Certified Landscape Professional
Exam Study Series
Exterior Production Operations and
Horticulture Module:
A managers perspective
Landscape Specifications
Include:
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Drawings - scaled visual representation
Written specifications
Quantity takeoffs from drawings
Develop a cost to carry out
Large dollar tenders will often be drafted
according to CCDC standards (Canadian
Construction Documents Committee)
• www.ccdc.org/home/html
Written Specifications
• A precise, formal, detailed description of the work
to be done.
• Including: the way the work is to be done,
procedures, materials, and quality required.
• Describe how assemblies go together and the
necessary quality and quantity of materials
required to meet code.
• Written specs. take precedence over drawings in
the eyes of the court
Written Specifications
Generally include 3 parts:
Should Reflect Industry Standards
1. General – specific administrative and procedural
requirement unique to the project
2. Products – detailed description and quantity of
products to be incorporated in the project
3. Execution – detailed description of preparations
required and the who, what, where, when and
how the products are to be incorporated into the
project
Specifications Terminology
• Open specifications - use a generic
description of an item to be supplied. For
example, a wooden patio table of a certain
size and dimension
• Closed specifications – use a specific
description of the item. For example, the
specification could call for a specific model
from a specific manufacturer
Carrying Out Basic Landscape
Calculations
• Managers should be able to check landscape
calculations and carry them out on their
own
Landscape Standards
• A good manager has good working
knowledge of local industry standards and
government landscape standards
• Operates business accordingly
• CNLA + Landscape Ontario
Landscape Standards in Canada
• Produced by Canadian Nursery Landscape
Association (CNLA)
• Available at www.horttrades.com
• Not enforceable by law unless the standards
are specifically referred to in the contract
specifications
Landscape Standards
• Standards are usually voluntary unless they
are written directly into contract
specifications – however we should always
maintain standards!
• If they are in the specifications, they form
part of the legal contract
Hardscape Installation
• Manager and / or other personnel in the
company must have a good working
knowledge and required expertise of hard
landscape materials and processes of
installation for their geographic areas
Grading and Drainage - Codes
and Regulations
• There are regulations/ codes for grading and
drainage installations - commercial and
residential sites
• Commercial projects – specified in the contract
and contract drawings - engineer/architect
• Residential projects – often contractor does
drawings; must ensure grading and drainage meets
codes
• Many municipalities require a sewer layer license
or other special license to lay drain line of any type
Drainage Systems
• Includes subsurface and surface drainage systems
for: interception, collection, conduction, and
disposal of storm runoff and subsurface water
• Designed and sized to deal efficiently with
projected precipitation, infiltration, and flow rates
• Large projects – designed by engineer to meet
local building code
Drainage Systems
• Must ensure the safety of the property
owner and the protection of dwellings, site
elements, and properties from water
damage, flooding, and erosion.
• If storm drain water flow accumulates requires storm-water retention ponds to
prevent erosion damage or flooding on the
site or adjacent properties
Drainage Systems - Installation
• Contractor must be aware of measurements and
installations that have been made off-site and onsite as part of the “hard” construction to ensure
that the work specified in the landscape contract
can be properly carried out re: site drainage.
• Contractor must take measures to prevent siltation
of existing drainage systems and watercourses
during all on-site work
Subsurface Drainage
• Any drainage method installed below the soil
surface to move water out of the soil
• A detailed subsurface drainage plan is prepared by
engineers - not the landscape contractor
• Before installing on residential and commercial
sites – Contractor must consult prepared
engineering drainage plan that should be supplied
as part of the contract drawings
Subsurface Drainage Plan
Includes:
• Drain outlet locations
• Location, size, depth, spacing, and slope or
drains
• Location of any obstructions, such as trees,
buildings, etc.
