Course CodeBHT303Fee 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. Add Turf Repair to Your Green Keeping Skills Learn to renovate and repair turf Discover trade techniques for optimising turf health. Learn about how environmental factors impact upon turf health. Conduct inspections and assess turf. Decide when to irrigate and how often. Learn how to control a range of turf problems like pests and diseases, water logging and compaction. Learn to diagnose and treat problems efficiently on (Golf and Bowling Greens, Playing Fields, Parks, Home lawns and more) Comment from Student: "In my role within a large Aged Care Facility a great deal of my employment is spent in the area of Turf management and garden care/refurbishment. With ACS I was able to study at my own pace allowing me to put into practise and thoroughly research the subject matter broadening my knowledge and study experience further. I enjoyed the way in which the subject matter was presented as it allowed you to study each subject further, allowing for greater depth, clarity and knowledge. Overall there are not many areas in which the course subject matter will not turn out to be invaluable, everything is covered to allow you to become successful within your own business or place of employment. A big thank you to Gavin Cole [tutor] and all at ACS. It was a pleasure to study with ACS, look forward to further study." (Craig Ledbury, Australia, Turf Renovation & Repair course) Lesson Structure There are 10 lessons in this course: Understanding Turf Deterioration Inspecting Deteriorated Turf Using Checklists Report Forms The Effect of Traffic on Turf; wear and tear, soil compaction, environment, varieties, traffic control Turf Quality Factors affecting visual quality Factors affecting functional quality Repair and Renovation Equipment Scope of Equipment Machines that Penetrate the soil Aerators; hollow tine, solid tine, drills, scoop tines Air injectors Slicing machines Thatch Removal Scarifiers Rakes Sod Cutters Planters Sprayers Tool Maintenance Tractors; clutch, transmission, PTO, differential, etc Tractor Safety Calibrating Sprayers Turf Cultivation Techniques What is Cultivation Soil Damage Thatch Build Up Salt or Toxin Accumalation Impermeable Surfaces Drainage and Aeration Management Tree Roots competing with Turf Coring Spiking Drilling Grooving Using Forks, Hoes, Rotaty Hoes Health Improvement Techniques Minimising Problems Understanding what can go Wrong in Turf Assessing Problems Conducting an Inspection Tell Tale Symptoms Problems that are Difficult to Diagnose Common Turf Pests and Dealing with them Common Turf Diseases and Dealing with the, Irrigation and Soils Operation of Watering Systems Sprinkler Spacing Designing for Best Sprinler Performance Feeding Turf Optimising Turf Usage Turf Use, type of use, quantity of use Turf Friendly Footwear Machinery Damage Minimising Damage Preparing fror Use Rolling Replacing Damaged Turf Problems and Solutions Turf Repair Sportsgrounds Turf Wickets Planting Turf; topdressing, sprigging, sodding, pluggingstolonising, chitted seed Ploughs, Cultivators, Scarifiers Seeding Renovation of Degraded Turf Introduction Golf Course Renovation, todressing, changing pins and tees, feeding, soil amelliorants, greens and tees Weed Control Insect and Disease Control Dealing with Snow Problems Eradicating Turf Weeds Where and Why Weeds are a Problem in Turf Weeds in Seed Beds Weeds in New or Established Turf Where do Weeds Come From General Weed Control Ways to Control Weeds; suffocation, burning, cultivation, chaning pH, biological control, chemicals, etc Weed Dispersal Mechanisms Review of Common Turf Weeds Treating Aeration and Drainage Problems Soil compaction, what it is, solutions, etc. Drainage Improving surface drainage Improving Water Infiltration Sub Surface Drains; layout, outlets, gradients, depth of drain, laing the drain, etc Soil Degradation; erosion, Loss of soil fertility, Salinity, Soil acidification, Build up of dangerous chemicals. Managing a Turf Nursery. Types of Turf Nursery Growing a Sod Crop What You Will Do Compare the characteristics of different turfs with reference to hardiness, pest & disease resistance, tolerance to play, suitability for different applications, etc Explain different turf problems (including; soil problems, pest & disease weed, environmental, etc) Explain the effect of various adverse situations on the physiology of turf plants. Carry out turf consultancy, conducting site inspections and giving appropriate recommendations. Develop solutions for the repair of damaged turf. Identify the cause of deteriorating condition in a selected turf Explain different repair techniques for control of problems identified. Compare different solutions for the problem identified. Develop turf renovation programs for different types of turf facilities Compare renovation programs for different turf facilities Identify when renovation becomes economically prudent for different facilities Why is Turf Renovation Needed Turf is made up of living things; and like anything that is living, tutf plants can get damaged, get sick, age, and die. Damaged and sick turf plants need to be returned to good health, or they will eventually die. Dead turf plants need to be replaced with living ones, or parts of the turf surface will become bare and subject to erosion. Soil conditions are deteriorating from over use (eg. people walking or driving on it too much); and without improving the soil, the turf will continue to deteriorate. Traffic over the surface of a can take numerous forms -most of which have potential to damage the turf. The most obvious examples might be vehicular and human movement. Examples of traffic include: Golf course Golf carts and buggy wheels which compact soils Human shoes, often with sprigs that rip and tear turf Golf clubs and balls which cause divots and ball marks or plugs Animal grazing which tends to be more of a rural problem. Parkland Human use including walking, lying down Erecting temporary structures such as a marquee, tent Ball games of all varieties Irresponsible vehicle use Animal use. The amount of damage caused by traffic is relative to the amount and type of traffic, but other factors such as environment and turf species are also important factors. The resultant damage that does occur is called turf grass wear. TURF GRASS WEAR This refers to damage that takes place when some or all of the above activities take place upon turf. Turf can be slightly discoloured, thinned out or totally killed depending on the type and intensity of traffic, and what type of maintenance and repair procedures are adopted. Firstly, it is important to understand exactly why, where and when turf grass wear is happening and this in turn will enable you to plan control measures accordingly. Remember, turf is there to be used and so turf grass wear will always be a major component of any turf management program. SOIL COMPACTION This is the result of constant traffic or in some cases very heavy traffic. Trail development from shortcuts, such as what is known to park planners and landscapers as ‘lazy paths’, occur. Apart from the crushing of the turf grass itself, this type of wear may also result in the soil particles becoming more densely packed together. This encourages the clay particles to bind together which in turn can cause the soil to become less porous and hence restrict water movement and aeration. Learn about other things that can damage turf and how to control damage, as well as how to repair and renovate. Reasons to Study This Course This course is of value to people who have an interest in grass and turf surfaces. People who take this course are most likely those working in or aspiring to work in: Turf maintenance Green keeping Lawn mowing Sports turf maintenance Grounds maintenance Landscaping Horticulture Parks & gardens The course will also be of value to people wishing to include a turf repair service as part of an existing mowing, gardening or landscaping business. HOW TO ENROL Click box below on left hand side -follow instructions. IF YOU NEED ADVICE - click here to use our FREE ADVISORY SERVICE