TURF CARE BHT104

How do you grow beautiful lawns?
A comprehensive introduction to the identification, selection, culture and management of turf for commercial, recreational or home use. Taking approximately 100 hours to complete it is suitable as a basic course for people working with turf, such as on a golf course or bowling green, or for keen amateurs who wish to make the most of their home lawns. This is a good starting point for anyone working or seeking work in jobs such as:
  • Gardener
  • Greenkeeper
  • Turf Manager

With further studies you may build on the foundation this course provides and move toward careers such as sports ground curator, golf course superintendent or parks director.

To grow good turf you must understand the major factors that influence the growth and health of the plants, which comprise the turf. You need to know the different turf species, their soil requirements, environmental influences, disease susceptibility, nutritional requirements etc. You should also know and appreciate the purpose for which the turf exists.

 

CONTENT

 

There are eleven lessons as follows:

  1. Introduction - Benefits of turf, History of Turf, Turf Varieties (Bent, Couch, Buffalo, Fescues, Rye, Carpet grass, Kikuyu, Brome, Bluegrass, Phalaris, etc), Lawn mixes
  2. Turf Grass Physiology -Morphology, flower, stems, leaves, roots, Other characteristics, How to identify grasses, Plant Keys, Identifying short cuts, etc.
  3. Turf Establishment -Soil preparation, Seeding, Sodding, Stolonizing, Sprigging, Plugging, Chitted Seed, Drainage, Work scheduling, Estimating costs.
  4. Soils -Understanding soil, Texture, Soil blends, Structure, pH, Buffering capacity, Improving Soils, Choosing soils, Calculating soil quantities, Cation exchange, Plant nutrients, Fertilisers, etc.
  5. Turf Weed Problems -How weeds spread, Non chemical controls, Chemical controls, chemical safety
  6. Turf Pests & Diseases -Chemical and non chemical controls, Common turf health problems (Environmental, Nutrition, Pest, Disease)
  7. Turf Maintenance Techniques - Mowing, Mowers, Length of Cut, Getting a clean cut, pattern of cutting, cutting on slopes, after cutting, Mower safety, Aeration, Coring, Scarification, Spiking, etc.
  8. Irrigation - An Overview : Water loss from soils, Improving water retention, Movement of water in soil, Field capacity, Estimating water needs of turf, Watering turf, When to irrigate, Irrigation rate, Types of irrigation, etc.
  9. Playing Fields & Bowling Greens -Gradients and dimensios for different surfaces (ornamental, types of sports etc), Construction of a playing field, Sand based technology, Golf Courses, Cricket Wickets, etc.
  10. Managing Established Turf - Mowing, Watering, Topdressing, Fertilizing, Weed and Pest control.
  11. Establishing Ornamental Turf -Assessing the site, Developing Plans, Preparing a budget, etc

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.

Duration: 100 hours