Distance Learning Horticulture Courses » rhs

RHS Level 2 Combined RHSC2

admin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 13:57:10 +0000

This RHS course is a combination of both Level 2 RHS courses. Together, you will be studying through 20 lessons that cover the following:

Principles of Garden Design
- Introduction
- Landscape Principles (Unity, Balance, Proportion, Harmony, Contrast, Rythm)
- 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 Landscapingalt
- 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 Rejuvinate 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 Sigificant 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, Hygeine, 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
Classification of Plants and the Plant Naming System
- Botanical and Horticultural Nomenclature: common names, scientific names
- The Binomial System
- Botanical Classification levels
- Horticultural Groups
- Plant Families and their distinguishing characteristics
- Species, Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars
- Review of significant Dicotyledon and Monocotyledon families
- Plant Lifecycles
- Stages in Plant Development
- Plant Collection Reviews
The Internal Structure of Higher Plants
- Plant Cell Structure
- Cell Components
- Cell Division; mitosis and meiosis
- Types of Plant Cells; Parenchyma, Collechyma,Sclerenchyma, Xylem, Phloem, Epidermal
- Internal Structure of Dicotyledon Stems: Epidermis, endodermis, cortex, vascular bundles, etc
- Structure of Monocotyledon Stems
- External Differences between Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons
- Anatomica features of leaves and stems in cross section
- Plant Tissues
- Primary and Secondary Growth
- Terminology
- Botanical Keys and their use
The External Structure of Higher Plants, Roots, Leaves, Stems and Buds
- Stems; the framework, functions of the stem
- Stem modificationsalt
- Leaves
- Functions of leaves
- Respiration, transpiration and photosynthesis
- Leaf shapes
- Compound leaves
- Leaf modifications
- Buds: adventitious, apical, flower, vegetative
- Root Structure
- Types of Root Systems
- Root Modifications
- Morphological Changes due to Maturation
Identification and Function of the Reproductive Parts of the Plant
- Parts of a flower: Sepals, Petals Staemens, Carpel
- The Inflorescence
- Flower Structure
- Types of Fruits
- Fruit and Seed Terminology
- Modification of Fruits -dry fruits, succulent fruits, composite fruits, false fruits
- Key to Main Fruit Types
Pollination and Fertilisation in Higher Plants
- Pollination Processes
- Self Pollination, Cross pollination
- Pollination Mechanisms
- Compatibility
- Fertilisation, Embryo and Seed Formation
- Post Fertilisation
- F1 Hybrids
- Genotype versus Phenotype
- Male Sterility
- Parthenocarpy
- Hybrid Seed Production
- Terminology
- Seed and Fruit Development
- Seed Structure
- Seed Germination
- Fruit Set, Growth and Development
The Fundamental Physiological Processes in Plants, Plant Growth and Developmental Relationships
- Importance of Photosynthesis
- The Light Reactions
- The Dark Reactions
- Chloplasts in Photosynthesis
- C3, C4 and CAM Plants
- Rate of Photosynthesis
- Chemistry of Respiration
- Rate of Respiration
- Stages of Respiration
- Aerobic versus Anaerobic Respiration
- Transpiration and Translocation of Water
- Osmosis
- Diffusion
- Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake
- How Water, ions and metabolites move through a plant
- Tropisms; Phototropism, Geotropism, Thigmotropism, etc
- Chemical Growth Modification; Auxins, Gibberellins, AA, Ethylene, Cytokinin, etc
- Effects of Chemical hormones
- Light factors in plant growth
- Artificial Light
Soils and the Root Environment
- Soil Profile
- Importance of Soil
- Soil Composition
- Texture
- Structure and soil types
- Soil Horizons (A, B, C and R)
- Naming the Soil
- Improving Soil Structure
- Soil Sampling
- Improving Fertility
- Organic Matter
- Benefits of adding Organic Matter
- Soil Water and it’s Value to Plants
- Water Loss from Soils
- Improving Water Retention
- Hygroscopic Water, Gravitational Water, Field Capacity and other terminology
- Saturation
- Rate of Watering
- Plant Health and Drainage
- Symptoms of Poor DrainageImproving surface and sub surface Drainage
- Tensiometer
- Soil pH
- Nutrient Availability and pH
- Calcifuges and Calcicoles
- Adding Lime
- Adding Acidic Materials to Lower pH
- Conservation Issues: Peat
- Terminology
Plant Nutrition
- Soil Life: Earthworms, Mycorrhyzae, Nitrogen Fixing
- Nitrogen Cycle; Ammonification,Nitrification, Detritrification, Nitrogen Loss
- Forms of Nitrogen
- The Nitrogen Cycle
- The Carbon Cycle
- The Nutrient Elements
- The Major Elements
- The Minor Elements (Trace Elements)
- Total Salts
- Diagnosis of Nutrient Problems
- Fertilisers
- Types of Fertilisers
- Applying Fertilisers
- Natural Fertilisers
- Manures, Rock Dusts, Seaweed
- Composting Methods: sheet composting, Indore method, 14 day method, compost bins, trench composting, etc
- Green Manures
- Mulch and Mulching
- Cultivation Techniues
- Cultivation Tools and Equipmentalt
- Improving Water Infiltration into Soil
- Non Dig Growing Method
- Soil Problems
- Soil Rehabilitation
- Properties of Growing Media
- Potting Media: Components and mixes
- Choosing Growing Media
- Air Filled Porosity
- Hydroponics defined
Plant Health Problems
- Factors Affecting Plant Health and Growth
- Types of Problems
- Conducting an Inspection
- Determining and Recommending Treatments
- Responding to Difficult to Diagnose Problems
- Plant Pests -major groups
- Pest Treatments – Sanitation, Physical control methods, Resistant varieties, Biological controls, Chemical controls, Soil drenches
- Insect Biology; structure, lifecycles, etc
- Review of Major Pests and their Treatments
- Review of Major Diseases and their Treatments
- Review of Environmental Problems and their Control
- Types of Weeds
- Identifying Weeds
- Weed Control Methods; suffocation, burning, cultivation, grazing, mowing, solarisation, chemicals, etc
Plant Propagation Principles and Practice
- Sexual Propagation
- When to Sow Seed
- Why Some Seeds Don’t Germinate
- Dormancy Factors in Seed -Hard Seed Coat, Chemical Inhibitors, Undeveloped Embryos etc
- Difficult to Germinate Seeds
- Treatments to Break Seed Dormancy
- Seed Sources
- Seed Saving; Seed Storage
- Sowing Seed Indoors
- Seed Sowing: Germination, Temperature Control Hygeine
- Seed Propagating Media
- Sowing Seed Outside
- Handling and caring for Seedlings
- Potting Up
- Propagation after care
- Propagation from Cuttings
- Succeeding with Cuttings
- Types of Cuttings
- Softwood, Semi Hardwood and Hard wood Cuttings
- Variations on Cuttings: nodal, heel, tip, etc
- Leaf Cuttings, Leaf bud cuttings, Root Cuttings, Bulb Cuttings, etc
- Stock Plants for Cuttings
- Layering
- Propagation from Specialised Stems and Roots; Offsets, Division, etc
- Propagating Tools: Secateurs, How to Cut, Knives
- Grafting
- Propagating Plants in a Greenhouse
- Cold Frames
- Heated Propagators

