HORT 103 Best Practices: Plant Selection and Installation

1 credit

This course focuses on sustainable best practices for plant selection, installation, and aftercare: identification of good nursery stock, selection for specific sites (including low water use, native areas, urban landscapes), proper planting techniques, mulching, and formative pruning.

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Explain pros and cons of plant production methods, including bare root, container-grown, balled and burlapped, and fabric bags
Describe selection of plants for a variety of specific site purposes (including low water use landscapes, native and restored sites, and urban landscapes) and site attributes (including variable soil types, water availability/irrigation needs, and light exposure)
Demonstrate best planting practices, including root evaluations, proper spacing and hole depth, and staking needs
Demonstrate proper mulch selection and application following planting
Explain basics of formative pruning of newly planted trees and shrubs

Total Hours: 15 Lecture Hours: 5 Lab or Clinical Hours: 10