Lesson Structure: Planning Layout & Construction Of Ornamental Gardens BHT242

There are 10 lessons:

1  Site Appraisal, Interpretation and Risk Assessment

• Introduction: Prior Site Use, Tree Data Required, Influence of Trees on Buildings, Influence of Trees on Atmosphere, Species Suitability, Planning Considerations, Tree Root Protection, Consider Roots and Construction, Building/Construction Data to Collect
• Child-Proofing a Garden: Designing a Safe Garden Environment for Children
• Slippery Slime Control: Solutions for Slippery Surfaces, Temporary Solutions
• Risk Assessment of a Landscape Construction Site: The Area(s) and People That May Be At Risk, The Risks, The Consequences of an Event Happening, The Adequacy of Existing Controls, A Rating of the Consequence, Likelihood and Level of Risk
• Keeping a Work Site Safe

2  Preparing Site Plans and Specifications

• Base Plan: Scale, Topographic Plan
• Design Drawing: Drafting Brushes, How Much Detail in a Plan?
• Completed Designs/Plans: Examples

3  Influence of Site Characteristics

• Introduction: Examples, High Impact Changes
• The Environment of Balconies and Verandahs
• User-Friendly Gardens: Seating, Shelters
• Providing Shade: The Sun’s Path and Its Affect on Shade, Determining Shadow Length, How to Make the Backyard Warmer
• Paths
• Garden Features: Entries, Exits and Gateways, Fragrant Trees and Shrubs, Potager and Picking Gardens, Gardens with a Sense of Mystery
• Focal Point Ideas
• Gardens for Children
• Dry Gardens: Dry Garden Design, Where Do We Have Dry Garden Areas? Desert Landscapes, Xeriscapes, Cacti and/or Succulents, Australian Bush Garden, Minimalist Landscapes
• Extending the Garden Potential: Bringing the Garden Inside

4  The Use of Hard Landscape Features

• Hard Surfacing: Laying Pavers, Concrete
• Concrete Mixes
• How Long Does Concrete Take to Set?
• Pebble Gardens
• Fencing: The choices, Inexpensive Fences, Tips for Building a Timber Fence, Deciding on the Style of Fence
• Stone Walls
• Rockeries: Rockery Ideas, Artificial Rocks
• Planning for Children’s Play: Features, Protecting the Garden from Children, Designing the Garden for Children, Plants to Avoid, Play Equipment for Different Ages, Recommended Play Surfaces, Sand pits, Cubbies/playhouses, Surfaces for Play Equipment

5  Setting out a Site to Scale Plans and Drawings

• Introduction: Rules of Planning
• Surveying Techniques: Triangulation, Slope, Direct Contouring, The Grid System
• Levelling Terms: Levelling Procedure

6  Soil Handling and Storage

• Introduction
• Type of Earth
• Ease With Which It Is Handled
• Slope Stability
• Angle of Repose
• Optimum Gradient
• Soil Types and Foundations: Watch the Water Table, Try to Maintain Vegetation Cover Where Possible
• Developing a Grading Plan
• Required Grading Drawings, Grading Operations
• Filling
• Doing the Earthworks
• Earth Moving Machinery
• Use of Experienced Operators
• Cost of Earthworks

7  Land Drainage Systems

• Drainage: How Much Drainage is Needed? Typical Permeability Rates, Solving Drainage Problems
• Creating a Drain Pit
• Drainage Design: Draining Lawns (Including Sports Grounds), Springs and Under-ground Water Courses, What a Landscaper Should Know about Drainage
• Sun Surface Drainage: Layout of Drains, Outlet, Gradients, Distance between Drain Pipes, Depth of Drains
• Types of Drains: Laying the Drain
• Rain Water Harvesting and Storage
• Bore Water
• Grey Water
• Diverting Storm Water: Water Quality

8  Ground Preparation Techniques

• Working Soil: Why is Some Soil Hard?
• Choosing Cultivation Equipment: Manual Equipment, Mechanical Equipment
• Making Garden Beds – The Variables: Raised Beds, Sunken Gardens, No Dig Garden Beds – One Method
• Earthmoving: Moving Existing Earth, Importing Soil, Buying Soils
• Shaping Sloping Ground

9  Construction of Paths and Patios

• Paths: Build a Solid Foundation, Soft and Hard Paths, Load Bearing Capacity
• Paving: The Effect of Paving Designs, Paving a Slope
• Paving Maintenance: Reviving Old Paving, Slippery Surfaces, Cleaning Paving
• The Veranda: Roofing, Container Plants on the Veranda
• Building a Timber Deck: Foundations, Support
• Decking Materials: Handrails/Balustrades, Steps
• Decking Around Pools
• Paints, Stains and Preservatives: Painting and Staining the Deck, Preservatives, Clear Finishes, Paints and Stains, Tips, Preparation, Application Tips, Safety
• Heavy Work (Safety Techniques): Manual Lifting, How to Lift, Other Ways to Lift, Using Machines to do the Heavy Work

10 Construction of Steps, Ramps, Dwarf Walls and Fences

• Changing Levels – Step By Step: Types of Steps, Part of a Step, Designing the Steps, Materials
• Ramps
• Railings
• Retaining Walls: Construction Materials
• Types of Retaining Walls: Brick, How to Build a Brick Wall, Drainage, Timber, Concrete, Stone, Clay, Recycled Rubber
• How to Render a Wall: Render Mixes, Wet Walls
• Fencing: Solid Fence, Open Fence
• Fencing Materials: Timber, Lattice, Stone, Brick, Wire, Steel or Aluminium Sheets, Star Pickets and Wire Mesh/Strand, Cast-Iron Lattice, Clear Perspex

Learning Goals: Planning Layout & Construction Of Ornamental Gardens BHT242

• Explain how to conduct a site appraisal and interpret the results. Conduct risk assessments associated with planning layout and construction of ornamental gardens
• Produce and interpret site plans and specifications using basic survey measurements.
• Explain how site characteristics may influence choice of garden design style
• Evaluate and explain the contribution made by hard landscape features to design and function
• Describe the practical procedures for setting out a site to scale plans and drawings
• Describe and explain the reasons for correct soil moving and storage during construction works
• Explain the factors which determine the design and specification of land drainage systems and describe procedures for setting out and installing land drainage
• Explain requirements for a range of ground preparation techniques for different landscape features
• Specify a range of materials and outline procedures for construction of paths and patios
• Specify a range of materials and outline procedures for construction of Steps, Ramps, Dwarf Walls and Fences

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.