Distance Education Course -RHS LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE (Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting)
Work in landscaping NEW COURSE -launched Nov. 2010
- Learn about garden planning, construction and planting
- Find a job, start a business, work in landscaping
- 150,000 words of unique course notes developed by our staff
- 200 hour self paced course
- Support from an international team of highly qualified horticulturists and landscape professionals based both in the UK and Australia
NB: Level 3 in the UK is the 4th level in that system -as such this is a higher level than Australian level 3 certificates! Develop your ability to describe the principles of using landscaping and other specialist garden elements in the garden, landscape construction, garden design, survey techniques, specialist garden and urban planting.
Lesson Contents
There are 15 lessons in this course:
1. History of Garden Design and Styles
Garden Styles
The Earliest Private Gardens
Ancient Mid-Eastern Gardens
English Garden History
The English Landscape Garden
Japanese Influences
Important English Landscapers
Monastery Gardens
Hispano-Arabic Gardens
Italian Gardens
2. Site Appraisals, Basic Surveying Techniques and Client Briefs
Influence of Trees on Buildings
Influence of Trees on Atmosphere
Species Suitability
Planning Considerations
Pre Planning Survey - Appraising the Site and Collecting Data
Understanding Soils
Soil Texture
Nutrient Availability and pH
Landscape Plans and Survey Techniques
Site Plan/Base Plan
Topographic Plan
Concept Plan
The Final Plan
The Planting Plan
Surveying Techniques
Steps in the Design Procedure
Landscape Graphics
3. Principles and Elements of Garden Design and the Influence of Site Characteristics
Principles and Elements of Landscape Design
Creating Landscaping Effects
Colour and Garden Design
Influence of Site Characteristics
The Sun’s Path and Its Affect on Shade
Extending the Garden Potential
Fragrant Trees and Shrubs
Potager and Picking Gardens
Determining Shadow Length
Gardens with a Sense of Mystery
Focal Point Ideas
Gardens for Children
User Friendly Gardens
Seating
Shelters
4. Hard Landscaping Features and their Contribution to Garden Design and Function
Hard Surfacing
Paving
Flexible and Rigid Paving
Materials Used in Paving
Selecting Materials
Coloured Surfaces
Barriers and Walls
Creating Barriers
Fences
Plants to Grow on Trellis
Stone Walls
Garden Structures
Gazebos,Verandahs,Pergolas
Where to build in the Garden
Accessibility
The direction of the sun
Views
Drainage
Rockeries
Rockery Ideas
Water Gardens
Fountains, Waterfalls, Pot Ponds, etc
Using Water Features in the Landscape
Planning for Children's Play
Play Differs with Age
Child Safety
Designing the Garden for Children
Play Equipment for Different Ages
Recommended Play Surfaces
Environmental Sustainability
5. The Function of Drainage Systems in the Garden
Symptoms of Poor Drainage Systems
Typical Permeability Rates
Solving Drainage Problems
Hard Drainage Methods
Soft Drainage
6. Soft Landscaping Features and their Contribution to Garden Design and Function
Plant Selection
Plant Varieties
Colourful Year Round Foliage
Plants that Tolerate Poor Drainage
Coastal Plantings
Trees
Selecting Woody Plants
Deciduous or Semi-deciduous Trees
Evergreen Trees
Flowering Shrubs
Selecting Flowering Shrubs
Establishing Woody Plants
Planting Procedure
Windbreaks, Hedges and Screens
Establishing Hedges and Screens
Pruning or Trimming an Established Hedge
Alpine Plants
Selecting Annual Plants
Types of Annual Plants
Selecting Annuals of Differing Heights
Perennials
Selecting Herbaceous Perennial Plants
Maintenance Hints For Perennials
Scented Plants
Dry Gardens
Selecting Water Plants
Establishing Water Plants
7. Turf and its Contribution to Garden Design and Function
The Benefits of Turf
Selecting Turf
Turf Varieties
Lawn Mixes
Wild Flower Meadows
Turf Establishment
Soil Preparation
Sodding/Instant Turf
Golden Rules for Laying Instant Turf
Drainage
Mowing Turf
Mowing Heights
Direction of Cut or Pattern of Cutting
Mower Safety
Other Turf Maintenance Techniques
Fertilising Turf
Weed Control
Preventing Dispersal
Non Chemical Control Methods
Herbicide Use in Turf
Turf Health Problems
Commonly Used Chemical Pesticides
Commonly Used Chemicals; fungicides
Spray Equipment
Domestic Lawn Care Program
Turf Water Needs
Understanding the Movement of Soil Water