• Surface runoff from adjacent properties
• Back-filling requirements
Drain Outlet Locations
2 types of outlets for subsurface drains:
• 1. Gravity – most common for landscape
purposes; discharge water into storm sewers
or open waterways
• 2. Pump
Gravity Drain Outlet
The next slide shows a typical gravity outlet
that discharges into an open ditch. Its is
critical when installing the outlet that the
end of the pipe should not extend too for
beyond the ditch bank, since the force of the
falling water will cause erosion, creating the
potential for serious environmental
problems. The installation of riprap below
the outlet to prevent erosion is a common
procedure
Gravity Drain Outlet
Any questions/review regarding
Subsurface Drainage?
French Drains
• Essentially a trench
Surface Drainage
• Final grading must conform to grade
elevations + contours on approved plan
• Water flows away from all structures =
positive drainage
• Maximum settling of 30 mm or 1.25 inches
Open Channel Drainage
• Ditches + swales to direct water from a site
• Vegetated waterways are effective in
erosion control
• Not to be used when water flow –
continuous or constant ground water sits
• Engineered drawings must be provided
Important Soil Properties
• Important to understand the basic properties
of soils that have a direct impact on the
success of plant and turf establishment.
Soil Compaction:
• Leads to problems with drainage and plant
establishment
• Compacted soils have very low filtration
therefore can cause overland flow and
erosion increases
Soil Compaction Caused By:
• Quality, foot traffic, heavy equipment,
vehicular traffic, and landscape
maintenance equipment
Soil Compaction Management:
• Good planning prior to construction can reduce
some of the soil compaction that takes place
during building and landscape construction by
limiting the areas that construction equipment can
drive on
• Topsoil can be removed prior to construction so
that only the subsoils are being driven on
• After construction, the subsoil should be
decompacted by ripping or subsoiling and the top
soil should be replaced
Soil Compaction Consequences:
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Impaired root growth
Poor aeration
Reduced drainage
Which causes……..
Soil Compaction Consequences:
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Some indirect consequences of soil
compaction:
Nutrient deficiencies
Flooding
Soil erosion
Susceptibility to root rot
Impact of Pressure Applied to
Soils on Compaction
• When subsoils are compacted by heavy traffic,
free drainage is impacted and saturation of the
topsoil will occur
• Effects of compaction by wheeled vehicles usually within the top 4 inches (10 cm) of the soil
• 80% of compaction will occur with the first wheel
to travel over the soil
• Heavier equipment – upper 6-8 inches (15-20cm)
are seriously effected
Impact of Pressure Applied to
Soils on Compaction
Rules of thumb:
• Keep foot and vehicle traffic to a minimum
• Use the same path to confine compaction to a
single area that can be repaired
• Keep wheeled traffic away from tree roots
• Schedule work when the soil is dry
• Use low ground pressure vehicles whenever
possible
• Place a coarse mulch over heavily trafficked areas
and remove it when project is done
Soil Erosion
• Happens when particles are detached and
transported by water or wind
• On landscape sites, largest problem is
erosion by water – initiated by the impact
that raindrops have on bare soil
• Soil should be covered, mulched, or seeded
with annual grasses if it is being exposed to
the elements for significant amounts of time
Soil Erosion
Classified as gully, rill, and sheet erosion
• Gully erosion – water concentrates in
channels and deepen rapidly
• Rill erosion – removal of soil on a side
slope where small channels are formed
• Sheet erosion – where there is little or no
vegetation cover and the slopes are not
steep; soil is removed in a relatively even
plane
Gully Erosion
Rill Erosion
Sheet Erosion
Erosion Control Measures
• Important to reduce environmental damage
• There are environmental regulations that
specify the use of erosion control measures
on construction sites
• Good planning prior to the commencement
of construction
Erosion Control Measures
• Planning Stage: identify areas with high
susceptibility to erosion - avoid disturbing these
areas
• If areas with high erosion potential are disturbed, ensure that they are will protected until vegetation
re-established
• Establish vegetation as soon as possible
• Cover soil with mulches, annual grasses, or
erosion control fabric
Erosion Control Measures
• Water erosion of soil = direct result of overland
flow, the higher the water velocity, the greater the
erosion
• Important to keep runoff velocities as low as
possible
• Install straw bales or silt fences to help
prevent/reduce
• Retain on the site any sediment generated; by
construction of small retention ponds in strategic
areas/ silt fences/ straw bales
Irrigation Systems and Water
Management Strategies
The manager of a landscape company that
sells + installs irrigation systems must
understand the following 5 strategies:
Strategy 1
1. Legal: – licences/codes/permits/design
requirements/restrictions/ insurance etc.
