RHS horticulture course

[beaneo]

I have started an RHs horticulture course with garden design. Am doing it through distance learning and finding it all a bit lonely. Also finding it hard to be disciplined with three children aged 9, 7 and 3 and being recently widowed. Is there anyone else near Ashford, Kent doing anything similar. Looking to make contact with other 'mad' gardeners!

Bumping for you.

HI there. I'm nowhere near Ashford (I'm in Glasgow) and I'm ding an RHS level 2 in horticulture by distance learning, and also finding it a bit hard to find the space as I'm also working more or less full-time (I'm freelance) and have two small boys aged 2 and 3. Who are you doing your course with? Mine is with Learning Curve, who seem to be quite good - the materials are good and the tutor seems helpful - I just wish I could get on with the work a bit faster!

Anyway, I'll be your virtual gardening buddy if you like

Very sorry to hear of the loss of your DH too.

Am doing level 2 too! Exams in Feb. Can I be friends too.

Gosh, I'm not the only one. I'm also doing the course with Learning Curve - you're right, great materials. I've just finished the first assignment, phew, 8 months after signing up for the course. Just hope I get through the rest at a slightly faster pace. Am doing the Level 2 horticulture with garden design. Not sure what I want to do with it.Qualified as a primary teacher rather too many years ago, then ran a nursery school when I had the kids. Stopped that last year as found supporting my three single handed left me with little patience for other peoples! Have always enjoyed gardening tough not particularly good at it so began the course to get my brain working gain and to know more about my hobby. I've started doing some gardening for other folk and enjoy being active and outdoors (despite the weather!). Rather daunted by the design side at the momenta feel very lacking in any talent for this area of gardening so I'm not sure I'll be a great garden designer. Probably better at removing weeds. Would love to hear what you are all planning.

I did the course 9 years ago and have been a self employed gardener/grower ever since.It was the best thing I ever did and I've never looked back.

I did do a design course a few years ago,but didn't enjoy it half as much.I am in interested in plants and the design bit seemed more about getting something the right shape and size to fit in with the plans,than choosing a plant because of it's qualities.

Keep it up-it really is worth it!

Oh that's good to know Furious. I want a career change and start up gardening wiht DH. He's been doing it a couple of years now, and I helped while on ML but we're stalling a bit now the recession has hit.

I'm wondering whether to sign up to the design diploma, but it looks like hard work and I don't have the time wiht a one year old and working full time.

Gosh, all you doing assignments. I'm doing the course in evening classes and we've not had any assignments to do, just exams. I passed the first exam in June, and got my final one in 3 weeks.

Oh beaneo that makes me feel much better - I joined up in August and am just getting through the 3rd assignement now, and I thought I was going slowly .

Not quite sure what I'm going to do with it all either - I too have a background in teaching, but have been working freelance in publishing for the last few years, first in-house and now freelance but don't want to spend the rest of my working life in front of a computer. We also moved recently to a flat with a big garden that has been untouched for about 20 years - and I mean untouched. it's also on top of a hill, very windy, and surrounded by enormous trees so I think I'm going to have my work cut out getting anything to grow there (apart from brambles, of which I have many). So hoping that the course might help with that, and also lead on to something more, but will have to try and finish it first!

Midnight, are you doing the exams or is your course different to mine? We've had no homework except plant identification - learn 10 plants a fortnight. Have been doing the course since September 07.

Wizzska, it's probably the same course - we get assignments as part of the course from the course provider rather than as part of the RHS requirements, iyswim - we have to apply separately for the exams at the end. I guess it's because it's distance learning, so they need to do something to know that you're not just throwing it all in the bin as soon as it arrives .

Have been digging up brambles all afternoon and am looking forward to an enormous bath and a glass of wine tonight.

Only 2 weeks to go...