Irrigating Turf
8. Setting out a Site to Scale Plans and Drawings
How Landscape Plans are Presented
Setting Out the Site for Landscape Construction
9. Earthworks, Soil Storage and Drainage Systems
Earthworks
Slope Stability
Soil Types and Foundations
Try to Maintain Vegetation Cover Where Possible
Developing a Grading Plan
Required Grading Drawings
Grading Operations
Earth Moving Machinery
Use Experienced Operators
Cost of Earthworks
Earthworks Calculations
Volumes of Irregular Solids
Land Drainage Systems
Drainage Design
Springs and Under-ground Water Courses
What a Landscaper Should Know about Drainage
Sub Surface Drainage
Gradients
Distance between Drain Pipes
Depth of Drains
Types of Drains
Laying the Drain
10. Landscape Construction Procedures and Materials
Paths
Load Bearing Capacity
Concrete Reinforcement
Paving Essentials
Paving a Slope
Setting out Circular Paving
Curved Paving
Concrete Surfaces
Laying Pebbles
Building a Timber Deck
Decking Materials
Decking Around Pools
Changing Levels , step by step
Ramps
Railings
Retaining Walls
Construction Materials
Types of Retaining Walls
Drainage
Timber
Dry Stone Walls
Clay Block Walls
Recycled Rubber Walls
How to Render a Wall
Fencing
Fencing Materials
Supporting the Fence
Tips for Building a Timber Fence
11. Constructing Rock Gardens and Water Features
Rockeries
How to Build Artificial Rocks
Ponds
Construction of a Water Garden
How to Make a Water Garden using a Liner
How to make a Water Garden using a Preformed Unit
Pumps
Pond Filtration Systems
Work Safety
Safe Work Management Plans
Risk Assessment of a Landscape Construction Site
Risk to the Project
Risk to the Workers
The Adequacy of Existing Controls
Risk Control Methods
Example of a Risk Assessment Procedure
Example Risk Assessment of Protected Crop Production
Safety Techniques
Manual Lifting
How to Lift
Using Machines to do the Heavy Work
12. Amenity Bedding Schemes
Flower Bed Layout for Annuals
Other Types of Bedding Schemes
Shapes for Beds
Achieving the Best Results
Colour Themes
Get Your Timing Right and Getting the Most out of Your Flower Bed
Using Perennials
Herbaceous Perennials
Making Garden Beds - The Variables
Planting
Basic Planting Procedure
Staking
Time of Planting
Mulching
Pruning
Water
Popular Annuals
Supporting Herbaceous Plants
Shade Tolerant Perennials
Bulbs which Grow in Shade
Plant with Fragrant Flowers
Fragrant Foliage
Night Scented Plants
Some Evergreen Perennials
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental Grasses for Year Round Effect
Some Ornamental Grass-like Plants
13. Specialist Garden Areas and Urban Garden Options
Specialist Garden Areas
Garden Ornaments
Plants for the Eclectic Garden
Art Gardens
Plants for Topiary
Hedges
Pleaching
Miniature and Table Top Gardens
Trough Gardens
Urban Gardens; other options
Acclimatising Indoor Plants
How to Care for the Acclimatising Plant
Acclimatising Period
How to Help Indoor Plants Survive
Watering Pot Plants over Short Periods
Fertilising
Re-potting Tips
Inner City Gardens
Types of Inner City Gardens
Community Gardens
Living Walls
Courtyards
Making a Small Courtyard Look Bigger
Natural Garden Planting Design
Planting Design Elements for the ‘Natural Garden’
Some Plants suited to Wild Gardens
Wildlife in Gardens
How Plants Benefit Birds
Using Ferns in Shaded Areas
Sensory Gardens
Low Maintenance Amenity Gardens
Container Plants
Planning the Cropping Program
Getting the Best Out of the Vegetable Plot
Sowing Vegetable Seeds
Sowing and Transplanting Guide
Broad Bean
Beetroot
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Capsicum
Carrot
Corn(Sweet Corn)
Celery
Lettuce
Onion
Pak Choi
Parsnip
Pea
Potato
Pumpkins, Maqrrows and Squash
Silver Beet
Spinach
14. Specialist Pruning Techniques
The Basic Rules of Pruning
Pruning and Rejuvinating
Controlling the Plants Shape and Size
Pruning Overgrown Shrubs
Removing Dead or Diseased Wood
Controlling the Type of Growth
Rejuvenation Limitations
Pruning overgrown climbers and wall shrubs
Pruning Roses
Rejuvenating Old and Overgrown Hedges
Specialist Pruning Techniques
15. Adapting Gardens for Water Sustainability
Conserving Water in the Garden
Reducing run-off
Collecting and Storing Water
Water Quality
Recycling Water
Saving water in the garden
Minimising Plant Water Requirements
Irrigation - water saving techniques
Mulch
Mulch Materials
The Green Roof
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.
Structure
The RHS breaks this certificate into four Units. Our lesson structure relates to those units as follows
Unit 1 - Garden Survey Techniques and the Principles of Garden Design:
Lesson 1 - History of Garden Design and Styles
Lesson 2 - Site Appraisals, Basic Surveying Techniques and Client Briefs
Lesson 3 - Principles and Elements of Garden Design and the Influence of Site Characteristics
Unit 2 - The Selection and Use of Landscaping Elements in the Garden:
Lesson 4 - Hard Landscaping Features and their Contribution to Garden Design and Function
Lesson 5 - The Function of Drainage Systems in the Garden
Lesson 6 - Soft Landscaping Features and their Contribution to Garden Design and Function
Lesson 7 - Turf and its Contribution to Garden Design and Function
Unit 3 - Setting out and Construction of Landscaping Elements in the Garden; Risk Assessments
Lesson 8 - Setting out a Site to Scale Plans and Drawings
Lesson 9 - Earthworks, Soil Storage and Drainage Systems
Lesson 10 - Landscape Construction Procedures and Materials
Lesson 11 - Constructing Rock Gardens and Water Features
Unit 4 - Specialist Elements in the Establishment of Garden and Urban Plantings:
Lesson 12 - Amenity Bedding Schemes
Lesson 13 - Specialist Garden Areas and Urban Garden Options
Lesson 14 - Specialist Pruning Techniques
Lesson 15 - Adapting Gardens for Water Sustainability
SITTING THE RHS EXAMS
This Certificate has 4 exams (one for each unit). Exams are held twice a year by the RHS in February and in June. You must contact and apply to sit exams with the RHS Exams office in Wisely (just outside London). Exam fees are paid to the RHS for these exams. Exams for this course can usually be arranged in most parts of the world.
ACS offices and offices of ACS affiliates would normally be expected to be approved as a location to site these theory exams. Exams can also be conducted under exceptional supervision.
If you require assistance with arranging an exam location, staff at ACS is happy to contact the RHS Education office on your behalf if any difficulty is encountered in arranging an exam location.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
Why Choose This Course
- Unique course materials (developed by our staff) and more current than some colleges (many reviewed annually); as a result, ACS graduates can be more up to date.
- We work hard to help you understand and remember it, develop an ability to apply it in the real world, and build networks with others who work in this field (It’s more than just serving up a collection of information –if all you want is information, buy a book; but if you want an education, that takes learning to a whole new level).
- Start whenever you want, study at your own pace, study anywhere
- Don’t waste time and money traveling classes
- We provide more choices–courses are written to allow you more options to focus on parts of the subject that are of more interest to you; a huge range of elective subjects are offered that don’t exist elsewhere.
- Tutors are accessible (more than elsewhere) – academics work in both the UK and Australia, 5 days a week, 16 hours a day. Answering emails and phone calls from students are top priority.
- We treat students as individuals –don’t get lost in a crowd. Our tutors communicate with you one to one.
- Extra help at no extra cost if needed. When you find something you cannot do, we help you through it or will provide another option.
