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Texas Certified Landscape Associate (TCLA) Syllabus
Course Description:
This course is designed for students with an interest in pursuing a career in the landscape industry or other horticulture related fields. The material included in the course is designed to educate students on knowledge essential to the landscape industry and prepare them for the Texas Certified Landscape Associate (TCLA) exam.
This course is designed in a twelve-week structure with a total of 540 points possible. These points are divided between quizzes, class activities, and the final pre-exam. Quizzes and the final pre-exam will be graded on a percentage scale, while class activities will be a completion grade, resulting in either a 100 or zero percent. The dates described for homework are aligned with the topic instruction but reading/studying ahead is recommended.
Course Objectives:
Throughout this course, students will gain new insights and professional thinking strategies used in horticulture that are essential to success in the landscape industry. To develop their professional thinking, by the end of this course, students should be able to:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1) Understand basic first aid and safety procedures and what to do during emergencies.
2) Review and interpret landscape design plans.
3) Understand the movement of water and nutrients through soil-plant continuum and relate this to plant establishment, fertility and efficient water management.
4) Explain the process for constructing and installing a landscape.
5) Develop turf grass identification and maintenance skills.
6) Identify and discuss the various types of hardscape features that can be found in landscapes.
7) Learn proper landscape equipment and equipment maintenance practices.
8) Develop an understanding of a basic irrigation system.
9) Understand the structure of landscape plants and relate this to proper maintenance, particularly pruning, insect and disease management and fertility.
The main goal of completing this curriculum is preparing students to be able to complete the TCLA exam with a grade of 70 percent or higher. This will allow them to gain credibility and
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prestige in the landscape industry and increase their value as future employees or continuing education in a related field.
Student Requirements:
• Be actively enrolled in a horticulture related High School program
• Be at least 16 years of age at the time of course completion
• Complete this course with a grade of 70 percent or higher (210 total points or more)
Required Materials:
• TNLA TCLA Training Manual: First Edition
• TNLA Best of Texas Landscape Guide
• TCLA High School PowerPoint modules, class activities, and quizzes
• Access to computer, internet, and camera phone
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Schedule
Assignments: Dates Activities Points Week One: Foundations I Class One Foundations I Part I PowerPoint presentation: Introduction to the Landscape Industry • Introduction – Overview of the Landscape Industry.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Landscape Company Review 10 Class One Homework TCLA Training Manual reading: • None Foundations I TCLA Introduction QuizletClass Two Foundations I Part I Quiz: Introduction 10 Foundations I Part II PowerPoint Presentation: First Aid and Safety • Introduction – First Aid and Safety.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Safety Issues Scenarios 10 Class Two Homework TCLA Training Manual reading: • Ch. 1 Foundations I Part II TCLA First Aid and Safety QuizletWeek Two: Foundations II Class Three Foundations I Part II Quiz: First Aid and Safety 10 Foundations II Part I PowerPoint presentation: Landscape Design Principles and Elements • Landscapers Essentials – Basics of Landscape Design.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Landscape Design Principles Scavenger Hunt 10
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3 Class Three Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 2 Foundations II Part I TCLA: Landscape Design Principles and Elements QuizletClass Four Foundations II Part I Quiz: Landscape Design Principles and Elements 10 Foundations II Part II PowerPoint presentation: Landscape Design and Plan Reading • Landscapers Essentials - Landscape Design and Plan Reading.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Reading a Landscape Design 10 Class Four Homework The Best of Texas Landscape Guide Reading: • Trees, Shrubs, Groundcovers, Vines Foundations II Part II TCLA: Landscape Design and Plan Reading QuizletWeek Three: Foundations III Class Five Foundations II Part II Quiz: Landscape Design and Plan Reading 10 Foundations III Part I PowerPoint Presentation: Soil Review • Site Preparation – Overview of Soil Properties.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Soil Testing 10 Class Five Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • None Foundations III Part I TCLA: Soil Review QuizletClass Six Foundations III Part I Quiz: Soil Review 10 Foundations III Part II PowerPoint Presentation: Grading, Drainage, Erosion Control, and Surveying • Site Preparation – Grading, Drainage, Erosion Control, and Surveying.