Lesson Structure:  Green Walls and Roofs BHT256

There are 9 lessons:

1. Scope and Nature of Roof and Vertical Gardens
   • Introduction to vertical gardens and roof gardens in horticulture today
   • Reasons for Green Walls and Roof Gardens
   • Accessibility and Safety
   • What Is A Roof Garden?
   • Terminology
   • What Is A Vertical Garden?
   • Pruning Prevents Problems
   • Decorative Plant Supports
   • Temporary Props
   • Types of Installations for Roof Gardens
   • Types of Vertical Gardens
   • Proprietory Products
   • Plant Selection
   • Retrofitting a Building
2. Construction of Functional and Appropriate Vertical and Roof Gardens
   • Engineering considerations involved with the building of vertical and roof gardens
   • Selecting appropriate materials and planning the way in which the non-living components of the garden are created
   • Building a Green Roof
   • Building a Green Wall
   • Dealing with Weight
   • Construction Materials
   • Durability of Materials
   • Dealing with Water
   • Plants Which Cause Damage
   • Components of a Green Roof
   • Roof Membranes
   • Protection Material Components
3. Climbing Plants and Structures for Climbing
   • Learn how to select appropriate climbing plants for creating vertical or roof gardens
   • Determine strategies to cultivate climbing plants in a variety of different situations
   • Climbing adaptations found in plants
   • Possible Climbers for Vertical Green Walls and Some Types of Green Roofs
   • What Structural Requirements Do Climbers Require?
   • Plants on Fences
   • Using Trellis in Roof Gardens and on Greenwalls
4. Plants Suited to Roof and Vertical Gardens
   • Selecting appropriate plants which are tolerant of the adverse growing conditions and have natural adaptations to growing under conditions that are encountered in these gardens
   • Possible Plants Suitable for Roof Gardens and Some Types of Vertical Walls
   • Epiphytes
   • Succulents
   • Plants
   • Hardy Groundcovers
5. Adaptations for Other Plants in Roof and Vertical Gardens
   • Select and plan the cultivation of plants that lack natural adaptations to growing on roofs or vertical gardens
   • Espaliers
   • Growing Standards
   • Dwarfing Rootstocks
   • NFT Systems
   • Trees and Shrubs
   • Low-Growing Australian Native Shrubs
   • Other Low-Growing Shrubs
   • Vegetables and Fruits
   • Herbs
   • Annuals
   • Bulbs
6. Container Growing
   • Container Growing Techniques
   • Containers
   • Raised Beds for Flat Roofs
   • Window Boxes
   • Epiphyte Plaques
   • Baskets
   • The Growing Media
   • Choosing Plants
   • Longevity of Container Plants
7. Maintenance – watering, pest control
   • Out of Site/Out of Mind
   • Humidity
   • Light And Shade
   • Mulch
   • Pot Surfaces
   • Water Savers
   • Irrigation Requirements
   • Maintaining Appropriate Water Levels
8. Landscaping – Roof Gardens
   • The different types of roof gardens
   • Characteristics advantageous in roof garden plants
   • Tips for Functional Roof Gardens
   • How to Minimize Damage to Your Plants When You Move them
   • Thoughts on Balcony Gardens
   • Irrigation
9. Landscaping – Vertical Gardens
   • Types of Green Walls
   • Types of Walls
   • Design Considerations
   • Aesthetics
   • Functionality

Please Note: 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:  Green Walls and Roofs BHT256

• Discuss the nature and scope of vertical gardens and roof gardens in horticulture today.
• Explain engineering considerations involved with the building of vertical and roof gardens, both on small and large scale projects.
• Select appropriate materials and plan the way in which the non living components of the garden is created, in order to achieve an appropriate and sustainable installation.
• Select appropriate climbing plants for creating vertical or roof gardens, and determine appropriate strategies to cultivate those plants, in a variety if different situations.
• Select appropriate plants for use in vertical or roof gardens, which are tolerant of the adverse growing conditions, having natural adaptations to growing under conditions that are encountered in these gardens.
• Select and plan the cultivation of plants that lack natural adaptations to growing on roofs or vertical gardens; but which are none the less required to grow in these adverse conditions;
• Explain a range of container growing techniques, in a range of different roof and vertical gardens, that may be used with a selection of different types of plants.
• Identify and evaluate problems with vertical and roof gardens, and compare options for solving those problems
• Plan the development of roof gardens for both small and large scale applications.
• Plan the development of vertical gardens for both small and large scale applications.

Susan Stephenson BSc in Applied Plant Biology (Botany) Univ. London 1983. City and guilds: Garden Centre Management, Management and Interior Decor (1984)

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.