By enrolling on this course, you will save up to £80 compared to enrolling on both RHS Level 2 courses individually.

To obtain the certificate, awarded by the RHS , the student needs to sit and pass written exams conducted under supervision, and assessed by the RHS. Exams centers can be found all over the world. Exams are offered twice annually; in February and June. A separate fee applies for exams; set by and paid to the RHS.

Price: £530
Qualification: Certificate
Estimated Course Duration: 200 hours
Available Learing Methods: Online, CD and Correspondence (+£65)
Enrolment Dates: Our courses are self-paced and you can start at anytime

RHS Level 3 Garden Planning, Construction & Planting VHT042

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 08:36:11 +0000

This well-writen and easy to follow RHS course teaches you about garden planning, construction and planting. Develop your ability to describe the principles of using landscaping and other specialist garden elements in the garden, landscape construction, garden design, survey techniques, specialist garden and urban planting.

Find a job, start a business, work in landscaping, This RHS course has over 150,000 words of unique course notes developed by our professional horticulturists. As part of this RHS course you will receive unlimited support from an international team of highly qualified horticulturists and landscape professionals based both in the UK and Australia.

Course Structure for RHS Level 3 Garden Planning, Construction & Planting

This course consists of 15 in-depth lessons which cover everything needed to pass the level 3 RHS examination.

