RHS Level 2 Certificate

Year 1 Week 26 – Garden planning: site appraisal. Revision techniques.

Learning Objectives

Site Appraisal 1.1 Describe potential restrictions which may limit work on the site,

including financial constraints; difficulties with access for plant, equipment and materials; topography (degree and extent of slopes); boundary constraints; and restrictions on the time the works can be carried out.

1.2 State what existing garden features need to be identified, including buildings, hard landscape features, and the trees and plants that are to be retained.

Plants 2.1 Name FIVE evergreen and FIVE deciduous trees (large shrubs),

suitable for planting in a domestic garden. State details of their decorative merits, height and spread and site requirements; describe a situation where each could be used effectively.

Revision Identify THREE active revision techniques Identify TWO less effective revision techniques

Site appraisal

A methodical review of the site Use questionnaires and a sketch plan to

gather the information. Consideration of the views, aspect and

climate, soil, existing features and services and a measured survey to produce a scale plan.

Site characteristics

Make a sketch plan and take notes – keep careful records.

Location and physical character– aspect, climate, micro-climates, views, slope, drainage

Existing features – to keep or to remove? Soil – pH, depth, structure and texture. Several samples

needed across the site as it will not be uniform. Existing services – issues for safety and for construction.

Environmental factors in design

Prevailing wind – where should windbreaks go? Aspect – where does the sun fall at different times of

day? Where should seating areas be positioned, what need for shade is there?

Views – borrow favourable views and hide ugly ones. Views into the garden – creating privacy

Soil – pH (hard to change and will therefore affect what can be planted); depth (if insufficient then raised beds can be used).

Limitations on design process

Budget – a properly defined and controlled budget prevents failure to complete

Access – lack of access for machinery or deliveries will impact on what can be achieved; better to design with this in mind.

Boundary constraints – ownership, planning restrictions etc.

Timing – for excavations and building works; planting etc. The design process should include a plan for implementation.

Exam Preparation - introduction

Registration – complete form, fee, to be returned ASAP.

Revision – how to get started? Revision planning – ‘if you fail to plan, you plan

to fail’ Revision techniques – reading, remembering

and ‘doing’. The more active your approach the more you will remember.

Get started now!

Revision – Getting Started

Do what you can. If you only have half an hour a day then study for half an hour.

Plan how you will cover the material – aim for three reviews of each topic

Just reading the material is not effective – try working with the information, making connections and using varied approaches

Little and often is better than hours on end and then nothing for days.

Revision techniques

Teach someone – if you can explain it, then you know it.

Mind maps – the learning is in the ‘doing’, make them fun. Useful as an overview.

Index cards – force you to focus on the key points. Use them to test yourself.

Self testing – use the questions in the Red Book, Moodle quizzes, exam past paper questions.

Three repetitions in different forms = information moves from short to longer term memory.

Learning outcomes

Site Appraisal 1.1 Describe potential restrictions which may limit work on the site,

including financial constraints; difficulties with access for plant, equipment and materials; topography (degree and extent of slopes); boundary constraints; and restrictions on the time the works can be carried out.

1.2 State what existing garden features need to be identified, including buildings, hard landscape features, and the trees and plants that are to be retained.

Plants 2.1 Name FIVE evergreen and FIVE deciduous trees (large shrubs),

suitable for planting in a domestic garden. State details of their decorative merits, height and spread and site requirements; describe a situation where each could be used effectively.

Revision Identify THREE active revision techniques Identify TWO less effective revision techniques