Qualification -Certificate in Horticulture (Turf)

Distance Education School -Certificate -Study, Learn and Work in Greenkeeping and Turf Care

Become an Expert Turf Manager.

The turf industry is a huge sector within horticulture. It employs people as greenkeepers, curators and superintendents; seed and machinewry suppliers, consultants and much more. It's not without it's critics; nevertheless, golf courses, sportsgrounds and even home lawns are vey important contributors to the overall environmental quality of urban areas. Consider the purpose for growing turf:

1. Functional turf is used to control soil erosion, reduce dust and mud problems, reduce glare, noise, air pollution and buffer temperature fluctuations. Turf along a roadside or surrounding a factory are examples of functional turf.
2. Recreational turf is used for sporting activities, such as bowling greens, golf courses and football grounds, and other outdoor recreational activities such as surfacing a children's playground or picnic area.
3. Ornamental turf is primarily intended as a decoration, for example the front lawn of a home or office building or high quality grassed areas in public parklands.
   

Modules

Note that each module in the Qualification -Certificate in Horticulture (Turf) is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

The course is divided into two parts, and involves completing all assignments and passing an exam in each of six subjects as listed below.

Part I

Horticulture I

Turf Care

Machinery and Equipment

Part 2.

Sports Turf Management

Turf Repair and Renovation

Irrigation (Gardens)

Note: Course fee does not include exam fees (x 4).

LESSONS COVERED IN THE CERTIFICATE ARE BRIEFLY OUTLINED BELOW

Horticulture I

1.Plant Identification
2.Planting
3.Introduction to Soils
4.Introduction to Nutrition
5.Introduction to Water Management
6.Pruning
7.Weeds
8.Foundations of Pests and Diseases
9.Landscaping
10.Plant Propagation
11.Introduction to Lawns
12.Arboriculture

Turf Care

1.Introduction - Turf Varieties
2.Turf Grass Physiology
3.Turf Establishment
4.Soils
5.Turf Weed Problems
6.Turf Pests and Diseases
7.Turf Maintenance Techniques
8.Irrigation - An Overview
9.Playing Fields & Bowling Greens
10.Managing Established Turf
11.Establishing Ornamental Turf

Machinery and Equipment

1.Engine Operation
2.Hydraulics
3.Machinery Components
4.Hand Tools
5.Power Tools
6.Tractors
7.Equipment Maintenance
8.Specific Workplace Requirements

Sports Turf Management

1.Turf Variety Selection
2.Mowing - selection, use and maintenance of equipment.
3.Cultivation Techniques -spiking, coring, thatch removal and other techniques.
4.Preparing for Play on Sports grounds - rolling, marking, etc.
5.Preparing for Play of Greens - rolling, marking, etc.
6.Turf Protection & Preservation
7.Irrigation & Drainage
8.Soil Treatment & Sprays - pesticides, fertilisers, etc.
9.Evaluate Maintenance Facilities
10.Develop a Management Plan.

Turf Repair and Renovation

1.Understanding Turf Deterioration - physiological and biological responses.
2.Repair & Renovation Equipment - use and repair of applicable equipment.
3.Turf Cultivation Techniques
4.Health Improvement Techniques -pest control, feeding, watering, etc.
5.Optimising Turf Usage
6.Replacing Damaged Turf - techniques for replacement.
7.Renovation of Degraded Turf - techniques to repair and renovated turf.
8.Eradicating Turf Weeds
9.Treating Aeration and Drainage Problems - compaction, etc.
10.Managing a Turf Nursery.

Irrigation

• Normally done on a weekly or fortnightly basis in the active growing seasons – less often in winter.
• May include trimming edges on each cut, on every second or third cut, or not at all.
• May be a 'quality cut' service, for top quality lawns using top-quality cylinder mowers.
• May be a basic cutting service using a standard rotary-type mower.
• You may or may not be required to remove lawn clippings from the site.