Gardening Qualifications

[WeLiveInTroubledTimes]

Hi!

I have just posted on the Gardening Board but thought ‘Work’ might be a good place to try!

I’m looking to gain some qualifications to hopefully pursue some form of career in the gardening/horticultural industry, and would be so grateful for any advice anyone might be able to offer 🙏🏼

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 🙂

Hi! Level 2 is suitable for a beginner. I’d start with the practical courses. Is that what you mean? It’s a while since I did mine and the format has changed. I’d speak to the course giver to learn more about the different options.

there’s also wrags https://www.wfga.org.uk/wrags/

Thank you so much @Fibrous this is really helpful!

Yes I wasn’t too sure whether I would be better to gain some knowledge first doing the theory courses, or if I could even do both at the same time. I’ll definitely get in touch with the course providers again. Thank you for your help!

You could start with levels 1 and 2 City & Guilds in Practical Horticulture. Very hands on and should be inexpensive. They're a good introduction.

Level 2 C&G is enough to apply for jobs in nurseries etc.

Hi there! Applying to work in a garden centre is a great start - try to find one with a good reputation/independent if possible. Ideally one that grows/propagates some or all of its own material as you'll learn heaps from that. Practical hands-on experience is invaluable.

Whereabouts in the UK are you? My partner (who was an advertising director) had a bit of change of direction during Covid & applied to do the RHS course in practical horticulture at the Botanic Gardens here in Edinburgh. Now he works as a gardener & an advertising director, depending on the weather/demands! He loved the course, which was every Saturday for (I think) 10 weeks. It teaches you how to plant/prune/weed/fertilise etc - so if your plan is to become a gardener it gives you a qualification to put on your business card. He designed a postcard with pretty images on one side & a spiel on the other, dropped it through lots of doors, & is now very busy! Mostly word-of-mouth now, but the qualification & knowledge accrued certainly helped. As did the fact that I'm a Landscape Architect so helped him with learning stuff like Latin names (not necessary but helpful & it will happen gradually!) ... but am now freelance & working on garden designs alongside him!

The Level 2 thing is a bit of a misnomer. Level 1 is for teens or adults with learning difficulties. Level 2 is for adult beginners (though a bit of knowledge/experience always helps). Level 3 will take you further along/teach you more specialist stuff. He's decided not to do Level 3 as he's learning so much on the job (& from me!).

Not sure if you've contact the course teachers or the RHS itself? But there's more info here:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/qualifications-and-training/rhs-qualifications

Thank you so much everyone, this is all really really helpful! 🙏🏼