Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What plant cultural requirements are covered by this unit?
Plant cultural requirements include soil preparation and conditioning, planting, plant maintenance practices, staking, hedging, pruning, and all turf maintenance activities.

What materials and equipment are required for plant cultural practices?
Large and small motorised machinery and equipment such as turf maintenance machinery, pruning machinery and equipment, soil cultivation machinery, and gardening hand tools.

What consumables are required for plant cultural practices?
Consumables may include but are not limited to soils, top dressing sands, fertilisers, soil conditioners, irrigation components, sprays and chemicals, fuels and oils, stakes, labels, tree protection devices, seed, annuals, personal protective equipment, first aid requirements, and office requirements.

What specialist cultural practices might be contracted included in this unit?
Specialist cultural practices include turf maintenance activities such as renovating, top dressing, over-sowing, pest and disease control, specialist tree maintenance practices such as thinning, crown reduction, and tree structural management.

What OHS hazards might relate to the management of plant cultural practices?
Hazards may include disturbance or interruption of services, solar radiation, dust, noise, soil-, air- and water-borne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, sharp hand tools and equipment, manual handling, moving vehicles, machinery and machinery parts, slippery and uneven surfaces, falling and flying objects and working at a height in or around trees.

What safe operating procedures might apply to this unit?
Safe operating procedures developed for machinery and equipment and particular plant cultural practices.

What records might be kept?
Records include daily work sheets and job rosters, incident reports, customer requests and correspondence with management or third parties.

What record keeping techniques might be used?
Records may be recorded manually or with proprietary software.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?Competence in managing plant cultural practices for amenity horticulture requires evidence that plant cultural programs have been successfully and appropriately implemented and monitored in an enterprise. The skills and knowledge required to manage plant cultural practices for amenity horticulture must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different plant cultural practices in a range of settings or climatic conditions.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

plant recognition skills
plant cultural practices for a wide range of amenity plants including native and exotic plants
turf maintenance practices
irrigation systems
plant nutrition practices
legislation or local by-laws relevant to trees, safe operating practices, OHS
supervision and team building
budgeting and planning.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

determine a wide range of plant cultural requirements
determine and organise work schedules
source information
gather and record information
supervise and lead a work team.

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Communication of ideas and information can be applied when sourcing information, developing work programs, leading team meetings and reporting to clients and/or management. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information can be collected, analysed and organised by researching plant cultural practices, developing programs and recording information. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Activities are planned as required, or on a continuous basis and organised with others as a part of a team. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork is applied through the development of work schedules and in the execution of plant cultural practices. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques can be applied when developing budgets and programs, rostering staff, calculating materials and negotiating with sub-contractors. (3)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills can be applied when determining a plant cultural program, developing budgets and programs, rostering staff, calculating materials and negotiating with sub-contractors. (3)

Using technology
The use of technology can be applied when implementing all aspects of the plant cultural program and gathering, recording and storing information. (3)