Hever Castle & Gardens in Kent is to run two RHS gardening courses in a dedicated building in the Castle grounds.
Held on two consecutive days over a one-year period, they take place from October 5th 2015 to June 2016 and follow the RHS academic timetable.
The courses are suitable for gardening enthusiasts who want to learn more about horticulture and those seeking a new career in the industry as well as gardeners who want to develop their career. Students have free access to the award-winning Gardens created by William Waldorf Astor between 1904-1908 for the duration of the course. This gives them the opportunity to watch the Castle gardeners put techniques into practice over the year.
Course 1 – RHS Level 2 Certificate of Garden Planning, Establishment & Maintenance
First of the two courses is the ‘RHS Level 2 Certificate of Garden Planning, Establishment & Maintenance’ (14 credits). It consists of four units which cover the following topics: Understanding garden features, plant selection and planning; understanding the choice, establishment and maintenance of garden plants and lawns; understanding the production of outdoor vegetables and fruit, and understanding protected environments and their use in plant cultivation.
www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/rhs-level-2-certificate-of-garden-planning-establishment-maintenance/
Course 2 – RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development
The second course is the ‘RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development’ (14 credits). Activities include plant classification, structure and function; plant nutrition and the properties and management of soils and growing media; maintaining plant health through understanding pests, disease and weed lifecycles, and principles and practices of plant propagation in horticulture.
The first course is held on Mondays from 9.30am – 2.00pm and the second course runs on Tuesdays from 9.30am – 2.00pm. Both courses involve 4 hours a week teaching over a 28 week period and comprise three separate terms with a half term break within each. Each course costs £585 for tuition plus £120 to sit the examination to gain 14 credits.
No prerequisites for entry
Students can take the courses individually or together and there are no prerequisites for entry to the qualification other than a love of horticulture. Those who successfully complete all the necessary units and examinations for both level 2 theory based qualifications will gain the ‘RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture’ (28 credits), which is well recognised within the industry. Students who achieve the Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture are well placed to progress on to the RHS Lever 3 qualifications or into employment.
Three highly experienced and knowledgeable RHS course tutors who have worked in various sectors of the horticultural industry will run the courses. All are passionate about plants and love to share their enthusiasm with others. They are thrilled to be offering horticultural courses in the beautiful and inspiring setting of Hever Castle with its splendid plant collection.
For course dates, examination details and further information please visit the website: hevercastle.co.uk or call Hever Castle on 01732 865224.