Training Documents
This page is for Green Gardener trainees.
Below you will find the training presentations, additional publications with useful information, and the homework helpful to better understanding and retaining the new material. The quizzes and certification are on hold as of October 1, 2022, but may resume in the future.
Training Presentations- Module 1
Class 1: Introduction to Sustainability and Soils
- 1-Introduction to Sustainability (full slides)
- 1-Introduction to Sustainability (notes version)
- 2-Introduction to Soils (full slides)
- 2-Introduction to Soils (notes version)
Class 2: Soil-Water-Plant Interactions and Mulch & Compost
- 3-SOILS PT 2- SOIL-WATER-PLANTS (full slides)
- 3-SOILS PT 2- SOIL-WATER-PLANTS (notes version)
- 4-MULCH & COMPOST (full slides)
- 4-MULCH & COMPOST (notes version)
Class 3: Integrated Pest Management
Training Presentations- Module 2
CLASS 4: Irrigation #1 - Site Evaluation & Troubleshooting
- 6-Site Evaluation & Troubleshooting (full slides)
- 6-Site Evaluation & Troubleshooting (notes version)
CLASS 5: Irrigation #2 - Irrigation Scheduling Factors & Controllers
- 7- Scheduling Factors & Controllers (full slides)
- 7- Scheduling Factors & Controllers (notes version)
CLASS 6: Irrigation #3 - Catch Can Test & Scheduling Practice
Training Presentations- Module 3
CLASS 7: Turfgrass Management and Fertilizer Application
CLASS 8: Trees & Shrubs: Growth, Planting, & Pruning
- 10a-TREES & SHRUBS growth, planting, and pruning (full slides)
- 10a-TREES & SHRUBS growth, planting, and pruning (notes version)
- 10b-TREES & SHRUBS -Pruning Practicum (full slides)
- 10b-TREES & SHRUBS Pruning Practicum (notes version)
CLASS 9: Right Plant- Right Place & Selling Green Gardener Skills
Homework and Quizzes
HOMEWORK
- Homework 1: Soil & Compost Evaluation
- Homework 1: Soil & Compost Evaluation (Word format)
- Homework 2: IPM in Practice
- Homework 3: Site Irrigation Evaluation (pdf for printing)
- Homework 3: Site Irrigation Evaluation (excel format)
- Homework 4: Catch Can Test Worksheet
- Homework 5: Turfgrass Fertilization
QUIZZES
- Module 1 Quiz: Sustainability; Soil, Compost & Mulch; and IPM
- Module 1 IPM Quiz for DPR CEUs: http://ucanr.edu/gg_ipm_quiz
- Module 2 Quiz: Irrigation Scheduling Quiz
- Module 3 Quiz
Supplemental Publications
Module 1: Healthy Soil, Healthy Landscapes
WEEK 1: SOILS AND SUSTAINABILITY
WEEK 2: SOIL, MULCH, & COMPOST
- Mulches for Landscapes
- A Bay-friendly Guide to Mulch
- SOIL TEXTURAL TRIANGLE
- SOIL TEXTURE RIBBON TEST
- Lawn and Garden Soil Test Interpretation and Fertilizer Recommendation Guide (U of Mo)
- Gypsum Myths
- Compost in a Hurry
- Changing the pH of Your Soil
- Rubber mulch
WEEK 3: INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
- Biological Control and Natural Enemies
- Organic Pesticides for Landscapes and Gardens
- Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides
- UC IPM Resources for Landscape Professionals
- Using Pesticides in California
- Managing Argentine Ants around the Home
- Ladybug releases
- Weed Management in Lawn
Module 2: Mastering Efficient Irrigation
WEEK 4: SITE EVALUATION, DESIGN & TROUBLESHOOTING
- 5 Easy Steps to Setting Your Irrigation Controller
- California Lawn Watering Guide
- Some Average Precipitation Rates and DUs
- Central CA CIMIS Zones & Stations
- Water infiltration rates and Maximum precipitation rates
- Sample Irrigation Installation Checklist
- Sample Irrigation Maintenance Checklist
WEEK 5: SCHEDULING FACTORS, CONTROLLERS, & THE CATCH CAN TEST
- Irrigating landscape plants during establishment
- Water Use Efficiency Ideas for Parks and Commercial Landscapes
- Valve-Troubleshooting
- Managing Turf for Drought
- Drought tips for lawns (from Delta Bluegrass)
- Converting Spray Zones to Drip
- Irrigation Audit Calculating Worksheet (Ewing version)
- Irrigation Audit Worksheet with Scheduler (California Center for Urban Horticulture version. L.Oki)
- Plant Available Water by soil type
- Irrigation Resources
- How to do Catch Can Test (NM State)
- Weekly runtime minutes + Plant Factors
Module 3: Plants in the California Landscape
WEEK 6: Turfgrass Management & Fertilization
- Practical Lawn Fertilization
- Turfgrass selection
- Managing Turfgrasses during Drought
- Weed Management in Lawns
- Lawn Insects
- Lawn Diseases- Prevention and Maintenance
- Selecting and Applying Fertilizers for Water Quality Protection
- A Bay-friendly Guide to Grasscycling
- Grasscycling: A Case Study
- Diagnosing lawn disorders
- Sports Field Quality and Performance Levels Based upon Resource and Management Investment
- Recycled tire mulch and artificial turf report
WEEK 7: Trees & Shrubs: Growth, Planting, & Pruning
- Guideline Specifications for Nursery Tree Quality
- Inspect Your Landscape Trees for Hazards
- Pruning gear bag checklist
- Planting Landscape Trees
- How to Protect Trees during Underground Work
- Don't Top Trees
- Fruit and Nut Tree Pruning Guidelines
- Crape Myrtle Pruning
- Oaks Management Guide
- 22 Benefits of Urban Street Trees
- Pruning Woody Landscape Plants
- Roses in the Landscape: Cultural Practices and Weed Control
WEEK 8: Right Plant - Right Place & Selling Green Gardener Skills