SmartScape Training Program (2008)
SmartScape is a series of nine two-hour workshops designed to encourage consistent horticultural practices compatible with the Sonoran Desert. The classes are designed for Green Industry personnel including property managers, landscape maintenance and installation personnel, nursery personnel, landscape architects and designers, and other allied professionals who are responsible for urban landscapes. The workshop series is currently offered twice a year.
Workshop Topics: (you may click on the course title to learn more about each class)
- Soils, Plants, and Water - January 15 & August 19
- Desert-Adapted Plants - January 17 & August 21
- Drip Irrigation and Installation - January 22 & August 26
- Irrigation Controllers - January 24 & August 28
- Designing and Renovating Smartscapes - January 29 & September 2
- Plant Selection and Installation - January 31 & September 4
- Maintaining Desert-Adapted Plants - February 5 & September 9
- Pest Management - February 7 & September 11
- Landscape Water Management - February 12 & September 16
Classes are held from 3:30 to 6pm.
Class location:
Pima County Natural Resources Parks & Recreation
3500 W. River Road (River Rd. between Shannon and Orange Grove, on N side)
Tucson, Arizona 85741
(520) 877-6111
Visit the SmartScape Website for more detailed information , or call (520) 621-5161. (http://cals.arizona.edu/pima/smartscape/workshops.html)
Course Descriptions
- Soils, Plants, and Water
This class is basic to understanding the dynamic relationships of soils, plants, and water and is the foundation course of the SmartScape Professional Series. Instruction focuses on soil texture and structure and how it affects water movement, infiltration rates and water holding capacity. Mechanisms that plants use to regulate water use are also discussed.
Instructor: Dr. Ursula Schuch - University of Arizona Extension Specialist, Arid Ornamentals
(http://ag.arizona.edu/pls/faculty/schuch.htm) - Desert-Adapted Plants
This class identifies many of Tucson's common desert landscape plants and provides basic discussion of their traits that make them suitable for the urban and suburban landscape. Specific characteristics such as flower color, seasonality, size, and hardiness, as well as maintenance specifications and other considerations are also presented.
Instructor: Greg Starr - Owner of Starr Nursery
(http://www.starr-nursery.com/) - Drip Irrigation and Installation
This class discusses various common irrigation systems and components and focuses on designing and installing a drip irrigation system. Participants learn appropriate design and usage of irrigation systems (essential for effectively managing landscape water) and engage in a hands-on session on learning to put a drip irrigation system together. Maintenance and troubleshooting are also discussed.
Instructor: Steve Mallgren - Irrigation Supervisor for Horizons West Landscape Contractors - Irrigation Controllers
This class continues the discussion on irrigation systems and focuses on controllers for automated systems. Various common controllers are discussed and tips are given on having them operate correctly. Other topics include basic irrigation system design, installation, and maintenance. A hands-on section on how to program an irrigation controller is also presented.
Instructor: Steve Mallgren - Irrigation Supervisor for Horizons West Landscape Contractors - Designing and Renovating Smartscapes
This class focuses on the principles and concepts of designing and installing a landscape. Special attention is given to Xeriscape landscaping and renovating an existing landscape from high-water use to low-water use. Participants also learn how to interpret a landscape design blueprint.
Instructor: Paul Connolly - APLD Certified Landscape Designer for Sonoran Gardens, Inc.
(http://sonorangardensinc.com/index.html) - Plant Selection and Installation
This workshop is divided into two classes, each focusing on factors that should be considered when selecting plants and planting landscape plants. Plant Selection teaches participants how to best choose healthy plants for the landscape. Plant Installation teaches participants correct procedures for planting, mulching, and staking.
Instructors: Marcus White - Casa Blanca Horticultural Services
(http://www.cbhort.com/);
Elizabeth Davison - University of Arizona Lecturer and Director of the Campus Arboretum
(http://arboretum.arizona.edu/) - Maintaining Desert-Adapted Plants
This workshop divides desert-plant maintenance into two categories - pruning and fertilizing. All pruning instruction is based on International Society of Arboriculture guidelines and uses pictorial slides and actual samples to illustrate the speaker's main points. The fertilizing portion of the workshop focuses on plant needs for macro- and micronutrients, determining correct fertilizers to use and calculating the appropriate quantities of fertilizers to purchase and apply.
Instructors: Jack Kelly - Pima County Cooperative Extension Commercial Horticulturist
(http://cals-cf.calsnet.arizona.edu/exact/roster/biodisplay.cfm?RN=273);
Dr. David Kopec - University of Arizona Extension Turf Specialist
(http://cals.arizona.edu/turf/) - Pest Management
Participants will learn about some of the important insects and disease organisms that affect landscape plants. Integrated Pest Management and cultural controls will be discussed.
Instructors: Dr. Mary Olsen - University of Arizona Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology
(http://ag.arizona.edu/pls/faculty/olsen_plp.htm);
Dr. Carl Olson - University of Arizona Associate Curator, Entomology
(http://ag.arizona.edu/ento/faculty/olson.htm) - Landscape Water Management
This class focuses on reducing water waste through efficient irrigation. Participants learn about irrigation scheduling, irrigation techniques and proper cultural practices and reiterates factors taught throughout the series that influence plant water use in landscape.
Instructor: Kathryn Hahne - Pima County Cooperative Extension, SmartScape Program Coordinator
(http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/smartscape)
