Tennessee Horticulture, Lawn, and Turf (HLT) Applicator Bundle
This course bundle contains 24 “External” points required to qualify for the Horticulture, Lawn & Turf (HLT) license exam. Courses must be completed between 8am and 8pm Eastern, Monday – Friday. The courses in this package must be completed by 6/30/24.
BUNDLE CONTENTS:
- Common Ornamental Plant Pests – 3 points
- IPM for Ornamental Plant Pest Management – 1 point
- Ornamental Pesticide Application Equipment and Calibration – 1 point
- Common Turfgrass Weeds – 1 point
- Identification and Control of Noxious Weeds – 1 point
- Cultural Practices for Turf Management – 1 point
- IPM for Turf Management – 1 point
- Application Equipment and Calibration – 1 point
- Reading the Pesticide Label: Beyond the Basics – 2 points
- Mole Management – 1 point
- Voles: Biology, Damage, and Control – 1 point
- Management of Pocket Gophers – 1 point
- Management Strategies for Disease Issues in the Landscape – 3 points
- Pollinator Stewardship – 1 point
- Environmental Fate and Transport of Pesticides – 1 point
- Respiratory Protection – 1 point
- Natural Areas Weed Management – 3 points
Common Ornamental Plant Pests
Course Description
Pest management of ornamental plants involves multiple steps from growing a healthy plant that is more resistant to pest damage to correctly identifying the problem when present. This course will cover the most common pests of ornamental plants.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify common landscape weeks and outline how to manage them.
- Identify common plant disorders and identify how to avoid them in the future.
- Identify common plant diseases and outline how to manage them.
- Describe nematode damage and explain why sampling prior to planting is important.
- Identify common vertebrate and invertebrate pests and outline the best management strategy for each.
IPM for Ornamental Plant Pest Management
Course Description
Integrated Pest Management of ornamental plants involves multiple steps; producing a healthy plant, correctly identifying the problem, recognizing that there will always be some pests and damage, and only using pesticides as a last resort. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for ornamental plants, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully provide your clients with a healthy and attractive landscape.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Discuss several ways to track pest development
- Outline the issues involved in controlling pests and disease in managed landscape situations
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of each ornamental planting
Ornamental Pesticide Application Equipment and Calibration
Course Description
When pesticide applications become necessary for good ornamental plant management it’s important to understand how application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. An accurate measurement of the area to be treated or the number of plants to be treated and properly calibrated equipment are critical to successful control of the pest as well as staying within label requirements. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on ornamental plants, the way to calculate the volume of solution needed, and how to properly calculate the flow rate of the equipment.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the different types of equipment used in pesticide applications
- Accurately calculate the square footage of irregular areas
- Accurately calibrate common application equipment
Common Turfgrass Weeds
Course Description
Managing weeds in a turf stand can be a tricky proposition. Often times the client fails to recognize that the presence of weeds in a turf stand is the result of poor turf, not the cause. Correct identification of the problem weed is a must of developing a management strategy, as is a working knowledge of weed biology and how herbicides work. This course will provide applicators with a good foundation from which to build their knowledge.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Explain the major similarities and differences between weeds and turf
- Identify common turfgrass weeds
- Explain how herbicides work
Identification and Control of Noxious Weeds
Course Description
Managing noxious weeds can be a tricky proposition. Applicators need to be aware of both the federal and state noxious weed lists and how that affects management tactics. This course covers several weeds on the federal noxious weeds list as well as other noxious weeds found throughout the southeastern United States.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify common noxious weeds the southeastern United States
- Recommend the proper treatment strategies for each noxious weed identified
Cultural Practices for Turf Management
Course Description
Turf responds best to consistent cultural practices – mowing, irrigating, and fertilizing. A consistent mowing height that is appropriate for the variety of turf, good irrigation, and proper fertilization will result in a healthy vigorous turf that will be enjoyed for years.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Discuss adverse turf conditions and how to correct them
- Recognize common turf problems and how to remedy them
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of turfgrass
IPM for Turf Management
Course Description
Integrated Pest Management of turfgrasses involves multiple steps; producing a healthy plant, correctly identifying the problem, recognizing that there will always be some pests and damage, and only using pesticides as a last resort. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for turfgrass, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully provide your clients with a healthy and attractive turf stand.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Understand the settings and ecosystems of a turf stand
- Gain an understanding of the issues involved in controlling pests and disease in managed turfgrass
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of turfgrass
Application Equipment and Calibration
Course Description
When pesticide applications become necessary for good turf management, it’s important to understand how application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. An accurate measurement of the area to be treated and properly calibrated equipment are critical to applying pesticides within an acceptable range of the label requirements. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on turf, the way to calculate the area of an irregularly shaped space, and how to properly calculate the flow rate of the equipment.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the different types of equipment used in pesticide applications
- Accurately calculate the square footage of irregular areas
- Accurately calibrate common application equipment
Reading the Pesticide Label: Beyond the Basics
Course Description
This training will cover many sections of a pesticide label and safety data sheets. Labels are increasing in complexity and depth of information. It is never suggested that anyone try to memorize a pesticide label. By reviewing parts of a label and recognizing label language and use, we hope that you feel more comfortable with the information on pesticide labels and feel confident in understanding the information the present. Many examples of labels are used in this training that cover a variety of types of pesticides and also represent a variety of sites. It’s essential that we look at REAL label language and not simply make generic statements to evaluate.
