Assessor Resource

AHCPER215
Assist with garden soil health and plant nutrition

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with garden soil health and plant nutrition using simple methods and without costly equipment. It requires knowledge of simple soil testing techniques and how to improve soil health and plant nutrition organically.

All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.

This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Undertake simple soil assessment tests

1.1 Prepare soil samples for testing

1.2 Use simple techniques to check the texture, pH, organic matter and soil life in the soil samples

1.3 Use simple techniques to read the probable soil condition using plant growth and insect or animal activity

2. Add organic or allowable nutrients to improve soil

2.1 Determine needs of soil for improvement

2.2 Add allowable additives such as compost, rock dust, manure and compost tea to improve soil

2.3 Use planting techniques such as green manures, companions, guilds and nurse plants to improve soils and plant nutrition

2.4 Protect the soil with mulch to maintain moisture and discourage unwanted growth

3. Monitor soil health

3.1 Monitor the health of the soil through the seasons

3.2 Ensure soils are not over dry or over wet

3.3 Avoid salting or greywater sodicity if watering with reused water

3.4 Regularly check for health of soil organisms, nutrient deficiency in leaves, and signs of pathogen fungal, bacterial or viral action on plants

3.5 Monitor soil improvement and plant nutrition over time

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

undertake simple soil assessment tests

add organic or allowable nutrients to improve soil

Protect soil to maintain moisture and overall soil health

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and practices related to soil health and plant nutrition, such as:

working with natural soils rather than importing soil

soil as an ecosystem

soil as biomass and carbon capture and storage

principles of sustainable horticultural practices

soil testing techniques, such as:

jar test for texture

ribbon test and ball test

pH testing

surface evaporation test

worm count

basic plant nutrition

allowable additives to improve soils, such as:

compost and worm castings

compost teas

rock dust

gypsum

green manures

manures/animal bedding materials

leaf mould

plantings – green manures, nurse plants

companion planting

dynamic accumulators

chop and drop

nutrient trapping systems

greywater use

organically certified products

methods of waste disposal causing minimal impact on the environment

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III qualification (or higher) in Permaculture and/or have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC).


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Undertake simple soil assessment tests

1.1 Prepare soil samples for testing

1.2 Use simple techniques to check the texture, pH, organic matter and soil life in the soil samples

1.3 Use simple techniques to read the probable soil condition using plant growth and insect or animal activity

2. Add organic or allowable nutrients to improve soil

2.1 Determine needs of soil for improvement

2.2 Add allowable additives such as compost, rock dust, manure and compost tea to improve soil

2.3 Use planting techniques such as green manures, companions, guilds and nurse plants to improve soils and plant nutrition

2.4 Protect the soil with mulch to maintain moisture and discourage unwanted growth

3. Monitor soil health

3.1 Monitor the health of the soil through the seasons

3.2 Ensure soils are not over dry or over wet

3.3 Avoid salting or greywater sodicity if watering with reused water

3.4 Regularly check for health of soil organisms, nutrient deficiency in leaves, and signs of pathogen fungal, bacterial or viral action on plants

3.5 Monitor soil improvement and plant nutrition over time

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

undertake simple soil assessment tests

add organic or allowable nutrients to improve soil

Protect soil to maintain moisture and overall soil health

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and practices related to soil health and plant nutrition, such as:

working with natural soils rather than importing soil

soil as an ecosystem

soil as biomass and carbon capture and storage

principles of sustainable horticultural practices

soil testing techniques, such as:

jar test for texture

ribbon test and ball test

pH testing

surface evaporation test

worm count

basic plant nutrition

allowable additives to improve soils, such as:

compost and worm castings

compost teas

rock dust

gypsum

green manures

manures/animal bedding materials

leaf mould

plantings – green manures, nurse plants

companion planting

dynamic accumulators

chop and drop

nutrient trapping systems

greywater use

organically certified products

methods of waste disposal causing minimal impact on the environment

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III qualification (or higher) in Permaculture and/or have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC).

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Prepare soil samples for testing 
Use simple techniques to check the texture, pH, organic matter and soil life in the soil samples 
Use simple techniques to read the probable soil condition using plant growth and insect or animal activity 
Determine needs of soil for improvement 
Add allowable additives such as compost, rock dust, manure and compost tea to improve soil 
Use planting techniques such as green manures, companions, guilds and nurse plants to improve soils and plant nutrition 
Protect the soil with mulch to maintain moisture and discourage unwanted growth 
Monitor the health of the soil through the seasons 
Ensure soils are not over dry or over wet 
Avoid salting or greywater sodicity if watering with reused water 
Regularly check for health of soil organisms, nutrient deficiency in leaves, and signs of pathogen fungal, bacterial or viral action on plants 
Monitor soil improvement and plant nutrition over time 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPER215 - Assist with garden soil health and plant nutrition
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPER215 - Assist with garden soil health and plant nutrition

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: