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Gardening courses
If you want to learn more about gardening, a course could be just what you're looking for. From a workshop at a local garden lasting a few hours to a formal course at college leading to recognised qualification, there is a huge range of courses available to suit all interests and time frames.
Courses with formal qualifications
The RHS General Certificate in Horticulture
One of the most widely-available courses is the RHS General Certificate in Horticulture, which is aimed at both the career gardener and the dedicated amateur.
The examination is designed to test basic understanding of scientific principles and their relationship and application to horticultural skills and practices. It leads to a recognised qualification for those wishing to pursue a professional career in horticulture and for amateur gardeners who wish to have their knowledge and skills formally assessed.
A list of colleges which run the course can be found on the Royal Horticultural Society's website at .
Alternatively, further details of this and higher levels of qualification, including entry requirements, application forms, fees, etc., can be obtained by writing to:
The Examinations Office, The Royal Horticultural Society's Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB
Enclose a self-addressed A4-size envelope with a stamp sufficient for 200grams weight.
BTEC First Diploma Award
This is an introductory course which can be taken by school leavers or adults with no previous experience but who wish to gain vocational experience and raise their academic standards to the equivalent of four GCSE grades A to C. It allows entry to a BTEC National Diploma or to employment in the industry.
The First Diploma in Horticulture is a full-time course, combining real work experience with lectures, practicals, and demonstrations. It includes study of outdoor plant production, glasshouse and protected plant production, recreational and decorative horticulture, the growth, development and care of plants and plant pests, diseases and disorders.
For information about colleges offering the BTEC First Diploma, visit the Institute of Horticulture's website at
NVQ/SVQ
National (and Scottish) Vocational Qualifications are awarded for demonstration of competence rather than academic achievement: if you provide the necessary evidence, you are awarded a qualification for the tasks you perform in the workplace.
All the tutoring and assessment is carried out at your workplace, though it is also possible to study at a college. This could be on a part-time or day release basis.
NVQs are available in agriculture and commercial horticulture, amenity horticulture, forestry, floristry, retail and conservation/environment.
There are five levels of competence from Level 1, which relates to performance in routine tasks, through to Level 5, which acknowledges competence in complex techniques in a wide variety of contexts.
NVQs are awarded by bodies such as City and Guilds, BTEC or RSA which you may have heard of. You will be assessed at your workplace by a personal tutor.
The NVQ route can lead to the highest levels of professional qualifications, allowing you to continue learning and achieving throughout your working life.
For more information about NVQs, visit the NVQ website at
For information about SVQs, visit the SVQ website at
Other useful organisations
The Workers' Educational Association
A number of courses are available on a wide range of aspects of gardening at centres in every region of England and in Scotland.
The main website allows you to search for courses in a particular area or town. Or you can request information from your nearest district office by post or email. Each region produces leaflets for each season of courses. Available subjects do vary from region to region.
Both daytime and evening courses are available.
City and Guilds
City and Guilds is the leading provider of vocational qualifications in the UK. Courses are widely available. Look for more information on their website about courses leading to qualifications on a scale of levels, starting from a Certificate in Gardening or Horticulture Skills Tests.
You can also search for City and Guilds courses in your area via learndirect or hotcourses.
Gardens and places which offer lectures and educational events
NATIONWIDE
The Royal Horticultural Society
In addition to its professional qualifications, the RHS Education department runs a full programme throughout the year of lectures, demonstrations, workshops and guided walks around the country which RHS members and the general public are welcome to attend.
For a full programme send an sae to:
Nicky Pickett, Education Department, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB.
Or for a quick search try the event finder on the RHS website -
National Trust
If you're looking for a lecture, a weekend workshop, or advice from a plant expert, a good place to start is The National Trust. Several of its gardens organise a variety of events throughout the year.
Check the events directory at
LONDON
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB
Tel: (020) 8332 5655
A wide-ranging public education programme caters for many different audiences, from the visiting public to enthusiastic gardeners, professional scientists and horticulturalists.
A series of short courses and individual study days cover a variety of botanical, horticultural and plant-related subjects. There is also a winter lecture series (October to March) which takes a different theme each year.
For more information, check the website or contact:
Adult Education Co-ordinator, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB
Email: adulted@kew.org
Fax: (020) 8332 5640
The Kew Mutual Improvement Society holds a series of informal lectures from September to March.
Meetings are held in the Jodrell Lecture Theatre.
For more information, follow the links on the website, or contact:
Kew Mutual Improvement Society, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB
Email: kmis@rbgkew.org.uk
Museum of Garden History
Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7LB
Tel: (020) 7401 8865
Gardening-themed exhibitions are held throughout the year, as well as a varied lecture programme and events, such as plant sales.
SOUTH
Ventnor Botanic Garden
Undercliff Drive, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 1UL
Tel: (01983) 855397
The garden has close links with the Isle of Wight community and activities are varied from pumpkin carving to workshops and training days.
