12/21/2024 8:17:07 PM	HORT 153 Course Outline as of Fall 2011	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  HORT 153	Title:  BASIC TURF CARE
Full Title:  Basic Turf Care
Last Reviewed:1/31/2011

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	1.50	Lecture Scheduled	1.50		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	26.25
Minimum	1.50	Lab Scheduled	0		4 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	1.50			Contact Total	26.25
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  52.50

Total Student Learning Hours: 78.75

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: 

Catalog Description:

Introduction to turfgrass care and maintenance, focusing on residential lawns and smaller scale commercial turf areas. Turfgrass varieties; planting methods; cultural practices, including mowing, fertilization and irrigation; disease, weed and pest management; turf maintenance equipment.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Introduction to turfgrass care and maintenance, focusing on residential lawns and smaller scale commercial turf areas. Turfgrass varieties; planting methods; cultural practices, including mowing, fertilization and irrigation; disease, weed and pest management; turf maintenance equipment.

(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: Certificate Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

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

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1.   Identify common turfgrass species and varieties.

2.   Use basic horticultural terminology to describe the structure and growth habits of grasses.

3.   Describe the process of establishing turfgrass by seed and sod.

4.   Recommend proper mowing heights for various turfgrass varieties.

5.   Identify and select tools and equipment for various turf maintenance operations.

6.   Explain the procedure for renovating an existing turf area.

7.   Recommend methods of managing clippings and green waste from turf sites.

8.   Develop an irrigation schedule based on turf variety, soil conditions, and climate information.

9.   Identify, and recommend control methods for common weeds, diseases, insects and vertebrate pests.

10. Calculate fertilizer requirements and select appropriate fertilizers.

11. Prepare an annual maintenance calendar for a selected turf area.

Topics and Scope

1.  Turfgrass Varieties for Northern California Lawns

    A.  Selection

    B.  Establishment

    C.  Water needs and other maintenance requirements

    D.  Grass seed label interpretation

2.  Soil Preparation

    A.  Physical properties

    B.  Soil fertility and pH

    C.  Organic and inorganic soil amendments

3.  Turf Planting and Establishment

    A.  Establishment by seed

    B.  Establishment by vegetative materials

    C.  Winter overseeding

4.  Mowing

    A.  Heights for various turf varieties

    B.  Frequency and timing

    C.  Types of mowers

    D.  Mower safety

    E.  Clippings management

5.  Fertilization

    A.  Types of fertilizers and fertilizer labels

    B.  Fertilizer programs for various turf varieties

    C.  Fertilizer spreaders and application methods

6.  Irrigation

    A.  Turfgrass water needs

    B.  Soil-water relationships

    C.  Irrigation systems and basic components

    D.  Troubleshooting, adjustment and minor repairs

    E.  Water -efficient irrigation practices

    F.  Scheduling residential lawn irrigation

7.  Weed Control

    A.  Types of weeds: broadleaf vs. grasses

    B.  Common annual and perennial weeds

    C.  Integrated pest management methods of weed control

    D.  Herbicides: selection, application

8.  Insects and Other Pests

    A.  Root feeding insects

    B.  Stem and leaf feeding insects

    C.  Gophers, moles

9.  Disease Control

    A.  Disease identification

    B.  Integrated pest management methods of controlling diseases

10. Turf Improvement and Renovation

    A.  Turfgrass evaluation

    B.  Soil compaction

    C.  Shade

    D.  Thatch

    E.  Renovation methods

    F.  Maintenance calendar

Assignments:

1. Weekly reading assignments

2. Written project: Lawn maintenance calendar

3. Field trip participation

4. Field trip reports

5. Quizzes (2-4)and final exam

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%
Written project, field trip reports
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
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 40 - 60%
Quizzes and Final Exam: Multiple choice, true/false, matching items, completion
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 20%
Attendance and participation.

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Instructor prepared materials.

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