Learn to Make a Great Lawn
A foundation for anyone who has a passion for lawns, or a desire to forge a career or business in the turf industry
This is the starting point toward building skills and knowledge about creating, growing and maintaining turf. Lawns are far more complicated than what most people realize; and the task of providing good turf is more than just mowing the grass regularly and watering in hot weather. Turf is made up of living plants on a surface that can be walked and run over; and may need to withstand the weight of tractors and cars, and the forces of heavy wind, rain, hot sun and maybe snow and hail. The soil will become compacted over time, and may not drain as well. Low spots can collect puddles of water and become muddy. Sloping lawns may not absorb water before it runs to the bottom of the slope. Pests and diseases can also affect lawns; and when turf grasses become weakened; vigorous weeds can compete with the grass, and may take over.
What this Course Covers
The ten lessons are as follows:
- Introduction - Gardening styles, basic organic procedures, etc.
- Plant Culture
- Understanding Soils
- Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition
- Soil Management
- Pests & Diseases
- Mulching
- Seeds - Collecting, storing & sowing
- Vegetable Growing in your locality
- Fruit Growing in your locality.
Workload
Study when, where and however much you want. For most students, the course can be completed with a total of around 100 hours of study; and a commitment close to that may be needed to achieve desired learning outcomes.
Extra Reading
The following books, available through this web site are relevant supplementary reading for this course
- Grasses
- Plant Pests and Diseases
- Starting a Garden or Landscape Business
- Weeds
Assessment
Self Assessment Tests are presented throughout the course. These are essentially an automated quiz. When you undertake a "SAT" or "Self Assessment Test", you will be able to see what you got correct, and what was incorrect; and in that way, you can identify your weaknesses.
Assignments are given at the end of each lesson. You should complete this assignment, paying careful attention to follow what is asked of you. It can be just as important to learn to work to specification, as it is to learn about the topic you are studying. Graduates who develop a habit of working to specification in the field of plant protection, will impress employers, and will be more efficient when self employed.
A Final Exam is offered upon satisfactory completion of all assignments. This is optional. If you choose to apply for and do this exam, you will have the possibility of obtaining a "formal credit" or "Pass Certification" for this course. A fee applies. The exam may be sat under prearranged conditions anywhere in the world. This college will award you a formal transcript, upon successful completion of the exam, as proof of your results.
Recognition and Ethics
This college is a member of the ACS Affiliates Network; a group of colleges from several countries, affiliated with each other through ACS Distance Education.. Courses are developed with input from all of these colleges, aspiring to reflect internationally accepted standards and needs.
A strict "No Plagiarism" and "No fraud" policy exists. Assignments are checked for plagiarism, and assignments will not be deemed to have been completed, if work is not your own original creation, and is found to have been copied from elsewhere. If the person doing the course is discovered to be different to the name enrolled, the enrolment and any results will be recorded as invalid and any fees paid will be forfeited.
Refund Policy
A full refund less expenses (up to 15% of fees applied) is provided to anyone wishing to withdraw from a course, within 2 weeks of enrolment. This does not apply after the first assignment has been submitted and marked; or after the two weeks has expired.