The Ventnor Botanic Friends Society arranges activities, including illustrated talks, workshops and social events.
Oxford Botanic Garden
Oxford Botanic Garden, Rose Lane Oxford OX1 4AZ
Tel: (01865) 286690
The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden organise a wide range of events, including lectures and visits to other gardens.
EAST
Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cory Lodge, Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1JF
Tel: (01223) 331875
The garden's programme for lifelong learning runs throughout the year. It offers opportunities for people of all ages to unlock secrets of the plant kingdom and to discover the vital role that plants play in our lives.
Adult courses cover a range of plant-related topics, whether your interests are biased towards scientific or artistic approaches, practical or theoretical. While most are designed for participants wishing to learn for their own personal enrichment, a few are tailored specifically for those requiring further professional training.
THE MIDLANDS
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses
Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3TR
Tel: (0121) 454 1860
A wide range of adult courses are run in horticultural and allied subjects. Studentships provide training for people who wish to take up a career in horticulture.
Ryton Organic Gardens
Coventry CV8 3LG
Tel: (024) 7630 3517
These are the main gardens of the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA), so it comes as no surprise that they offer a wide range of organic gardening-themed events.
Coughton Court
Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5JA
Tel: (01789) 400777
The Fine Living programme includes evening tours of the gardens followed by question-and-answer sessions and practical gardening days which include tips and demonstrations.
There are also one- and two-day residential courses in May and June on a range of subjects, including planting, garden design, shrubs, pests and spraying.
Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery
Annwell Lane, Smisby, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 2TA
Tel: (01530) 413700
Hosts a number of RHS lectures as well as more local events, including open days for the National Garden Scheme.
NORTH-EAST
University of Durham Botanic Garden
Hollingside Lane, Durham DH1 3TN
Tel: (0191) 374 7970
The Friends of the Garden supports its work and encourages a wider appreciation of Durham University Botanic Garden. Activities include lectures, visits to other notable gardens and a residential weekend. Most lectures are given in the Visitors' Centre.
Cambo, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 4AR
Tel: (01670) 774283
Grounds include a beautiful walled garden containing many species of unusual plants and shrubs, and a conservatory housing a wide variety of fuchsia. Organises a number of informal talks about the gardens and plant fairs.
NORTH
Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Leisure Services, P.O.Box 151, Meersbrook Park, Brook Road, Sheffield S8 9FL
Tel: (0114) 250 0500
The venue hosts an extensive programme of talks, many of which are organised by the Friends of the Botanical Gardens.
NORTH-WEST
Ness Botanic Gardens
The University of Liverpool Environmental and Horticultural Research Station, Ness, Neston, South Wirral CH64 4AY
Tel: (0151) 353 0123
Organises a small programme of lectures and other events.
Tatton Hall and Park
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN
Tel: (01625) 534400
Hosts a number of RHS lectures as well as more local events, including open days for the National Garden Scheme.
Lodge Lane Nursery
Bluebell Cottage, Lodge Lane, Dutton, near Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4HP
Tel: (01928) 713718
Hosts a number of RHS lectures as well as more local events, including open days for the National Garden Scheme.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Greenmount College
22 Greenmount Road, Muckamore, County Antrim,
Tel: 028 94 426666
Contact: Claire Woods
This is the largest agricultural/horticultural college in Northern Ireland.
Larchfield Estate
1 Carnreagh Avenue, Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6LL
Hosts RHS events periodically.
City of Derry and District Horticultural Society
Broomhill Hotel, Limavady Road, Londonderry
Hosts RHS events periodically.
Antrim Castle Gardens
Randalstown Road, Antrim, Co. Antrim BT41 4LH
Tel: 01849 428000
Hosts RHS events periodically.
SCOTLAND
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR
Tel: (0131) 552 7171
The National Botanic Gardens of Scotland offer a range of illustrated lectures, seminars, talks, tours, volunteer and work placements etc., as well as an Adult Education programme across Scotland at their various sites throughout the year.
The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh's Scottish School of Horticulture offers the following:
- HND in Horticulture with Plantmanship in association with the Scottish School of Agriculture (SAC)
- MSc degree/postgraduate Diploma in the Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants with the University of Edinburgh.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
730 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0UE
Tel: (141) 334 2422
Most of the elements of the traditional botanic garden are here, including chronological beds, but the main attraction is its two glasshouses.
Hosts a number of RHS events, including lectures on plant propagation and the garden in winter.
WALES
The National Botanic Garden of Wales
Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire SA32 8HG
Tel: (01558) 668768
Runs a variety of accredited and non-accredited courses for adult learners.
Picton Castle and Woodland Gardens
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 4AS
Tel: (01437) 751326
Hosts a number of RHS lectures as well as more local events, including open days for the National Garden Scheme.
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