Landscape

This 3 1/2 to 4-hour course was developed for the residential customer and covers the basics of irrigation systems, watering and fertilizing, basic landscape design and plant identification.

Some hands-on exercises and demonstration displays help involve the participants further by giving them a better understanding of irrigation hardware and plant-water-soil relationship.

You must schedule classes through your local water agency. Individuals seeking information on class locations must check with your local agency.

Residential classes are usually held weekly on consecutive Saturdays and weekeday evenings.

For more information on California Friendly Landscape Training (CFLT). contact Christel Webb.

The following topics are covered in the California Friendly Landscape Training (CFLT). Residential Course (Each course is 3 1/2 - 4 hours):

Residential Class 1

Residential Class 2

Basic Landscape Design

Your landscape as part of your living space
How to develop a landscape plan
Hardscapes, patios, etc.
Plant selection

California Friendly Plants

Benefits of using native plants
Plant selection tips
Planting guidelines
Maintenance recommendations
Caring of shrubs, groundcover, trees and multi-category plants

Residential Class 3

Residential Class 4

Efficiency Irrigation Systems

Sprinkler system maintenance
Major irrigation design principles
The right sprinkler for the right job
Major overhead sprinkler types
Types of drip irrigation

Soils, Fertilizers and Watering

How long should you run your sprinkler?
How does soil affect plant growth and watering?
Irrigation control clock programming
Fertilizers

Residential Class 5

Mini Residential Class

Garden design for homeowners
Benefits of using California Friendly plants
Sprinkler system basics for homeowners
Introduction to irrigation scheduling

California Friendly Landscape Training Professional:

(Offered in English or Spanish)

Our original irrigation management education course was directed towards landscape maintenance personnel. This course consists of six 4-hour consecutive classes in landscape water management. Each class builds on principles presented in the preceding class. California Friendly Landscape Training begins with basic irrigation principles of soil-plant-water relationships, and concludes with irrigation scheduling. Each class consists of a slide show with lecture and demonstration. Every participant receives a bound booklet for the course.

The following topics are covered in the California Friendly Landscape Training Professional Course (Each course is 3 1/2 hours):

Class 1

Class 2

Irrigation Principles & Adjustments and Repair

Types of irrigation systems
Sprinkler layout
Sprinkler components
Sprinkler selection and spacing
Common sprinkler problems

Irrigation System Troubleshooting

Analytical approach to solving irrigation system failures
Mechanical, hydraulic and electrical problems examined
Practical training in the use of electrical troubleshooting equipment

Class 3

Class 4

Controller Programming

Basic and advanced controller features
Consideration of temperature/seasonal changes
Irrigation controllers are provided for in-class use

Irrigation Scheduling

When to irrigate?
How much water to apply?
Soil types and how they effect water-holding capacity and irrigation frequency
Instruction on use of specially designed ‘scheduler’ to estimate irrigation run times eliminating complicated calculations.

California Friendly Landscape Training Plant Class:

(Offered in English or Spanish)

The Plant Class is a 6-hour class designed to give landscape professionals information in plant identification, characteristics, and water use requirement guidelines for over 40 common landscape plant species. Also included is general landscape water use information. The class consists of a slide presentation, two exercises and an optional garden walk-through. A class booklet is included with the class and includes color photos of common landscape plants and maintenance information. This class can be taught in one day or split into two 3-hour classes.

The following topics are covered in the California Friendly Landscape Training Plant Course:

A slide presentation
A leaf identification exercise
A plant walk
A Xeriscape® design exercise

For more information on California Friendly Landscape Training Programs contact Christel Webb.