Grounds Management

Overview

What you will study

Through the Grounds Management course offered by Warnborough College , the student will attempt to achieve the following objectives:

• Design a plant assessment sheet to be used in the field to record information about plant health problems.

• Diagnose nutrient, pest, disease and environmental problems of plants.

• Dissect, draw and label a range of pest/disease problems.

• Explain ten alternative weed control methods including chemical and non chemical treatments.

• Collect, press, label and mount a weed collection and a pest/disease collection.

• Explain aeration, spiking, coring, de-thatching and topdressing.

• Describe selective weed control in turf.

• Select turf species suitable for a range of different situations (eg: for shade, wet and windy sites).

• Describe the steps in preparing an area for turf.

• Demonstrate the ability to prepare for, and sow a new lawn.

• Explain how to establish turf on a steep slope.

• Prepare labelled sketches of three gardens created using different growing methods.

• Review and select plants suitable for use in each situation.

• Describe the importance of trees to humans.

• Describe the correct procedures for the proper and safe removal of a limb from a tree.

• Describe simply the processes of photosynthesis, respiration & transpiration.

• List the environmental factors which affect photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration.

• Explain compartmentalisation, and its effect on the spread of diseases in trees.

• Develop contact with local people involved in garden maintenance.

• Describe maintenance procedures for a variety of different ornamental garden situations.

• Explain soil (seedbed) preparation treatments for a range of soil types.

• Explain soil degradation problems in terms of soil chemistry and structure, and how to deal with them.

• Explain different ways of preparing virgin or farmland soil for tree planting.

• Explain different ways of treating a soil using soil ameliorants.

• Collect samples of or literature describing products which can be used to assist with the improvement of soils.

• Explain situations where cultivation can be used to improve a soil.

• Explain a situation where cultivation can be detrimental to a soil.

• Classify different soils using simple hand feel tests.

• Explain pH and conductivity (EC) and their affect on plant growth.

• List the comparative advantages and disadvantages of different types of irrigation systems.

• Explain the operation of different sprinkler heads, different micro-jets and different drippers.

• Explain the way water moves through soil and the mechanisms which affect the soils water holding capacity.

• Select an appropriate irrigation system for a selected garden, and explain the reasons why it is preferred.

• Explain the operation of a timer used in irrigation systems.

• Design a micro-irrigation system.