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| PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME: FEBRUARY - APRIL 2009 |
| Course |
Description |
Basic Landscape Design
(LSD001F)
(LSD001P) |
Landscape and garden design is a rapidly expanding profession, and the services of qualified people are in great demand. This Basic Landscape Design course will open many doors into this exciting profession. The course consists of several stages in design, namely: site analysis (which includes basic surveying skills), user / client requirements, zoning (bubble diagram), scale drawings, reading and interpreting plans, an introduction into garden styles, hard landscaping specifications, and soft landscaping.
The teaching is based on studio work after which you will be required to design a garden your own or a fictional garden) to be presented to the class for peer review. When you are ready to write the examination, you will have to book a place to write the exam. |
Plant Identification and Designing with Plants
(IDD001F)
(IDD001P) |
Planting Design is a specialized design process because, as a landscape designer, you need to know your plants and be able to identify them. Planting design is for a landscaper what working with a palette of paint is for a painter. You have to consider the colours, the shades of colours, textures, and shapes of all plants before you can place them in a design. Such placing is not possible if you cannot identify the plants and do not know in what conditions they will flourish and where not use them. This course will help you to identify plants, know their growth, shape, texture, and colour as well as what their requirements are.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, feel you are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination, you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam. |
Landscape Construction Drawings
(LCD001F)
(LCD001P) |
The need for proper landscape construction drawings, for example the way a deck should be constructed or a retaining wall should be installed, is enormous. Many installations have failed due to misunderstandings between the designer and the contractor. This misunderstanding sometimes happens because the designer did not submit proper construction drawings and specifications. This two-day course will teach you the fundamentals of construction drawings.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination, you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam. |
Surveying
a site
(SSA001F)
|
During the basic landscape course, you will be introduced to surveying a site. We will teach you how to use proper surveying equipment like dumpy levels and spirit levels. There are many reasons why a designer should know the slope and gradient of the land. You will need to know the percentage slope or gradient of the land to determine how many steps will be needed. The slope will also determine what activities can happen on site. This course will also help you to determine the cut and fill of a site and how to manipulate the slope when a client wants a level area on a sloped site. This course will also help you determine the flow of water and how to manipulate the water flow to prevent the drainage problems.
This course will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination, you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam. |
Basic Horticulture / Landscape Project Management
(LPM001F) |
The aim of the course is to teach the learner how to do project planning and management for small to medium sized landscape projects. The learner will be introduced to our four phase project model, covering the following aspects:
- Phase 1: Project initiation. The initiation phase consist out of different steps with the aim to identify the clients need(s), to choose the project team and to establish the project office, and to define the project
- Phase 2: Project planning. During phase the project is planned in detail and the result is a project plan that schedule all the tasks and resources required within a specified time framework and budget.
- Phase 3: Project execution. Deliverables is build in phase 3, the plans created during phase 2 is implemented and the activities is monitored and controlled according to each of the plans. The client will accept or reject the deliverables during this phase.
- Phase 4: Project closure
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Office Administration and Asset Control
(OAC001F)
|
This one-day course will be useful for learners who wish to manage a landscape or horticultural practice. Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in administrative and asset control techniques. Filing, record keeping, report writing, and organization of personnel systems will be the main focus of the course.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination, you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam. |
Costing and Tendering for a Project
(CTP001F) |
This course is designed to teach you, as a small business entrepreneur, basic financial management. We will show you how the costing of projects should be done so that you, as the entrepreneur, will break even. We will introduce you to basic financial management in the landscape and horticultural industry. The course will cover the following aspects: rent, purchase price, equipment, wages, ingredients, marketing, and taxes.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination, you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam. |
Small Business Management
(SBM001F) |
The focus of this course will be to teach you, as the entrepreneur, how to write a business plan. All young or new businessmen or businesswomen have, at one time or another, to prepare a business plan to, for example, present to a bank manager when you need to apply for finance. The writing of a business plan will include the executive summary, business description, marketing plan, location, management, financial plan, and critical risks. This plan will help you determine whether your business will be viable or not.