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Slope and Survey Calculations 10 Class Six Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 3 Foundations III Part II TCLA: Grading, Drainage, Erosion Control, and Surveying QuizletWeek Four: Landscape Construction I Class Seven Foundations III Part II Grading, Drainage, Erosion Control, and Surveying Quiz 10 Landscape Construction I Part I PowerPoint Presentation: Hardscape Construction I • Vertical Hardscapes – Retaining Walls.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Retaining Wall Calculations 10 Class Seven Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • None Landscape Construction I Part I TCLA: Hardscape Construction I QuizletClass Eight Landscape Construction I Part I Quiz: Hardscape Construction I 10 Landscape Construction I Part II PowerPoint Presentation: Hardscape Construction II • Vertical Hardscapes – Arbors and Pergolas.pptx • Vertical Hardscapes – Fences and Gates.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Wood Construction Materials 10
4 Class Eight Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 6 Landscape Construction I Part II TCLA: Hardscape Construction II QuizletWeek Five: Landscape Construction II Class Nine Landscape Construction I Part II Quiz: Hardscape Construction II 10 Landscape Construction I Part I PowerPoint Presentation: Hardscape Construction III • Horizontal Hardscapes – Patios and Walkways.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Paver Calculations 10 Class Nine Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 6 Landscape Construction II Part I TCLA: Hardscape Construction III QuizletClass Ten Landscape Construction II Part I Quiz: Hardscape Construction III 10 Landscape Construction II Part II PowerPoint Presentation: Landscape Installation • Landscape Installation.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Plant Installation Techniques 10 Class Ten Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 4 Landscape Construction II Part II TCLA: Landscape Installation QuizletWeek Six: Plant Maintenance I Class Eleven Landscape Construction II Part II Quiz: Landscape Installation 10 Plant Maintenance I Part I PowerPoint Presentation: Plant Physiology • Plant Physiology.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Monocots and Dicots 10 Class Eleven Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • None Plant Maintenance I Part I TCLA: Plant Physiology QuizletClass Twelve Plant Maintenance I Part I Quiz: Plant Physiology 10 Landscape Construction III Part II PowerPoint Presentation: Sustainable Landscape Maintenance • Sustainable Landscape Management.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Observing Landscape Management Practices 10 Class Twelve Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 7 Plant Maintenance I Part II TCLA: Sustainable Landscape Maintenance QuizletWeek Seven: Plant Maintenance II Class Thirteen Plant Maintenance I Part II Quiz: Sustainable Landscape Maintenance 10 Plant Maintenance II Part I PowerPoint Presentation: Turfgrass Ecology • Landscape Management – Turfgrass Ecology.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Turfgrass Calculations 10
5 Class Thirteen Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 5 Plant Maintenance II Part I TCLA: Turfgrass Ecology QuizletClass Fourteen Plant Maintenance II Part I Quiz: Turfgrass Ecology 10 Plant Maintenance I Part I PowerPoint Presentation: Turfgrass Management • Landscape Management – Management of Turfgrass.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Identifying Common Turfgrass Issues 10 Class Fourteen Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 5 Landscape Construction I Part II TCLA: Turfgrass Management QuizletWeek Eight: Plant Maintenance III Class Fifteen Plant Maintenance II Part II Quiz: Turfgrass Management 10 Plant Maintenance III Part I PowerPoint Presentation: Pruning • Landscape Management – Pruning.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Pruning Demonstration 10 Class Fifteen Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • None Plant Maintenance III Part I TCLA: Pruning QuizletClass Sixteen Plant Maintenance III Part I Quiz: Pruning 10 Plant Maintenance III Part II PowerPoint Presentation: Irrigation • Landscape Management – Irrigation.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Irrigation Components and Assembly 10 Class Sixteen Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 10 Plant Maintenance III Part II TCLA: Irrigation QuizletWeek Nine: Plant Maintenance IV Class Seventeen Plant Maintenance III Part II Quiz: Irrigation 10 Plant Maintenance IV Part I PowerPoint Presentation: Essential Nutrients • Landscape Management – Nutrient Management.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Reading Fertilizer Labels 10 Class Seventeen Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 11 Plant Maintenance IV Part I TCLA: Essential Nutrients QuizletClass Eighteen Plant Maintenance IV Part I Quiz: Essential Nutrients 10 Plant Maintenance IV Part II PowerPoint Presentation: Fertilizer • Landscape Management – Fertilizer.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Fertilizer Calculations 10 Class Eighteen Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 11 -
