Water Gardening Correspondence Course | Study Water Gardens online

LEARN TO CREATE AND MANAGE WATER GARDENS

Who is this course aimed at?

Landscapers
Garden Designers
Gardeners
Retail water garden specialists and employees
Backyard enthusiasts

Anyone can create a pond or water feature, but to create an ecologically sustainable water garden, that is designed to work with nature to encourage a healthy ecosystem requires more knowledge than a backyard gardener usually has.

How will this course help you?

Increase your knowledge as a landscaper - there is a lack of experts in this field
Improve your earning capacity as a landscaper - as you will be able to offer more than others
Increase your employment potential in a retail setting
Help you save money as a garden enthusiast by designing your water garden the right way first time around
Improve your knowledge on what materials and pond life is appropriate for a variety of settings

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

Introduction
- Scope and nature of water gardens
- What size water garden
- Water supply: rain, tanks,etc
- Water quality
- Siting the water garden
- Evapouration rate, water depth, safety
- Water in garden design: formal, informal
- Edging, Water sculptures, shade
- Water effects: sound, reflection, movement, light, cooling,
- Water life: algae, fish, mosquitos, wildlife, plants
Water Garden Construction
- Introduction
- Planning the water garden
- What effect do you want
- Matching the effect with the type of garden
- Shape, size and location
- Type of construction
- Surrounds
- Using a liner
- Pre formed water gardens (Kits)
- Pond edges
Equipment: Pumps, lights, filters
- Submersible pumps
- Lighting: power source, DC power
- Lighting design with water
- Pond filtration systems: sterile or living water
- Mechanical or biological filtration
- Swimming pool filtration
- Sand filters
- Diatomaceous earth filters
- Cartridge filters
Ponds and Watercourses
- Designing a natural watercourse
- Siting a stream
- Water circulation
- Pond design
- Dams
- Bog gardens
- Reed beds
- Pond management
- Oxygenating plants
Spas and Swimming Pools: Design and aftercare
- Choosing a swimming pool
- What sort of pool do you need
- Structural considerations
- Cost considerations
- Types of pools: concrete, fibreglass, vinyl
- Above or below ground
- Pump and filtration system
- What shape
- Special features in a pool
- Heating a pool
- Pool care over winter
Indoor and Outdoor Water Features
- Introduction
- Pot ponds
- Water barrels
- Wall plaques and wall fountains
- Water walls
- Water spouts
- Bird baths
- Fountains
- Cobble fountain construction
- Waterfalls
- Cascades
- Canals
- Using water features in a landscape
Water Plants
- Introduction
- Waterside trees and shrubs
- Bog plants
- Emergent water plants
- Floating leaf plants
- Aquatic plants
- Water lilies
- Plants to avoid in water gardens
- Surrounding plants
Aquatic Animals
- Introduction
- Conditions needed by fish and aquatic animals
- Maintenance
- Fish
- Frogs
- Tortoises
- Water snails
- Insects
- Birds
- Troubleshooting

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

Understand the nature and scope of water gardens.
Identify and describe generic construction materials and techniques suitable for water gardens and pools.
Select appropriate equipment for use with water features.
Specify the design and construction of a pond or watercourse.
Specify the design, construction and maintenance of a spa or swimming pool.
Specify the design & construction of a Water Feature other than a pond or water course.
Identify the water plants commonly used in water gardens.
Identify a variety of aquatic animals suitable for water gardens, and their requirements.

HOW FORMAL DO YOU LIKE IT?

Water in formal gardens is usually found in regular shaped ponds, often in the form of a perfect circular, square or rectangular feature. Most gardens however, follow an informal or natural style, in which case irregular shapes are used for water features.

Formal Water Features

Formal pools and ponds are so named because they are mainly designed by defined shapes and angles with distinct edges. These pools can be framed with decorative stones or plain construction materials, such as concrete or bricks. They may be further disguised by garden plant designs or other water features after the final structure and geometrical shape has been defined.

Formal ponds may be raised or sunken. Typically, a raised formal pond will be of uniform depth throughout. For instance it may be a rectangular raised pond sitting on a stone patio. Most likely the sides of the ponds will be constructed of the same material as adjacent walls or buildings, or the patio itself. The capping around the pond will almost certainly be of the same material as the paving so as to tie the two together and create a sense of unity and rhythm in the design.

