Module 3
Module 3
3.1 ORNAMENTALS
3.2 LAWN MANAGEMENT
3.3 LANDSCAPE DESIGN
3.1 ORNAMENTALS
Ornamental plants are plants grown for decorative purposes.
The growing of ornamental plants is called floriculture, which forms a major branch of
horticulture.
These plants are grown in gardens and landscape design projects as:-
● House plants
● Cut flowers
● Specimen dis[lay
There are three types of ornamental plants. This depends on where they are grown or
the purpose for which they are grown. These include:-
● They last longer without wilting when placed in water/ a cool place.
Examples:
Roses; camation; dahlia; marigold; chrysanthemum; calendula; static; proteas;
SOIL MIXES
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Ornamental plants require soils that are able to hold them for a long time especially
those grown in containers/pots. Prepared media for the different plants have been
formulated and these are called soil mixes.
● Vermiculite or perlite
Soil mixes are a combination of different materials used for raising plants. These should
have the following characteristics:
(i) the mixture should be sufficiently firm to give enough support to seedlings
(ii) it should be workable
(iii) the volume of the mixture should remain constant when dry/wet
(iv) it should allow for adequate water drainage & aeration
(v) materials used should be free of weed seeds & other harmful organisms
(vi) it should have good water holding capacity
(vii) it should have sufficient nutrients
● Add river sand / sand / vermiculite / perlite / leaf mould to the base of the mix.
● Add well decomposed manure e.g. well rotted kraal manure / chicken manure
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● Add superphosphate fertilizer to the mix.
It is very important to keep the equipment and the working area very clean to avoid
diseases attacking the plants. This can be done by:-
● Cleaning and sterilizing containers/boxes/pots used for planting with boiling
water. Remove old soil / media and disinfect them to kill any pests and diseases
remaining from old plants.
● Using sterilized soil or growing media e.g. vermiculite. Otherwise sterilize by
heating soil at 90oC for 30 minutes to kill all living organisms that may harm
plants.
● Pruning infected plant parts and burn them to avoid diseases and pests.
● Cleaning / sterilizing the work area and surfaces by removing old plant material /
residues / weeds / soil because they attract pests and harbour diseases.
● Using clean water when handling plants to avoid infection.
● Always using clean tools. They should be dipped in a boiling water or disinfectant
after/before using on new plants to avoid spreading diseases.
● Washing hands regularly/ frequently while working on ornamental plants.
GROWING OF ORNAMENTALS
Propagation
● Petunia is propagated by means of seeds. The seeds are drilled 1mm deep in
seed compost. The seed compost consists of loam soil, pit and sand in the ratio
2:1:1 respectively or a mixture of pit sand, leaf mould, manure and charcoal.
● The seed compost must be sterilized before use.
● Watering must be done regularly and seedlings must be raised away from old
stock.
● Pests must be controlled by spraying pesticides like Malathion once a week.
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● Material from which the pot is made.
● Size of the pot – the larger the plant, the larger the pot and vice versa.
● Drainage of the pot – the pot should be well drained to avoid water logging.
State ways in which pots should be made ready for planting ornamental plants.
● Clean or soak the pots.
● Fill the pots with the right soil mix/growing media to the correct depth or height.
Potting up
● Prepare a potting soil mix.
● Ensure that the new pot is larger than the previous one and it has holes for
drainage.
● Remove the plant from its original container by holding the stem between the
index finger and the second finger. Tap the back of the pot and the holes, to
allow the soil to slide-out.
● Put the plant into the pot and fill it with soil leaving at least 3cm unfilled from the
top of the pot
● Press the soil around the plant to remove air pockets before watering.
Care and maintenance
● Containers should be large enough for the plants. The larger the plant, the larger
the container, and vice versa.
● Never waterlog the saucers especially for indoor pot plants.
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● Place aired mulch of well-rotted manure or compost to keep the surface
temperature more constant.
Soil preparation
The soil mixture will consist of 6 parts kraal manure, 4 parts red soil; three parts sand
and two parts loam soil.
Planting
● Roses should be planted between September and May. Their spacing should be
between 1 – 1.2m apart. They can be planted from either transplants or cuttings.
(i) Transplanting
● Dig holes that are 40cm wide and 30cm deep.
● Fill the hole with soil and firm the soil around the plant stem.
(ii) Cuttings
● The cutting should have a few dormant eyes (buds)
● Soak the cutting in water for a few hours and allow it to swell.
● Plant the cutting upright and firm the soil around it.
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Fertilizer Application
Basal dressing
- This can be done with 2kg of super phosphate per 10m2 .
- A compound fertilizer 5: 1: 5 (44) can be applied at 30kg per 10m2 or 3kg every 6
weeks.
● Prick out the seedlings by holding them by leaves to avoid damaging the stem.
● Make planting holes in the new soil mixture where seedlings will be planted.
