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Weed Control
Weed Control 100 Hours Certificate Course
Course Code:
BHT209 CLD
Level:
3
Start:
Anytime
Finish:
Anytime
Study From:
Anywhere
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Learn About Weed Control
A weed is any plant that is growing where you don’t want it. Any plant has the potential to be a weed.A weed will compete with your desired plants for light, space, water and nutrients. A plant could also be a weed because of a particular characteristic; it could be poisonous to stock or humans, if it acts as a host plant to pests and diseases (of both other plants and/or animals), if it has damaging roots, or if it causes allergies.
There are many different ways of controlling weeds, and literally thousands of different weed species which might need controlling. It is always important to use the appropriate treatment for the weed(s) in question. Young weeds are far easier to control than older ones. Some chemicals, for instance will effectively kill certain weeds when they are in the early stages of growth, but will not control other types of weeds. You may need to be able to distinguish between types of weeds to determine whether the chemical will or won’t work.
Plant Taxonomy: Botanical/Horticultural Nomenclature, The Binomial System, Botanical Classification, Plant Families and Species, Hybrids, Varieties and Cultivars
Some Common Groups of Weeds: Grasses, Onion Family Weeds, Daisy Weeds, Thistles, Cabbage Family, Pea Family (Fabaceae)
Characteristics of Selected Common Weeds – A – Z
Resource Guide: Reference Books, Organisations, Government Departments, Garden Clubs, Farmers Groups and ‘Friends of’ Groups, Magazines and Journals, Commercial Businesses/ Companies, Online Resources
Set Reading
2 Â Weed Control Methods:
Weed Control: Steps in Controlling Weeds, Ways to Control Weeds, Grazing
Types of Weed Problems: Fence lines and Borders, Weeds at the Base of Trees, Weeds in Garden Beds, Weeds in Hard Surfaced Areas, Plants That Go to Seed, Vigorous, Invasive Creepers, Suckers, Underground Rhizomes, Tubers, Bulbils and Corms, Weeds in Lawns, Poisonous Plants, Noxious Weeds, Environmental Weeds, Plants to Avoid
Profiles of Some Common Weeds: Bamboo, Bindii, Blackberry, Bracken Fern, Capeweed, Clover, Dandelion, Dock, Gorse, Grasses, Lantana, Nettle, Oxalis, Singapore Daisy, Thistles
Mulching: Some Popular Mulches
Soil Treatment to Control Plant Problems: What is Controlled, Fumigants
Physiological Effects
Definitions of Pesticide Terms – A – Z
3 Â Chemical Weed Control:
Types of Herbicide Chemicals: Aliphatics, Amides and Anilides, Benzoics, Bipyridyliums, Carbamates and Carbanilides, Dinitroanilines, Diphenyl Ethers, Nitriles, Phenoxys, Thiocarbamates, Triazines, Ureas and Uracils, Other Organic Herbicides, Inorganic Herbicides
Comparative Toxicities
Weedicides for the Home Garden
Set Reading
4 Â Weed Control In Specific Situations:
Weeds in Turf: Methods of Controlling Weed Problems in Turf
Weeds in Plant Nurseries: Weed Control in Greenhouses, Recommended Weedicides for Use in a Nursery
5 Â Safe Chemical Application:
Safety Rules for Using Chemicals
Safely Storing Chemicals
Safely Mixing Chemicals
Using Chemicals: Agitation
Cleaning up and Disposing of Chemicals
Basic First Aid in Relation to Chemicals
In Event of a Pesicide Liquid Spill
In the Event of a Powder Spill
Keeping Records: What Information Should be Kept, Recommendation
Your Spray Machine – Is it Good Enough?: Selection of Pump and Tank, Calibration, Constant Tractor Speed, Watch These Points
Sprayer Maintenance and Cleaning
The Effects of Chemicals on Humans and Animals: Acute Poisoning, Chronic Poisoning
6 Â Non-Chemical Weed Control:
What Damage is Being Done to the Environment? Soil, Water, Air, Vegetation, Wildlife, Humans
Biocontrol of Pests & Diseases: The introduction of parasites and predators, Conservation of existing natural enemies, New natural enemies can be developed, Advantages of Bio-control, Disadvantages of Bio-control
7 Â Developing A Major Weed Control Program:
Problem Based Learning Project (PBL)
Learning Goals
Learning Goals: Weed Control BHT209
To distinguish between different types of weeds, and identify common weed species, growing in your locality.
To explain the characteristics of different weed control methods
To be able to explain the use of chemical herbicides to control weeds.
To be able to specify appropriate weed control methods, for different types of situations.
To determine appropriate techniques for the safe application of chemical herbicide in a specific situation.
To be able to explain different non-chemical weed control methods.