2. Prevent contamination
Strategy 2
2. Design: basic concepts of: match system to
site use, precipitation rates/efficiency (water
conservation), head design/spacing,
topography, soil type, water distribution,
local codes, plant requirements
Strategy 3
3. Physics - basic physics of water flow
(volume vs. pressure), electricity, pipe
sizing, and low voltage limitations
Strategy 4
4. Mechanics - of an effective irrigation
system ( nuts & bolts of system), including
working knowledge types of backflow
prevention and features, controllers, wiring,
valves, pipe material, head types, and
nozzles
Strategy 5
5. Installation Methods and Techniques working knowledge of methods used to
install the system as per site ( soil
conditions, landscape/site specific),
connections + qualifications required to
design, install, and maintain the system
Guarantee or Warranty
• Insure and guarantee complete balanced coverage
of the specified areas on the drawings to be
irrigated –without excessive overthrow
• Satisfactory operation of entire system,
workmanship, restoration of site – for 1 yr. Period
• Includes start up and end season system shut down
Submittals
Scaled - as-built drawing provided to site
owner -commercial or residential. All
components of system indicated shown as
to be installed, includes parts + features
Testing and Maintenance
• Upon install completion – all components
undergo final adjustment to optimize the
operation
• Perform final inspection and testing – for
proper operation – coverage
• System must be operated sequentially with
the controller in presence of the owner’s
representative
Efficient Water Use
1. Deep, infrequent irrigation = better than
shallow, frequent irrigation= root development
2. Never allow precipitation rate to exceed soil
infiltration rate – flood or waste may result
3. Allow minimum of one hour between irrigation
cycles – minimizes waste by complete
absorption
Lighting Systems
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Can include: Design, supply, installing,
and testing all lighting equipment
/hardware + restoring site to original
condition
usually identified in detailed specification
document
3 Goals for Landscape Lighting:
1. Beauty
2. Safety
3. Security
LightingTechniques
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Down Lighting – from ht. in trees – cast shadow
Area Lighting – lit paths, stairs, beds
Up lighting – from below object
Front lighting, side lighting, and backlighting
Shadow lighting (lighting a plant or object on a
wall)
• Accent lighting
• Silhouetting
Lighting Systems Cont…
• Systems: low voltage or regular voltage
• Low voltage systems easier to work with
fewer government regulations governing
installation
Manager Ensures:
• Electrical work and installation meets prevailing
codes - all 120-volt connections + electrical panel
hookups performed by/ under direct supervision of
licensed electrician
• Must meet CSA standards and must be suitable for
outdoor installation
• Equipment specifications and installation
procedures are followed according to drawings
and contract specifications
• Installation crews are aware of utility locates
Softscape Installation
• Installation of plants into the landscape
• Plant Selection appropriate to site
• Plants purchased must meet quality/size
specified
• Shipped to the landscape site in good
condition
• Handled and planted according to standards
Plant Selection
The manager should understand and
employ architect/designer who:
1. Match plants and mature sizes to site use
2. Site conditions
3. Climate / environment
4. Soil quality
5. Aesthetic goals
6. Post install maintenance levels
Plant Packaging
1. Container – light weight, planting season
longer
2. B&B – hand dug, wrapped – smaller
calipre
3. Tree Spade / Wire Basket – heavy, larger
specimens
4. Bare Root – no soil, field grown – not
common – cheaper – success rate?
