Course CodeBHT111Fee CodeS3Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Understand What is Needed to Build the Hard Landscape Take this course to: Learn how to lay paving, build walls and form the soil to create gardens Acquire knowledge and skills to set yourself apart from other landscape professionals Improve your career prospects for work in the landscape industry This course concentrates on hard landscaping, developing your knowledge of how to construct or build a landscape but also exposes you to plants. Learn to construct or build a garden the "right" way. This course provides a good grounding in hard landscaping, for anyone working or wishing to work in the landscape industry. Lesson Structure There are 10 lessons in this course: Tools and Machinery Manual Handling Materials used for Constructing Tools and Equipment; ferrous metals, non ferrous metals Safety with Electricity Engine Troubleshooting Machine Maintenance Types of Machines Chainsaws: safety, buying, using Brushcutters Earthmoving and Cultivating Equipment; rotary hoes, ploughs, cultivators, etc Workshop and Hand Tools; spanners, chisels, hacksaws etc Hand saws, Rakes, Spades, Shovels, Rollers, Wheelbarrows, Sprayers, etc Landscape Plans and Setting out a Construction Site Reading Landscape Plans, Scale, etc Understanding and Using Triangulation Slope, Contouring, Grid Systems Drainage in Landscape Construction Introduction to Drainage Testing Drainage Improving Drainage Improving Soil Water Infiltration Improving Drainage after construction; sand slitting, aerating, sub soiling Sub Surface Drains; types, layout, outlet, gradients, pipe spacing, etc Surface Drainage Soil Testing; testing nutrients, pH, toxins Earthworks Levelling terminology Levelling Procedure Levelling a Sloping Site Earthmoving Earthmoving Machinery; Bobcat, Backhoe, Dozer Use an Experienced Driver Topsoil Considerations Earth Forming: creating Mounds Building Raised Garden Beds Earth Quantity Calculation Soil Degradation Erosion; water erosion, wind erosion, controlling erosion Soil Acidification Management Managing Soil Compaction Managing Chemical Residues Surfaces, Paths, Paving and Turf Introduction Surfaces for Play Areas Concrete; concrete, cement, mortar, variations in treatment and use Loose Surfacing Materials: advantages and disadvantages Bark Surfaces, Crushed tiles, pebbles, etc Paths; concrete, asphalt, etc Paving; laying pavers, setting out circular paving, curved paving, edges to paving Lawns and Turf; shape, design, establishment Garden Edges Playing Field Construction Sand Based Technology Constructing Steps Construction of Garden Structures I Buildings in a Garden; gazebos, verandas, storage buildings, cubbies, etc Where to build a building Floors and Foundations for Buildings Walls; brick construction, coping, expansion joints, etc Fencing Retaining Walls Wooden Walls Construction with Rock or Masonry; dry walls, wet walls Home Playgrounds Using Timber in the Garden Differences between Softwood and Hardwood Construction of Garden Structures II Compost Bins Traditional Features: gazebos, statues, gates, arches, sundials, bird baths, urns, tubs, pergolas, pleached alleys, etc Wooden Decks Constructing a Deck Greenhouse and Shade house; types, construction, installation Water Features; Waterproofing, keeping water clean Landscaping a pond Tennis Courts Spas Rockery Construction Artificial Rock Formation Mulching Rockeries Garden Furniture Lighting in the Garden Irrigation Systems Planning an Irrigation System Types of Systems: sprinkler, drip, automatic, etc Using and Maintaining an Irrigation System Establishing Hedges and Other Plants Factors affecting successful plant establishment Physical Plant Protection Methods Hedges; site preparation, plant selection, spacing, planting, pruning, hedge maintenance Workplace Safety and Management of Landscape Construction Work Risk Management on a Landscape Construction Site The Risks Keeping a Work Site Safe Duty of Care Significance of Illness Protective Clothing Safety with Tools and Equipment Safety with electricity and different types of equipment Tool Maintenance Aims Manage equipment for landscape construction projects, including tools and machinery. Determine earthworks for a landscape development. Plan the construction of different landscape structures including buildings, fences, and walls. Manage the installation of a simple irrigation system in gardens. Determine construction techniques for different building or installing different garden features; including paving, water gardens, rockeries and furnishings. Determine techniques for creating soft landscaping. Manage work being undertaken on a landscape construction site. What You Will Do Compare the quality and cost of a range of different tools and machinery used in landscape construction. Identify tools and machinery used in everyday work by landscape constractors. Explain appropriate uses for different tools and machinery on a landscape construction site. Prepare landscape plans for a number of landscape sites Research and report on marking out boundaries in construction sites Describe how to locate contours Determine the fall of existing drains, and identify appropriate falls, spacing and depths of drains Observe and report on earth moving equipment in operation Survey a site and recommend earthworks necessary Examine surfacing materials for paths, gardens, etc and determine the appropriate landscaping function of each. Assess the construction of a range of different existing landscape features Describe preparation of foundations for a specified garden structure, on a specific site. Design a rockery at least 30 square metres in area Contact a range of suppliers of landscape materials and compare the products available in your locality. Identify materials needed to install an irrigation system on a site selected by you. Prepare plans of irrigation systems Research which species of plants are suitable for hedging in your locality Outline how to effectively transplant an existing tree Prepare a detailed risk assessment for a landscape construction site Identify safe working practices for a landscape construction site Determine a list of work tasks to be undertaken on a landscape construction site. Give a time frame for completion of the entire project Opportunities After Your Studies This course is of great value to people wishing to work in landscaping. It will not lead to a construction license but should provide basic skills needed to undertake small scale landscaping projects which do not require council approval. It is likely to benefit people who wish to add basic construction to their landscaping and gardening skills. It could serve as a platform for further study or be taken in conjunction with other modules to enhance your learning experience. Who Will Benefit From This Course? People who should take this course are those working in, or wishing to work in: Landscape construction Landscape design Garden maintenance Garden restoration or conservation Landscape materials supply It could also add to the skillset of people wanting to start a landscape business, or be of value to people wishing to renovate a home garden.