Develop Your Hard Landscaping Skills
Learn to build the landscape
Landscape construction focuses on what it takes to build gardens and other landscapes. Since many types of construction in the landscape can be achieved in many different ways, this course serves as an introduction to some of the ways that different surfaces, enclosures and structures can be made.
Study this course to equip yourself with key landscaping skills and knowledge which will help you to evolve in this fulfilling profession.
Course Code: BHT111
Course Duration: 100 hours of self paced studies
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are ten lessons as follows:
1. Tools and Machinery
- Manual Handling
- Materials used for Constructing Tools and Equipment; ferrous metals, non ferrous metals
- Safety with Electricity
- Engine Troubleshooting
- Machine Maintenance
- Types of Machines
- Chainsaws: safety, buying, using
- Brush cutters
- Earthmoving and Cultivating Equipment; rotary hoes, ploughs, cultivators, etc
- Workshop and Hand Tools; spanners, chisels, hacksaws etc
- Hand saws, Rakes, Spades, Shovels, Rollers, Wheelbarrows, Sprayers, etc
2. Landscape Plans and Setting out a Construction Site
- Reading Landscape Plans, Scale, etc
- Understanding and Using Triangulation
- Slope, Contouring, Grid Systems
3. Drainage in Landscape Construction
- Introduction to Drainage
- Testing Drainage
- Improving Drainage
- Improving Soil Water Infiltration
- Improving Drainage after construction; sand slitting, aerating, sub soiling
- Sub Surface Drains; types, layout, outlet, gradients, pipe spacing, etc
- Surface Drainage
- Soil Testing; testing nutrients, pH, toxins
4. Earthworks
- Levelling terminology
- Levelling Procedure
- Levelling a Sloping Site
- Earthmoving
- Earthmoving Machinery; Bobcat, Backhoe, Dozer
- Use an Experienced Driver
- Topsoil Considerations
- Earth Forming: creating Mounds
- Building Raised Garden Beds
- Earth Quantity Calculation
- Soil Degradation
- Erosion; water erosion, wind erosion, controlling erosion
- Soil Acidification Management
- Managing Soil Compaction
- Managing Chemical Residues
5. Surfaces, Paths, Paving and Turf
- Play Areas
- Concrete; concrete, cement, mortar, variations in treatment and use
- Loose Surfacing Materials: advantages and disadvantages
- Bark Surfaces, Crushed tiles, pebbles, etc
- Paths; concrete, asphalt, etc
- Paving; laying pavers, setting out circular paving, curved paving, edges to paving
- Lawns and Turf; shape, design, establishment
- Garden Edges
- Playing Field Construction
- Sand Based Technology
- Constructing Steps
6. Construction of Garden Structures I
- Buildings in a Garden; gazebos, verandas, storage buildings, cubbies, etc
- Where to build a building
- Floors and Foundations for Buildings
- Walls; brick construction, coping, expansion joints, etc
- Fencing
- Retaining Walls
- Wooden Walls
- Construction with Rock or Masonry; dry walls, wet walls
- Home Playgrounds
- Using Timber in the Garden
- Differences between Softwood and Hardwood
7. Construction of Garden Structures II
- Compost Bins
- Traditional Features: gazebos, statues, gates, arches, sundials, bird baths, urns, tubs, pergolas, pleached alleys, etc
- Wooden Decks
- Constructing a Deck
- Greenhouse and Shade house; types, construction, installation
- Water Features; Waterproofing, keeping water clean
- Landscaping a pond
- Tennis Courts
- Spas
- Rockery Construction
- Artificial Rock Formation
- Mulching Rockeries
- Garden Furniture
- Lighting in the Garden
8. Irrigation Systems
- Planning an Irrigation System
- Types of Systems: sprinkler, drip, automatic, etc
- Using and Maintaining an Irrigation System
9. Establishing Hedges and Other Plants
- Factors affecting successful plant establishment
- Physical Plant Protection Methods
- Hedges; site preparation, plant selection, spacing, planting, pruning, hedge maintenance
10. Workplace Safety and Management of Landscape Construction Work
- Risk Management on a Landscape Construction Site
- The Risks
- Keeping a Work Site Safe
- Duty of Care
- Significance of Illness
- Protective Clothing
- Safety with Tools and Equipment
- Safety with electricity and different types of equipment
- Tool Maintenance
How This Course Could Help You
This course is ideal for anyone running a landscape garden business, self-employed landscape gardeners, and those planning on working in garden design, construction or maintenance. It can be studied by itself or along with other landscaping modules as part of a certificate or higher level qualification.
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