Course overview
This practical qualification will provide you with an understanding of the skills required to carry out essential horticultural tasks with proficiency, within a variety of environments.
This course supports progression to employment within various horticultural industries including professional gardening, landscaping, plant production, and garden retail, as well as supporting learning in entry-level roles for those in the early stages of their horticultural career. This practical course involves moderate to strenuous physical work including soil cultivation, planting, pruning and use of small, powered horticultural machinery. You will also be handling soil, organic matter, fertilisers and sharp tools and equipment.
If you are looking to build upon and expand your existing knowledge as an amateur gardener then this course will also be suitable for you. We strongly recommend completing the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development (theory) course before progressing on to the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture (practical) course.
This course is examined with an online theory paper and two practical assessments.
You will learn
- Identification of a wide range of garden plants, weeds, pests, diseases and disorders
- The practical skills in ground preparation and the establishment of plants
- Professional plant propagation skills
- Plant health monitoring and identification
- How to implement garden maintenance plans and healthcare plans
- How to care for and prune a range of plants
- Skills required for garden feature care and maintenance
- How to establish and maintain grassed areas
Certificate in Practical Horticulture – Royal Horticultural Society
Reference: 61004868
A keen horticultural interest is essential. At least five GCSEs including English at grade 4 and above (C and above), plus suitable levels of numeracy. Relevant previous industry experience will be considered.
You may be asked to attend an interview to discuss your interests, experience and ambitions so that we can help you study on the right course.
Successful completion of this qualification can support career development for those already working within professional horticulture or help prepare you to embark on a career in the horticultural profession. You can also continue your Level 2 studies with the RHS Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Development and Propagation (Theory).
Alternatively, this may provide the foundation for you to progress your studies onto a Level 3 RHS Horticulture course, or you could progress onto a garden design or hard landscaping course.
This course is part-funded by the ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency) or Greater London Authority (GLA) for those that are eligible.
If you are aged 16, 17 or 18 at the start of the course, your tuition, exams and materials fees will be paid for you in full as long as you meet some basic criteria for UK residence (more information can be found on our Fees and Funding page).
If you are aged 19 or over on the day your course starts, you may be entitled to help with tuition fees subject to criteria. If you receive employment benefits, have a low income, or are studying towards your first substantial qualification, you may be entitled to free tuition. You may need to pay a materials fee if applicable to your course. Find further information about help with tuition fees on our Fees and Funding page.
For some of our courses, we offer a discount for current students. If this is the case, you will see the reduced fee when you select your chosen course campus and start date. To qualify for this discount, you must already be studying another course at Capel Manor College, and be adding this course to your existing programme.
