Landscape Management Course Practical Experience Project Site
Temple University’s Horticulture majors are required to take the Landscape Management Course. The goal of this course is to introduce students to the tasks of managing a landscape while giving them practical hands-on experience in landscape management.
The successful management of landscapes takes all the theory learned in the classroom and applies it directly to the grounds. Understanding the WHY of the maintenance task as well as the HOW is essential for successfully managing a site, reducing labor inputs, and ensuring the health of the plants, animals and people who use the space. While sustainability is the focus of this course, we also explore organic, integrated pest management (IPM) and conventional means of landscape management.
A mixture of guest presenters and Arboretum staff share their experiences and knowledge with the group. The days are split between lecture-based theory including walks and talks with industry professionals as well as hands-on work. This semester the hands-on practical work experience is tackling the display bed in the new Campus Heritage Garden area, in front of the cold frames and across the path from the Red Barn Gym.
Students are in the process of inventorying and analyzing the site; coming up with a plan and goals for the space, choosing plants, developing a work timeline and completing the work.
Students will practice site analysis, soil testing, weed identification, transplanting, dividing, weeding, mulching, planting, edging, pruning, designing, collaboration and professional communication during this process.
*What’s Going on Here? is a series of QR coded signage placed around the garden at various locations where there is temporary activity that may pique visitor’s curiosity.
