1. HOS1010C - Introduction to Horticulture
Landscape Management
FCHP Chapter 7
HOS1010C - Introduction to Horticulture

2. 7.1 List reasons landscape management is important.
Municipalities, parks departments, golf courses and theme parks employ large numbers of people in landscape maintenance operations.
landscape management (maintenance) keeps a landscape functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Without proper maintenance a good landscape can decline dramatically.
Declining landscapes increase cost in the long term (renovations).

3. 7.2 Explain the goals of an environmental landscape management approach to maintenance.
to create beautiful landscapes
to create environmentally friendly landscapes
to reduce water, fertilizer and pesticide use

4. 7.3 List and describe the 9 principles of a Florida Friendly Landscape (page VII-3).
Right Plant, Right Place
Water Efficiently
Fertilize Appropriately
Mulch
Attract Wildlife
Manage Yard Pests Responsibly
Recycle Yard Waste
Reduce Stormwater Runoff
Protect the Waterfront

5. 7.4 Identify what determines quality in landscape maintenance.
good personnel management
trained and dedicated labor
modern techniques
good materials that are properly applied
well-maintained tools and equipment used properly
Mistakes, short cuts and poor workmanship may not be visible when you leave the job, but days, weeks, months or sometimes years later, they may be highly visible.

6. 7.5 Define proper mowing and describe the importance of proper mowing to the health and vigor of the grass.
Attaining the desired lawn is often more difficult than having our ground cover beds, shrubs and trees reach our expectations.
Good mowing…
good equipment, properly maintained
a sharp blade
proper mowing height
proper mowing frequency
Higher cut height improves energy efficiency of lawn: taller grass shades soil surface thereby reducing temperatures, water use and weeds.

7. 7.6 Describe when (how often) grass should be mowed.
Grass should be mowed often enough so that you do not remove more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blade at each mowing.
Where quality is demanded (theme parks and golf courses), this guideline is followed!

8. 7.7 Describe the importance of proper fertilization to the health and vigor of the grass.
Proper fertilization of lawns…
improves grass performance
reduces surface and ground water contamination
reduces thatch (insect and disease problems)
One of the most important fertilizing principles is to avoid fertilizing dormant or non-growing turfgrass.

9. 7.8 Identify the proper time to verticut a lawn.
Verticutting is a method of mechanically removing thatch using a mower with vertical blades.
The best time to verticut is…
when grass is rapidly growing in the spring (irrigated).
the beginning of the summer rainy season (non-irrigated)
Research has shown that grass clippings DO NOT contribute to thatch build-up.

10. 7.9 Name 2 of the grasses that may be used for winter overseeding in Florida.
Common overseeding grasses in Florida include…
Ryegrass
Bentgrass
Bluegrass

11. 7.10 Name the types of pruning and describe the affects of each on plant growth.
Pruning to improve vigor - removing dead, dying or damaged wood and diseased and insect infected plant parts to stop the spread of decay, disease and insects to other portions of the plant.
Pruning to control plant size and form - should be done regularly to reduce negative affects on plants.

12. 7.10 Name the types of pruning and describe the affects of each on plant growth.
Pruning to create desired shapes
selective pruning for branch arrangement, strength and safety;
topiary - balls, squares, rectagles or animals figures;
espalier - growing plants against a wall (magnolia podocarpus);
pruning shrubs as small trees (azaleas, hibiscus, ligustrum)

13. 7.10 Name the types of pruning and describe the affects of each on plant growth.
Pruning to enhance flower and fruit production
increase fruit size by selectively removing flowers or developing fruit
lightly prune to maintain annual flowering/fruiting
pruning terminal blooms can increase number of blooms (lateral)
removing developing seed heads can cause a second or even a third flower display.

14. 7.10 Name the types of pruning and describe the affects of each on plant growth.
Pruning to promote safety
remove “V”-shaped branches (structurally weak);
leave “U”-shape (structurally strong)
remove large, decayed or poorly attached limbs
remove dead branches and stubs (lead to serious trunk decay)

15. 7.11 Describe the procedures (steps) in pruning landscape shrubs and trees.
can be done any time;
prune flowering plants in late spring (before flower buds set for the next season);
prune large shade trees late in dormant season or following a growth flush;
prune evergreens any time
to encourage rapid shoot devlopment, prune just prior to bud swell in spring;
to retard growth (dwarf), prune right after each growth flush.

16. 7.11 Describe the procedures (steps) in pruning landscape shrubs and trees.
Pruning Shrubs (page VII-13)
remove dead, diseased or injured branches first;
remove branches that cross, touch or look out of place;
If more pruning needed, remove some of older branches;
Head back excessively long branches to 6-12 inches below desired height
Do not use hedge shears; cut branches individually with hand clippers

17. 7.11 Describe the procedures (steps) in pruning landscape shrubs and trees.
Pruning Trees (page VII-16)
remove dead, diseased or injured branches first;
select best spaced and positioned permanent branches and remove or shorten others;
remove fast growing suckers from base of tree, along trunk and larger limbs;

18. 7.12 Describe the proper way to shear a hedge.
Informal hedges: annual pruning (thinning and heading back) to maintain desired height and width.
Formal hedges:
may be continuous during growing season;
prune while new growth is green and succulent
prune so base of hedge is wider than top (to manage light)
prune flowering hedges after they bloom (before next year’s buds set)

19. 7.13 List the three-cut method of large branch removal.
First cut
upward from the under side of limb
15-inches away from trunk; as far in as you can before binding saw
Second cut
Downward from above limb
18-inches away from trunk
Third cut
Downward beginning just beyond the “branch bark ridge” and
Ending just beyond the “branch collar swelling”

20. 7.14 Describe pruning tools and the use of each.
Hand pruners (clippers) - cut branches less than 1/4” diameter
Loppers - cut branches up to 1/2” diameter
Hedge and gas-powered shears - to shear formal hedges
Saws - to remove larger branches
Many types of pruning tools are available on poles.

21. 7.15 List the benefits of mulches.
Moderates soil temperature
Conserve moisture
Reduce weed competition
Improve Appearance

22. 7.16 Describe the benefits and use of seasonal color in the landscape.
Increase visual appeal of landscape
Create focal point
Increases landscape maintenance requirements 9fertilizing, spraying, dead-heading)
Annuals and perennials used to add seasonal color in landscape
Tropical foliage plants used as annuals in shady areas
Colorful plants used as container plants at entrances, on porces, decks and patios