Gardening qualifications

[WeLiveInTroubledTimes]

Hi

I’m looking for some advice please, I don’t know if anyone on this board would be able to help me…

I’m looking to gain some qualifications to hopefully pursue some form of career in the gardening/horticultural industry. I’m very much a beginner, other than the gardening I do in my own garden and things I have learnt along the way.

I’ve been looking into local courses/online courses, and it seems I can enrol on the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Plant Growth and Development, and then hopefully go on to complete the Level 3. Does anyone know if there’s a Level 1 I would need to complete first, or would Level 2 be suitable for a beginner? (I have contacted the course providers but no response yet).

There is also a RHS Level 2 in Horticulture, and then Level 3. Would these be better than the Plant Growth and Development courses? Would I potentially need to do all 4 courses, or do a lot of the units overlap?

I’d be so so grateful for any information if anybody knows anything about these courses, or how would be best to start out in this field. I’m applying for jobs in garden centres to try and gain some experience and knowledge on the job, but I’m really keen and excited to learn as much as I can!

Thank you in advice if anyone can help me 🙏🏼🪴

I did RHS Level 2 a couple of years ago, though only out of personal interest rather than for career purposes. I did it online through the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh (RBGE) and found them extremely helpful with questions. If you get in touch with them, I'm sure they will be able to help you choose the most appropriate course for your needs.

Thank you!!

I have the RHS L2 diploma which when I did it was 3 courses. 2 exam courses (8 exams in total) and 1 practical course. If you are working in practical horticulture then getting on a practical course would be more useful than the exam courses. I also did the L3 practical which I would say is good if you are looking to get into management eg head gardener roles. There is L1 but is very low knowledge base so wouldn't bother with it. You can look up the syllabuses on the RHS website.
There's also the WRAGS scheme which might be useful to you.

Does anyone know if there’s a Level 1 I would need to complete first, or would Level 2 be suitable for a beginner?
The website says: There are no entry requirements at Level 2, all you need is a passion for gardening. At Level 3 some of our centres do require learners to hold an RHS Level 2 or equivalent.

The Levels seem to equate to normal educational Levels, so Level 2 is a good GCSE and a Level 3 is an A Level.

RHS Qualifications FAQs

Thank you all so much, I’m really grateful for so much information!

If you're on a smaller budget, check your local authority's Adult Learning Service offer. Mine does a City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Practical Horticulture Skills. I got it as I had been working in nature/gardening for about 5 years, but had no paper to prove my knowledge. Cost me about £150 and 10 days (1 day a week). I didn't learn a lot, but it got me the job I wanted at the time.

That said, my LA ALS takes ages to publish the courses, so you really need to be on the ball to enroll, and it's term time only.

Thank you! @Agapornis

I did RHS L2 on the old syllabus and have just completed RHS L3 on the new syllabuses.
I did the first through horticultural correspondence college and second through BeST. They've streamlined the exams now so each cert is only 2 exams. Managing the 8 for L2 when I did it was tricky.

I haven't done the practical courses as nowhere close enough offers then and I was working on horticulture as I completed L3 anyway.

Definitely recommend BEST more but I wouldn't recommend L3 for a few years yet as the exams and their content are not currently really matching up to the guidance to centres for what should be taught.

I did know a lot of the science type content already from my degree and previously teaching science.

The L3 particularly is supposed to be aimed at those working in horticulture, particularly as they move towards management, but it's very idealised, and doesn't recognise the wide range of experiences that different settings will offer.

If you're working in horticulture anyway, I don't think they add much, and it's the general certs that are included on job specs

Which general certificates are you thinking of?

They tend to state RHS L2 or RHS L3 without further splitting it down