Distance Learning Course Soil Management
"Understand soils and how to improve them to increase yields".
" I really appreciate Gavin's (tutor) comments and look forward to receiving the feedback from him."
- Nadine
Nutrient levels, pH, salinity, depth, texture (properties of sand and clay), structure (form and arrangement), porosity (air space), consistence (the ability of soil to withstand rupture) and even colour can affect plant growth independently or interdependently.
Over eight lessons this course will develop an understanding of physical and chemical properties of soils, the ability to carry out simple tests and determine soil characteristics, and to decide ways of treating a soil to improve its ability to grow plants.
This course provides a credit in ACS qualifications, accredited through IARC, and also prepares you to sit for RHS modules and acquire credits in the RHS advanced certificate or diploma.
The course is specifically designed for ornamental gardens, landscaping, container growing, and turf situations.
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are eight lessons in this module as follows:
Lesson 1 Physical & Chemical Properties Of Soils
Lesson 2 Soil and Plant Tissue Test Methods
Lesson 3 Soil Science and Health
Lesson 4 Container Growing
Lesson 5 Land Degradation & Other Soil Problems
Lesson 6 Soil Management Applications
Lesson 7 Organic Techniques of Soil Management
Lesson 8 Soils and Managing Earthworks
AIMS
* To describe the significance of different physical and chemical properties of soil, in relation to the growing of plants.
*To correctly extract samples of soil, appropriate to different situations; and then conduct a range of simple tests to determine varying characteristics of the sample taken.
*To further explain the characteristics of a soil, scientifically; and relate those characteristics to the capacity of a soil to grow plants.
*To recommend appropriate selection and management of potting and other alternative media for growing plants in containers.
*To diagnose and recommend the treatment of a variety of soil degradation problemsUnderstanding of the principles of sustainable soil management
*To determine appropriate management programs for different soils in horticultural situations.
*To recommend soil management practices which are not going to cause a degradation of soil quality.
*Explain the methods used in managing earthworks in a way which is sensitive to soil condition.
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are eight lessons in this module as follows:
Lesson 1 Physical & Chemical Properties Of Soils
Lesson 2 Soil Testing Methods
Lesson 3 Sustainable Soil Management
Lesson 4 Soils & Managing Earthworks
Lesson 5 Land Degradation & Other Soil Problems
Lesson 6 Container Growing
Lesson 7 Soil Science & Health
Lesson 8 Soil Management
AIMS
* Explain soil physical and chemical properties and processes including forms of soil nitrogen and nitrogen cycles in soil, soil humus, texture, soil water, and pH.
*Explain the principles and procedures of soil testing in domestic and professional situations
*Explain the principles of sustainable soil management
*Explain soil fertility and the practical development of natural soil fertility
*Explain earthworks management
*Describe land and soil degradation processes; and the prevention or amelioration of land degradation
*Discuss container growing techniques
WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE
*Identify evaluate soil structural problems in the field
*Build a compost heap and monitor its decomposition process
*Perform simple experiments to evaluate fertilisation rates and methods
*Define and describe soil properties and processes
*Perform simple tests and field analyses on soil
*Identify nutrient deficiencies
*Evaluate the attributes of various mulches
*Analyse the impacts of earthworks and earth working machinery on soil and landscape
*Analyse the effects of different soil management methods.
*Identify soil and land degradation
*Propagate and grow plants in containers
*Identify and evaluate soil degradation minimisation programs and methods
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
Click here to visit the ACS bookstore and view outlines of books related to this subject
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
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Horticulture Tutors
Diana Cole B.A. (Hons), Higher Dip. (Garden Design), RHS Advanced Cert. Horticulture, Cert Admin.Mgt., Dip. Inst. Personnel Management
In addition to her RHS horticulture, garden design, City & Guild construction, NPTC pesticide/legislation and business/management qualifications, Diana has a variety of skills drawn from setting up Arbella Gardens, a landscape gardening business. She also has administrative, management and training delivery experience drawn from her employment in other organisations such as the NHS and other educational institutions such as schools & universities. She has augmented her training expertise having gained the Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector qualification. She also has experience gained through working as a volunteer in a number of different roles including amenity style gardening in parks and practical conservation work.
Maggi Brown Cert.Ed.(Environment)
Maggi is regarded as an expert in Organic Growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic). She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more them three decades.
Yvonne Sharpe RHS Cert.Hort, Dip.Hort, M.Hort, Cert.Ed., Dip.Mgt.
Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne hastravelled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades.
Thady Barrett M.Hort (RHS) Thady is a consultant to the horticulture industry in the UK, with particular interest in the ornamental plant sector. Previously a senior lecturer at Writtle College for 20 years which included being course tutor for RHS qualifications. Wide ranging practical horticultural experience but with specific interest in propagation techniques and plant production technologies. Member of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) and awarded the Rose Bowl Award in 2009 in recognition of his contribution to the society