You will need to compile a business plan that you will need to present to the class for peer review. This plan and review will enable you to enroll for the examination. |
Basic Irrigation and Drainage Design
(BID001F) |
This course will instruct the student in:
- Performing a drainage needs evaluation
- Providing a basic drainage system design
- Selecting an appropriate irrigation system
- Describing the components of an irrigation system
- Describing the requirements of irrigation design
- Describing the requirements of irrigation installation
- Physically maintaining an irrigation system
- Managing an irrigation system
- Operating a fertigation system
You will need to design a drainage and irrigation plan for your own or a fictional garden that will be evaluated for entry into the examination. |
Basic Aborticulture
(PUR001F) |
The objective of this course will be to teach you the reasons for pruning, the timing, pruning cuts, structural pruning of young trees, pruning of mature trees, different pruning techniques, wound dressing as well as plant growth regulators. We will also show you how to prune palms as well as specialty pruning techniques. Some time will be spent on plant anatomy and physiology.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination, you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam.
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Pruning
of roses, flowering shrubs, vines and climbers
(PUR001F) |
Horticulturists and gardeners need to understand why pruning is necessary. The next step is to know what tools are needed and how they should be maintained. Safety is also an important issue. Pruning cuts must be correctly positioned, and the reasons for these cuts must be understood. The course will also cover the difference in pruning roses and other deciduous shrubs and evergreen shrubs.
- DECIDUOUS SHRUBS (Roses are deciduous shrubs)
These shrubs are divided into three groups according to their flowering habits.
- Shrubs that flower on the current season’s wood (Roses fit into this category). These shrubs usually flower during the summer.
- Shrubs that flower on the previous season’s wood – these normally flower during early spring.
- Shrubs that produce flowering spurs on older wood.
- EVERGREEN SHRUBS
These include variegated shrubs and hedges.
- REMOVING LARGE BRANCHES
Again safety is an issue.
Cuts incorrectly positioned can do tremendous damage to the parent tree. It is important to identify the collar before making the final cut.
- CONCLUSION
There will be a practical session on pruning roses – so bring sharp good quality secateurs and a pair of leather gloves.
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Pruning
fruit trees
(PFF001F) |
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Organic
gardening
(OGD001F) |
1. Why Organic?
Brief discussion of the major motivators of the return to natural, organic living.
Mankind is destroying the natural environment which sustains all life on earth. Overpopulation, environmental degradation, pollution, overexplotation of natural resources, consumerism.
Design of natures Ecosystems – all interconnected
2. What is Organic Gardening?
Overview of the Organic Philosophy - Healthy Soil=Healthy Plants=Healthy
Animals= Healthy People. All health starts in the soil.
EASY ORGANICS – THE METHODS USED
mulching, composting, fertilizing, weed control
3. Soil is a Living Environment
What is soil, soil type, soil life, air and water in soil, organic matter, plant nutrients (fertilizer use), pH
4. Plant Health
Organic approach to pest and disease as an indicator of stress in plants. Factors influencing plant health. Position, Nutrition, Soil Structure, pH, Watering.
Eliminate poisons - Organic Pest and disease control (physical, repellent, treat early in lifecycle of pest, strengthen plant cells and natural immunity of plant) |
Soil Properties and Fertility
(SPF001F) |
This course will give you background knowledge about growing media. We will introduce you to the soil properties that are important to plants, at each step showing the relevance of the information to gardening.
The management of soils in gardening and landscape situations will be the focus and will include:
- Soil structure and pore space;
- Soil texture;
- pH;
- Cation exchange capacity;
- Electrical conductivity;
- Compaction, decompaction and aeration;
- Drainage, filtration ratios and water holding capacity;
- Plant nutrients, formulations, ratios, and applications;
- Supplying air to roots, for example coring, tyning and slitting etc.; and
- Irrigation and water quality.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify to enroll for the examination, you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam.
