Landscape Construction

Learn Methods Behind Basic Landscape Construction

Landscape construction is concerned with what it takes to build gardens and other landscapes. Since many types of construction in the landscape can be achieved in many different ways, this course serves as an introduction to some of the ways that different surfaces, enclosures and structures can be made.  

Take all the guesswork out of landscape work

This course covers things like what different tools and equipment are required and how they are used, how to measure up sites and develop landscape plans, methods for improving on-site drainage, levelling and earthworks, materials used and principles underlying the construction of garden surfaces, basic garden structures and setting out irrigation.

Apply what you learn

• Work as a landscape gardener or contractor
• Start your own landscape business
• See how gardens are constructed; from forming the levels to planting the plants.

Creating a new garden can be an extremely rewarding experience. Imagine if you could spend every day doing just that; and get paid for it at the same time. Good gardens start with good plans; but it doesn't matter how good the plan might be; if the construction is not of a high standard too.  To become a good landscape builder requires a lot of different skills, and sound knowledge to underpin those skills. Top contractors are always in demand, and have been for hundreds of years. 

• Start with this course to get your fundamental understanding of how to properly build the landscape
• Expand your skills through experience, applying what you learn, in your own garden, volunteering or at work.

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Tools and Machinery
   • Manual Handling
   • Materials used for Constructing Tools and Equipment; ferrous metals, non ferrous metals
   • Safety with Electricity
   • Engine Troubleshooting
   • Machine Maintenance
   • Types of Machines
   • Chainsaws: safety, buying, using
   • Brushcutters
   • Earthmoving and Cultivating Equipment; rotary hoes, ploughs, cultivators, etc
   • Workshop and Hand Tools; spanners, chisels, hacksaws etc
   • Hand saws, Rakes, Spades, Shovels, Rollers, Wheelbarrows, Sprayers, etc
2. Landscape Plans and Setting out a Construction Site
   • Reading Landscape Plans, Scale, etc
   • Understanding and Using Triangulation
   • Slope, Contouring, Grid Systems
3. Drainage in Landscape Construction
   • Introduction to Drainage
   • Testing Drainage
   • Improving Drainage
   • Improving Soil Water Infiltration
   • Improving Drainage after construction; sand slitting, aerating, sub soiling
   • Sub Surface Drains; types, layout, outlet, gradients, pipe spacing, etc
   • Surface Drainage
   • Soil Testing; testing nutrients, pH, toxins
4. Earthworks
   • Levelling terminology
   • Levelling Procedure
   • Levelling a Sloping Site
   • Earthmoving
   • Earthmoving Machinery; Bobcat, Backhoe, Dozer
   • Use an Experienced Driver
   • Topsoil Considerations
   • Earth Forming: creating Mounds
   • Building Raised Garden Beds
   • Earth Quantity Calculation
   • Soil Degradation
   • Erosion; water erosion, wind erosion, controlling erosion
   • Soil Acidification Management
   • Managing Soil Compaction
   • Managing Chemical Residues
5. Surfaces, Paths, Paving and Turf
   • Introduction
   • Surfaces for Play Areas
   • Concrete; concrete, cement, mortar, variations in treatment and use
   • Loose Surfacing Materials: advantages and disadvantages
   • Bark Surfaces, Crushed tiles, pebbles, etc
   • Paths; concrete, asphalt, etc
   • Paving; laying pavers, setting out circular paving, curved paving, edges to paving
   • Lawns and Turf; shape, design, establishment
   • Garden Edges
   • Playing Field Construction
   • Sand Based Technology
   • Constructing Steps
6. Construction of Garden Structures I
   • Buildings in a Garden; gazebos, verandahs, storage buildings, cubbies, etc
   • Where to build a building
   • Floors and Foundations for Buildings
   • Walls; brick construction, coping, expansion joints, etc
   • Fencing
   • Retaining Walls
   • Wooden Walls
   • Construction with Rock or Masonry; dry walls, wet walls
   • Home Playgrounds
   • Using Timber in the Garden
   • Differences between Softwood and Hardwood
7. Construction of Garden Structures II
   • Compost Bins
   • Traditional Features: gazebos, statues, gates, arches, sundials, bird baths, urns, tubs, pergolas, pleached alleys, etc
   • Wooden Decks
   • Constructing a Deck
   • Greenhouse and Shadehouse; types, construction, installation
   • Water Features; Waterproofing, keeping water clean
   • Landscaping a pond
   • Tennis Courts
   • Spas
   • Rockery Construction
   • Artificial Rock Formation
   • Mulching Rockeries
   • Garden Furniture
   • Lighting in the Garden
8. Irrigation Systems
   • Planning an Irrigation System
   • Types of Systems: sprinkler, drip, automatic, etc
   • Using and Maintaining an Irrigation System
9. Establishing Hedges and Other Plants
   • Factors affecting successful plant establishment
   • Physical Plant Protection Methods
   • Hedges; site preparation, plant selection, spacing, planting, pruning, hedge maintenance
10. Workplace Safety and Management of Landscape Construction Work
    • Risk Management on a Landscape Construction Site
    • The Risks
    • Keeping a Work Site Safe
    • Duty of Care
    • Significance of Illness
    • Protective Clothing
    • Safety with Tools and Equipment
    • Safety with electricity and different types of equipment
    • Tool Maintenance

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Manage equipment for landscape construction projects, including tools and machinery.
• Determine earthworks for a landscape development.
• Plan the construction of different landscape structures including buildings, fences, and walls.
• Manage the installation of a simple irrigation system in gardens.
• Determine construction techniques for different building or installing different garden features; including paving, water gardens, rockeries and furnishings.
• Determine techniques for creating soft landscaping.
• Manage work being undertaken on a landscape construction site.

