Landscape Construction and Management

Explores the construction and function of higher plants to understand plant reproductive, growth, and developmental processes and the ways plants change in response to environmental cues and stresses.

Covers the ideal soil environment for root growth through the study of soil physical and chemical characteristics, soil organisms, amendments, and compaction.

Provides hands-on field activities to develop proficiency of tool and machine usage and landscaping best practices used in landscape maintenance and construction operations such as bed edging and mulching, pruning/shearing, plant layout, installation, and transplanting. Practices and refines landscaping techniques by working on campus landscape projects and tasks under the supervision of seniors who mentor and exhibit good working habits emblematic of a useful and valuable member of a landscaping team.

Combines instructional and hands-on training and practice on light and heavy machines to ensure students safely and proficiently operate equipment common to the landscape trade.

Expands on LCAM 119 to learn landscape best practices, safety, and techniques used in landscape operations such as annual and groundcover layout and planting, drum-lacing, edging and mulching, weed control, fertilizing, watering, lawn mowing, and string-line trimming. Further develops proficiency in landscaping techniques and cultivates working habits and behavior emblematic of a valued and trusted landscape team member.

Classroom instruction is combined with walking tours of the campus, parks, and arboreta to learn the common and botanical (Latin) names, aesthetic qualities, cultural requirements, and identification traits of trees common to landscapes in the northeastern US.

Classroom instruction is combined with walking tours of the campus and public gardens to learn the common and botanical (Latin) names, aesthetic qualities, cultural requirements and identification traits of shrubs common to landscapes in the northeastern US.

Classroom instruction combined with walking tours enable students to identify herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses used in landscaping in the northeastern US by common and botanical (Latin) names and to describe their aesthetic qualities and cultural requirements.

Under arborist supervision, ropes and climbing equipment are used to ascend and work in trees. Covers basic arboricultural techniques of pruning, bracing, felling, climbing and rigging equipment, and chainsaw maintenance and safety.

Covers turfgrass species identification and characteristics and the principles and practices of establishing and maintaining turfgrass species for lawns, athletic fields, golf courses, and sand-based soil systems.

Using Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute (ICPI) training resources and hands-on activities, students learn and practice the principles and procedures of ICPI paver and retaining wall construction to prepare them to take the ICPI certification test.

Examines current landscape design trends such as sustainability, stormwater management, rain gardens, green roofs, and ecological landscaping through classroom instruction and enrichment field trips to landscape companies and private and public gardens.

In small groups, juniors devise and execute action plans to complete campus maintenance and construction projects using techniques and methods that maximize safety, efficiency, and quality and minimize damage to the existing environment.

Classroom instruction and walking tours of the campus and public parks enable students to identify by common name and describe the aesthetic qualities and cultural requirements of annuals, bulbs, and ferns commonly used in landscapes in the northeastern US.

Prepares students to take the PA Pesticide Commercial Applicator’s Core Test through instruction on the best principles and practices for managing pests of plants with a special emphasis on the proper handling and application of chemicals to protect the applicator, the public, and the environment.

A process-oriented approach using lectures and project assignments covers basic principles and practices of landscape design to enable a student to perform a site analysis, to prepare a base map, and to create a landscape design for a residential property using Dynascape software.

Prepares students to take the PA Pesticide Commercial Applicator’s Category 7 (Turfgrass) Test through instruction on the best principles and practices for managing weed, insect, and disease pests of turfgrass with a special emphasis on chemical control methods.

Building on LCAM 239, small groups of students devise and execute action plans to complete campus maintenance and construction projects using techniques and methods that maximize safety, efficiency, and quality and minimize damage to the existing environment.

Focuses on landscape software (such as ProLandscape, Google SketchUp, Dynascape Design Color) to create 3D and realistic visualizations that effectively communicate landscape designs to clients.

Prepares students to take the PA Pesticide Commercial Applicator’s Category 6 (Ornamentals) Test through instruction on the best principles and practices for managing weed, insect, and disease pests of ornamental plants with a special emphasis on chemical control methods.

The ancient techniques and secrets of dry-laid stonework, stone cutting, mortared stonework, steps, walks, and patios made of natural stone and gravel and clay bricks are covered through class instruction and hands-on activities.

Seniors direct, train, and mentor freshmen as they devise and execute action plans to complete campus maintenance and construction projects that they are assigned to manage during the semester.

Students create a computer-generated CAD landscape design and estimate that is responsive to the needs of a “real-life” client and present their work to the class and the client for review.

Explores the basis of contracts and the use of landscape contract drawings and specification documents to create project estimates and bids using quantity take-offs and material, equipment, labor, and overhead costs. Also examines methods to manage landscape projects.

Classroom discussions and demonstrations cover the design, installation, and pricing of landscape low-voltage lighting, lawn and plantings irrigation, and pond and waterfall construction.

To showcase their skills and knowledge learned over two years, seniors develop a landscape project design and proposal for the Williamson campus that combines function, aesthetics, and ecological sustainability elements. The proposal, which includes justification, landscape design, construction drawings, project budget, and construction schedule, is presented to Williamson administration for revision and approval for construction during the Spring semester.

Provides additional opportunities for seniors to direct, train, and mentor freshmen as they devise and execute action plans to complete campus maintenance and construction projects.

The International Arboriculture Association’s (ISA) Certified Arborist Training Manual is used along with hands-on activities to cover arboriculture best practices/safety and to prepare students to take the ISA Certified Arborist Exam.

Class instruction and hands-on field exercises cover the basics of site surveying and principles of grading through fieldwork exercises that use a builder’s level to determine site leveling, elevations, and grades

Building on LCAM 265, seniors refine and finalize the plan, design, and construction of their project.