COURSE CONTENTS
There are ten lessons in this course:
1. The Plant Kingdom (part a)
2. The Plant Kingdom (part b)
3. The Plant Kingdom (part c)
4. Plant Propagation
5. Outdoor Food Production
6. Garden Planning
7. The Root Environment and Plant Nutrition
8. Protected Cultivation
9. Horticultural Plant Selection, Establishment and Maintenance
10. Horticultural Plant Health Problems
DURATION
Nominally 120 hours (as indicated by the RHS), though we believe only students who already have some prior experience could complete it within this time frame. Most students should budget on spending 150 hours or more doing this course if they hope to be successful when sitting final exams through the RHS (irrespective of whether they study with us or elsewhere).
AIMS
Demonstrate a broad range of horticultural knowledge; communicate clearly and coherently in writing on horticultural matters; and relate horticultural science to its practical application.
Understand the classification of higher plants and appreciate the internal structure of higher plants.
Understand the external structure of higher plants
Develop an understanding of the principles and main practices of plant propagation in horticulture.
Understand the fundamental physiological processes within the plant including photosynthesis, respiration, water movement, pollination, fertilisation, seed formation and germination.
Develop an understanding of the principles and main practices of plant propagation in horticulture.
Understand basic cultural operations and production methods necessary to obtain outdoor food crops.
Understand basic surveying and design principles and apply them to basic garden design and planning requirements.
Develop an understanding of the constituents, properties and management of soils and growing media.
Develop an understanding of environmental control and plant cultivation in greenhouses and other protected environments.
Develop an understanding of plant selection, establishment and maintenance of a range of ornamental plants.
Develop an understanding of pest, diseases and weeds that affect horticultural plants, and the cultural, biological, chemical and integrated systems used to control those problems.
THE EXAMS
To be awarded the UK accredited certificate by the Royal Horticultural Society, you need to sit two exams set by the RHS. These are offered twice annually, and sitting of these exams can be generally be arranged without too much difficulty in most regions around the world. If you choose to sit these RHS exams, additional exam fees are payable to the RHS.
This vocationally-oriented course comprises core studies in general horticulture plus specialised elective studies. The course is designed to lay a foundation for a long-term career in horticulture by developing the ability to identify a large range of plants, knowledge of essential horticultural principles and practices and practical skills in plant propagation, growth and care. This course provides certification from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) UK and a UK accredited qualification.
Student Comments (K.Eastwell): "I am very impressed by the standard of the core materials, by the professional and ever helpful and supportive admin ......" ..."I also like the green, environmentally sensitive approach to the course"