Space seedlings 2 - 5cm apart depending on the vigour seedling.
● Place seedlings in the planting holes at the same depth that it was growing.
● Water the seedlings and place them in a warm place away from direct sunlight.
Pricking out provides enough space for even growth of seedlings since there is less
competition for nutrients.
Hardening-off of seedlings
Examples
● When plants are hardened-off for dry weather before transplanting, they are
gradually exposed to reduced amount of watering until they survive a few days
without watering.
● For bedding plants if hardened for conditions that exist in the flower beds, they
are removed from the nursery for a gradually increasing number of hours every
day until they can survive outside for the whole day.
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● Pruning can be done using secateurs, long handled loppers, curved pruning saw
or sharp pruning knives.
● All pruning cuts should be made about 45 degrees slanting angles immediately
above a dormant bud.
● The best time prune trees and shrubs is when they are dormant. In Botswana it is
recommended to prune towards the end of winter and in early spring (i.e. at the
end of July or early August).
Training
This is the form of pruning where the main objective is to achieve a wanted
shape/form/growth habit design. It is usually done at early stages of growth. In vines it is
usually done by pruning and supporting plants.
● rust diseases
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These can be controlled by spraying fungicides before bud burst. Spray with Copper
oxychloride or Mancozeb.
● aphids
● scale insects
The chafer beetle can be controlled by using stomach and contact pesticides.
Examples Malathion, Carbaryl.
Aphids, red spider mites and scale insects are piercing and sucking. They can be
controlled by using systemic pesticides. Examples: Dimethoate.
Describe the preparation and marketing of roses
(i) Cut the flower with the stem. Make sure that the cuts are clean & slanting.
(ii) The flowers should be cleaned and have unwanted parts removed.
(iii) Sort and grade them.
(iv) Tie them into bunches.
(v) Price them.
(vi) Once picked the roses are then placed in water in a cold room, which brings
the temperature of the stems to around 8 – 10 degrees Celsius.
(vii) Before packing, the lower leaves are removed and trimming is done if
necessary.
(viii) Transport Roses in temperature-controlled trucks (about 4 degrees Celsius).
(a) Potting,
(b) Bedding and
(c) Flower cutting.
2. Demonstrate the proper use of pots, seed beds and boxes including the
importance of cleanliness of equipment as a precaution against diseases.
3. Choose only one plant from the above and study practically under the following
objectives
(a) Demonstrate preparation of standard soil mixes
(b) Demonstrate the hardening-off of seedlings
(c) Practise the following activities: pricking out of seedlings, timing of
planting, transplanting, suitable spacing, apply suitable fertilizers
(d) Demonstrate one suitable method of irrigation
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(e) Discuss the control of one common pest and one common disease of the
chosen crop
(f) Discuss pruning and topiary of ornamentals
(g) Discuss the preparation and marketing of the ornamental crop chosen
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3.2 LAWN MANAGEMENT
Define a lawn
A lawn is an area of land composed of a dense growth of intertwined stems and leaves
of grasses if closely cut.
● The land is graded to ensure proper drainage. If the land is poorly drained, pipe
drains must be constructed.
● The site is dug/cultivated to a depth of about 20 - 30cm using a digging fork. The
clods of soil must be broken down.
● The site is then firmed to remove air pockets.
● The site must be allowed to remain fallow/irrigated for a period to induce weed
growth.
● Then the land is cultivated again to remove/control weeds.
● The land is then levelled using a rake to obtain a fine tilth before planting.
Planting of lawns
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● The seed for sowing must be of good quality. The required quantity of seed
must be used.
● Sow seeds by broadcasting to cover the land surface evenly (35g seed /m2.
● Lawns may also be established / propagated vegetatively using plant parts (e.g.
stems). This is done usually at the beginning of the rainy season.
MAINTENANCE OF LAWNS
A. Irrigation of Lawns
The amount of water to use depends on the growth stage of the grass. More water is
required during the period of maximum growth. Irrigation water should penetrate a depth
of 15-cm. Evaporation rate should be about 5mm/day in grasses.
Methods of irrigation
1. hose pipe (for flooding)
2. garden sprinkler
3. misters (produce mist/a fine drizzle)
Management of irrigation
The best time to irrigate is in the morning when there is no wind to blow the irrigation
water away especially with sprinklers. Wind can cause uneven distribution of water
around sprinklers. This could also reduce evaporation losses. Late evening water
encourages the development of fungal diseases.
A turf gradually forms a fibrous layer of dead blades known as thatch between the roots
and the foliage (leaves). This can act as mulch, which can prevent water and/or
fertilizers from reaching the roots. The soil will lack drainage and air. However, the soil
needs good aeration. Thus, the following methods can be used to aerate the soil and the
lawn:
1. Spiking
This is making of holes, 15 cm apart, in the soil. An appropriate tool to use is a
hollow tine fork. A powered spiking machine or digging fork may also be used.