6 Plant Maintenance IV Part II TCLA: Fertilizer Quizlet Week Ten: Plant Maintenance V Class Nineteen Plant Maintenance IV Part II Quiz: Fertilizer 10 Plant Maintenance V Part I PowerPoint Presentation: Landscape Pests • Landscape Management – Landscape Pests.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Identifying Common Landscape Pests 10 Class Nineteen Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 13 Plant Maintenance V Part I TCLA: Landscape Pests QuizletClass Twenty Plant Maintenance V Part I Quiz: Landscape Pests 10 Plant Maintenance V Part II PowerPoint Presentation: Pesticides • Landscape Management – Pesticides.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Reading Pesticide Labels 10 Class Twenty Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 13 Plant Maintenance V Part II TCLA: Pesticides QuizletWeek Eleven: Landscape Equipment Class Twentyone Plant Maintenance V Part II Quiz: Pesticides 10 Landscape Equipment Part I PowerPoint Presentation: Types of Landscape Equipment • Landscape Equipment.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Reviewing Equipment Operator’s Manuals 10 Class TwentyOne Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 8 Landscape Equipment Part I TCLA: Types of Landscape Equipment QuizletClass Twentytwo Landscape Equipment Part I Quiz: Types of Landscape Equipment 10 Landscape Equipment Part II PowerPoint Presentation: Maintenance of Equipment • Equipment Maintenance.pptxAction Examples Class Activity: Equipment Maintenance Schedules and Troubleshooting 10 Class Twentytwo Homework TCLA Training Manual Reading: • Ch. 9 Landscape Equipment Part II TCLA: Maintenance of Equipment QuizletWeek Twelve: TCNP Pre-Exam Class Twentythree Landscape Equipment Part II Quiz: Maintenance of Equipment 10 TCLA Pre-Exam Class Activity: Class Review, Kahoot!Class Twentythree Homework Review All: Class Activities, Quizzes, Quizlets, Readings, and Class Review Kahoot! -
7 Class Twentyfour TCNP Pre-Exam 100
Name:
Foundations I Part I: Introduction
Date:
Class One Action Examples Class Activity: Landscape Company Review
This class activity is equal to 10 points in total.
During the scheduled class time students will search for landscape industry websites to analyze the services offered by the companies based on the list below, the Introduction to the Landscape Industry PowerPoint presentation, and prior knowledge.
Review at least five different landscape company websites. Utilize all the information we have discussed.
• Each student will provide the following information:
o Name of the company with URL
o Location (city, state)
o Primary landscape services offered
o Primary target clients (commercial, residential, industrial, etc.)
o Describe at least one unique fact about the company that differentiates it from other landscape companies
• The reviews should be submitted to the teacher via email or other online platform
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Name:
Foundations I Part I Quiz: Introduction
Date:
This quiz is equal to 10 points in total. Please circle the correct answer.
1. According to the IBIS World Industry Report, the demand for landscape services is dependent on all except one of the following. Which one is incorrect? (select one answer)
a. Health of the housing and property markets
b. Demand levels of high-income demographics
c. Demand of institutional and commercial clients
d. Demand levels of lower-income demographics
2. As the unemployment rate increases, the demand for landscape services:
a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Remains unchanged
3. The landscape industry is considered to be in the _______ phase of the industry life cycle.
a. Mature
b. Startup
c. Growth
d. Decline
4. Concerning market share, the ________ segment accounts for the largest revenue of the Landscaping Services industry.
a. Residential maintenance and general services
b. Commercial maintenance and general services
c. Design/build installation services
d. Arborist services and other services
5. The region with the largest distribution of landscape services establishments is the ______.
a. Mid-Atlantic
b. Southwest
c. Southeast
d. West
6. Over 94% of landscape service establishments employ _______.
a. Fewer than 20 employees
b. 20 to 50 employees
c. 50-75 employees
d. Over 75 employees
7. According to the IBIS World Industry Report, the largest cost in the landscape industry is ______.
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a. Purchases
b. Marketing
c. Rent and utilities
d. Wages
8. Arguably the most important factor for client retention is which of the following (select the BEST answer)?
a. Creating value
b. High level of service quality
c. Communication
d. Babysitting the kids
9. The landscape industry experiences a high rate of turnover each year. Which of the following contribute to that issue? (select all that apply)
a. Low wages
b. Seasonality of the work
c. High wages
d. Lack of benefits
10. Based on a survey of landscape businesses, ___________ was predicted to be the fastest-growing service for revenue.
a. Design/build services
b. Lawn care/chemical application
c. Landscape maintenance
d. Tree and ornamental installation/care
11. According to interview responses from owners of landscape contracting businesses, the general impact from the COVID pandemic has been which of the following? (select one answer)
a. Positive
b. Negative
c. No impact
12. According to the L&L 2020 State of the Industry Report, this was the highest concern for landscape contractors. (select one answer)
a. Labor
b. COVID
c. Economic recession
d. Lowball competition
13. Which of the following are methods to combat lowball landscapers and still maintain target revenue goals? (select all that apply)
a. Provide quality services
b. Confront the lowballers
c. Ignore the lowballers
d. Lower your prices to win bids
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