RHS Level 2

[Bienchen]

Hi - currently studying for the above. Has anyone done it? How did you find the exam? has it helped you ptrofessionally?

No, but I'm thinking of doing level 1 starting August. Where do you do it, out of interest?

Moulton College Northampton. It is a full day a week. The whole lot is done in a year with an exam half way through and a final exam.

Ah, I'm going to do mine at Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. Half day a week.

Have you got your level 1 then? Are you using it for your career or hobby?

I tried in vain to find a course to fit in with school hours and couldn't. This was all I could find. Still a good course tho'

Never did the level one. I started the course when I was working part time with totally flexible hours, so I could have Wednesdays off.

Got pg in June literally days after being accepted on the course. Was made redundant at the end of Oct, and could not find a p/t job that did allow me the Wed off .

So I'm just doing a bit of vol work two afternoons a week and the day at college until baby pops out (wishful thinking around 24 Feb

Am considering gardening as a career as I could go freelance and could maybe combine motherhood with gardening for a few years, since there is no job to go back to. Not sure how realistic this will be but I am ready for a bit of change. How about you?

Hi, I did the level 2 at the Edinburgh Botanics last year,and sat the exams in two parts one half way through the other in June.
It helped to do the exam as give me more confidence when charging for garden work.

bump

I did the old version,2 years of day release from my office job.After I passed I spent a year working 2 jobs,office 5 days a week,gardening 2 days,to see if I could hack it.After a year,I gave up the office job & have never looked back.That was 5 years ago & I have a waiting list of customers now & never have to advertise.So it definately helped me.There seems to be a huge shortage of gardeners now & I don't know anyone who isn't turning work down.

Good luck.

Forgot to say,I had dd1 a year after going self employed & dd2 19 months ago.All of my customers were happy to wait for me to finish maternity leave & go back to them & I find it fits well around the girls.I chose when & where I work around pre school ect.

The only bad side is,bad weather.There isn't much you can do,apart from think about the money you are losing when you are rained off.

Mirage - thanks that's v encouraging.