Academic Catalog

HORT 80I: LANDSCAPE CERTIFICATION: IRRIGATION INSTALLATION

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2024
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter)
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Install irrigation piping and components.
  • Identify and repair irrigation problems.

Description

General subjects related to certification with the California Landscape Contractors Association. Topics include irrigation plan reading, advanced irrigation components, basic horticultural principles, lateral repair and head adjustment, advanced program controller, lateral installation, mainline installation, valve repair, valve wiring, and pipe installation equipment. This course is intended for students seeking Certified Landscape Technician certification.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Read an irrigation plan.
  2. Identify advanced irrigation components.
  3. Describe basic horticultural principles.
  4. Program advanced controllers.
  5. Install mainline.
  6. Install laterals.
  7. Wire a valve.
  8. Repair a valve.
  9. Perform lateral repair and head adjustment.
  10. Operate pipe installation equipment.

Course Content

  1. Irrigation plan reading
    1. Determining scale and orientation of plan
    2. Identifying irrigation related symbols
    3. Locating irrigation component installation
  2. Advanced irrigation components
    1. Description of irrigation components
    2. Identification of new component advantages
    3. Description of valves for irrigation system
    4. Description of backflow prevention devices
    5. Description of low flow and drip irrigation components
  3. Basic horticultural principles
    1. Identification of plant material requirements for site
    2. Description of soil conditions at site
    3. Description of drainage conditions at site
  4. Advanced program controller
    1. Setting up irrigation zones
    2. Setting timing for irrigation zones
    3. Scheduling irrigation applications
  5. Mainline installation
    1. Identification of mainline location and size
    2. Describe connection to other irrigation components
    3. Describe installation details such as trench preparation and depth
  6. Lateral installation
    1. Locate and size lateral irrigation lines
    2. Describe connection to other irrigation components
    3. Describe installation details such a trench preparation and depth
  7. Valve wiring
    1. Layout and installation of valve wires
    2. Connection of valve wires to controller
    3. Connection of valve wires to valves
  8. Valve repair
    1. Identify problems association with valve malfunction
    2. Describe repair procedures to correct valve problems
  9. Lateral repair and head adjustment
    1. Identify damage and problems with irrigation laterals
    2. Repair damage to irrigation laterals
    3. Identify irrigation head misplacement
    4. Correct irrigation head placement
  10. Pipe installation equipment
    1. Identify equipment used to create irrigation trenches
    2. Describe operation of irrigation trenching equipment

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Classroom with multi-media equipment.
2. Outdoor area with open space to view equipment operation.
3. Outdoor area to observe pipe and valve installation.
4. Horticulture equipment and vehicles.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Objective written exams
Descriptions of field practices
Written reports on horticultural topics

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture from instructor
Lecture from guest speakers
Observe participatory demonstrations
Discussion with groups and students in class

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Professional Landcare Network. Landscape Training Manual for Installation. 2017.

Although this text is older than five years, it is the most recent edition and still relevant to the course. We will adopt the next edition when it is published.

Study manual required for training courses.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Reading 10-25 pages per week from assigned text
  2. Reading handouts and website material
  3. Web and library research
  4. Writing specifications for irrigation installation and management

Discipline(s)

Ornamental Horticulture