Lesson Structure: Water Gardening BHT307

There are 8 lessons:

1.  Introduction
   • Scope and nature of water gardens
   • What size water garden
   • Water supply: rain, tanks,etc
   • Water quality
   • Siting the water garden
   • Evapouration rate, water depth, safety
   • Water in garden design: formal, informal
   • Edging, Water sculptures, shade
   • Water effects: sound, reflection, movement, light, cooling,
   • Water life: algae, fish, mosquitos, wildlife, plants 
2.  Water Garden Construction
   • Introduction
   • Planning the water garden
   • What effect do you want
   • Matching the effect with the type of garden
   • Shape, size and location
   • Type of construction
   • Surrounds
   • Using a liner
   • Pre formed water gardens (Kits)
   • Pond edges
3. Equipment: Pumps, lights, filters
   • Submersible pumps
   • Lighting: power source, DC power
   • Lighting design with water
   • Pond filtration systems: sterile or living water
   • Mechanical or biological filtration
   • Swimming pool filtration
   • Sand filters
   • Diatomaceous earth filters
   • Cartridge filters
4. Ponds and Watercourses
   • Designing a natural watercourse
   • Siting a stream
   • Water circulation
   • Pond design
   • Dams
   • Bog gardens
   • Reed beds
   • Pond management
   • Oxygenating plants
5. Spas and Swimming Pools: Design and aftercare
   • Choosing a swimming pool
   • What sort of pool do you need
   • Structural considerations
   • Cost considerations
   • Types of pools: concrete, fibreglass, vinyl
   • Above or below ground
   • Pump and filtration system
   • What shape
   • Special features in a pool
   • Heating a pool
   • Pool care over winter
6.  Indoor and Outdoor Water Features
   • Introduction
   • Pot ponds
   • Water barrels
   • Wall plaques and wall fountains
   • Water walls
   • Water spouts
   • Bird baths
   • Fountains
   • Cobble fountain construction
   • Waterfalls
   • Cascades
   • Canals
   • Using water features in a landscape
7.  Water Plants
   • Introduction
   • Waterside trees and shrubs
   • Bog plants
   • Emergent water plants
   • Floating leaf plants
   • Aquatic plants
   • Water lilies
   • Plants to avoid in water gardens
   • Surrounding plants
8. Aquatic Animals
   • Introduction
   • Conditions needed by fish and aquatic animals
   • Maintenance
   • Fish
   • Frogs
   • Tortoises
   • Water snails
   • Insects
   • Birds
   • Troubleshooting 

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Learning Goals:  Water Gardening BHT307

• Understand the nature and scope of water gardens.
• Identify and describe generic construction materials and techniques suitable for water gardens and pools.
• Select appropriate equipment for use with water features.
• Specify the design and construction of a pond or watercourse.
• Specify the design, construction and maintenance of a spa or swimming pool.
• Specify the design & construction of a Water Feature other than a pond or water course.
• Identify the water plants commonly used in water gardens.
• Identify a variety of aquatic animals suitable for water gardens, and their requirements.

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General

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Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

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Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
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Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
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Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.