PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPER
Career Outlook
Your New Career
After you learn everything from soil, tree, shrub, and turfgrass science and management to how to manage your own landscaping business, you'll have the skills you need to do the job right.
- Earn your Landscaper Career Diploma at home in as little as six months by studying just an hour a day for your new career.
- Work for commercial or residential builders, government agencies, or recreational facilities.
- Open your own landscaping business and watch it grow.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor expects an 18% increase in the number of job openings by 2018.* Building owners recognize the importance of "curb appeal" and are expected to use grounds maintenance services more extensively. Homeowners also are expected to continue using landscaping services to maintain the beauty and value of their property.
Your New Skills
You'll learn every important part of being a Landscaper.
- Soils and fertilizers
- Pest management
- Landscape tools use and safety
- Servicing lawn mowers and riding mowers
- Tree and shrub identification
- Design for residential and commercial properties
- Turfgrass science and management
- Specialty landscapes
- Opportunities in the landscaping industry
- Managing your business
- And much more!
*Growth figures represent a ten-year period ending 2018. Source: "National Industry-Occupation Employment Matrix," a publication of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Program Overview
Learn the skills you need to become a Landscaper — at home, at your own pace, with the Continuing Education Center.
There are certain skills you need to begin a career as a Landscaper. The Continuing Education Center Landscaper Program helps you learn them quickly and conveniently.
You’ll learn about:
- Plant health, soil, and fertilizers
- Servicing garden tractors and other tools used in landscaping
- Creating landscaping designs using shrubs and ground covers
- Specialty landscaping, starting and operating your own landscaping business
And you’ll learn it all at home — no classroom needed!
Start a challenging, moneymaking career as a Landscaper.
Why complete a training program in Landscaping? With the right credentials, you can:
- Work for an established landscaping firm or start your own business.
- Complete your training in as little as six months from today, or take longer if you wish.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor projects an 18% increase in new job opportunities for Landscapers by 2018.* Landscapers enjoy challenging, varied assignments, and flexible working hours. Self-employed landscaping professionals enjoy the career freedom and independence that come with business ownership.
Contact the Continuing Education Center Today.
Find out more about the Continuing Education center's complete Landscaper training that includes:
- All the books, lessons, and learning aids you need
- Tree and shrub identification books
- Unlimited instructional support
- Access to Student Services by website, phone, and mail
Get more information today and in as little as six months from enrollment you can be on your way to a career as a Landscaper!
* Growth figures represent a ten-year period ending 2018. Source: "National Industry-Occupation Employment Matrix," a publication of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Program Outline
Instruction Sets
Your Landscaper Program consists of eight Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll use in your new career.
Here's how it works
Your first Instruction Set will be sent immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer (running Windows Vista or later) and the Internet in order to complete your program with the Continuing Education Center.
Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your lessons:
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Instruction Set 1
Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
Introduction to Landscaping
Basic skills of a landscaper; skills needed to recognize common landscaping problems.
Instruction Set 2
Plants and Their Health
Parts of a plant; elements plants need to thrive; annual, biannual, and perennial plants.
Soils and Fertilizers
Classifications of soil and their properties; adjusting the soil’s pH; properly and safely applying fertilizer.
Graded Project #1: Soil Sample
Take a soil sample and have it analyzed. Using the results, make recommendations for applications of fertilizer and other amendments to the test area. Area should be at least 3000 sq. ft. in size. Recommendations for equipment to use.
Pest Management
Recognizing damage caused by insects and related pests; types of weeds; diagnosing problems.
Instruction Set 3
Hand Tools
Types of hand tools and their uses; determining which tool is appropriate for the job.
Power Tools
Components of outdoor power equipment; maintaining small power tools.
Graded Project #2: Identifying and Pricing Hand Tools and Power Tools
Visit vendors and make a list of tools needed to plant and maintain the landscape of residential property. List will include prices and vendor/store.
Instruction Set 4
Servicing Lawn Mowers and Riding Mowers
Basic parts of a rotary lawn mower and their functions; routine maintenance procedures for rotary lawn mowers; sharpening and balancing lawn mower blades; preparing a lawn mower for seasonal storage; troubleshooting lawn mower problems.
Servicing Garden Tractors
Basic parts of a riding mower and garden tractor; maintenance procedures; preparing a riding mower or garden tractor for seasonal storage; troubleshooting problems.
Instruction Set 5
Tree Identification
Simple and compound leaves; identifying trees by their flowers, twigs, and buds or bark.
Shrub Identification
Alternate and opposite leaves; identifying shrubs by their flowers, twigs, and buds or bark.
Graded Project #3: Creating a Design Using Shrubs
Visit nurseries in your area to see what shrubs are available; plant two areas with shrubs; describe what you have planted; give the prices you paid for the shrubs.
Textbooks:
• The Tree Identification Book
• The Shrub Identification Book
Instruction Set 6
Ground Covers
Properly preparing an area to be planted; methods of planting ground cover.
Design for Residential and Commercial Properties
Mixing and matching trees and shrubs in your design; using mulch and/or stone.
Graded Project #4: Creating a Design Using Ground Covers
Visit nurseries in your area to see what ground covers are available; plant two areas with ground covers; describe what you have planted; give the prices you paid for the plants.
Instruction Set 7
Turfgrass Establishment
Varieties of grass; preparing the soil for planting; mulching newly seeded lawns; recommended watering schedule.
Turfgrass Maintenance
Cutting the grass at the proper mowing height; properly edging sidewalks.
Textbook: Turfgrass Science and Management
Instruction Set 8
Specialty Landscapes
Proper planting around a pool; designs most effective in enhancing a gazebo; planting designs for use near ponds; designing a rock garden.
Your Landscaping Business
Opportunities in the industry; managing your business.
Graded Project #5: Maintenance Contract Proposal
Develop a maintenance contract for a residential property that includes labor and material.
Textbook: Step-by-Step Landscaping
Work Experience Option
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Online Library and Librarian
Students in the Continuing Education Center have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with the Continuing Education Center.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.