My Garden

RHS courses - advice please

Last post 08-10-2009 9:43 PM by RogerBee. 6 replies.

• 08/10/2009 11:44 AM
  d90yqv Location: London Joined on: 08 Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Reply | Contact  Hello everyone   I'm currently thinking of starting the RHS level 2 certificate in horticulture via distance learning.    My problem? I've not currently got a garden - I live in a flat in central London with no outside space, which is a bit of a nightmare, as you can imagine.   So will I be at a big disadvantage doing the course, or is it purely theory-based?   Thanks all

• 08/10/2009 12:01 PM

  In reply to

  RogerBee Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Joined on: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 86

  Reply | Contact The RHS Level 2 is all theory so you should be ok. If you can get to some public gardens Kew Gardens and RHS Wisley amongst others, should help you with ideas on designs and type of plants to use which will help. I've been known to go for a walk and look at other people's gardens (front only) to get ideas of what works, and what doesn't. Good luck    Give it a go - it might just work!

• 08/10/2009 05:11 PM	In reply to
  d90yqv Location: London Joined on: 08 Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Reply | Contact Good to know - thanks.   Are any of the distance learning providers any more prestigious than the others? Or doesn't it really matter where you get your materials from?   If it doesn't, HCC looks like a solid bet. Or no?

• 08/10/2009 05:19 PM	In reply to
  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 2,977	Reply | Contact The level 2 course I did included a practical session every week, but it depends where you go. I wonder if you could 'borrow' part of a garden for the duration, say at a friend's or family member's place? It does help you to learn if you have some hands-on experience.

• 08/10/2009 06:17 PM	In reply to
  ErWe Location: Vienna, Austria Joined on: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 48	Reply | Contact or you could apply at Kew (or somewhere else) to work as an intern for a couple of hours each week. They do take on volunteers, as far as I know (it is an old information though, and I do live abroad, so it might not be accurate anymore). regards, r.w.

• 08/10/2009 09:39 PM

  In reply to

  RogerBee Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Joined on: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 86

  Reply | Contact As far as selecting a provider is concerned, it is best to go with the one you feel happiest with. Each provider has their own pluses and minuses but how you percieve them is most important. You are more likely to respond better to the one you feel comfortable with than going with one other people tell you is good. Whichever one you choose, I wish you the best of luck.   Give it a go - it might just work!

• 08/10/2009 09:43 PM	In reply to
  RogerBee Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Joined on: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 86	Reply | Contact On your other point about prestige - the prestige accrues to you in getting the qualification which is a standard exam common to all examinees, not the course provider since the exam is set and marked by the RHS. Give it a go - it might just work!