Green School Landscape Management Track

October 17 and October 22 - You must attend ONE of these orientation sessions.

Orientation and Technical Check-In
Technical troubleshooting plus a course overview including general operating procedures, note taking, preparing for exams, credit for certification programs and Mass. pesticide license, instructor evaluations and certificate requirements.

Plant Form and Function
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
Learning how plants are put together, how they grow, and how they respond to their environment can help practitioners understand the cultural requirements of landscape plants, be helpful in avoiding problems relating to plant health, and aid in the diagnosis of plant health issues.

Plant Form and Function (continued)
Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired)
Learning how plants are put together, how they grow, and how they respond to their environment can help practitioners understand the cultural requirements of landscape plants, be helpful in avoiding problems relating to plant health, and aid in the diagnosis of plant health issues.

Basic Principles of IPM and PHC
Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension
The principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) form the foundation for understanding and implementing wise management strategies for pests. IPM management techniques assist in reducing pest populations while protecting beneficial organisms and utilize best management practices that are least harmful to humans and the environment. This often includes reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Plant Health Care (PHC) employs many of the aspects of IPM and is tailored for the green industries.

Nutrient Management for Trees and Shrubs in the Landscape
Geoffrey Njue, UMass Extension
Which nutrients are essential for plant growth, how to manage soils to create an optimal supply of those nutrients, how to compensate for soil nutrient deficiencies through the addition of natural or synthetic sources of fertilizer, and timing and method of fertilizer applications.

Site Assessment and Cultural Practice Problems of Woody Ornamentals
Russ Norton, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
An overview of how to assess a site and evaluate above and below ground characteristics essential to choosing the right plant for the right place. In addition, common cultural practice problems and better management practices will be discussed.

Woody Plant Selection
Instructor TBD
Appropriate plant materials for different types of landscapes. Choosing the appropriate plant for the landscape, key identification features, and ornamental features of woody plants for Massachusetts landscapes.

Pesticide Safety and Responsibility in the Landscape
Natalia Clifton, UMass Extension
The label is the law! The focus of this talk will be thecomponents of the pesticide label, as well as an in-depth coverage of personal protective equipment and the environmental fate of pesticides. In addition, there will be a review of the requirements for pesticide licenses and the MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources role in regulating pesticides in Massachusetts. (Note: The laws governing pesticide licensing and the regulation of pesticides in other states will not be covered.)

Basic Entomology
Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension
An overview of the characteristics that distinguish insects from their close relatives, identification of the major orders of insects common to the Northeast, and life strategies common to these groups. Also a brief look at identifying larval (immature) insects and their development as driven by temperature. Basic entomology will set the stage for the common insect pests encountered by the green industries, while reminding us that the majority of insects are not pests.

Diseases of Trees and Shrubs II
Nick Brazee, UMass Extension
Continuation of material from 11/14. Description of the groups of root, stem, branch, and foliage diseases of woody plants, including illustrations of the signs and symptoms of common woody plant diseases as well as suitable management approaches to use in landscapes and nurseries.

Landscape Weed Management
Randy Prostak, UMass Extension
In-depth control strategies for landscape weeds including prevention, cultural practices, non-chemical/organic methods, and herbicides.

Turf Management in the Landscape
Jason Lanier, UMass Extension
Turf is a principal component of our collective landscape, and well-managed turf has many societal and ecological benefits.  Turfgrass characteristics, selection, establishment, key cultural practices, IPM and BMPs for turf on lawns and grounds will be discussed.

Soil Health for Turf and Landscapes
Arthur Siller and Sam Glaze-Corcoran, UMass Extension
Basic principles and fundamentals for creating, promoting, and managing the health of the soil, the foundation of every landscape and turf system, with implications for every aspect of management and performance.

Tree and Shrub Pruning Best Practices
Instructor TBD
 

Sustainable Landscape Management
Instructor TBD

Creating and maintaining a sustainable landscape requires an understanding and assessment of the site including soils, water, vegetation, and materials to be used at the site. This session will explore how to create and maintain a sustainable landscape in support of the environment along with being a functional space for use and enjoyment. 

Pollinator Friendly Approaches for the Landscape
Nicole Bell, UMass Extension

Learn about provisioning both floral resources and nesting sites for pollinators, and a basic checklist for bee-friendly landscapes.

Vector-Borne Diseases: Awareness and Action
Stephen Rich, University of Massachusetts, and Nolan Fernandez, NEWVEC

Lyme Disease is the most prevalent infectious disease in Massachusetts and is now considered to be a public health crisis. In addition to Lyme, deer ticks can carry the pathogens which cause Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Relapsing Fever and Powassan virus, all of which can be very serious. This session will review the basic life cycle and ecology of deer ticks, incidence rates and distribution of tick-borne illnesses.