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Course Description

There are multiple aspects of a soil that will positively or negatively impact the plants that are grown there. In this course, you will examine both the physical and chemical properties of a soil. Physical characteristics, such as bulk density, texture, and water-holding capacity, and chemical properties, such as pH, will play a critical role in your planting. By observing these characteristics, you will discover how to more accurately quantify the properties of a soil and determine which plants perform well in different soil types. Through these exercises, you will gain practical knowledge to ensure a successful design when choosing plants for a particular planting site.

By definition, urban planting is done in close proximity to buildings, roads, and other human-made structures, and these structures will impact the sun, soil, moisture, and wind surrounding your planting. This course will show you how to incorporate these crucial variables into your design decisions, ensuring your plant choices are appropriate and offering more opportunity for innovation with successful results.

You are required to have completed the following course or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

  • Identifying Plants

Faculty Author

Nina Bassuk; Zachary Rood

Benefits to the Learner

  • Measure and apply water-holding capacity, bulk density, pH testing, and percolation calculations to soils of a given site then explain how that impacts plant choice
  • Evaluate how sun, shade, and building encroachment can affect a planting site
  • Describe and identify the traits of plants that are well suited to particular soil conditions

Target Audience

  • Landscape architects
  • Aspiring landscape architects and designers
  • Nursery managers
  • Landscape managers
  • City planners and foresters
  • Arborists
  • AEC professionals
  • Developers
  • Site planners
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Hobbyists
  • Gardeners

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in

Type
2 week
Dates
Apr 29, 2026 to May 12, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
Type
2 week
Dates
Jul 08, 2026 to Jul 21, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
Type
2 week
Dates
Sep 16, 2026 to Sep 29, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
Type
2 week
Dates
Nov 25, 2026 to Dec 08, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Standard Price $999.00
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