Both new and experienced landscape practitioners are increasingly challenged to implement maintenance practices that are novel, sustainable and environmentally sound - while also delivering expected results. Green School's Landscape Management Track is designed to meet the needs of a variety of landscape managers - from those who have been working in the field for a number of years, to those who are emerging or are switching from another profession and haven't received formal training in horticultural fundamentals and strategies. Students will learn about modern, efficient approaches to landscape management and learn the skills necessary to make appropriate decisions in terms of plant selection, plant maintenance, and pest and input management. By considering the landscape and the larger environment as a system, students will gain an understanding of how management practices can enhance our enjoyment of outdoor spaces while simultaneously protecting resources such as soil and water. The curriculum is based on current research and emphasizes environmental stewardship, Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Registration instructions and general program information
Landscape Management Schedule/Curriculum
Daily Schedule: Green School will be held virtually on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons - see the schedule below. Having a computer or other device and a fast and reliable internet connection are necessary to take this course.
NOTE: The times in the schedule are in Eastern Standard Time.
October 22 - Required Orientation | ||
| 4:00-5:30 pm | Live via Zoom | Orientation and Technical Check-In Comprehensive course overview and technical troubleshooting session. Includes information on general operating procedures, certificate requirements, note taking, assessment procedures, credit for certification programs and pesticide licenses, and instructor evaluations. |
| First Class Day - Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Plant Form and Function Mary Owen, UMass Extension (Retired) Learn how plants are structured, how they grow, develop and function, and how they respond to their environment. This session will provide a foundation for a deeper understanding of the topics presented during this course. |
| Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Soil Basics Dr. Deborah Henson, UMass Department of Environmental Conservation Provides a framework for understanding basic physical and chemical properties of soils and how proper management can improve soil health for better plant growth. |
| Thursday, October 29, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Soil Health for Turf and Landscapes Dr. Artie Siller and Dr. Sam Glaze-Corcoran, UMass Extension Principles and fundamentals for creating, promoting, and managing the health of the soil, the foundation of every landscape and turf system, with implications for every aspect of management and performance. |
| Tuesday, November 3, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Creating Sustainable Landscapes Dr. Mandy Bayer, Horticulturist Creating beautiful and functional landscapes that can be managed sustainably over the long term requires understanding and implementation of good design, proper plant selection, appropriate cultural practices, informed utilization of resources such as soil and water, and management of environmental stress factors. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Landscape Site Assessment Russ Norton, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension An overview of how to effectively assess a landscape site, which promotes long term plant health, resource savings, and overall success. Includes broad considerations such as climate and hardiness zone, as well as site-specific factors such as sunlight, exposure, microclimates, drainage, soil condition, and space. |
| Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Basics of IPM and PHC Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension The principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) form the foundation for understanding and implementing wise management strategies for pests. IPM management techniques assist in reducing pest populations while protecting beneficial organisms and utilize best management practices that are least harmful to humans and the environment. This often includes reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Plant Health Care (PHC) employs many of the aspects of IPM and is tailored for the green industries. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Pesticide Considerations for Land Care Professionals Natalia Clifton, UMass Extension The focus of this talk will be the most important pesticide-related considerations for landscape professionals, and will include components of the pesticide label, as well as in-depth coverage of personal protective equipment and the environmental fate of pesticides. |
| Thursday, November 5, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Woody Plant Selection Dr. Mandy Bayer, Horticulturist Appropriate woody plant materials for different types of landscapes. Choosing the appropriate plant for the landscape, key identification features, and ornamental features of woody plants for Massachusetts and New England landscapes. |
| Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | A Look at Natives and Invasives Dr. Mandy Bayer, Horticulturist A discussion of the current state and interplay between native and invasive plant species in the landscape. Gaining a deeper understanding of the specific nature of these different categories of plants can lead to improved landscape resiliency from beneficial natives and help to reduce harmful impacts from invasives. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree and Shrub Installation Russ Norton, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Proper technique, practices and rules to follow when planting and establishing trees and shrubs in the landscape. Topics such as how to select plants in a nursery setting, site preparation, creation and backfilling of planting holes, plant support, mulching, and other specialized care during the establishment period will be covered. |
| Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Landscape Irrigation Dr. Mandy Bayer, Horticulturist Water is essential for plants, and informed irrigation practices can help to mitigate a wide range of problems that plants and managers may face. Correctly installing an efficient and effective irrigation system that is properly maintained and monitored can lead to plant success, longevity, and easier landscape upkeep. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree and Shrub Pruning Best Practices Amy Papineau, University of New Hampshire Extension Knowing how to properly prune trees and shrubs benefits both managers and plants. Knowledge of pruning best practices can make this task more efficient and effective and promote increased plant health and aesthetics. |
| Thursday, November 12, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Landscape Nutrient Management Russ Norton, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Nutrients that are essential for plant growth, how to manage soils to create an optimal supply of those nutrients, how to compensate for nutrient deficiencies through the addition of natural or synthetic sources of fertilizer, and timing and methods for fertilizer applications. |
| Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Selection of Annuals and Perennials Dr. Mandy Bayer, Horticulturist Notable herbaceous plant materials for different types of landscapes. Choosing the appropriate plant for the setting and objectives, key identification features, and desirable ornamental features for Massachusetts and New England landscapes. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Care and Troubleshooting for Annuals and Perennials Dr. Mandy Bayer, Horticulturist This session will look at the most commonly encountered problems of annuals and perennials caused by pests, cultural practices, and environmental stresses. Includes how to recognize signs and symptoms, tips for diagnosis, and problem prevention and management strategies. |
| Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Basic Plant Pathology Dr. Angela Madeiras, UMass Extension A discussion of the microbiology of plant disease-causing fungi along with references to a few of the many beneficial microbes. Also, a description of the conditions necessary for disease infection and an overview of infectious disease management strategies. |
| Thursday, November 19, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Principles of Weed Science Randy Prostak, UMass Extension Weeds are the most ubiquitous pests in plant-based systems. This session will feature general principles of weed science, weed management approaches, and weed identification characteristics. |
| Tuesday, November 24, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Diseases of Trees and Shrubs I Dr. Nick Brazee, UMass Extension Description of the groups of root, stem, branch, and foliage diseases of woody plants, including illustrations of the signs and symptoms of common woody plant diseases as well as suitable management approaches for landscapes and nurseries. |
| Tuesday, December 1, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Basic Entomology Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension An overview of the characteristics that distinguish insects from their close relatives, identification of orders of insects with pests common to the Northeast, and life strategies common to these groups. Also, a brief look at identifying larval (immature) insects and their development as driven by temperature. Basic entomology will set the stage for the most frequently seen herbivores, while reminding us that the majority of these animals are not pests. |
| Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Diseases of Trees and Shrubs II Dr. Nick Brazee, UMass Extension Continuation of material from 11/24. Description of the groups of root, stem, branch, and foliage diseases of woody plants, including illustrations of the signs and symptoms of common woody plant diseases as well as suitable management approaches for landscapes and nurseries. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Environmental Stress and Cultural Problems of Woody Plants Dr. Nick Brazee, UMass Extension The growing environment and external abiotic factors can be the driving force behind plant success, and at the same time, lead to substantial plant stress and injury. Effective management requires understanding of how the environment and other outside forces can interfere with plant growth... learning how to mitigate stress before it starts, deal with problems, and recognize the signs before significant damage occurs. |
| Thursday, December 3, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Pollinator- Friendly Approaches for the Landscape Nicole Bell, UMass Extension Preventing harm to pollinators is an important objective for sustainable landscape management, and pollinator support is a desirable component and feature for many modern landscapes. Learn about what pollinators need, provisioning both floral resources and nesting sites for pollinators, and a basic checklist for bee-friendly landscapes. |
| Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Trees and Shrub Disease Strategies Dr. Nick Brazee, UMass Extension A detailed review of the regulatory, cultural, biological, and chemical methods of plant disease management. A clear understanding of all these methods provides a sound basis for integrating them into an effective woody plant care program. |
| Wednesday, December 9, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Turf Management in the Landscape Jason Lanier, UMass Extension Turf is a common component of our collective landscape, and well-managed turf has many societal and ecological benefits. Turfgrass characteristics, selection, establishment, key cultural practices, IPM and BMPs for turf on lawns and grounds will be discussed. |
| Thursday, December 10, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree and Shrub Insects and Mites I Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension Discussion of the basic types of injury that insects can inflict on trees and shrubs, best management practices as pertaining to an IPM approach, current management strategies, a look into bio-rational pesticides, and how to avoid the development of pesticide resistance. |
| Tuesday, December 15, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Tree and Shrub Insects and Mites II Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension There are well over 100 different insect and mite species in the Northeast that are potentially problematic for landscapes. This session covers the major feeding groups of these damaging pests, including some noteworthy examples along with many of the new invasive/introduced species. Brief information regarding identification, hosts, damage, life cycles, and management options will be provided for species of particular significance. |
| Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Landscape Weed Management Randy Prostak, UMass Extension In-depth control strategies for landscape weeds including prevention, cultural practices, non-chemical/organic methods, and management with herbicides. |
| Thursday, December 17, 2026 | ||
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Management of Common Turf Pests in the Landscape Jason Lanier, UMass Extension A companion to Turf Management in the Landscape from 12/9, this session will highlight the most frequently encountered turf pest problems in New England and offer IPM-based approaches for managing them. |
| 3:00-4:30 PM | Live class via Zoom | Vector-Borne Diseases: Awareness and Action Dr. Stephen Rich, University of Massachusetts Lyme Disease is the most prevalent infectious disease in Massachusetts and is now considered to be a public health crisis. In addition to Lyme, deer ticks can carry the pathogens which cause Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Relapsing Fever and Powassan virus, all of which can be very serious. This session will review the basic life cycle and ecology of deer ticks, incidence rates and distribution of tick-borne illnesses. |
For registration instructions and general program information, go to the Green School main page.