Diploma Course:

Practical Horticulture

Discover the secrets of effective gardening

About the course

Aims to give beginners, self-taught enthusiasts, garden designers or owners a comprehensive understanding of the practicalities of creating and maintaining a healthy, productive and attractive garden. This confidence-inspiring course takes students step by step through the fundamentals with regular active instructed participation in real gardens. Our contacts are often able to offer work experience in a garden or nursery.

Garden assessment & creation

Getting to know your own garden. Learn to observe and appraise your own garden, identify highlights and potential problems throughout the year. Utilize your Garden Log to plan future projects.

Soil science, plant physiology and health

Learn how to ascertain the composition and pH of your soil, its nutrient levels and water retentiveness, thus determining the plants that will thrive in your garden. Study plant structure and reproduction – essential knowledge for a healthy garden. Weeds – how to recognise and cope with them.

Pruning, propagating and year round gardening

Learn all forms of pruning techniques including Wisteria and roses, with practical exercises in the garden. How to propagate, using various methods such as hard and soft wood cuttings, layering, and division of perennials etc. Learn how to confidently manage an average sized garden on a monthly basis, planning seasonal projects, planting and general maintenance.

Plant identification & portfolios

Vastly increase your knowledge of plants and their identification including nomenclature and plant families. How plants can be grouped according to individual native habitats to form thriving, healthy gardens. Seasonal changes, maintenance and how to reduce the workload.

Garden planning

An introduction to surveying, drawing to scale, layout and planting plans for accurate planning and recording any changes in your garden.

Outdoor fruit & vegetable production

How to grow your own healthy sustainable crops in urban or country gardens including plant protection and glasshouses.

Assessment

• Plant portfolio detailing plant categories and plants for a purpose
• Garden-log to help you understand seasonal changes in the garden
• One-off homeworks on specific plant related subjects
• Plant Identification exercises and tests
• Optional work experience placements

N.B. The course covers all the elements required by the RHS syllabus and we encourage students to sit the RHS Level 2 Certificate.  If necessary, additional coaching may be provided.

Lecturers include

Martyn Cox, Course Director
Rosemary Alexander
Nick Bailey
Steve Bradley
Andrea Brunsendorf
Sarah Cook
Cathy Hayward
Derry Watkins
Read more about the lecturers on Our Tutors page.

How to Apply

Applicants will be invited to a group information session at the School with the Vice Principal, Simon Pyle, who explains the course in detail. During this hour, prospective students are shown round our new premises, have an opportunity to sit in on a class in session and chat with current students.

We find these informal meetings very helpful before making a decision and would be delighted to welcome you here at the school. To book an information session please complete the Application Form or ring us on 020 7352 4347.