What You Will Do

• Compare the quality and cost of a range of different tools and machinery used in landscape construction.
• Identify tools and machinery used in everyday work by landscape constractors.
• Explain appropriate uses for different tools and machinery on a landscape construction site.
• Prepare landscape plans for a number of landscape sites
• Research and report on marking out boundaries in construction sites
• Describe how to locate contours
• Determine the fall of existing drains, and identify appropriate falls, spacing and depths of drains
• Observe and report on earth moving equipment in operation
• Survey a site and recommend earthworks necessary
• Examine surfacing materials for paths, gardens, etc and determine the appropriate landscaping function of each.
• Assess the construction of a range of different existing landscape features
• Describe preparation of foundations for a specified garden structure, on a specific site.
• Design a rockery at least 30 square metres in area
• Contact a range of suppliers of landscape materials and compare the products available in your locality.
• Identify materials needed to install an irrigation system on a site selected by you.
• Prepare plans of irrigation systems
• Research which species of plants are suitable for hedging in your locality
• Outline how to effectively transplant an existing tree
• Prepare a detailed risk assessment for a landscape construction site
• Identify safe working practices for a landscape construction site
• Determine a list of work tasks to be undertaken on a landscape construction site. Give a time frame for completion of the entire project

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This course helps you understand what needs to be done, and how to do many things; but sometimes even professionals might need to employ a concreter, tiler, plumber, electrician, gardener, stone mason, earth moving contractor, or other expert to assist with some aspect of a job.

They’re likely to charge higher rates, but some aspects of a project will be far better served by taking the plunge and spending that money.

Concreting
Most landscape contractors will do a certain amount of concrete work themselves; but for larger or more complex jobs you need at least advice from an expert if:

• heavy vehicles are going to drive over the concrete
• it is being built on unstable ground (eg. A steep slope or land fill)
• you want to include patterns or colour in the concrete
• it is part of a more significant construction. eg. You are going to build walls on top of the concrete; it is a bridge over a stream or pond

Finding a reliable concreter is not always easy. Ask other people in industry (eg. a professional body) if they can recommend someone. When you find someone, ask if they can provide examples of their work.

• you want to install garden lights. Even if you plan to use a low voltage transformer, you may need an electrician to install extra power outside or fit switches that can be operated from inside the house.
• you want power for the garden shed or gazebo
• power is required to operate a fountain or pump in a garden pond
• underwater lighting for ponds, spas, pools, etc
• spotlights, sensor lights, etc.

Earth Moving
If you have heavy or hard soil, then a rotary hoe is the quick and easy way to loosen it up. Bobcats and modified tractors are used for removing or relocating rocks and tree roots. They also make short work of moving large quantities of soil and will be able to reshape the ground into terraces etc. much faster than you.

Paving
If doing a small paving area, get all the materials delivered at once. Then hire a machine that can move in the sand and pavers, as well as levelling the soil. This will save you much of the hard preparation work. All you will be left with is to finish off the job.

PATHWAYS TO A FUTURE IN LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION
There are many different pathways people follow to become a landscape contractor.

• Some start out as a gardener or labourer, and working alongside someone else are given jobs in garden construction. They learn on the job; but often they come to the realisation that there are serious gaps in their knowledge. That is where this course can be valuable, to help fill those gaps.
• Others may be trained or experienced working in an associated trade, such as carpentry or masonry. This may lead them to using their skills to help construct features in gardens. Some of the best landscapers have started out this way; and through study and experience, moved from building parts of a landscape to building entire landscapes.
• Many people begin as a home gardener; developing a passion that grows into a desire to develop a career. Passion and experience are essential and will go a long way toward starting such a career; but without some study as well, the potential for success will never be as great.
• Of course some will begin their career with a course; and for a career in landscape contracting, this is an excellent place to start.

 

Opportunities After Your Studies

This course is of great value to people wishing to work in landscaping. It will not lead to a construction license but should provide basic skills needed to undertake small scale landscaping projects which do not require council approval.  

It is likely to benefit people who wish to add basic construction to their landscaping and gardening skills. It could serve as a platform for further study or be taken in conjunction with other modules to enhance your learning experience.

This course is developed for anyone working in, or wishing to work in:

• Landscape construction
• Landscape design
• Garden maintenance
• Garden restoration or conservation
• Landscape materials supply
• Construction industries

It could also add to the skillset of people wanting to start a landscape business, or be of value to people wishing to renovate their own home garden.