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Course Description

In this course, you will determine how a site may need to be modified before planting. By examining the different properties, you can see how the existing soil will need to be amended so that the plants chosen by the designer will thrive.

There are a number of ways to improve the characteristics of a soil, each with its own benefits and limitations. You will explore these considerations and discuss when to choose each type of modification through practical example exercises. You will compare the properties of the different types of amendments and specialized soils, including CU-Structural Soil™?, which was developed by Cornell University’s Urban Horticulture Institute.

Finally, you will address the installation plan. You will specify how much soil will need to be modified, which involves reading, analyzing, and creating both plan and cross-sectional views of the whole site and of the specific locations where plants will be installed. You will also use these views to determine measurements that will enable you to calculate the volumes of necessary soil amendments to make cost prediction more accurate and efficient. Overall, the techniques in this course will increase your understanding of the project design as a whole, allowing you to focus on creativity, innovation, and what you do best.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

  • Identifying Plants
  • Assessing Site and Soil Properties

Faculty Author

Nina Bassuk; Zachary Rood

Benefits to the Learner

  • Determine how much soil volume is needed for particular plants based on the environmental conditions
  • Describe different methods for modifying a soil’s physical and chemical properties to improve plant survival
  • Consider when to use different types of soil modifications, balancing plant needs with design needs

Target Audience

  • Aspiring landscape architects and designers
  • Nursery managers
  • Landscape managers
  • City planners and foresters
  • Arborists
  • AEC professionals
  • Developers
  • Site planners
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Hobbyists
  • Gardeners

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Type
2 week
Dates
Jan 08, 2025 to Jan 21, 2025
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
Type
2 week
Dates
Mar 19, 2025 to Apr 01, 2025
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
Type
2 week
Dates
May 28, 2025 to Jun 10, 2025
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
Type
2 week
Dates
Aug 06, 2025 to Aug 19, 2025
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
Type
2 week
Dates
Oct 15, 2025 to Oct 28, 2025
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
Type
2 week
Dates
Dec 24, 2025 to Jan 06, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
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