Container Plants
Balled and Burlapped
Wire Basket
Bare Root
Quality and Performance of Trees
• Selection driven by availability, cost, size
and personal preference
• The larger the tree is at planting, the longer
it will take to establish itself – so may be
smaller than expected
Quality and Performance of Trees
Cont…
• Post-planting irrigation = critical
• If irrigation supply is limited – container grown plants more likely to experience post
planting water stress
Long Term Quality & Success
• Branch pattern + tree size at planting have
little influence on long-term growth
• Levels of vigor, laterals on the trunk, and
height-caliper ratios will greatly influence
the effort required to optimize performance
• Shoot and root quality will have a long-term
effect on performance and may impact the
plant’s survival
Plant Buying Criteria
Inspect:
1. Roots
2. Evaluate trunks/stems+ branching/ canopy
for balance, durability, vigor, pests,
diseases, injury
3. Reject anything not up to standard
Tree Caliper
• Trees sized and sold by caliper
• Measurement of trunk shall be taken 6 inches
(15cm) above ground level for trees up to and
including 4 inches (100mm) in size
• Larger trees should be measured 12 inches (30
cm) above ground level
• In Canada caliper is quoted in millimeters
• Caliper only relates to the size of the tree
Plant Shipping and Handling
• Protect during delivery to prevent damage to
plants and roots
• Space between trees so that trunks are not scarred
or branches broken
• Use trunk protectors / adequate trunk protection
• Transport in enclosed trucks or cover with
tarpaulin- reduces wind burn/dessication
• Trees should be wrapped to prevent damage
Plant Shipping and Handling
• Material should never be handled by the
trunk/stem
• Material should be handled by the ball or
container with support from the plant top
when needed
On-Site Plant Handling
• Place plants in the shade whenever possible
(soil can reach 120F/49C on a hot day – will
kill leaf tips)
• Prevent wilt by following a frequent
watering program
• Place plants close together to reduce injury
from excessive movement of the tops and to
keep them from falling over/tie down
Turfgrass Management
Requires a knowledge of:
1. Local site conditions and intended use
2. Understanding of grass species and grass
seed and turf specifications
Seed or Turf Selection
• In Canada, grass seed should meet
requirements of the Seeds Act and
Regulations for Canada Certified No.1,
Canada Common No.1, and Canada
Common No.2
• Have a minimum germination rate of 85%
and a minimum purity of 97%
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Seed Packaging Standards:
Name of seed or seed mixture
Seed grade
Lot number
Name of supplier
Germination percent
Purity analysis of seed mixture (% or pure
seed, variety, and weed)
• Year of production
• Net weight (mass)
• Date and location of bagging
Seed Mixtures Must Be:
• suited to the climate, soil conditions and
type of soil, use, orientation, sun exposure,
terrain, establishment, and maintenance
conditions under which they are to be
grown
Grass Types and Varieties
• Perennial ryegrass will not grow well in
very hot, dry conditions.
• Kentucky bluegrass should not be grown in
costal areas, where acidic soil and wet
winters are prevalent
• Fine fescues will normally perform much
better than Kentucky bluegrass in the shade
Seed Bed Soil Criteria
• Successful turf management = good root
management
• Match grass type to the soil conditions
• Soil test – quality, texture, pH, nutrient level
- guides action plan
• Rectify any problems before installation to
suit blend/use
Established Turf Assessment
• When dealing with established turf areas,
carry out a site assessment – quality, pests/
disease, site use, maintenance levels/issues
• form a plan of action for renovation /
rejeuvenation – based on use, goals of
client, future maintenance levels, budgets
Soil Fertility and Fertilizer
• Soil fertility = soil’s ability to supply and
sustain nutrients for healthy plant growth
• Fertile soil contains a balanced supply of
nutrients – macro (NPK) + micro
(Ca,Mg,S,I etc…)
• Soil tests undertaken periodically to
determine the quantity and type of fertilizer
required to replace lost nutrients
Soil Fertility and Fertilizer
• N controls growth rate of turf
• Too little nitrogen can slow growth rate=
turf weakness so vulnerable to diseases
such as rust or dollar spot
• Excess N = lush growth, weak cell
membranes, susceptibility to stress, poor
rooting, + vulnerable to diseases
Soil Fertility and Fertilizer
Cont…
• Slow release fertilizers provides stable, long-term
feeding that prevents the tremendous peaks and
valleys of growth seen when using quick-release
formulas
• Slow-release products = fewer applications = less
chance of root burn
• Mulching mowers can reduce the annual need for
nitrogen applications( can return 6% from
clippings)
Water Requirements
• Warm weather and cool weather grasses
grow and go dormant at different times of
the year = different irrigation needs
• Soil type and quality/ plant needs/climate
