My Garden

Advanced course in September

Last post 22-07-2008 9:00 AM by kandeakay. 4 replies.

• 25/06/2008 04:47 PM

  kandeakay Location: west sussex Joined on: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 54

  Reply | Contact Just wondered if anyone has any input/advice about where to study the Advanced in September - I am within reasonable distance of Hadlow, Merrist Wood and Plumpton.  The first 2 are 2 year courses, one day per week, Plumpton is 1 year one day a week.... so is that likely to be a complete nightmare study wise or is it do-able?  Thank you in advance.  Oh and which is the best book to study in preparation - I have done (nearly!) the RHS 2 and read most of the books recommended for that course and wondered if there is a 'Big Red Book' equivalent for the advanced.  Thanks again

• 26/06/2008 09:05 AM

  In reply to

  Linnea Location: Hampshire Joined on: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 29

  Reply | Contact You may want to check the course stuff with Merrist Wood as they have not updated their website for a couple of years and the advanced course was run over 1 year this year, also the modules that they taught this year are not the ones listed on the website. If you would like some more information on Merrist Wood, please feel free to contact me via pm There is no "red book" equivalent for the advanced as far as I know. I have used a variety of other textbooks but would recommend an advanced biology book. Although this also covers animal biology as well as plants I have found it useful for cells, photosynthesis, respiration etc. I'm not going to say it's easy to do the advanced in one day but it is do-able. Although as with any course you get back what you put in! There is a lot of outside college reading/learning to do.

• 30/06/2008 07:40 AM	In reply to
  kandeakay Location: west sussex Joined on: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 54	Reply | Contact Hi Linnaea - thanks for the advice. I'm waiting for someone from M Wood to call me back so I can ask about the course.  However I think I will probably do the one year course at Plumpton - if it runs! - as it is close by and I'd rather get it over with!  Have been recommended to read Plant Science - have you seeen that one?  Once again, thanks for replying.

• 10/07/2008 03:20 PM

  In reply to

  Hortaddict Location: Oxon/Hants Joined on: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

  Reply | Contact You might like to look at Science and the Garden, which was designed by the RHS as a course book when they launched the modular Advanced qualification - but it isn't an easy read, and it covers the Diploma syllabus as well. Sometimes it is really clear in explaining the horticultural science, but in some areas it goes beyond what the syllabus requires (eg on photosynthesis and respiration) which can be hard if you don't have a science background, and you need to keep in mind that there is material there for the Diploma module on genetics and further science, as well as things like post-harvest technology. A new edition with some added material on current preoccupations like ecology and the green agenda has just come out - I need to buy a copy myself. They haven't corrected the few typos in the old edition though - I was the production editor on that one, so I know it well! J

• 22/07/2008 09:00 AM	In reply to
  kandeakay Location: west sussex Joined on: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 54	Reply | Contact Hi Hortaddict - thank you for your reply and suggestion - I used Science in the Garen for my Hort 1 and 2 - as a useful extra, I guess I'd better get the new edition for the ecology etc.  I assume that my Pest and Disease book is now out of date info wise - with so many chemicals being withdrawn. I wish someone would do a Big Red Book for the advanced!