There is no endorsement for any company or product by representation of information in this training. All material presented is for educational purposes only and is not intended to purposefully include or exclude any company, tradename, product, use, proprietary, or any other information. Whenever you have questions about interpretations of label language, we encourage you to contact your local extension, land-grant university, department of agriculture, product dealer, or the manufacturer for more information.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Discuss different types of pesticide registrations.
- Identify where to find specific information on the pesticide label.
- Identify pests and site usage according to the label, and recognize information on safety data sheets.
Mole Management
Course Description
Moles can be the bane of a well-kept lawn. But is it really a mole? Moles, voles, shrews, and pocket gopher damage can look the same to the untrained eye. This course covers the physiological differences between moles and other look-alike vertebrate pests, trapping techniques, and toxicant options.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Correctly identify mole damage.
- Distinguish the differences between moles, voles, shrews, and pocket gophers.
- Describe the different traps and toxicants available and when best to use each one.
Voles: Biology, Damage, and Control
Course Description
Voles are known by a variety of names, meadow mice or field mice for example. Voles are rodents, meaning they like to chew on things, but they rarely enter structures and are primarily a pest in landscape settings. But they are often confused with mice by many homeowners. The damage caused by voles is to the grass and other plants in the landscape and garden and is most noticeable after the snow melts in northern climates. This course will cover the basics of vole identification, biology, and damage as well as several control methods including trapping and rodenticide use.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Correctly distinguish between a vole, a shrew, and a mouse.
- Identify vole damage in grass, garden, and landscape areas.
- Outline the different types of rodenticides labeled for controlling voles.
- Discuss the different types of traps and how to set them.
Management of Pocket Gophers
Course Description
The site of a fresh mound of soil in an otherwise manicured lawn or alfalfa field can be enough to send a landowner into a tizzy. Pocket gophers can be devastating to both lawns and agricultural fields if they are not properly controlled. The damage caused by pocket gophers can sometimes be confused with either moles or ground squirrels. There are multiple control methods available to management pocket gophers. This course will cover the basics of pocket gopher management including biology, damage, trapping, and toxicant use.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Correctly identify the difference between molehills, ground squirrel mounds, and pocket gopher mounds.
- Describe the different types of toxicants labeled for pocket gopher management and the pros and cons to each.
- Locate the different parts of pocket gopher burrow systems and correctly place traps in each tunnel.
Management Strategies for Disease Issues in the Landscape
Course Description
Landscape maintenance is a cut-throat business. The keys to success lie in minimizing costs and creating successful plantings through careful planning, disease prevention and maintenance of a healthy environment. This course teaches the basics of disease management of landscape plantings, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully control the diverse world of landscaping.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of the issues involved in controlling pests and disease in landscape plantings.
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of landscape plantings all within a reasonable budget.
Pollinator Stewardship
Course Description
Honey Bee Stewardship. The primary concern plaguing the beekeeping industry is the decline of honey bees around the world. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is the leading cause behind this steady decline in honey bee numbers. There are a number of different factors affecting this decline. This course provides an outline of the best practices concerning honeybee stewardship.
Minimizing Pesticide Risk for Pollinators. Whether applying pesticides in the home garden or in a commercial setting, many of the chemical pesticides used to control insects, fungal diseases, and even weeds can hurt non-target pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies. This section will ensure your ability to effectively and efficiently apply pesticides without harming beneficial insects.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify the factors that contribute to colony collapse disorder.
- Recognize the importance of beekeeper/grower communication.
- Describe the importance of pollinators in agriculture and why protecting native pollinators is of great concern.
- Outline the federal and state enforcement and compliance procedure as related to pollinator safety and alternatives to hard chemicals.
Environmental Fate and Transport of Pesticides
Course Description
Pesticides are a key factor in pest management but it is important to understand what happens to those pesticides after the application. This course will review some key characteristics of environmental factors that can affect how pesticides move and degrade in the environment.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the elements of the environment that can play a role in chemical processing such as soil composition and moisture
- Describe the role of microbes and the factors that change populations
- Identify the factors that affect pesticide drift
- Explain the ways that pesticides can be decomposed
- Identify the connections between pesticide properties and potential for groundwater contamination
- Explain application techniques that can minimize impacts
Respiratory Protection
Course Description
Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, diseases, or death. Some pesticide labels require the use of a respirator as part of the personal protective equipment. This course outlines the types of respirators available, proper fit, and inspection/maintenance requirements.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Discuss the different types of respirators and when to use each type
- Describe the steps of a successful fit test
- Outline the necessary care and maintenance required for each type of respirator
Natural Areas Weed Management
Course Description
This course is for agricultural pesticide applicators who want to become certified as commercial or public applicators of restricted-use pesticides for the control of natural areas. It outlines various invasive weeds in natural areas and how an applicator should go about treating natural areas with respect to wildlife and the environment.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify which equipment and pesticide product should be used in each application.
- Identify various applications in natural areas.