Plant Selection and Care

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 2
Unit No:
J/507/0568
Credits:
6
Guided learning hours:
48 hours

Assessment Guidance

N/A

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Understand the correct planting and aftercare of trees and shrubs.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1
    Describe how sites should be selected for trees and shrubs.
  • 1.2
    Describe the preparation required for planting trees and shrubs.
  • 1.3
    Describe the importance of correct planting depth.
  • 1.4
    Describe the correct aftercare of trees and shrubs.
2

Understand the selection and purchase of nursery stock.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1
    Describe appropriate uses for the range of trees available as nursery stock.
  • 2.2
    Describe sizes and forms available for shrubs and herbaceous plants (i.e. pot size and quality [container stock] or production stage, quality and girth [field stock]).
  • 2.3
    Outline phyto-sanitary control and legislation relating to the purchase and importing of nursery stock
3

Understand plant breeders’ rights.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1
    Define plant breeders’ rights.
  • 3.2
    Describe how plant propagation for garden use is affected by these rights.
4

Understand the importance of ecological planting.

Assessment Criteria

  • 4.1
    Identify and name a range of plants for a variety of ecological conditions.
  • 4.2
    Describe how soil, aspect, wind, frost and microclimate affect plant selection and growth.
  • 4.3
    Describe leaf and stem adaptations shown by plants growing in sun, drought, shade and wind.
5

Understand the importance of pest, disease and weed control.

Assessment Criteria

  • 5.1
    Outline the process for checking the condition of plants.
  • 5.2
    Define the terms pest and disease.
  • 5.3
    Define the term weed
  • 5.4
    Define the term invasive plant species.
  • 5.5
    Outline current legislation in relation to invasive plant species.
  • 5.6
    Identify four common invasive plant species
  • 5.7
    Explain the terms contact, translocated, systemic and residual pesticides.
  • 5.8
    Describe one cultural and one chemical control method for invasive plant species.
6

Know how to prune shrubs.

Assessment Criteria

  • 6.1
    Describe the methods and times of pruning for a range of shrubs to include spring flowering, summer flowering and shrubs grown for stem colour.
7

Understand the need for the application of fertilisers.

Assessment Criteria

  • 7.1
    Define the terms organic and inorganic fertilisers.
  • 7.2
    Explain why fertilisers need to be applied.
  • 7.3
    Name two organic and two inorganic fertilisers and state the nutrients each supplies.
  • 7.4
    Describe the appropriate application process for two organic and two inorganic fertilisers.
  • 7.5
    Describe how to minimise environmental pollution when applying fertiliser.