Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of establishing turf in sporting, public recreational open space, commercial and residential sites and defines the standard required to: determine turf establishment methods and requirements from plans, client's quotations or instructions; organise work and use tools, equipment and machinery for a turf establishment project; implement successful turf establishment works; operate and store turf establishment machinery and equipment; report in writing on completion.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the installation, establishment and maintenance of turf areas in new projects and in replacement and renovation of existing turf areas over the time period required for complete establishment in the horticulture, turf and landscaping industries. Turf establishment is likely to be under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. This standard involves the application of horticultural knowledge with depth in some areas and a broad range of horticultural skills.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Sample soil for testing

1.1. Soil samples are taken from a representative area and packaged, labelled and sent for laboratory testing.

1.2. Testing results are used to guide soil preparations for turf establishment.

2. Plant turf

2.1. Tools and equipment are chosen appropriate to the task being undertaken, used according to documented guidelines, and safe working practices are employed according to enterprise Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

2.2. Planting site is prepared according to enterprise guidelines.

2.3. Placement and planting method of the plant material are consistent with the turf type.

2.4. Newly planted turf is watered and top-dressing is applied according to plan and supervisors instructions.

3. Maintain newly established turf

3.1. Newly established turf is watered and where advised the new turf is fertilised according to need and method of planting.

3.2. Turf is mowed according to a specified pattern and height according to the requirements of the enterprise.

3.3. Newly established turf is monitored, problems identified, and any changes are reported to supervisor according to enterprise policy.

3.4. Top dressing is applied according to the establishment plan.

3.5. Tools and equipment chosen are appropriate to the task being undertaken, used according to documented guidelines, and safe working practices are employed.

4. Report and repair areas of damaged turf

4.1. Plants are observed for health properties, specifications and historical data.

4.2. Turf condition is observed for quality according to enterprise practice and guidelines.

4.3. Reports and recommendations are written and presented to the client or appropriate supervisor.

4.4. Tools and equipment chosen are appropriate to the task being undertaken, used according to documented guidelines, and safe working practices are employed.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• collect soil samples for analysis
• package, label and send soil samples for laboratory analysis
• implement turf establishment practices
• use turf establishment machinery and equipment
• use fertilisers and irrigation equipment
• repair areas of damaged turf
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• appropriate agricultural chemicals and concentrations
• turf identification and growth characteristics
• soils and turf nutrition
• fertiliser use and application
• watering practices
• common weeds, pests and diseases
• documented guidelines of enterprise.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• determine turf establishment methods and requirements from plans, clients, quotations or instructions.
• organise work and use tools, equipment and machinery for a turf establishment project
• implement successful turf establishment works
• operate and store turf establishment machinery and equipment
• report in writing on completion.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Turf areas may include:

• all turf areas such as:
• those found in public open space
• parks and reserves
• public and private gardens
• playing fields.

Unit sector 

Turf

Co-requisite units 

Competency field