Spiking loosens the soil, improves aeration/air movement, and water penetration
in the soil. This should be repeated every 4-5 weeks in summer.
2. Scarification (dethatching)
This involves the removal of thatch (dead leaf blades) from a lawn. An
appropriate tool to use is a hollow tine rake. A metal rake can also be used.
Thatch is a fibrous layer of dead/dry grass blades formed on the turf.
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Scarification can be done before applying fertilizer. This improves air circulation
in the lawn.
3. Mowing
This is cutting the lawn to a uniform height using a lawn mower. Mowing may be
done at least once a week from late spring to late summer or when necessary in
winter. The grass should not be cut close to the ground in winter as the roots
may be damaged by frost.
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Lawn management tools and equipment
Mowing
Lawn mower
Lawn aerator
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MANAGEMENT NAME OF EQUIPMENT FUNCTIONS
PRACTICE
Edging shears
To remove thatch /
dead grass blades
from the lawn
Scarification
C. Fertilizer application
● Apply nitrogen containing fertilizers e.g. LAN during the growing period.
● Apply Manure and Super phosphate during land preparation. Super phosphate
supply phosphorus needed for root development.
● Apply water after application of fertilizer.
Rates of application
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D. Weed control
Chemical control
o Simazine may be used to control broad-leaved weeds. It is sprayed over the
land surface as a post emergence control of weeds.
o Round up- it used to control all types of weeds. It is applied as a pre-
emergence weed control (dilution rate: 400ml in 20L water).
Mechanical control
Other weeds may be removed by hand pulling occasionally as they occur.
2. Pathogen diseases
Fungi and nematodes are the most common organisms.
Symptoms
● there will be circular areas of brown patches on the leaves during the wet and hot
periods due to over watering
Prevention
● avoid over watering of lawns
Symptoms
● Brown spots (of up to 0.5 – 10mm in diameter) or dead leaves.
Control
● Use resistant varieties of lawn species.
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● Mow / cut the grass to remove thatch and reduce infection.
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PESTS OF LAWNS AND THEIR CONTROL
1. Nematodes
These enter through the roots and cause the leaves to turn yellow and die.
Control
● uproot affected plants
2. Dogs
They pass out their droppings (faeces) on the lawn. This contaminates and can cause
burnt patches on the lawn. They also dig out heaps of soil on the lawns.
Control
● scare away dogs from the lawn
3. Lawn crickets
These organisms make holes on the lawn. They also cause dry patches on the lawn.
They cut the grass stem just under the surface of soil.
Control and prevention
● pour soapy water down the holes
4. Termites
They cut and eat the grass. They may build their nest on the lawn, and this will make the
lawn look untidy.
Control
● remove grass cuttings from the lawn
● Apply ripcord.
● Weed control
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● Mowing
● Edging
● Spiking
● Scarification
● Irrigation
● The planning and designing involves putting on paper what is to be done on the
ground. It shows the position of plants, space between them etc.
● During installation, what has been planned and designed on paper is translated
on to the actual ground to be seen by all.
1. ROCKERY
Building a rockery involves the use of stones and rocks in the design of a landscape
such that:-
● The stones and rocks used for building should have a natural layout.
● Small plants, ornamental trees, shrubs, herbs, flowers are grown on the soil
layers for decoration.
● A sculpture may be put at the top of the rockery.
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2. PARK
Usually a park is a publicly owned area of land. Parks are usually found in major cities,
villages and other civic areas.
● It is normally fenced to control animal and human movement.
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Explain the use of plant life in land scape design
1. They provide aesthetic value in the design
a. They screen out unseen areas
b. They provide privacy
c. They beautify the landscape
d. They direct movement of the eye.
2. Plants have functional uses
a. Serve as wind breakers to reduce wind speeds/strength with their
canopies.
b. Provision of shade with their canopies.
c. control or prevention of soil erosion by holding soil with their roots
d. maintain ecological balance
e. provide habitats/homes for birds/wildlife/insects
3. Plants have economic uses
a. add market value to real estate
b. Attract tourists and generate income.
4. Therapy
a. They provide psychological effects on patients e.g. flowers.
b. They enhance the place of work
c. They symbolize love e.g. rose.
Negative impacts
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● Extinction of indigenous plants / animals due to land clearing or use of exotic
plants.
● Loss of habitat for wildlife due to land clearing.
1. Define landscaping.
2. Describe any two kinds of landscapes from the following list:-
● Formal landscape
● Garden
● Rockery
● Civic space
● Cemetery
● Park
● Playground
● Waterfront
3. Explain the use of five different materials for landscaping
4. Explain the use of plant life in landscape design.
5. Describe the environmental impacts of landscape design.
6. Observe existing examples of built landscapes through the use of field trips.
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