Become a Gardener

This pathway consists of three parts:

• HCC Introduction to Propagation, Plant Growth and Development
• RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment & Maintenance (RQF 500/8295/4)

Plus, you can choose either: 

• RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation (RQF 601/0353/X)
  Or,
• RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting (RQF 601/7188/1)

Your first set of study materials will be sent to you when you enrol. You can start as soon as you want and progress through the studies at your own pace (you have 2 years to complete it), studying when and where you choose. This flexibility makes it easy to fit learning around work and family commitments.

The extensive study materials have been developed by gardening experts and are clear and straightforward, so your studying is easy and enjoyable. As you complete each lesson, your tutor will promptly return your marked assignment with constructive feedback and guidance. (You can also contact your tutor or the support team for help at any point during your studies.)

The pathway includes all the required study materials.

We are proud of our friendly, caring ethos and aim to do all we can to help you succeed.

Our tutors are all experienced, highly qualified and passionate about sharing their love of their subject. You can phone or email your tutor throughout your studies – to ask questions, for advice, encouragement or to draw on their wealth of knowledge.

You can also contact the support team who are here to help you Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Lesson 1 – Plants, their Classification, Structure and Function

• Plant classification and taxonomy
• Plant life cycles and development
• Plant structure and function of plant cells and tissues
• External parts of the plant
• Reproductive structures
• Fruits and seeds
• Respiration and photosynthesis
• Water, minerals and sugar
• Plant development

Lesson 2 –Nutrition and Roots

• Environmentally sustainable practices
• The properties of soil
• Water in soil
• Organic matter and living soil organisms
• Soil pH
• Plant nutrition
• Alternative growing media

Lesson 3 –Plant Health

• Scientific principles and horticultural practices of plant health problems
• Environmentally sustainable practices
• Control of weeds
• Typical plant pests and diseases
• Plant physiological disorders and health problems

Lesson 4 –Introduction to Plant Propagation

• Methods of propagation
• Harvesting and storage
• Propagation from seeds or cuttings
• Propagation techniques
• Budding and grafting
• Environmentally sustainable practices

RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment & Maintenance – A 4-lesson study programme of preparation for the RHS examination.

Lesson 1 – Garden Features, Plant Selection and Planning

• Basic surveying techniques
• Site appraisal
• Principles and elements of garden design
• Garden design styles
• Using hard landscaping materials in garden planning
• Using soft landscaping in garden planning
• A cohesive design
• Safety, health and environmentally sustainable practices

Lesson 2 – The Choice, Establishment and Maintenance of Garden Plants and Lawns

• Scientific principles and horticultural practices and their relation to the selection of plants
• Selection of plants for seasonal displays
• Selection of herbaceous perennial plants & bulbs
• Selection of plants for woody display
• Selection of alpine and rock garden plants
• Planting and maintenance of garden ponds
• Establishing lawns and turf
• Maintenance of turfed areas

Lesson 3 – Production of Outdoor Vegetables and Fruit

• Site selection
• Cultural operations for outdoor food production
• Production of vegetable crops
• Production of top and soft fruit crops
• Health, safety and environmentally friendly practices

Lesson 4 – Protected Environments and their use in Plant Cultivation

• Health, safety and environmentally friendly practices
• Protective structures
• The environment within protected structures
• Structural and cladding material of protected structures
• Environmental control in protected structures
• Containers used for production and display
• Horticultural uses of the protected environment
• Care of interior plants

You can then choose either the:

RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation (601/0353/X) 

Or

RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting (601/7188/1) 

RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation– A 4-lesson study programme of preparation for the RHS examination.

Lesson 1 – Plant Taxonomy, Structure and Function

• Plant taxonomy
• The structure and function of plant tissues
• The role of flowers and fruit
• Photosynthesis and respiration
• Movement of water and solutes through the plant
• Tropisms and plant movements
• Endogenous & synthetic growth regulators

Lesson 2 – The Root Environment, Plant Nutrition & Growing Systems

• Properties of soil and growing media
• Plant growth & air and water
• Soil organisms and nutrient cycling
• The chemistry of soil & growing media
• The role of nutrients in plant growth
• Organic production

Lesson 3 – The Management of Plant Health

• Significant Pests, Diseases and Disorders
• Chemical Control in Plant Protection

Lesson 4 – Understanding Applied Plant Propagation

• Seed anatomy, physiology & environmental factors influencing propagation
• The relevance of anatomy, physiology and environmental factors to vegetative propagation
• Growing media & propagation equipment

OR

RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting – A 4-lesson study programme of preparation for the RHS examination.

Lesson 1 – Understanding garden survey techniques and design principles

• Historical garden design styles
• Conducting a site appraisal
• The client brief
• Basic survey techniques
• Influence of site characteristics on garden design
• Principles and elements of design

Lesson 2 – Understanding the selection and use of landscaping elements in the garden

• The contribution of hard landscaping features to design and function
• Drainage systems in the garden
• The contribution of soft landscaping features to design and function
• The contribution of turf to the design and function of a garden

Lesson 3 – Understanding the setting out and construction of landscaping elements in the garden

• Setting out a site
• Soil movement and storage during construction work
• Construction of drainage systems
• Construction procedures for paths, patios and driveways
• Construction of steps and ramps
• Construction of walls, fences and pergolas
• Pond construction
• Rock garden construction
• Risk assessment

Lesson 4 – Understanding a range of specialist elements in the establishment of garden and urban plantings

• Amenity bedding schemes
• Components of specialist garden areas
• Pruning for effect
• Urban gardening options
• Water sustainability in the garden

If needed you have 2 years to complete your studies. Many students are able to complete their studies in approximately 9-18 months (approx 430 learning hours)*.

*Timescales are approximate and depend upon application and motivation.

HCC Certificate:
On successful completion of HCC Introduction to Propagation, Plant Growth and Development you will be awarded the HCC Certificate.
* The HCC Certificates will be issued once you have successfully completed your course and finished your course payments.

RHS qualifications:

Upon successful completion of RHS examinations you will be awarded:

• RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance)

Plus, depending upon the path you choose, you will be awarded either:

• RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation

or

• RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting

The RHS qualifications will have until the final exam session which is scheduled for February 2024 to successfully achieve the qualification. RHS are launching new qualifications which will become available from September 2022. For further information please visit our news page. If you enrol between April 2022 and the launch of the new qualification, you will be offered the opportunity to transfer the first 2 sections of this course free of charge onto the new RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture.

Your course materials and the valuable tutor feedback you will receive during your studies will help to prepare you for the Royal Horticultural Society qualifications. When you are ready to sit the examinations, you will need to register as a candidate with HCC or as an external candidate using another RHS Approved Centre. We offer advice and assistance for booking examinations when you are ready. Please click here for RHS and assessment centre requirements and fees.

You will also need to obtain the RHS syllabus and an entry form directly from the Royal Horticultural Society. Please click on the links below to download the RHS outline syllabus, and for further information on examination dates and fees. Your exam fees are payable to the RHS Approved Centre.

RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance
RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation
RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting

• You could work in private gardens, public parks, sports grounds and schools.
• You could work for a company as a gardener.
• Or you could set up your own business and be self-employed.
• You could do the following jobs:
  • Garden maintenance and planting
  • Working in a nursery: growing, selling, and management
  • Garden sitting service (i.e. maintaining gardens while the owners are on holiday)
  • Growing and selling container plants or house plants.

You do not need previous gardening knowledge or experience to enrol on this pathway.