Landscape Industry Certified Technician Turf

Turf Maintenance

Written

Common Core (60 min.)
Irrigation Components and Principles (30 min.)
Turfgrass Maintenance Principles (30 min.)
Turfgrass Maintenance Calculations (30 min.)

Practical

Basic Program Controller - Problem 5.22 and 9.22 (15 min.)
You have arrived at a job site and are assigned 30 plants that have lost their tags and have You arrive at a work site and find the homeowner has changed the watering program on an irrigation controller. Program this controller, including correct date and time using the instructions provided by your company. Demonstrate how to manually activate one zone.

Lateral Repair and Head Adjustment - Problem 5.23, 7.23, 8.23, 9.23 (35 min.)
You arrive at a job site and are told an underground irrigation pipe has been damaged. You must first locate the problem, safely repair the line and flush the system. On site, the homeowner asks that you adjust three sprinkler heads. Each sprinkler head is different. Adjust these to ensure proper coverage.

Power Blower - Problem 8.26 (15 min.)
The work site’s turf area is bordered by an office, driveway and walkway. Assume it is a warm, summer day. The office windows are open and vehicles are present in the driveway. Upon arriving at the site, you will check and prepare the equipment for operation. Identify and remove any existing hazards prior to operating the blower. Then proceed to clean the areas with the blower. Once finished, clean the blower and prepare it for storage.

21-inch Mower - Problem 8.81 (15 min.)
You are to mow a small lawn, but the mower blade is dull. An area is marked for you to change the blade. Be careful, those new blades are sharp. Do a complete check to make sure the mower is ready for operation. The customer is curious and wants to know how to change the mowing height. The lawn area is marked out with spray paint. Assume there is a walkway on all four sides of this area, so be careful where you direct those clippings. Stakes represent tree trunks. Remove debris and make sure the area is ready to mow. Begin mowing safely and efficiently. Be aware of the overlap.

Intermediate Walk-Behind Mower - Problem 8.82 (15 min.)
You are to mow a lawn. Do a complete check to make sure the mower is ready for operation. The customer is curious and wants to know how to lubricate the mower and how to change the mowing height. The lawn area is marked out with spray paint. Assume there is a walkway on all four sides of this area, so be careful where you direct those clippings. Stakes represent tree trunks. Remove debris and make sure the area is ready to mow. Begin mowing safely and efficiently. Be aware of the overlap.

Riding Mower Problem 8.83 (15 min.)
You arrive to mow an area of lawn as marked out. Assume there is a walkway on all four sides of this area, so be careful where you direct those clippings. Stakes represent trees in the turf area. A sheet of plywood may represent the fuel-up area. You need to check the mower to make sure it is ready for safe mowing. Remove debris and make sure the area is ready to mow. Begin mowing safely and efficiently. Be aware of the overlap. Park mower safely when finished.

Edger and Trimmer - Problem 8.84 (15 min.)
The site needs some edging and trimming along a walkway. A wooden header, sidewalk or curb may represent this walkway. Watch out for those pedestrians on the walkway. The grass around signposts at this site requires trimming. Sections of 6 x 6 timber (or similar) represent these posts. You will need to check and prepare the edger. The trimmer is ready to use.

Aerator - Problem 8.85 (15 min.)
You will aerate a lawn. The customer shows an interest in your machine, so take time to explain how to check and prepare the machine for operation. Prepare the site. Start aerating the area. Be careful when you cross that sidewalk.

Turf Fertilizer - Problem 8.86 (15 min.)
You arrive at the site requiring fertilizer. The painted area or large tarp represents a turf area. Kitty Litter has been substituted for the fertilizer. Weigh out the correct amount of fertilizer. Use either a belly grinder or wheeled broadcast-type spreader to apply this amount to the area.