Online Courses Australia - elearning

Core Units

 

1. Plant Identification

• 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. Planting

• How to plant and protect newly planted specimens.
• Terms like: annuals, biennials, perennials, deciduous.
• Evergreen and herbaceous plants.

 

4. Pruning

• Purpose for pruning.
• Rules for pruning.
• How to prune.

 

5. 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

• Fertilisers - deficiencies and toxicities.
• N:P:K ratios.
• Salting.
• Fertiliser programming.
• Compost.

 

8. Seeds & Cuttings

• How to propagate plants by seed or cuttings.
• Propagating mixes.
• Cold frame construction.
• After care for young plants.

 

9. Other Propagation Techniques

• Other methods to increase plant numbers - budding, grafting, layering, division and tissue culture.

 

10. Landscape Application

• How plants are used in the landscape.
• How to choose and purchase plants.
• Selecting plants suitable for the climate and site.

 

11. Problem Situations

• Problems with plants and choosing plants for problem sites.

 

12. Indoor & Tropical 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 Units

 

1. History of Landscaping

• Garden Styles.
• Types of Gardens.
• History of Gardens.

 

2. Principles of Design and Planning Information

• Principles of Design.
• Pre Planning Information.
• Using Colour.
• Natural Garden Design.
• Eclectic Gardens.
• Minimalist Gardens.
• Plant Application.
• Aesthetic Criteria for Design.
• Procedure for Planting Design.
• Entries.
• Birds in the Garden.

 

3. Drawing and Costs

• Cost Effective Design.
• Garden Style versus costs.
• Construction Decisions.
• Planting Decisions.
• Maintenance Decisions.
• Garden Investment.
• Determining Costs.
• Drawing Techniques.
• Computer Aided Design.

 

4. Irrigation

• Sprinkler Systems.
• Micro Irrigation.
• Planning an Irrigation System.
• How to Use a Watering System.
• Automatic Watering Systems.

 

5. Garden Designs

• Park Design
• Home Garden Design.
• Cottage Garden Design.
• Trail Design.
• Types of Trails (Fitness, Sensory, Cryptic, Environmental).
• Recreational Landsacaping.
• Playground Design.
• Barriers and Walls.
• Gradients and Dimensions.

 

6. Earthmoving & Drainage

• Levelling & Basic Surveying, Earthmoving Equipment.
• Earth Forming.
• Creating Mounds.
• Raised Beds.
• Importing or Improving Soil.
• Soil Shaping.
• Soil Degradation.
• Soil Rehabilitation.
• Earthworks calculations.

 

7. Materials

• Using, Choosing & Preserving Timber.
• Recycled Timber.
• Rock Work.
• Concrete.
• Coloured Pebbles and Gravel.

 

8. Paths, Walls & Fences

• Paths: Guidelines, Gradients, Surfaces, Walls & Sleeper Walls.
• Types of Fences.
• Building a Wood Fence.
• Garden Structures.
• Play Structures.
• Skate Facilities.
• Motor Vehicle Parks.
• Pavers, Stone and Gravels.
• Contracts and Specifications.

 

9. Equipment

• Manual Tools and Equipment.
• Power tools for landscaping.

 

10. Water Features

• Planning a Water Garden.
• Types of Water Gardens.
• Water Quality, depth, area, safety etc.
• Water Effects.
• Finishing Touches to a Water Garden.
• Fountains.

 

11. Garden Art: Statues, Sundials & Figurines

• Garden Rooms: How to Design a Garden Room, What to put in a Garden Room.
• Positioning Garden Art.
• Painting in the Garden.
• Pots, Sculpture and Statues.
• Outdoor Furniture.

 

12. Landscaping for Sports & Games

• Fun and Fitness Trails.
• Outdoor Multi Purpose Courts.
• Skateboarding.
• Types of Playgrounds.
• Park Design Criteria.

 

13. Landscape Management

• Role of a Manager.
• Management Processes.
• Law and Business.
• Communication Skill.
• Marketing.
• Industry Awareness.
• Landscape Management.

 

14. Industrial Relations: Unions & Workers

• Work Scheduling.
• Unions.
• Workplace Health and Safety

 

15. Maintenance of a New Landscape

• Protecting Young Plants.
• Replanting.
• Pruning.
• Weed Control.
• Maintaining Turf.