dictates program
Appropriate Equipment
Mowers
• Mowing = main cultural practice of turf
management
• Mowing causes significant stress on turf
• Need quality well-maintained equipment
• Cutting height for the variety/use of grass/climate
• Appropriate mowing schedule
• Depth of the root system is related to the height of
the grass
Categories of Mowers
1. Reel Mower - rotating blades on reelshears grass against a stationary bedknife
• Good cut when used and maintained
properly - can be costly and maintenance
intensive
Categories of Mowers
2. Rotary Mowers – 1 or multiple blades
rotate horizontally at high speeds
• not best quality cut + uses a lot of power
• versatile and are relatively low maintenance
• Most common type of mower
Categories of Mowers
3. Flail Mowers - series of heavy duty
rotating blades on a horizontal shaft
• Give a poor quality cut and are used on
utility or very low-maintenance turf
Other Turf Equipment
Core Aerators
• Hollow ties or spoons to extract cores
• Improved air exchange, improved
infiltration of water and fertilizer to the root
zone
Other Turf Equipment Cont…
Vertical Mowers - knives
• “Dethatchers”
• Used to break up cores left by aerators
• Aid in thatch removal
• Cultivate the soil
• Often in conjunction with overseeding
Other Turf Equipment
Seeders
• Used to apply grass seed
• Drop seeders
• Rotary seeders
• Drill seeders
Integrated Pest Management
(IPM)
• = holistic “plant health care” (PHC)
management programs
• IPM is a decision making approach that
uses a combination of pest management
techniques in an organized program to
suppress pest populations in effective,
economical, and environmentally
sound/responsible ways
Integrated Pest Management
(IPM)
• regular monitoring to determine if, and
when, treatments are needed and employs
physical, mechanical, cultural, biological,
and educational methods to keep pest
numbers low enough to prevent intolerable
damage or annoyance. Least-toxic
chemicals are used as a last resort
Integrated Pest Management
(IPM)
• When we refer to pests, we are referring to
any living organism that causes an
undesirable effect in a landscape
• Ranges from plants (weeds) to animals,
from single-celled bacterial to insects, and
to the neighbor’s dog or cat
• Perception about what is undesirable varies
greatly
Integrated Pest Management
(IPM)
• Since the reduction of pesticide use is the
main goal, non-chemical methods are used
wherever possible, leaving pesticides to be
used only when absolutely necessary
• Prevention is a key element of an IPM
program
• By monitoring the situation, action is taken
only when necessary
• A much more knowledge-intensive
approach and places a premium on
knowledge, planning, and marketing skills
IPM Advantages:
• Risk to people, animals, and the environment in
general is reduced
• Costs and liability that arise from pesticide
application are reduced
• Reduced pesticide use reduces the likelihood of
new pesticide-resistant pests developing;
therefore, pesticides will remain effective for a
longer time
• It is the best long-term solution to pest problems
and can reduce long-term pest control costs
IPM Requires:
Prevention = key element. Puts a premium on
knowledge of landscape horticulture:
• Work with a solid landscape design that
incorporates plant diversity / native plants
• Use the right plant in the right place
• Know and use pest-resistant plants and varieties
• Use good cultural practices that will result in
healthy plants
• Use good plant health care practices
Constructing an IPM Program
5 Steps:
• Pest identification
• Monitoring – pop. increases, climate, beneficials
• Action decisions – damage threshold, appearance
• Treatments (Controls: biological vs. chemical)most effective for longest term / cost effective,
least environmental impact
• Evaluation – assess records – re-direct as needed
Licensing and Environmental
Protection
• Pollution and environmental responsibility
are foremost
• Manager responsible to be aware of the
laws and requirements in region and to
assure compliance with the local authority
• Proficiency and continuing education is
required in Labeling and Safety (proper use
of PPE – Personal Protective Equipment)
Licensing and Environmental
Protection
• The proper precautions taken to alert the
public of potential danger
• The proper protection to prevent entry to the
treated area to protect public
• Proper documentation in case of emergency
• Precautions taken to prevent drift
• Cleanup of equipment and PPE
Management and Logistics
• Project: An undertaking requiring concerted
effort, defined beginning and end, uses
resources specifically allocated to it,
produces a unique outcome
• Project management : proper planning,
implementation, and follow-up of projects
critical to success
• Good project management practices
maximizes time and resources
Management and Logistics
5 processes in project management:
1. Initiating – agreement by a client for whom the
work is being done
2. Planning – scope of the project identified,
sequenced + budgets and schedules are obtained.
