DTM*1010 The Identification and Care of Landscape Plants in Turf Environments I

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The following description is for the course offering in Fall 2022 and is subject to change. It is provided for information only. The course outline distributed to the class at the beginning of the semester describes the course content and delivery, and defines the methods and criteria to be used in establishing the final grades for the course.
 

This course studies the recognition, identification, naming, physical features and cultivar adaptation of woody and herbaceous plants found in cultivated landscapes combined with turf. This course also practices maintenance techniques of herbaceous and woody plants (trees specifically) in golf courses, parks, lawns and other urban landscapes where trees and turfgrasses are featured. The focus of this course is to study and review plant examples in outdoor environments.

Restrictions: DTM*1400, DTM*2500 Restricted to the students in the Turfgrass Management program

Instructors:

Teaching Assistant:

TBA

Credit Weight:

0.50

Course Level:

  • Diploma

Academic Department (or campus):

Department of Plant Agriculture

Campus:

Guelph

Semester Offering:

  • Fall

Class Schedule and Location:

Please refer to WebAdvisor for class schedule and location.

Learning outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate skills to accurately identify common landscape plants found in turf environments such as parks, sports complexes, residential areas and golf courses
  2. Apply and practice plant identification tools and techniques in outdoor environments and thereby;
  3. Distinguish unique growing criteria and other critical plant characteristics
  4. Implement best practices for installing plant material in the outdoor landscape
  5. Assess the value of soils and site growing mediums and the impact on good plant health
  6. Practice plant evaluation techniques and build skills in pest diagnosis, pruning and upkeep of plant material
  7. Learn how to integrate theory and practical experience in developing a long-term strategic plan for the management of landscape plants

Lecture Content:

Topics to be covered in lectures include:

  • The review and identification of plant characteristics including annual and herbaceous perennial plants and their use in the landscape
  • The review and identification of woody plants including deciduous, coniferous and broad-leafed evergreens and their use in the landscape
  • The impact of soil on plant health
  • Best pruning and care practices for woody plants
  • Best planting (installation/site preparation) practices for ornamental plant material
  • Climatic and micro climatic implications on plant health
  • Tools/equipment for planting and care
  • Mode of delivery will include weekly tours of the campus to view the plants we will be covering that week. 
Labs & Seminars:

Course Assignments and Tests:

Assignment or Test
Contribution for Final Grade
10 Plant ID Quizzes 40%
Written Reports 30%

Management Plans

25%
Lab Quizzes 5%
Marking Schemes & Distributions

The weekly Plant identification quizzes will be performed in a lab with live samples and images. An online version will also be available.

The written reports will be research papers associated with plant identification 

Final examination:

There is no final examination scheduled for this course.

Course Resources:

Recommended Resources
  • Trees in Canada, 2007. J.L. Farrar
  • Pests of Landscape Trees and Shrubs, University of California Pub. 3359
  • Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs and Vines, Harris, Clark and Matheny
Other Resources
  • Bedding Plant Favorites, 1996 L. Hole
  • Perennials for Ontario, 2001 A. Beck and K. Renwald
  • Trees and Shrub Gardening for Ontario, 2001 A. Beck and K. Renwald

Course Policies:

Other Course Information:

University Policies

Academic Consideration

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University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection. Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor.

The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the University Calenders:

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For more information, contact CSD at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email sas@uoguelph.ca or visit the Student Accessibility Services website: http://www.uoguelph.ca/csd/.

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