Become a Gardener

This course consists of three parts:

• RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development
• RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment & Maintenance
  (these two parts make up the ‘RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture’)

Plus, you can choose either: 

• RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation 

Or,

• RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting

Your first set of course materials will be sent to you when you enrol. You can start as soon as you want and progress through the course at your own pace (you have 2 years to complete it), studying when and where you choose. As you complete each lesson, your tutor will promptly return your marked assignment with constructive feedback and guidance.

On successful completion you will be awarded an HCC Certificate. You also have the option to take the exams for the nationally recognised RHS qualification.

RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development – A 4-lesson study programme of preparation for the RHS examination.

Lesson 1 – Plant Classification, Structure and Function

• Classification and taxonomy
• Plant development and life cycles
• Structure and function of plant cells and tissues
• External vegetative parts of the plant
• Reproductive plant structures
• The function of fruits and seeds
• Photosynthesis and respiration
• Movement of water, minerals and sugar
• Plant growth and development

Lesson 2 – Plant Nutrition and the Root Environment

• Understanding the importance of using safe, healthy & environmentally sustainable practices
• The soil horizons
• The physical properties of soil
• Factors that determine the water status in soil
• The importance of organic matter and living soil organisms in the root environment
• The importance of soil pH
• Plant nutrition provided by soil & growing media
• Alternative growing media

Lesson 3 – Maintaining Plant Health

• Scientific principles and horticultural practices of plant health problems
• Safe, healthy and environmentally sustainable practices
• Effects and control of weeds
• Typical plant pests
• Typical plant diseases
• Plant physiological disorders
• Plant health problems

Lesson 4 – Understanding Plant Propagation

• Propagation methods
• Harvesting and storing seeds
• Propagation from seed
• Propagation from cuttings
• Vegetative propagation techniques
• Budding and grafting
• Safe, healthy & environmentally sustainable practices

RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment & Maintenance – A 4-lesson study programme of preparation for the RHS examination.

Lesson 1 – Garden Features, Plant Selection and Planning

• Basic surveying techniques
• Site appraisal
• Principles and elements of garden design
• Garden design styles
• Using hard landscaping materials in garden planning
• Using soft landscaping in garden planning
• A cohesive design
• Safety, health and environmentally sustainable practices

Lesson 2 – The Choice, Establishment and Maintenance of Garden Plants and Lawns

• Scientific principles and horticultural practices and their relation to the selection of plants
• Selection of plants for seasonal displays
• Selection of herbaceous perennial plants & bulbs
• Selection of plants for woody display
• Selection of alpine and rock garden plants
• Planting and maintenance of garden ponds
• Establishing lawns and turf
• Maintenance of turfed areas

Lesson 3 – Production of Outdoor Vegetables and Fruit

• Site selection
• Cultural operations for outdoor food production
• Production of vegetable crops
• Production of top and soft fruit crops
• Health, safety and environmentally friendly practices

Lesson 4 – Protected Environments and their use in Plant Cultivation

• Health, safety and environmentally friendly practices
• Protective structures
• The environment within protected structures
• Structural and cladding material of protected structures
• Environmental control in protected structures
• Containers used for production and display
• Horticultural uses of the protected environment
• Care of interior plants

(The ‘RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development’ and the ‘RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment & Maintenance’ make up the ‘RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture’)

You can then choose either the:
RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation
Or
RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting

RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation – A 4-lesson study programme of preparation for the RHS examination.

If you choose to study this, the lessons are:

Lesson 1 – Plant Taxonomy, Structure and Function

• Plant taxonomy
• The structure and function of plant tissues
• The role of flowers and fruit
• Photosynthesis and respiration
• Movement of water and solutes through the plant
• Tropisms and plant movements
• Endogenous & synthetic growth regulators

Lesson 2 – The Root Environment, Plant Nutrition & Growing Systems

• Properties of soil and growing media
• Plant growth & air and water
• Soil organisms and nutrient cycling
• The chemistry of soil & growing media
• The role of nutrients in plant growth
• Organic production

Lesson 3 – The Management of Plant Health

• Significant Pests, Diseases and Disorders
• Chemical Control in Plant Protection

Lesson 4 – Understanding Applied Plant Propagation

• Seed anatomy, physiology & environmental factors influencing propagation
• The relevance of anatomy, physiology and environmental factors to vegetative propagation
• Growing media & propagation equipment

RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting – A 4-lesson study programme of preparation for the RHS examination.

If you choose to study this, the lessons are:

Lesson 1 – Understanding garden survey techniques and design principles

• Historical garden design styles
• Conducting a site appraisal
• The client brief
• Basic survey techniques
• Influence of site characteristics on garden design
• Principles and elements of design

Lesson 2 – Understanding the selection and use of landscaping elements in the garden

• The contribution of hard landscaping features to design and function
• Drainage systems in the garden
• The contribution of soft landscaping features to design and function
• The contribution of turf to the design and function of a garden

Lesson 3 – Understanding the setting out and construction of landscaping elements in the garden

• Setting out a site
• Soil movement and storage during construction work
• Construction of drainage systems
• Construction procedures for paths, patios and driveways
• Construction of steps and ramps
• Construction of walls, fences and pergolas
• Pond construction
• Rock garden construction
• Risk assessment

Lesson 4 – Understanding a range of specialist elements in the establishment of garden and urban plantings

• Amenity bedding schemes
• Components of specialist garden areas
• Pruning for effect
• Urban gardening options
• Water sustainability in the garden

Successfully complete this course and you will achieve the HCC Certificate*.

If you wish you can sit the external RHS qualifications. When you pass you will be awarded:

• RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture
  (consisting of two certificates:
  RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development;
  and
  RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance)

Plus, depending upon the path you choose, you will be awarded either:

• RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation

or

• RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting

For the Royal Horticultural Society qualifications, you would need to register as a candidate with HCC or as an external candidate with another RHS Approved Centre. Lists of other centres are available from the HCC on request.

You would also need to obtain the RHS syllabus and an entry form directly from the Royal Horticultural Society. Please click on the links below to download RHS outline syllabus, examination dates and fees. Your exam fees are payable to the RHS Approved Centre.

RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development
RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance
RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation
RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting

* The HCC Certificate will be issued once you have successfully completed your course and finished your course payments.

Throughout your training, you will be able to ask questions, receive feedback and further develop your knowledge by contacting our experienced tutors by phone or email.

You do not need previous gardening knowledge or experience to enrol on this course.

If needed you have 2 years to complete the course. Many students are able to complete this course in approximately 9-18 months (approx 430 learning hours)*.

*Timescales are approximate and depend upon application and motivation.

Successfully complete this course and:

• You could work in private gardens, public parks, sports grounds and schools.
• You could work for a company as a gardener.
• Or you could set up your own business and be self-employed.
• You could do the following jobs:
  • Garden maintenance and planting
  • Working in a nursery: growing, selling, and management
  • Garden sitting service (i.e. maintaining gardens while the owners are on holiday)
  • Growing and selling container plants or house plants.

To enrol, you can either:

• Pay in one sum of £690 and also receive a special Gift from our selection – free. Please click here to view the gifts
• or
• Pay with a deposit of £90 now, then 12 instalments of £50