3. Executing –resources applied, leadership
provided, special talent is obtained, stakeholders
informed
4. Controlling – monitoring progress, corrective
action if needed, rescheduling, adding resources,
problem solving
5. Closing – final completion tasks, getting
acceptance of completion
Project Management and
Logistics
General rules:
• Must have consensus on the expected results
• Should build the best team – they do the work
• Must have comprehensive and viable plan that is
kept up-to-date – all informed
• Must be accurate in the resources needed to
complete the project
• Realistic Scheduling
• Solid leadership
Management and Logistics
Cont…
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Help keep everything on track – use charts
Gantt Chart (aka project timeline)
Shows main tasks : dates
A line on the chart shows the date each task
starts and ends
• Many tasks cannot be started until another
one is completed
• Aids in coordination of multiple projects
Management and Logistics
Cont…
• For large projects/complex tasks - a critical
path must be determined = sequence of
tasks that forms the longest durations of the
project
• 1 task delay on path then the whole project
may be delayed
Management and Logistics –
Large Projects
• The critical path will be different for different
projects
• Necessary to clearly show and communicate each
plan to the staff that will be involved in
completing the project
• Process called PERT (Program Evaluation and
Review Technique) – tool / plan + schedule
designed for large projects
• Max. efficiency
Management and Logistics
Cont…
• A line representing actual progress against
planned progress will visually show
everyone involved what is happening and
what are the consequences of not getting
tasks done on time
• Helps to keep the clients up-to-date as well
• For creating charts – a program equivalent
to Microsoft Excel may be sufficient
Types of Landscape Contracts
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Services that are likely to be covered by
contracts:
Design
Supply
Installation
Maintenance
Types of Landscape Contracts
• Design, supply and installation cover shortterm projects - completed in short time
frame,
• Maintenance can be longer period of time
• Some contracts cover two or all three
services
• In a formal or informal manner, they must
identify “who”, “agrees to do what”,
“when” and indicate the provisions that
apply to both parties
Types of Landscape Contracts
For projects under $100,000 an informal
letter agreement, as opposed to a formal
contract, works best.
Landscape Contracts
• The letter of agreement can take the form of
an offer, which is accepted, for example, by
the homeowners when they sign and return
a copy of the letter
• Signatures from all parties should be
obtained – makes all responsible for
payment
• Offer should include an expiration date
Landscape Contracts Include:
• A reference to established product/service
standards clearly fixes the level or
expectations and is beneficial if legal
problems arise, term, payment schedule
• Dates and amounts of payments can be
incorporated as can a provision that any
changes to the work must be agreed on in
writing
• Any other details to be agreed on in writing
Landscape Contracts Include:
• The right of termination by either party
must be included and can be specified to
take place at the end of any calendar year
with three months notice
So go out and do it,
do it professionally,
and do yourselves and
the exterior landscape
industry proud!