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Continued learning for professional gardeners

Last post 27-02-2009 9:04 PM by bogweevil. 10 replies.

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  • 21/01/2009 11:05 AM
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    I read with interest the debate about the The Garden and whether it is responding to all members needs.  My own personal view is that it has become more mainstream in recent years, which makes it accessible and appealing to amateur gardeners, but less useful for professionals.  On a related topic I would like to raise the subject of continued learning for professionals (designers and gardeners).  I do not see the RHS doing much on this front, (although it has done a brilliant job with education and training of new learners). 

    I think we are missing an opportunity for offering a different level of training and further learning, which could be very exciting for long-term members, as well revenue-earning for the Society.  If anyone would like to pick up and continue the discussion I will be pleased to contribute.

     
  • 21/01/2009 06:00 PM
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    • miranda
    • Oxfordshire
    • 17 Nov 2004
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    Interesting point about education, Headford.

    I think one of the issues with further education for gardening types is funding. I came up against it when I wanted to continue my own education in horticulture. There is plenty of funding for young people doing introductory courses but almost nothing for more advanced courses.

    It may just be me, but if often seems that the world has lost sight of its visionaries and is in thrall to the bean counters. It seems cynical, but I wonder if courses for professionals would pay and if that reason those courses aren't available is because they wouldn't bring in enough money. 

  • 27/01/2009 11:29 AM
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    Hi Miranda, it seems that there is not a lot of interest in this area.  The Bean Counters have spoken with their silence!

     
  • 27/01/2009 12:51 PM
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    • miranda
    • Oxfordshire
    • 17 Nov 2004
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    Maybe we should organise our own courses and avoid the bean counters as much as possible.  

  • 27/01/2009 05:04 PM
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    • Digger
    • Northern UK
    • 18 Jul 2005
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    What's a bean counter?

    digger Devil
  • 27/01/2009 05:15 PM
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    • miranda
    • Oxfordshire
    • 17 Nov 2004
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     An accountant, digger.

  • 30/01/2009 11:40 AM
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    • Suzie
    • Oxfordshire
    • 01 Jun 2008
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    I'm sure that would work really well - there must be plenty of 'us' out there that would take part :)
  • 10/02/2009 01:46 PM
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    • russian
    • Hants
    • 25 Nov 2008
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    I am an amateur gardener, and I wanted to know what qualities and skills people think a garden designer needs.  Is it a job for anyone or do you have to be really switched on and creative?  What do you think?  There are a confusion of courses out there for amateurs wanting to become more professional but I'm not sure what to believe and what might be suitable for older people who don't want a costly social club on a college course to learn not much more than they know already.
  • 10/02/2009 04:16 PM
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    A difficult one to answer.  To be a designer you certainly need excellent plant and horticultural knowledge plus a creative flair.  You also need to be reasonably good at drawing and presentation, or your clients will be disappointed with your visualisations.  There are a lot of expensive design courses out there, sometimes appealing to people with money and time on their hands, wanting a new hobby.  Fine if you want the same thing.  If you want top knowledge, you need to find a course or a teacher with real hands-on experience.

    Have you thought of starting with an RHS general course?  This will give you the background 'science' which you must have as a designer (soil, plant biology, diseases etc etc).  If you already know all this stuff, then I advise asking for recommendations in your local area, or try and find a designer who runs courses.  That's what I do but I'm in Somerset so no help to you!  Try and see evidence of their work.  Finally, ask yourself WHY you think you want to design and what potential there is for work in your area.

    Best of luck. 

     
  • 16/02/2009 02:24 PM
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    • russian
    • Hants
    • 25 Nov 2008
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    Thanks, that is an interesting point about local designers running courses.  Is there a professional "body" that list designers by area?
  • 27/02/2009 09:04 PM
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    http://www.sgd.org.uk/mainpages/garden-design-page.htm

    Beware the bat-eared bogweevil