A formal pond is likely to be a key feature within a formal design. It is to be seen and admired, and will create a vista. It could be towards the rear of a courtyard against a wall in which case a wall fountain might be positioned above it. Alternatively it could be in the centre of a garden where it can be appreciated from all sides. An ornate fountain, such as statuary, in the centre of the pond could be used to enhance the formal appeal.

Informal Water Features
This type of water feature does not normally have clearly defined edges. Its curved outline and irregular shape allows a more natural look - as if the pond has been incorporated as an extended part of the garden. An informal pond need not have any edging materials to frame it, but could be edged by lawn or ornamental grasses as though it had been formed by nature.

Similarly, an informal water feature could be a meandering stream or creek which runs through the garden. The edges may have some river pebbles or shingle scattered around. It might just be edged with bare earth or bark. It might include driftwood or rocks which replicate the natural landscape of the local region. In a natural, or wildlife, garden an informal pond or stream is intended to blend into the surroundings rather than stand out.

However, informal water features do not just have to be part of a natural garden theme. They can also be included in cottage gardens and rustic designs. In cottage gardens it might be an irregular shaped pond with a brick edging, or it could be a birdbath in a shady garden spot. In a rustic garden, an informal water feature could be a body of water housed in an old claw footed bath, an enamel sink, or an old whiskey barrel. Really, there are no limits to how adventurous you can be when it comes to dabbling with water in the garden.

LET US HELP YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WATER GARDENING

Whether you are a landscaping professional or a gardening enthusiast we can help you to create stunning water gardens with this comprehensive course.

What Next?

ENROL or Use our FREE Course Advice Service to Connect with a Tutor

Principal of ACS Distance Education, John Mason, is fellow of the CIH.

Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.

ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.

Member Greenlife Industry Queensland.

Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.

How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.

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What do I need to know before I enrol?

There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

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We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.

You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.

We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.

We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

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We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.

Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.

Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.

Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.

How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form

We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.

What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.

Take a look at their testimonials here.

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Our terms and conditions of enrolment are here.

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If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.

Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Jacinda Cole (Horticulturist)

B.Sc., Cert.Garden Design. Landscape Designer, Operations Manager, Consultant, Garden Writer.
She was operations manager for a highly reputable British Landscape firm (The Chelsea Gardener) before starting up her own landscaping firm. She spent three years working in our Gold Coast office, as a tutor and writer for Your Backyard (gardening magazine) which we produced monthly for a Sydney punlisher between 1999 and 2003. Since then, Jacinda has contributed regularly to many magazines, co authored several gardening books and is currently one of the "garden experts" writing regularly for the "green living" magazine "Home Grown".

John Mason (Horticulturist)

Parks Manager, Nurseryman, Landscape Designer, Garden Writer and Consultant.
Over 40 years experience; working in Victoria, Queensland and the UK.
He is one of the most widely published garden writers in the world.

Rosemary Davies (Horticulturist)

Leading horticultural expert in Australia.
Rosemary trained in Horticultural Applied Science at Melbourne University. Initially she worked with Agriculture Victoria as an extension officer, taught horticulture students, worked on radio with ABC radio (clocking up over 24 years as a presenter of garden talkback programs, initially the only woman presenter on gardening in Victoria) and she simultaneously developed a career as a writer.
She then studied Education and Training, teaching TAFE apprentices and developing curriculum for TAFE, before taking up an offer as a full time columnist with the Herald and Weekly Times and its magazine department after a number of years as columnist with the Age. She has worked for a number of companies in writing and publications, PR community education and management and has led several tours to Europe.
In 1999 Rosemary was BPW Bendigo Business Woman of the Year and is one of the founders and the Patron, of the Friends of the Bendigo Botanic gardens. She has completed her 6th book this year and is working on concepts for several others.
Rosemary has a B Ed, BSc Hort, Dip Advertising & Marketing

Our Students Say

In my role within a large Aged Care Facility a great deal of my employment is spent in the area of Turf management and garden care/refurbishment. With ACS I was able to study at my own pace allowing me to put into practise and thoroughly research the subject matter broadening my knowledge and study experience further. I enjoyed the way in which the subject matter was presented as it allowed you to study each subject further, allowing for greater depth, clarity and knowledge.
Overall there are not many areas in which the course subject matter will not turn out to be invaluable, everything is covered to allow you to become successful within your own business or place of employment. A big thank you to Gavin Cole [tutor] and all at ACS. It was a pleasure to study with ACS, look forward to further study.

- Craig Ledbury

Water Gardening