Agriculture and Nature Conservation Horticulture

Mulch And Enrich The Soil Of Established Landscaped Areas Training

SAQA US 119703 | NQF 1 | Credits 5 | Duration 2 Days
From $832 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the knowledge and skills to properly mulch and enrich soil in established landscaped areas. Participants will learn to select appropriate mulching materials, apply them correctly, and enrich soil to promote plant health and sustainability. The course emphasizes environmentally responsible practices and alignment with South African landscaping standards.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply different types of mulching materials to conserve moisture and suppress weeds in established landscapes.
  • Analyze soil conditions to determine appropriate enrichment techniques and materials.
  • Demonstrate correct techniques for mulching and soil enrichment to improve plant health and soil structure.
  • Evaluate the environmental impact of mulching and enrichment practices and adopt sustainable methods.
  • Implement safety measures and use personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling mulching materials and soil amendments.

Target Audience

This course is designed for gardeners, landscapers, horticulturists, and grounds maintenance staff who are responsible for maintaining established landscaped areas in residential, commercial, or public settings.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundational Principles of Mulching and Soil Enrichment

Objectives:
• Understand the role of mulch in soil conservation and plant health.
• Identify different types of organic and inorganic mulches.
• Learn the principles of soil enrichment using compost and organic matter.
• Assess site conditions for appropriate mulch selection and application.
• Apply safety and environmental best practices during mulching activities.

Topics:
• Introduction to soil structure, fertility, and the benefits of mulching.
• Types of mulches: organic (bark, wood chips, compost) vs. inorganic (gravel, landscape fabric).
• Soil enrichment methods: composting, green manures, and organic amendments.
• Assessing soil type, drainage, and existing plant needs.
• Calculating mulch depth and coverage area.
• Safe handling of tools (wheelbarrows, rakes, spades) and materials.
• Environmental considerations: preventing runoff, weed suppression, and habitat preservation.

Day 2: Practical Application and Maintenance of Mulched Landscapes

Objectives:
• Demonstrate correct techniques for applying mulch around established plants.
• Implement soil enrichment strategies using compost and organic fertilizers.
• Develop a maintenance schedule for mulched areas.
• Troubleshoot common issues like mulch compaction, fungal growth, and nutrient imbalances.
• Comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Topics:
• Step-by-step mulching process: clearing weeds, edging, and uniform spreading.
• Techniques for applying compost and organic fertilizers to enrich soil.
• Mulch maintenance: replenishing depth, turning, and monitoring moisture.
• Identifying and managing pests and diseases related to mulch.
• Record-keeping for mulching and enrichment activities.
• Practical exercise: mulching a designated landscaped area.
• Review of unit standard outcomes and assessment preparation.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Tue 08 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $832 Register
Tue 29 Sep 2026 Wed 30 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $832 Register
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Wed 19 Jan 2028 Thu 20 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $832 Register
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Wed 07 Oct 2026 Thu 08 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,080 Register
Thu 29 Oct 2026 Fri 30 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,080 Register
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Wed 24 Mar 2027 Thu 25 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,080 Register
Thu 17 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,080 Register
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Wed 15 Sep 2027 Thu 16 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,080 Register
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Tue 14 Dec 2027 Wed 15 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,080 Register
Wed 05 Jan 2028 Thu 06 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,080 Register
Thu 27 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,080 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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