Soil and Plant Relationships

Explore approaches for identifying and correcting soil conditions that create plant problems, including how to read and analyze pH levels.

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Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Soil and Plant Relationships
Course Code: AL0410CA25
Date of Most Recent Offering: December 5 & 6, 2024

Date: December 5 & 6, 2024 UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (Check-in time: 8:30 am) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Format: Classroom course UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Fee: $350 per person UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Early Bird Discount Fee: $325 per person (expires November 29, 2024) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Closes: December 3, 2024 This class is sold out. Click here to join the waitlist. UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

Certificate iconThis class is part of the Landscape Management Certificate Program and the Public Grounds Management Certificate Program.

If you don’t know the science, your soil will suffer. In this class, Bruce Neary takes the mystery out of soil science. He’ll show you how to identify and correct soil conditions that create plant problems, including the proper way to read, analyze, and correct pH levels. He’ll explain the soil’s physical and biological relationship to plant growth in easy-to-understand terms and also discuss site analysis.

Bill Bamka of Rutgers Cooperative Extension joins this class to share his expertise on the chemical nature of soils.

Take this class in conjunction with Water Management and Drainage for a more comprehensive understanding of successful ornamental plant growth.

Who Should Attend?

This class is a great source of information for anyone who wants to learn more about soil science and how it affects plant growth. Past participants have included:

  • Department of Public Works Employees
  • Gardeners
  • Grounds Maintenance Workers
  • Horticulture Technicians
  • Landscapers
  • Park Maintenance Workers

Meet Your Instructors

Bill Bamka, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

William J. Bamka is the Burlington County Agricultural and Resource Management Agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

Bruce Neary, BCN Horticultural Services

Headshot of instuctor Bruce Neary

Bruce Neary is the owner of BCN Horticultural Services, where he has provided consulting services to landscape architects, contractors, developers, garden centers, nurseries, educators, and the public since 1994. Regarded as an industry expert, Bruce has written several articles for The Landscape Publication, Grounds Maintenance Magazine, and the American Nurseryman. Likewise, he has been a horticultural lecturer at Barlow Flower Farm and for other landscape organizations for more than 30 years. Bruce is a member of the Pennsylvania and American Horticultural Societies, Metro Hort Group, and Perennial Plant Association. He received his bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from Rutgers University and his Masters of Agriculture in Horticultural Sciences from Texas A&M.

Student Reviews

Most useful part of the course: “Learning about pH and fertilizer and how to maintain healthy plants.”

– Past Participant

“Good for anyone dealing with soil management or turf management; solid introduction or refresher course.”

– Past Participant

“Helpful course that I would recommend to anyone wanting to understand the basics of soil and plants.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Soil and Plant Relationships was approved for 10.5 contact hours, as well as the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Soil and Plant Relationships course (10.5 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 2 Technical, 2 Management, 1 Government Contact Hours

NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): 10.5 CEUs

NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): 10.5 CEUs

World map icon International

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): Pending

Meals

No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least one (1) week in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

Course Requirements and Policies

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Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Red checkmark in circle iconPre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

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Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Red car iconCampus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

  • A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
  • When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
  • All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Attention U.S. Veterans

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This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Soil and Plant Relationships, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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Caring for Ornamental Plants

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Landscape Management Certificate Program

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Public Grounds Management Certificate Program

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