Following the curriculum workshops, we have stepped into the next phase of the Arborversity Horticulture Training Program: crafting the curriculum framework! As we begin developing this curriculum, we are seeking your feedback to ensure that the content we develop accurately represents the needs of public garden professionals. Thank you!

Please refer to this list of learning objectives related to soil fundamentals (also repeated in the questions, below). To develop these learning objectives, we referred to information provided in the workshops regarding common tasks, challenges, and existing training at public gardens and arboreta, as well as suggestions from AI. Once finalized, we will use these learning objectives to guide the development of other curriculum content and materials, ensuring that what we create is relevant and applicable to public garden professionals.

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* 1. Rank the learning objectives in order of practical application, with those most applicable at the top. In other words, which of these learning objectives would have the greatest impact on you / your team’s ability to do your jobs well?

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* 2. When should an employee ideally achieve these learning objectives?

  Before starting the role Within the first week Within the first month Within the first three months Within the first year As they advance (beyond the first year)
By the end of this course, you will be able to explain how key soil properties—texture, structure, organic matter, nutrient availability, and biological activity—interact to influence plant health and horticultural decision-making.
By the end of this course, you will be able to assess soil conditions in garden beds, containers, and landscapes using practical observation and simple field tests to determine suitability for specific plants and interventions.
By the end of this course, you will be able to apply knowledge of soil-water-plant relationships to guide irrigation, mulching, and planting practices that support plant establishment and long-term health.
By the end of this course, you will be able to use soil testing data, observation, and site context to recommend amendments or management strategies for improving fertility, drainage, or soil structure
By the end of this course, you will be able to integrate soil knowledge with plant selection and maintenance practices, including understanding how soil characteristics influence growth, stress tolerance, and susceptibility to pests and diseases.

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