- Support after you finish a course –We can advise about getting work, starting business, writing a CV, etc. We can promote students and their businesses through our extensive profile on the internet. Graduates who ask will be helped.
- Support from a team of a dozen professional horticulturists, living in different parts of the UK, and in both temperate and tropical climate zones of Australia.
About ACS
ACS was started in 1979 by John Mason, who at the time was a gardening author, horticultural consultant and lecturer in horticulture at several colleges across Melbourne (in Australia). Over the summer that year John discovered that there were thousands of applicants going to be turned away from horticulture courses at Burnley Horticultural College (now Melbourne University). There were simply too few courses being offered for the number of people wanting to study horticulture in Australia. This situation prompted a move to establish a correspondence course at Burnley; but after months of unsuccessful lobbying for support from government; John wrote a course, and with help from a colleague at Council of Adult Education, marketed it.
Standards were originally set in line with what were seen to be the standards of Australia's top horticultural college; and over the years, those standards have never been reduced. This makes our courses longer and more demanding than some other colleges; but it has also led to us building a credibility that stands tall in the horticulture industry across the world.
In the early 1990's John started visiting the UK and becoming involved with the horticulture industry there. Around the mid 1990's ACS began offering RHS courses, and in 2003, John was formally recognised for his contribution to British Horticulture by being made a fellow of the Institute of Horticulture. ACS, as a school, established an office and staff in the UK in 2001, and has expanded considerably since then. Today it is formally affiliated with five other colleges in the UK (including Warwickshire College); all of who license and deliver ACS courses.
A team of leading horticulturists work for the school's horticulture department, including 12 faculty members in both the UK and Australia
How You Study
- As soon as you enroll, we send an email to explain it all.
- We direct you to a short orientation video (downloadable over the internet) to watch, where our principal introduces you to how the course works, and how you can access all sorts of support services
- You are either given a code to access your course online, or sent out a CD or course materials through the mail (or by courier).
- Work through lessons one by one, each lesson typically having four parts:
- An aim -which tells you what you should be achieving in the lesson
- Reading -notes written and regularly revised by our academic staff
- Set Task(s) -These are practicals, research or other experiential learning tasks that strengthen and add to what you have been reading
- Assignment -By answering questions, submitting them to a tutor, then getting feedback from the tutor, you confirm that you are on the right track, but more than that, you are guided to consider what you have been studying in different ways, broadening your perspective and reinforcing what you are learning about
- Other - Your work in a course rarely stops at just the above four parts. Different courses and different students will need further learning experiences. Your set task or assignment may lead to other things, interacting with tutors or people in industry, reviewing additional reference materials or something else. We treat every student as an individual and supplement their learning needs as the occasion requires.
- We provide access to and encourage you to use a range of supplementary services including an online student room, including online library; student bookshop, newsletters, social media etc.
- We provide a "student manual", that is a quick solution to most problems that might occur
Recognition
- ACS has a highly respected international profile: by employers and academics alike. People are more aware of us than many other distance education schools –just do a search for “horticulture distance education courses” and see what comes up on the internet; or search for ACS Distance education on Facebook or Linked in, and see how many connections we have compared to other colleges.
- Recognised by International Accreditation and Recognition Council
- ACS has been educating people around the world since 1979
- Over 100,000 have now studied ACS courses, across more than 150 countries
- Formal affiliations with colleges in five countries
- A faculty of over 40 internationally renowned academics –books written by our staff used by universities and colleges around the world.
Extra Books or Reference Materials
- The course provides you with everything that you need to complete it successfully.
- Assignments may ask you to look for extra information (eg. by contacting nurseries, visiting gardens or searching the internet), but our school's resources and tutors are always available as a back up. If you hit a "roadblock", we can quickly send you additional information or provide expert advice over the phone or email; to keep you moving in your studies.
- Some students choose to buy additional references, to take their learning beyond what is essential for the course. If a student wants to buy books, we operate an online bookshop offering ebooks written by staff at the school. Student discounts are available if you are studying with us. The range of e books available is being expanded rapidly, with at least one new ebook being written and published by our staff every month.
- See www.acsebook.com for ebooks (available in pounds stirling). We also sell books through our Australian bookshop (selling in Australian dollars) at www.acsbookshop.com
