RHS Home Study Course Garden Planning
Home Studies Course
RHS Level II Certificate 2 in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance
There are 10 lessons here, spread across 4 units:
Unit 1 – Garden features, plant selection and planning.
Unit 2 – The choice, establishment and maintenance of garden plants and lawns.
Unit 3 – The production of outdoor vegetables and fruit.
Unit 4 – Protected environments and their use in plant cultivation.
Lesson Structure
There are 10 lessons in this course:
- Principles of Garden Design
- Conducting Garden Surveys and Planning
- Use of Hard Garden Features and Hard Surfaces
- Use of Soft Garden Features
- Plant Establishment and Maintenance
- Pruning
- Lawns; Establishment and Maintenance
Outdoor Food Production; Vegetables - Outdoor Food Production; Fruit
- Protected Cultivation
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
- Develop an understanding of: design principles and how to apply them; basic surveying; garden features, plant selection; garden planning.
- Develop an understanding of plant selection, establishment and maintenance of a range of ornamental plants and lawns.
- Develop an understanding of basic cultural operations and production methods for outdoor vegetable and fruit crops.
- Develop an understanding of: environmental controls, uses and appropriate applications of greenhouses and other protected plant growing structures; the production of a range of plants in protected structures and the care of plants in the house and conservatory.
Contents of Each Lesson
The 10 lessons cover topics as outlined:
- Principles of Garden Design
- Introduction
- Landscape Principles (Unity, Balance, Proportion, Harmony, Contrast, Rhythm)
- Design Elements (Line, Form, Mass, Space, Texture, Colour, Tone)
- Landscape Effects
- Colour in Garden Design
- Formal Gardens
- Informal Gardens
- Cottage Gardens
- Minimalist Gardens
- Natural Landscapes
- Oriental Gardens
- Mediterranean Gardens
- Tropical Gardens
- Plant Identification, Culture and Use -Reviewing a range of plants
- Conducting Garden Surveys and Planning
- Appraising a Site and Collecting Data for Planning
- Components of the Pre Planning Phase
- Use of Hard Garden Features and Hard Surfaces
- Scale for Landscape Plans
- Triangulation
- Surveying Slope
- Direct Contouring
- The Grid System
- Levelling Terminology and Procedure
- The site Plan
- Concept Plan
- Final Plan
- Other Plans
- Design Procedure
- Landscape Graphics
- Putting Pen to Paper
- Lettering and Graphics
- Use of Hard Landscaping Features
- Hard and Soft Landscaping
- Surfaces in the Garden
- Paving
- Using Pebbles
- Rockeries
- Mulching and Erosion Matting
- Barriers and Walls
- Trellis
- Types of Fencing
- Patios
- Seating
- Garden Structures
- Garden Art, Features and Furnishings
- Pools, Ponds and Water Gardens
- Environmental Sustainability
- Use of Soft Garden Features
- Choosing Plants
- Purchasing Plants
- Trees in the Landscape (Deciduous, Semi Deciduous, Evergreen)
- Shrubs
- Perennials and Herbs
- Types of Herb Gardens
- Wildflower Meadows
- Perennial Displays
- Annuals
- Flower Bed Design
- Cottage Gardens
- Scented Plants
- Climbers and Growing plants on Trellis
- Lawns and Turf varieties
- Plant Establishment and Maintenance
- Plants in the Landscape
- Plant Selection
- Environmental Factors
- Improving Environmental Conditions
- Selecting the Right Plant
- Which Plant to Buy
- Understanding Soils and Fertility
- Plant Nutrition
- Preparing a Garden
- Transplanting Techniques
- Fertilising and Staking
- Planting Bare Rooted Plants
- Time of Planting
- Planting Mistakes to Avoid
- Gardening in Dry Areas
- Colourful Year Round Foliage
- Establishing Annual and Herbaceous Plants
- Seed
- Selecting Herbaceous Plants and Bulbs
- Dividing and Separating Perennials
- Herbaceous Borders
- Maximising Flower Displays
- Selecting Woody Plants
- Trees and Tree Health
- Selecting Flowering Shrubs
- Hedges
- Climbers
- Water Plants and Pond Management
- Plant Health
- Weed Management
- Pruning
- What, Where and Why Prune
- Removing Dead and Diseased Wood
- Controlling Type of Growth
- Distinguishing between Bud Types
- Controlling Shape and Size
- Pruning to Rejuvenate a Plant
- Winter Pruning
- How to Prune
- Pruning Different Specific Plant Genera
- Espaliers
- Dead Heading
- Tree Pruning
- Stopping, Disbudding, Root Pruning, Dead heading etc.
- Lawns; Establishment and Maintenance
- Turf Establishment
- Soil Preparation
- Seeding, Stolonising, Sodding, Sprigging, Plugging
- Mowers and Mowing Turf
- Fertilising Turf
- Renovation: aeration, scarification, top dressing etc
- Outdoor Food Production; Vegetables
- Introduction to Growing Outdoor Food Crops
- Growing Techniques for Vegetables
- Planning a Crop
- Starting a Vegetable Garden
- Managing the Crop (Weed Control, Pests, Water etc)
- Special Techniques: No Dig, Green Manure, Cover Crops, Compost etc)
- Sustainable Cultivation Techniques
- Planting Techniques
- Review of major Vegetable Crops
- Managing Water and Irrigation
- Outdoor Food Production; Fruit
- Choosing a Site and Establishing an Orchard
- Location, Climate, Rainfall and other Site Considerations
- Deciding what to Grow
- Scope of Fruit Growing
- Pest and Disease Management on Fruit -Chemical and Non Chemical
- Environmental Problems and their Management
- Pruning Fruit Trees
- Pollination
- Review of Significant types of Fruits, Berries and Citrus
- Developing a Production Plan
- Protected Cultivation
- Introduction to Protected Growing
- Types of Growing Structures
- Factors Affecting Light Transmission in Growing Structures
- Management of Greenhouses: Benches, Hygiene, Watering, Temperature Control etc
- Shade Houses
- Computerised Environmental Control
- Heating Systems
- Controlling Light
- Irrigation & Nutrition Control
- Feeding Plants
- Pest and Disease Control in Greenhouses
- Containers for Growing in
- Potting Media
- Indoor Plants and their Management
To obtain the certificate, awarded by the RHS in England, the student needs to sit and pass written exams conducted under supervision, and assessed by the RHS.
Exams can be arranged to be sat anywhere in the world.
Exams are offered twice annually; in February and June. A separate fee applies for exams; set by and paid to the RHS.
A network of exam centres are located across the UK for students located in the UK
For students located elsewhere; a provision is made for exams to be conducted "under arrangements for exceptional supervision".
This is one of several new RHS Qualifications being phased in to replace older courses over the second half of 2010.
The older courses can still be studied with ACS, but there will be cut off dates on their accreditation; and the possibility of sitting an RHS exam for the older qualification may be missed. Opportunities will be made available to upgrade from the older courses to the new qualifications, irrespective.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
RHS Distance Learning Course Garden Planning
Home Studies Course -RHS Level II Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance
This course provides a route to employment in professional horticulture by assessing knowledge of the scientific principles and underpinning horticultural practices, and supports career development for those already working in the profession. It also provides a foundation for further learning or training in the field of horticulture.
There are no prerequisites required for entry into this course.
