Upon successful completion of the certificate the student will be able to:
- Distinguish 150 landscape trees grown in the San Francisco Bay Area. Select proper cultural practices to maintain the health of trees in the landscape. Select tree species suitable for different landscape situations
- Distinguish 150 landscape shrubs, groundcovers and vines grown in the San Francisco Bay Area. Select proper cultural practices to maintain the health of shrubs, groundcovers and vines in the landscape. Select shrubs, groundcovers and vines species suitable for different landscape situations.
- Safely conduct landscape construction activities. Identify the different components of an irrigation system, relate those components to each other and understand their proper installation. Design an irrigation system for a residential site. Design and install a low-volume (drip) irrigation system. Design and install concrete paving. Design and install brick and pavers. Design and install wooden decks, fences and gates. Properly plant landscape plants. Understand and apply the concepts of job estimating. Understand basic concepts and laws as they pertain to landscape construction. Understand and apply the proper construction sequence for residential landscapes. Design and install low voltage night lighting in the landscape.
- Conduct landscape maintenance activities in a safe manner. Test and evaluate soil fertility, select and apply fertilizers. Test soil texture, select and apply soil amendments in the landscape. Properly plant trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennials, bulbs and seasonal color (annuals, bulbs) in the landscape. Recognize common turf grass species and select proper maintenance techniques for each type of turf grass. Operate common landscape equipment including lawnmowers, putting green mowers, lawn aerators, lawn dethatchers, lawn edgers, lawn dethatchers, line trimmers, and power blowers. Use and care for common hand tools. Identify and control common turf grass weeds, pests and diseases. Prune and care for ornamental landscape shrubs, trees and fruit trees
- Cultivate and maintain roses. Cultivate and maintain camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas. Select plants for seasonal color displays in the garden.
- Identify common weeds in the landscape and select proper control measures. Identify common invertebrate pests in the landscape and select proper control measures. Identify common plant diseases (biotic and abiotic) in the landscape and select proper control measures. Identify common vertebrate pests in the landscape and select proper control measures. Understand and interpret pesticide labels.Learn to use and select proper equipment for pesticide applications. Learn to use and select proper safety equipment when applying pesticides. Learn about local resources to aid in identification and control of landscape pests. Pass state examinations for pest control applicator's certificate or license.
