as a landscape gardener.

Work as a Landscape Gardener

The landscaping industry can involve soil shaping and preparation, planting plants, and a host of other tasks that may vary from job to job. These other tasks may include such things as:

  • Laying Drainage
  • Installing irrigation systems
  • Paving
  • Building Walls, Fences, Pergolas, Decks, Sheds, or any other structures
  • Constructing water features
  • Installing seats, tables, BBQ’s, Statues, etc.

Course Content

Six modules as follows:

  • Horticulture I
  • Landscaping I
  • Landscape Construction
  • Planning Layout and Construction of Ornamental Gardens
  • Machinery and Equipment
  • Plant Selection and Establishment

Duration:   100 hours


Outlines of the Modules

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; water-wise 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; after-care 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.

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, play structures, 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.
  11. Plus A Special Assignment - comprehensive landscape design development.

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

Planning Layout and Construction of Ornamental Gardens

 There are 10 lessons in this module as follows:

  1. Site Appraisal, Interpretation and Risk Assessment
  2. Preparing Site Plans and Specifications
  3. Influence of Site Characteristics
  4. The Use of Hard Landscape Features
  5. Setting out a Site to Scale Plans and Drawings
  6. Soil Handling and Storage
  7. Land Drainage Systems
  8. Ground Preparation Techniques
  9. Construction of Paths and Patios
  10. Construction of Steps, Ramps, Dwarf Walls and Fences

Machinery and Equipment

There are eight lessons as follows:

  1. Engine Operation
  2. Hydraulics
  3. Machinery Components
  4. Hand Tools
  5. Power Tools
  6. Tractors
  7. Equipment Maintenance
  8. Specific Workplace Requirements

Plant Selection and Establishment

There are ten lessons, as follows:

  1. Introduction: What to plant where, Plant selection, Plant varieties, Which plant, Colourful year round foliage, Establishment (timing, soil preparation, pot plant size, planting technique), Maintenance programs, Plants that tolerate poor drainage, Coastal plantings.
  2. Woody plants Selecting woody plants, Trees, Deciduous and Semi deciduous trees, Evergreen trees, Flowering shrubs, Selecting flowering shrubs, Establishing woody plants, Planting procedure, Planting deciduous and bare rooted plants, Shade.
  3. Windbreaks, hedges and screens Purpose of windbreaks, hedges and screens, Selecting plants for screening, Establishing screens, hedges and windbreaks, Pruning an established hedge, Hedge trimmers.
  4. Alpine and water plants Selecting alpine plants, Establishing alpines, Rock gardens, Raised beds, Sinks and troughs, Selecting water plants, establishment and maintenance of water plants.
  5. Annual and herbaceous plants Advantages of annuals, Types of annuals (edging plants, groundwork plants, dot plants), Low, medium and tall annuals, Scented annuals, Colourful foliage, Bedding schemes (pure, mixed, single variety, single genus, standard garden, standard park), Annuals from seed or seedlings, Annuals in containers, selecting & establishing herbaceous plants, Popular herbaceous plants, Supporting herbaceous plants, Maximising flower displays.
  6. Turf Selecting turf, Turf varieties, Lawn mixes, What to grow where, Wildflower meadows, Turf establishment, Soil preparation, Seeding, Sodding, Instant turf, Stolonizing, Sprigging, Plugging, Mowing turf, Mowers, Mowing guidelines, Mowing heights, Fertilizing turf.
  7. Maintenance Fertilizing, pH, Replacing plants, Pruning, Pruning deciduous trees & shrubs, Irrigation systems, Irrigating turf, Irrigating garden beds and container plants, Designing an irrigation system, Sprinklers, Flow rates, Micro irrigation, Avoiding watering, Humidity, Mulch, Developing a maintenance program.
  8. Pest and disease control Preventing pest and disease problems, Non chemical control, Chemical controls, Environmental problems, Insect pests, Viruses, Fungal diseases, Bacterial diseases.
  9. Weed control Chemical and non chemical control, Safety with weedicides, Alternative weed control strategies.
  10. Risk assessment Identifying risks, Preventative maintenance, Duty of care, Workplace safety, Illness, Protective clothing, Safety equipment, Safety with tools and equipment, Safety with electricity, Tool maintenance.