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

Your first set of course materials will be sent to you when you enrol. You can start as soon as you want and progress through the course 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 course 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.)

All the required study materials are included.

On successful completion of your studies and the RHS exams you will be awarded the nationally recognised RHS qualification.

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 the course – 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.

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

If needed you have 2 years to complete the course. Many students are able to complete this course in approximately 9-12 months (approx 140 learning hours)*.

This course is available for student enrolments up to April 2023 and registered students will have until the final exam session scheduled for February 2024 to successfully achieve this qualification. For further information please visit our news page.

*Timescales are approximate and depend upon application and motivation.

RHS qualification:

Upon successful completion of RHS examinations you will be awarded:

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

This course is available for student enrolments up to April 2023 and registered students will have until the final exam session scheduled for February 2024 to successfully achieve this qualification. For further information please visit our news page.

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 here 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.

• You could do the following jobs:
  • Garden maintenance and planting
  • Trainee landscaper/garden designer
  • 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.

• If you already work in the horticultural profession, this course would demonstrate to prospective employers or clients a sound, all-round knowledge of garden planning and maintenance
• You could progress to our RHS Level 3 courses:

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

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