Course Overview

This College certificate is ideal for those who want to study a theory course either as a stand-alone course or in conjunction with a practical horticulture course, without any end of year assessments.

The content enhances any existing practical skills knowledge, allowing an understanding of plant requirements, environmental growing conditions, and practices. In our ever-changing world, the course looks at how our gardening practices can be adapted to allow the modern horticulturalist to grow and manage plants in a sustainable way.

The course will provide the science and basic botany of plant growth to assist in the provision of good plant health, growing environments and cultural techniques. Plant knowledge will allow design considerations of plant use and suitable environmental growing conditions, for ornamental and edible gardening.

Aspects of community gardens, wellbeing and working within existing ecosystems allow the learner to explore horticulture more holistically.

Topics include:

• The science of plants and their functions
• Plant health and cultural practices
• Nutrition, composts and soils
• Explore plant propogation
• Growing edibles and garden design considerations
• Community gardens
• Climate change and planting for the future.

This course is ideal for the keen amateur gardener and those wishing to improve their knowledge or looking to develop skills for employment or volunteering/supporting others.

There maybe some additional costs for organised trips.

Assessment Methods

There are no formal assessments on this programme.

Progression Options

Study alongside or complete the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture. Progress to the RHS L3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Garden Planning and Applied Propagation.