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Establishing and Maintaining Lawns
(EML001F) |
The establishing and maintaining of lawns are imperative for sport turf surfaces and landscaping projects. This course covers the theoretical and practical skills required to perform the following:
- evaluate the site;
- install drainage;
- install irrigation;
- apply topdressing and prepare root zone (enhance the soil quality, texture, structure, pH, water holding capacity, CEC, nutrient holding capacity, organic content and other materials suitable for specific sports turf applications);
- maintain levels during root zone installation;
- establish lawn;
- apply correct mowing practices, and;
- winter treatment of lawns (decompaction, dethatching, topdressing and fertilization).
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination, you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam. |
Applications and Calibration of Fertilizers, Herbicide and Insecticide Equipment
(ACE001F) |
The application and calibration of fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides are most important for two primary reasons: to ensure that the correct amount of solution is applied, and to determine the amount of herbicides and water needed to correctly apply the herbicides to the desired area. This course will introduce you to all the factors to consider in calibration like nozzle orifices, pressure, and sprayer speed. We will also cover the safe use and storing of chemicals as well as the maintenance and care of spraying equipment.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam. |
Identification and Control of Pests and Diseases
(CPD001F) |
Garden pests and diseases can cause havoc for any gardener and for landscape maintenance companies. Gardens should be inspected on a regular basis for damage caused by pests or diseases. Often pests themselves are no longer present when the damage done is first noticed. In such cases, the gardener should be able to identify the pest by the damage caused. In some instances, the gardener will find the pest and will need to identify the causative agent. This course will help you to identify the common garden pests and diseases as well as give you the know-how to control them. We will also introduce you to the harmless and beneficial insects in a garden environment. This course will thus cover the identification of pests and diseases, their control (biological, mechanical or chemical) on ornamental plants and lawns.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination, you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam.
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Build
Landscape Brick and Block Structures
(BBB001F) |
Any landscaper or gardener should be able to identify different classes of bricks and blocks used in landscapes and should be up to date with new products. They should know the properties so that they will be able to:
- Identify all the different products (bricks, blocks, natural and man-made)
- Carry out bonding of brickwork and blockwork
- Set out the face of brickwork (Adequate foundations, plan details, using profiles, work area preparation, positioning of spot boards.)
- Mix mortar for building and plastering
- Install simple vertical walls to low height
- Install copings and coppings to walls
- Work safely with bricks and blocks
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Basic
Gardeners programme
(BGP001B) |
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Prepare
Site Excavation and Leveling
(PSL001F) |
To prepare soil for building (fountains, decks, patios, and so on) the contractor need to have a level site. The slope may be severe or very small, however you will have to cut and fill to obtain a level site. You will also need to know how to calculate how much soil you will need for filling or cutting. This course will introduce you to the preparation of a site for construction.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam. |
Implement
health and safety in a horticulture enterprise
(HAS001F) |
Health and safety is largely neglected in the horticultural industry. The attitude is to treat the accident when it happens. Enterprisers say they cannot be competitive in the real world and comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, (No. 85 of 1993).
The opposite is probably nearer the truth.
BRIEF FRAMEWORK OF THE LEGISLATION
The following will be discussed:
- General duties of employers
- General duties of manufacturers and suppliers
- General duties of employees
- Safe lifting and carrying procedures
- Spraying chemicals
- Personal protective clothing and equipment
Enterprises ignore this excellent piece of legislation at their peril.
It is essential that the workplace is made safe – it makes good business sense.
It is important that everyone knows their duties as far as health and safety is concerned.
There will be a lot of practical demonstrations.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam. |
Horticulture Mechanization
(HMZ001F)
|
This course will cover:
- Utilize tools, equipment and machinery (including hand tools, manually operated and driven equipment, the initial investment costs, the requirement to effectively plan machinery utilization, the importance of utilizing machinery to complete a project on time, the scheduling of equipment and machinery.
- Operate tools, equipment and machinery - includes the effective utilization of machinery, storage, maintenance and transport.
Each of these courses will be assessed when you, as the student, are ready to be assessed. To qualify for the examination you will have to complete an assignment which will give you entrance into the exam.
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Times: 08:30 for 09:00 to 16:30
Registration fees include coffee/tea on arrival, coffee/tea and muffin/scone @ 11:00 – 11:15, a light lunch @ 13:15 – 14:00, coffee/tea and biscuit @ 15:30 – 15:45.
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