Start Gardening – The Basics and Beyond

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, 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.)

The course includes all the required study materials.

There is no formal examination. On successful completion you will be awarded an HCC Certificate and the Certificate of Achievement at QLS Level 3. You have 2 years to complete the course.

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.

Lesson 1 – Vegetables

This lesson covers the principles of vegetable cultivation, soils, crop rotation, plant nutrition, growing from seeds, protected cropping and irrigation. It is a comprehensive guide to help you start growing your own vegetables.

Lesson 2 – Soils, Fruits and Fertilisers

This lessons looks at soil, texture, structure, water, organic matter, cultivation and properties. It then moves on to look at fruit growing including top fruit, wall fruit, soft fruit, pruning and training, rootstocks, pests and diseases, harvesting and storage. The lesson finishes with details on fertilisers, growing media and types of compost.

Lesson 3 – Lawns

This lessons looks at lawns, establishing from seed or turf, site preparation, maintenance, equipment, establishing meadows, meadow flowers and meadow grasses.

Lesson 4 – Plant Selection, Establishment and Maintenance

This lesson looks at selecting plants, site preparation and planting techniques, maintenance of plants, flowers for cutting, pruning, pruning equipment, hand tools and pest and diseases.

Lesson 5 – Garden Planning

There is a new focus on garden planning thanks to the television programmes now devoted to this subject. This lesson covers surveying techniques, site appraisals, case studies and example surveys. It then moves on to look at the principles and elements of garden design including line, shape, mass, form, space, texture, colour, rhythm, balance and symmetry, proportion and scale and unity. It looks at garden styles such as formal and informal. It then focuses on hard and soft landscaping, conservation issues, native trees and shrubs. This is a comprehensive lesson and has been adapted from our RHS courses on Garden Design.

If needed you have 2 years to complete the course. Many students are able to complete this course in approximately 6-12 months*.

*Timescales are approximate and depend upon application and motivation.

Upon successful completion you will receive; the Certificate of Achievement* at QLS Level 3. This course has been designed by The Horticultural Correspondence College to meet specific learners’ and/or employers’ requirements which cannot be satisfied through current regulated qualifications. The Quality Licence Scheme, endorses high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes.

You will also receive an HCC Certificate*, graded to show the standard you have reached. The HCC’s reputation means this can be highly regarded on a CV and, combined with your portfolio of coursework, is evidence of your achievements (whether you are applying for a job or a more advanced study course).

* Your certification will be issued once you have successfully completed your course and finished your course payments.

• With the appropriate practical experience, once you have successfully completed this course you could work in basic garden maintenance and planting
• You could progress to the following HCC courses:

  RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development
  The Principles of Gardening

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