12/27/2024 10:47:47 AM	SUSAG 130 Course Outline as of Fall 2012	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  SUSAG 130	Title:  SUS GDNS & LANDSCP
Full Title:  Sustainable Gardens and Landscapes
Last Reviewed:4/19/2004

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	1.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	1.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  AG 297.62

Catalog Description:

An integrated approach to designing a functional landscape/garden system that promotes sustainable practices. Emphasis on enhancing the garden ecosystem while keeping costs, maintenance and impact on natural resources to a minimum.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

An integrated approach to designing a functional landscape/garden system that promotes sustainable practices. Emphasis on enhancing the garden ecosystem while keeping costs, maintenance and impact on natural resources to a minimum.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Compare and contrast the features of a typical garden with those of an ecologically designed garden.

2. Determine microclimates at a given site and adapt plant choices

appropriately.

3. Identify important California native and Mediterranean plants suitable for the local landscape.

4. Describe techniques for microclimate modification.

5. Identify edible plants requiring lowest inputs of labor and materials.

6. Summarize principles of soil health and fertility and explain how they relate to plant health.

7. Discuss principles of water conservation for the landscape.

8. Compare and contrast a variety of irrigation products.

9. Describe IPM (integrated pest management) assessment strategies.

10. Evaluate pest damage and select appropriate treatment.

11. Describe proper pruning techniques for overall tree health.

12. Evaluate landscape elements for multi-functionality.

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction to the Ecological Garden

 A. Gardens that work with nature

 B. Permaculture principles

 C. Ecological vs. traditional gardens

II. Microclimates

 A. How to determine microclimates on a site

 B. Selecting appropriate plants for a microclimate

   1. Plant identification

   2. Plant selection and use

 C. Techniques for microclimate modification

III. Plants Appropriate to Local Landscape

 A. California natives

 B. Mediterranean

 C. Edibles

   1. Edible landscaping

   2. Identifying attractive and productive plants

   3. Techniques for proper growth, maintenance, and harvest

 D. Evaluating plants for specific sites and needs

IV. Soils and Fertility

 A. Principles of soil health

 B. Fertility

 C. Relationship between soil fertility and plant health

V. Water Conservation

 A. Principles of water conservation for the landscape

 B. Irrigation products

 C. Low water use plants

 D. Techniques to conserve soil moisture

VI. Integrated Pest Management

 A. Assessment strategies

   1. Determine quantity and kind of damage

   2. Evaluate least toxic control methods

   3. Appropriate treatments

 B. Establishing a habitat for beneficials

VII. Pruning and Tree Care

 A. Basic pruning techniques

 B. Tree care

VII. Multi-functional Garden Design

 A. Rationale for multi-functional gardening

 B. Elements of the multi-functional garden

Assignments:

Representative assignments:

1. Reading, 15 - 25 pages per week.

2. Explore neighborhood/community to observe sustainable and non-

sustainable landscape practices. Record observation notes for 2-3 sites in

a 5-page paper (may include other recorded information, such as sketches

or photos).

3. Develop a schematic drawing for a sustainable, multi-functional

landscape, with 1-2 pages of explanatory text.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 20 - 40%
Observation paper.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 20 - 40%
Schematic drawing and text.
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 20 - 40%
Attendance and participation.

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Kourik, Robert. DESIGNING AND MAINTAINING YOUR EDIBLE LANDSCAPE NATURALLY.

Metamorphic Press, 1986.

Hemenway, Toby. GAIA'S GARDEN: A GUIDE TO HOME-SCALE PERMACULTURE. Chelsea

Green Pub Co., 2001.

Print PDF