Description
Landscape Design 1
In this hands-on course, you will get a general overview of the skills and knowledge required of a landscape designer including the following:
- Understand how to confer with clients, engineers, and building architects to understand a project
- Demonstrate understanding of preparing site plans, specifications, and cost estimates
- Identify how to coordinate the arrangement of existing and proposed land features and structures
- Prepare graphic representations of proposed plans
- Recognize how to select appropriate materials for use in landscape designs
- Identify how to analyze environmental reports on land conditions, such as drainage and energy usage
- Understand how to inspect landscape work to ensure that it adheres to original plans
- Identify how to seek new work through marketing or by giving presentations.
Course Outline (including Units and Objectives):
Unit 1 Ornamental Horticulture
- Discuss historical aspects of ornamental horticulture and garden design and the influences that have shaped gardens.
- Identify the individual crafts that make up the broader field of ornamental horticulture.
- Describe the opportunities for employment in the professions of ornamental horticulture.
- Identify the qualifications for employment in each area of ornamental horticulture.
- Discuss the psychological and physical abilities required for a successful career in ornamental horticulture.
- Describe the relationships among the professions of ornamental horticulture.
- Outline reasons for the growing interest and demand in sustainable landscapes.
- Identify the key concepts and benefits of sustainable landscapes.
- Discuss business opportunities in sustainable landscapes.
Unit 2 Garden Ecology
- Understand the important roles plants play in the Earth’s ecosystem.
- Describe the process and importance of photosynthesis.
- Describe the components of soil and the environmental factors that affect plant growth.
- Understand the principles of pest control and integrated pest management.
Unit 3 Landscape Plants
- Use plant hardiness zones and zone maps.
- Identify sunlight, moisture, and soil requirements for specific plants.
- Identify invasive plant species and their characteristics.
- Describe what makes specific plants desirable for use in the landscape.
Unit 4 Landscape and Garden Design
- Conduct a site and client-needs assessment.
- Create a base map and preliminary design for a project.
- Use design principles to create a landscape.
- Select plants and hardscape elements for a landscape design.
- Understand the typical functions of residential and commercial
Unit 5 Landscape Construction, Installation, and Maintenance
- Conduct a site and client-needs assessment.
- Create a base map and preliminary design for a project.
- Use design principles to create a landscape.
- Select plants and hardscape elements for a landscape design.
- Understand the typical functions of residential and commercial landscapes.
Unit 6 Your Landscaping Business
- Identify legal forms and necessary insurance coverage to establish a business.
- Determine the physical capital needed for a landscape business.
- Know where to find financial assistance in start-up costs for a business.
- Keep good records, manage cash flow, and calculate profits.
- Hire and retain quality employees.
- Calculate and then present bid numbers to a customer in a well-written contract
