Lesson Structure:   Landscape Construction BHT111

There are 10 lessons:

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
• Brushcutters
• Earthmoving and Cultivating Equipment; rotary hoes, ploughs, cultivators, etc
• Workshop and Hand Tools; spanners, chisels, hacksaws etc
• Hand saws, Rakes, Spades, Shovels, Rollers, Wheelbarrows, Sprasyers, 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

• Introduction
• Surfaces for 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; laing 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, verandahs, 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 Shadehouse; 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 CareSignificance of Illness
• Protective Clothing
• Safety with Tools and Equipment
• Safety with electricity and different types of equipment
• Tool Maintenance

Learning Goals:  Landscape Construction BHT111

• Describe tools and machinery generally used in landscape construction; and their safety and maintenance requirements
• To explain what a landscape plan represents, and to appreciate how it can be interpreted
• Explain the importance of drainage in constructing a landscape, and the principles of setting out a drainage system
• Describe soil handling and preparation techniques during and after landscape construction
• Outline the variety of surfaces available in landscaping and their use as safe design features
• Outline construction techniques for a range of basic garden structures
• To explain how to construct a range of specialist garden features
• Describe a range of irrigation systems and their appropriate landscape applications
• To describe hedges as landscaping features, and explain the importance of good plant establishment techniques to hedges and other plants
• Identify and outline safe working practices in landscaping and to determine the elements of risk in landscaping operations

Practicals:

• Compare the quality and cost of a range of different tools and machinery used in landscape construction.
• Identify tools and machinery used in everyday work by landscape constractors.
• Explain appropriate uses for different tools and machinery on a landscape construction site.
• Prepare landscape plans for a number of landscape sites
• Research and report on marking out boundaries in construction sites
• Describe how to locate contours
• Determine the fall of existing drains, and identify appropriate falls, spacing and depths of drains
• Observe and report on earth moving equipment in operation
• Survey a site and recommend earthworks necessary
• Examine surfacing materials for paths, gardens, etc and determine the appropriate landscaping function of each.
• Assess the construction of a range of different existing landscape features
• Describe preparation of foundations for a specified garden structure, on a specific site.
• Design a rockery at least 30 square metres in area
• Contact a range of suppliers of landscape materials and compare the products available in your locality.
• Identify materials needed to install an irrigation system on a site selected by you.
• Prepare plans of irrigation systems
• Research which species of plants are suitable for hedging in your locality
• Outline how to effectively transplant an existing tree
• Prepare a detailed risk assessment for a landscape construction site
• Identify safe working practices for a landscape construction site
• Determine a list of work tasks to be undertaken on a landscape construction site. Give a time frame for completion of the entire project

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. 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.