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Turf Care

Course CodeBHT104
Fee CodeS3
Duration (approx)100 hours
QualificationTo 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.

Turf and Lawn Care Course: a self paced foundation course through online learning

  • Work in the Turf Industry - this can be a great starting point.
  • With an understanding of lawns and lawn care; start your own lawn care business.
  • Seek employment with a golf course, sports ground or other turf facility.

When planning a new lawn, or renovating an old one, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of different grasses, and why certain grasses are used in preference to others. The intended or actual use (and maintenance) of a particular area is the deciding factor.

This course teaches you about the different grasses, the techniques used to establish them and the measures that must be taken to maintain an acceptable surface.

Lesson Structure

There are 11 lessons in this course:

  1. Introduction
    • Benefits of Turf
    • History of Turf
    • Turf Varieties
    • Lawn Mixes
    • What Lawn to Grow Where
  2. Turf Grass Physiology
    • Scope and Nature of Grass
    • Morphology of a Typical Grass Plant
    • The Grass Flower
    • Identifying other Distinguishing Characteristics
    • Grass Roots
    • Grass Shoots
    • Root Shoot Ratio
    • Recuperative Potential
    • Ways of Identifying a GrassKey to Common Turf Grasses
    • Identification Tips for Rye grasses, Bents, Fescues and others
    • Descriptions of Major Warm Season Grasses; couch, zoysia, carpet grass
  3. Turf Establishment
    • Introduction
    • Soil Preparation
    • Seeding; seed quality, planting method, after planting care
    • Sodding or Instant Turf
    • Other Techniques; plugging, stolonizing, sprigging, chitted seed
    • Work Scheduling
    • Estimating Costs
  4. Soils
    • Understanding soil, introduction and texture
    • Soil Blends
    • pH, Buffering
    • Improving SoilsCalculating Quantities of Soil Needed
    • Nutrition
    • Fertilizing Turf
    • Drainage
  5. Turf Weed Problems
    • Introduction
    • How Weeds are Spread
    • Non Chemical Weed Control in Turf
    • Chemical weed Control in Turf
    • Effective and Safe Herbicide Use
  6. Turf Pests and Diseases
    • Introduction
    • Chemical and Non Chemical Control
    • Dry Patch
    • Heat Scals
    • Algae
    • Mosses
    • Chemical Contamination of Turf
    • Damping Off
    • Brown Patch
    • Fairy Rings
    • Dollar Spot
    • Rust
    • Smut
    • Pests occuring in Turf Grass
    • Review of Commonly Used Pesticides and Fungicides
    • Spraying Equipment
    • Domestic Lawn Care Program
  7. Turf Maintenance Techniques
    • Introduction
    • Turf Mowers
    • Mowing Guidelines
    • Length of Cut
    • Getting a Clean Cut
    • To Catch or Not to Catch
    • Pattern of Cutting
    • Cutting Steep Slopes
    • After Mowing, and lawn clippings
    • Mower Safety
    • Other Turf Maintenance Techniques
  8. Irrigation - An Overview
    • Water and Plant Growth
    • Managing water retention and loss
    • Understanding movement of Soil Water
    • Types of Soil Water
    • Testing for Soil Water
    • Estimating Water Needs
    • Irrigating Turf
    • Rate, Timing and Period for Watering
    • Cyclic Watering, Pulse Watering
    • Irrigation Equipment
  9. Playing Fields and Bowling Greens
    • Gradients for Sporting Facilities
    • Dimensions for Sports Facilities
    • Construction Procedure for a Playing Field
    • General Specs for Golf Course Preparation
    • Cricket Wicket Construction
    • Maintenance and Repair of Turf Wickets
    • Marking a Wicket
    • Treatment after Play
  10. Managing Established Turf
    • Introduction
    • Golf Course Care and Maintenance
    • Mowing
    • Watering
    • Renovation
    • Fertilizing
    • Weed Control
  11. Establishing Ornamental Turf
    • Introduction
    • Turf in Shade
    • Establishent of Ornamental Turf
    • Planning and environmental auditing

Aims

  • Identify the range of grasses and other species available for turf culture.
  • Explain the management of soils for growing turf.
  • Identify methods for the establishment of turf.
  • Explain the management of problems in turf including weeds, pests and diseases.
  • Explain maintenance practices used in turf management.
  • Plan the development of different turfs used for sport.
  • Develop plans to establish a turfed area.
  • Develop management strategies for the care of established turf.

Scope of the Turf Management

Turf Management is a great deal more complex than what many people think; and those who work in this industry include very highly skilled, experienced and well paid experts.
To reach the top of this industry, a person needs to develop knowledge and skills in several different areas, including:

  • Horticultural Techniques -growing plants (specifically turf species)
  • Scientific Knowledge -soil science, botany, pathology, etc
  • Management Skills -to manage people, materials, equipment, etc
  • Machinery and Equipment -using, maintaining, repairing etc

As your career develops, you may end up specialising in one area of turf; or you may continue to be involved in many.

 

Why Study this Course with ACS?

  • ACS tutors are all dedicated to your learning - your tutor is on a one to one basis
  • We pride ourselves on prompt replies to students' questions
  • We encourage student - tutor interaction
  • Our courses are written by professionals who have worked in the field of horticulture
  • Our courses are constantly under review
  • We are proud of our ability to produce quality graduates.

Join ACS for a quality education!

 

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