To be able to determine a detailed weed control program for a significant weed problem.
Practical (Set Tasks)
Practicals:
Observe and consider over 100 different varieties of weeds and prepare plant review sheets for different weed plants.
Make up a list of information resources.
Plant, grow and observedifferent varieties of weeds.
Make drawings of young seedlings of at least fifteen different weeds.
Speak/interview people who have to deal with weed control in their daily life.
Visit a nursery, garden shop or hardware store that sells herbicides to the public.
Visit at least one supplier of herbicides for industrial and agricultural use.
Contact larger chemical companies for leaflets on different herbicides.
Investigate at least two workplaces where weed control programs are regularly carried out.
Visit and inspect different sites where weeds are a problem.
Photograph different places that have been treated with weedicides.
Contact your local Department of Agriculture or Lands Department for researching purposes.
Develop a 12 month guideline for an integrated weed control program for a particular site
Examinations
Program Summary
More Information
Your tutor for this course is:
Susan Stephenson
BSc in Applied Plant Biology (Botany) Univ. London 1983.
City and guilds: Garden Centre Management, Management and Interior Decor (1984)
Management qualifications in training with retail store. Diploma in Hort level 2 (RHS General) Distinction.Â
Susan Stephenson is a passionate and experienced horticulturist and garden designer. She has authored three books, lectures at 2 Further and Higher Education Colleges, teaching people of all ages and backgrounds about the wonders of plants and garden design, and tutors many students by correspondence from all over the world.
Susan studied botany at Royal Holloway College (Univ of London) and worked in the trading industry before returning to her first love plants and garden design. She is therefore, well placed to combine business knowledge with horticulture and design skills. Her experience is wide and varied and she has designed gardens for families and individuals. Susan is a mentor for garden designers who are just starting out, offering her support and advice and she also writes, delivers and assesses courses for colleges, introducing and encouraging people into horticulture and garden design.
In 2010, Susan authored a complete module for a Foundation degree (FDSC) in Arboriculture.
Susan holds the RHS General with Distinction. She continues to actively learn about horticulture and plants and (as her students will tell you) remains passionate and interested in design and horticulture.
Assessment
Assessment is based on a combination of completing all assignments and sitting for a final short one and a half hour exam, in your own location.
If you don’t cope well with exams then you may elect to undertake a project instead. This is a popular option.
In addition, most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson placed before the assignment. This is an opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge and skills and practical experience. This ADL feature is an added bonus not found at most online schools. Set Tasks are not required for assessment.Â
Some courses also have optional Self-Tests which are available on our online learning platform. These are not available by correspondence or by USB, and do not form part of your overall grade.
How our courses work
Choose Your Learning Method You choose how you would like to receive your course material, i.e., Online, USB or Correspondence. The choice is yours. You may also work on online or offline.
Tutor Allocation Every student is assigned their own dedicated tutor who is an expert in their subject area. They provide as much or as little individual contact as you require. You can contact your tutor whenever you need – your hours are not limited.
Feedback and Assignments Tutor Feedback is an essential component in helping you understand the subject matter. Tutor feedback is given in the form of notes written on the assignment. We encourage you to contact your Tutor where help with clarification and understanding of course material may be required.
Your assignments are located at the end of each lesson. You submit them for marking whenever you are ready. There is no time limit. Â
Set Tasks and Self-Tests Most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson before for the assignment. This is where you get the opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge, skills and practical experience. Many modules also have short Self-Tests.
Exams Once all assignments have been completed you may then elect to sit for a one and half hour exam in your own location. If you prefer not to take the exam you do have the option to undertake a project instead. Once the exam or project part of the course is completed, your Certificate is then processed. Please allow approximately 4 weeks for this.
Design Your Own Qualification ADL offers students the flexibility to self-design their own qualification – bundling together a combination of 100-hour modules into a qualification higher than a certificate.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.
General
Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning? A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.
Q. Do I need to buy text books? A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.
Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc) A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.
Q. Is there an age limit? A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.
Q. Are your courses up-to date? A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.
Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy? A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.
Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students? A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.
Enrolment
Q. When can I enrol/start? A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.
Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world? A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.
Q. How long do I have to complete the course? A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.
Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take? A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.
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.
Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do? A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.
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? A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.
Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done? A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.
Qualifications
Q. What qualification will I receive? A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.
Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification? A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.
Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript? A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.
Tutors
Q. Our tutors – who are they? A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.
Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time? A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.
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.
Career Options
What's Included
Excerpt From The Course
WEEDS IN TURF
As previously mentioned, weeds occur in turf when one or several of the following conditions/situations are present: environmental stress, damage by pests, poor cultural practice and heavy wear from vehicles or foot traffic. Along with this, anything else that reduces the general health and vigour of turf plants will make it easier for stronger growing weed plants to invade the turf.
