Landscaping
Course Standards
Introduction to Landscaping and Turf Management
1) Gather and analyze labor data from sources such as the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Tennessee Department of Labor to predict the employment outlook in landscaping and turf management careers. Summarize the interpersonal, business, and technical skills needed for a career in landscaping or turf management. Develop a resume for a selected occupation that includes documented development of industry-related skills (i.e., work experience, SAE records, and proficiency applications). (TN CCSS Reading 2; TN CCSS Writing 4, 9)
2) Explain general occupational and horticulture industry safety standards. Identify commonly used machinery and equipment and develop a checklist of associated safety and maintenance procedures. Assess the purpose of worker protection standards, complete required safety tests with 100 percent accuracy, and obtain the worker protection standards student industry certification. (TN CCSS Reading 3)
Tree and Shrub Selection and Maintenance
3) Develop illustrative models that identify the basic parts of trees and shrubs. Demonstrate the ability to visually identify and distinguish between common tree and shrub species used for landscaping and describe research-based practices in harvesting, transportation, transplanting, and care. (TN CCSS Reading 7; TN CCSS Writing 4, 8; TN Biology II 7)
4) Using descriptive text, summarize methods for general care and maintenance of trees and shrubs, including planting, pruning, mulching, and fertilizing techniques. Drawing on research and technical data, justify the importance of site evaluation, preparation, and consideration of hardiness zones in the selection of trees and shrubs. (TN CCSS Reading 2, 3; TN CCSS Writing 2)
Plant Selection and Maintenance
5) Visually identify and distinguish among common ground cover, vines, and plants used for landscaping. Differentiate function, form, and growth requirements for common perennials, annuals, and biennials.
6) Assess methods for general care and maintenance of ground cover, vines, and plants, including planting, pruning, mulching, and fertilizing techniques. Recommend specific vines and ground covers to solve special landscaping issues, and justify recommendations in an argumentative text citing textual and technical evidence. (TN CCSS Reading 2; TN CCSS Writing 1)
Turf Grass Selection and Maintenance
7) Cite specific textual evidence to compare and contrast the functions and components of turf grasses of common turf grass species. Demonstrate the ability to visually identify and distinguish between turf grass species and cultivars and compose an argument justifying their applications for specific uses. (TN CCSS Reading 1; TN CCSS Writing 1, 9)
8) Describe methods for the establishment and maintenance of turf grasses, including soil preparation, installation, water, nutrient and pH needs, and fertilizing techniques, attending to appropriate ratios and calculations. Draw conclusions about the importance of site selection, site preparation, and consideration of hardiness zones in the selection of turf grass species and cultivars. (TN CCSS Reading 3, 9)
9) Evaluate and compare special management needs of residential, commercial, and sports turf. Identify management practices and associated equipment requirements for mowing, irrigation and weed, disease, and fungus control for common turf grass species. (TN CCSS Reading 1, 3; TN CCSS Math N-Q)
Commercial Interior Plantscaping
10) Identify and classify basic ornamental flowers and plants (i.e. potted, cut) used for the commercial interior plantscape, and summarize their propagation, installation techniques, and maintenance requirements, citing applicable technical texts. Drawing on knowledge acquired in previous courses, demonstrate in a live or presentation format the ability to construct an interior display using a variety of plant materials, including but not limited to foliage, flowering plants (both cut and potted), live, and permanent/silk plants. (TN CCSS Reading 2; TN Biology II 7)
11) Identify and recommend effective management practices for the interior environment, including light, humidity, growing media, and disease and pest control. Compare and contrast decorative accessory items (containers, planters, water features, permanent/silk plants, live plants) in the interior plantscape. (TN CCSS Reading 9)
Pest Management
12) Identify and compare the common landscape and turf grass pests and their respective prevention and control methods. Categorize the basic types of pesticides and describe their application methods, including but not limited to rate, environmental conditions, and reentry times. Using quantitative reasoning and appropriate units, calculate proper formulations of pesticides based upon label directions by creating systems of equations that describe numerical relationships. (TN CCSS Reading 3; TN CCSS Math N-Q, A-CED)
13) Demonstrate in a live setting or in a presentation the ability to properly mix and apply pesticides precisely, attending to important safety standards, selection, handling, application, storage, and disposal. (TN CCSS Reading 3; TN CCSS Math N-Q)
Water Management
14) Develop a written resource describing the seven principles of xeriscaping and indications for use in landscapes, citing specific textual evidence. (TN CCSS Reading 2; TN CCSS Writing 4, 8; TN CCSS Math N-Q)
15) Examine the various types of water gardens and pools and their applications for landscape enhancement. Develop a customer information packet outlining best management practices to maintain a healthy water garden and pool, addressing at minimum the following considerations: pH, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, algae, pollutants, filter requirements, and feed schedules. (TN CCSS Reading 3, 7, 9; TN CCSS Writing 2)
16) Compare and contrast different irrigation systems and summarize their advantages and disadvantages. Identify irrigation tools and system components and their function or application. Applying basic plumbing principles, calculate the water supply flow rate, head pressure requirements, and pipe and pump size considerations for a water garden, pool, or irrigation system. Identify and demonstrate the plumbing skills required to install irrigation and water features in a landscape or turf setting. (TN CCSS Reading 3; TN CCSS Math N-Q, A-CED, F- BF)
17) Design an irrigation system for a residential landscape and develop a bid presentation that identifies the project timeline, required permits, costs of installation and selected materials. (TN CCSS Writing 4; TN CCSS Math N-Q, G-MG)
Landscape Design
18) Interpret topographical and soil maps to evaluate site suitability for selected landscape plants. Create a site analysis checklist to evaluate a proposed landscape site. (TN CCSS Writing 4; TN CCSS Math N-Q, G-MG)
19) Develop a list of tools and skills necessary for drafting landscape designs, including computer- assisted methods. Demonstrate the use of drafting tools and design equipment to create a basic landscape design. (TN CCSS Writing 6; TN CCSS Math G-MG)
20) Explore landscape design principles to outline the components of a comprehensive landscape design plan. Prepare comprehensive landscape plans using prospective residential and commercial plots and develop a landscape bid package and presentation for each plan. (TN CCSS Writing 7; TN CCSS Math G-MG)
Business Principles of Landscaping and Turf Management
21) Compare and contrast different business models. Create a chart to illustrate the use, advantages, and disadvantages of each. Research successful landscaping and turf grass management businesses locally and use evidence from research to evaluate the skills and resources utilized for successful small business implementation. (TN CCSS Reading 7; TN CCSS Writing 4, 7, 8)
22) Using industry-specific terminology, explain the process for preparing a price estimate for landscape designs and packages. Create a price estimate and develop a presentation to secure a bid on a landscape project. (TN CCSS Reading 2, 4; TN CCSS Writing 4; TN CCSS Math N-Q)
23) Demonstrate the ability to interpret and read landscape drawings by measuring and calculating materials needed to execute the plan. Evaluate factors that affect profitability. (TN CCSS Reading 3; TN CCSS Math N-Q, G-MG, S-MD)