Lawn Mowing & Turf Care
Learn more about mowing and other turf care practices; and be a much better turf professional.
Managing turf is more than just keeping the grass short however in some cases (as contractors) that is all we are asked to do, just mow the grass. When dealing with finer lawns or turf that is used for specific purposes such as sporting grounds or those in large and elegant gardens, we need more information and more knowledge. In those instances we need to be able to assess lawns and how the soil, light, temperature, air, water and traffic affect the quality of the turf. In any situation, we will do a better job if we know more about the turf and techniques for it’s care – then apply that knowledge.
WHAT THE COURSE COVERS
There are 5 lessons as follows:
Lesson 1 TURF QUALITY
- What varieties
- In unexpected drought conditions
- Evaluating turf quality and needs
Lesson 2 MOWING
- Mowing calculations
- Basic calculations
- Mowing
- Understanding how grass grows
- Understanding how lawn mowers cut grass
- Other considerations for mowers
- How to mow grass
- Before you mow
- Length of cut
- Direction of cut or pattern of cutting
- Other considerations
- Mowing newly established turf
- Raking before cutting?
- Collecting grass clippings
- Summary of points
- Cutting steep slopes
- Using growth regulators
- Problems that may occur by mowing
- Mowing safety
- Mowing and its impact on the environment
Lesson 3 MAINTAINING TURF QUALITY
- Maintaining turf
- Maintenance tasks
- Turf/lawn aeration
- Soil pH
- Other ways to improve soils
- Weeding
- Dealing with pest and diseases
- Environmental problems in turf
- Watering
Lesson 4 TURF EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS
- Types of mowing equipment
- Cylinder mowers
- Rotary mowers
- Tractor mounted
- Ride on mower
- Push type mowers
- Hover mowers
- Options for power
- Deciding what you need
- Mower maintenance
- Electric mowers
- Petrol mowers
- Changing mower blades
- Other turf maintenance equipment
- Edger
- Leaf rakes/vacuums
- Forks
- Rollers
- Wheelbarrows
- Strimmer/brush cutter/whipper snipper
- Spray equipment
- Should you buy, lease or hire?
Lesson 5 TURF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
- Starting your business
- Before you start
- Be informed
- Developing a customer base
- Location
- Employees
- Equipment
- Finance
- Buying into a franchise
- Avoiding disputes
- Other services you might offer
- Legal requirements
- Professional advice
- Keeping business records
- Taxation
- Understanding contract law
- Developing your business
- Managing growth