Methods of Controlling Weed Problems in Turf
Cleanliness
Stop the spread of weed seeds. Weeds can be brought in by the wind, on dirty shoes, on vehicles, in soil, in stolons, sprigs or plugs being transplanted, on tools, by animals, in manure or straw. Be mindful of these things and try to avoid bringing weed seeds into your turf areas.
Mowing
Many weeds need to grow tall to seed. Mowing to prevent seeding will break the lifecycle on annual weeds (seed has not been set, so after plants die at the end of a season, there is no self-seeding of new plants in the next season).
Hand Weeding
This is most effective against broad leaved annual weeds. It is time consuming, and for many weeds which will re-grow from a tiny piece of root, it is not sufficiently effective to make any real long term difference.
Chemicals
Contact weedicides (herbicides) kill only the parts of the plant to which they are applied (ie. if they only touch the top half of a leaf, they only kill that top half, and the bottom half of the leaf remains alive). Contact weedicides, used to kill leaf, above ground growth on some annual weeds in turf are: Paraquat, Cacodylic acid (synonym dimethylarsinic acid) (the latter is not licensed in UK and Europe).
Systemic weedicides will be absorbed into plant tissue and carried throughout the entire plant, (a process known as translocation), killing all parts of the plant. Typical systemic weedicides are Roundup (active ingredient Glyphosate): 2,4-D and Mecoprop.
Pre-emergent weedicides kill weed seeds as they start to germinate. They can be applied to an established turf to prevent weed seeds germinating in that turf. Some common pre-emergent weedicides which can be used in turf are benefin: bensulide: lead arsenate and siduron (none of these are licensed in UK): DCPA (DCPA is licensed under the name of chlorthal or chlorthal-dimethyl in UK): ethofumesate.
Selective weedicides are those which kill one type of plant without affecting another type of plant. In turf, certain chemicals can be used to kill some types of weeds in an established lawn, without affecting grass: e.g. 2,4-D: 2,4-D+dicamba: dicamba: MSMA (MSMA is not licensed in UK)
Fumigation
Chemical fumigation can be used to completely sterilize an area, killing weed seeds and ALL plants in an area. After fumigation, the site is generally rested for 3 days or more to get rid of all chemical residues before replanting the turf.
Burning
Flame guns can be used to burn weeds out in spot control. Burning is more applicable for control of weeds on fence lines and other areas adjacent to turf (where weed seeds come from).
Nutrition Management
By changing the situation in the soil with respect to the soil nutrition conditions can be made more favourable for the preferred turf grass plants and less favourable for the weeds: e.g. Onion Grass (Romulea rosea) is fed with superphosphate which favours turfgrass growth but is unfavourable to onion grass growth.
Career Opportunities
FAQ - RHS Theory Qualifications
GENERALÂ
If you require further details about any of the RHS industry recognised qualifications please, call one of our friendly RHS Course Advisors on +44 (0)1227 789 649 or email: [email protected]
Q: When can I Enrol/Start My RHS Course With ADL? A: Anytime, Anywhere. There are no enrolment deadlines.
Q: I live Overseas. Can I Study From Overseas? A: You can study any of the RHS theory qualifications overseas. All courses are offered in English. You will need to email RHS Qualifications direct to arrange sitting for your examination overseas.
Q: Is There a Time Limit for Completing an RHS Qualification? A: At present there are no time limits. However, RHS is contemplating in the future, the introduction of course time-lines.
Q:Â Are There Any Entry Requirements (Pre-Requisites)? A:Â The RHS Theory courses do not require prerequisites, previous experience or any knowledge of horticulture. You just need passion for all things horticulture.
Q: What Course Should I Start With First? I Am New To RHS Qualifications. A: We highly recommend that you start with Level 2 – Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance.
Q:Â What Does ADL Course Material Include? A:Â Includes Power Point Presentations, Videos and written course lessons.
RHS EXAMS
Q: When Do Exams Take Place? A: Exams are held on fixed dates in February and June of each year. You should register as a candidate at least 3 months before these dates, so please do not leave exam registration to the last minute
Q:Â Where Do I Take My Exams? A:Â UK: You take the exams at the RHS Wisley Centre, located between Cobham and Ripley in Surrey or at other authorised RHS centres around the UK. Overseas: please email RHS qualifications direct for centre information.
Q: Exam Pass Marks? A:  Module – pass 50%.  Commendation 70%.
Qualification: 50% pass for all modules. Commendation awarded for all modules. Each question carries a value of 10 marks.
Q: I’m Not Happy With My Exam Results? A: You have the opportunity to re-sit your exam at the next opportunity.
There are no restrictions on the number of re-sits you can take. The highest mark you achieve will remain.,
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Susan Stephenson