History of Garden Design and Styles
Site Appraisals, Basic Surveying Techniques and Client Briefs
Principles and Elements of Garden Design and the Influence of Site Characteristics
Hard Landscaping Features and their Contribution to Garden Design and Function
The Function of Drainage Systems in the Garden
Soft Landscaping Features and their Contribution to Garden Design and Function
Turf and its Contribution to Garden Design and Function
Setting out a Site to Scale Plans and Drawings
Earthworks, Soil Storage and Drainage Systems
Landscape Construction Procedures and Materials
Constructing Rock Gardens and Water Features
Amenity Bedding Schemes
Specialist Garden Areas and Urban Garden Options
Specialist Pruning Techniques
Adapting Gardens for Water Sustainability

Develop your ability to describe the principles of using landscaping and other specialist garden elements in the garden, landscape construction, garden design, survey techniques, specialist garden and urban planting.

Price: £395
Qualification: Certificate
Estimated Course Duration: 200 hours
Available Learing Methods: Online, CD and Correspondence (+£35)
Enrolment Dates: Our courses are self-paced and you can start at anytime

Enrol Today

RHS Level 3 Principles of Plant Growth, Health & Applied Propagation

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 08:12:35 +0000

RHS Level 3 course in Principles of Plant Growth, Health & Applied Propagation. Expand your knowledge and qualifications with this fantastic RHS course. This RHS course will help develop your ability to describe the principles of plant taxonomy, structure, function and growth, the management of plant health, and plant propagation.

Develop your ability to describe the principles of plant taxonomy, structure, function and growth, the management of plant health, and plant propagation.

Course Structure for RHS Level 3 Principles of Plant Growth, Health & Applied Propagation

This course consists of 15 in-depth lessons which cover everything needed to pass the level 3 RHS examination.

Taxonomic Classification of Plants
Structure and Function of Cells and Tissues
Role of Flowers and Fruit
Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Movement of Water
Effects of Tropisms and Plant Growth Regulators
Physical Properties of Growing Media
Chemical Properties of Growing Media and Role of Air and Water
Biological Processes in Growing Media
Nutrients and Plant Growth
Organic Techniques and Soil Management
Plant Pests, Diseases and Disorders Part A
Plant Pests, Diseases and Disorders Part B
Regulation of Chemicals and Storage Procedures
Seed Propagation
Vegetative Propagation

Aims of RHS Level 3 Principles of Plant Growth, Health & Applied Propagation

Demonstrate knowledge of the major divisions of the plant kingdom and an understanding of the taxonomic hierarchy and its relevance to horticultural practice
Identify and describe the different types of plant cells and tissues, their structure, and function
To understand the role and function of the reproductive parts of the plant and the seed in the plant lifecycle
Understand the mechanism and role of photosynthesis and respiration in the metabolism of plants, the role of water in the plant, and the movement of water, solutes, and assimilates through the plant
To develop an understanding of the effects of tropisms and other plant movements on growth and development
Understand the physical properties of growing media and their significance in relation to plant growth
To understand basic chemistry of soils and other growing media, and the relationship between their air and water content and plant growth
To understand the role of living organisms in the biological processes of soils and other growing media
To understand how nutrients affect plant growth and describe a range of fertilisers and their applications
To determine appropriate management programs for different soils in horticultural situations

Enrol Today

RHS Level 2 Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation & Development VHT040

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:48:15 +0000

Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation & Development. This is one of a new generation of certificates being launched by the RHS to replace older qualifications.

Course Structure for RHS Level 2 Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation & Development

This course consists of 10 in-depth lessons which cover everything needed to pass the RHS examination.

Classification of Plants and the Plant Naming System
- Botanical and Horticultural Nomenclature: common names, scientific names
- The Binomial System
- Botanical Classification levels
- Horticultural Groups
- Plant Families and their distinguishing characteristics
- Species, Hybrids, Varieties, Cultivars
- Review of significant Dicotyledon and Monocotyledon families
- Plant Lifecycles
- Stages in Plant Development
- Plant Collection Reviews
The Internal Structure of Higher Plants
- Plant Cell Structure
- Cell Components
- Cell Division; mitosis and meiosis
- Types of Plant Cells; Parenchyma, Collechyma,Sclerenchyma, Xylem, Phloem, Epidermal
- Internal Structure of Dicotyledon Stems: Epidermis, endodermis, cortex, vascular bundles, etc
- Structure of Monocotyledon Stems
- External Differences between Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons
- Anatomica features of leaves and stems in cross section
- Plant Tissues
- Primary and Secondary Growth
- Terminology
- Botanical Keys and their use
The External Structure of Higher Plants, Roots, Leaves, Stems and Buds
- Stems; the framework, functions of the stem
- Stem modificationsalt
- Leaves
- Functions of leaves
- Respiration, transpiration and photosynthesis
- Leaf shapes
- Compound leaves
- Leaf modifications
- Buds: adventitious, apical, flower, vegetative
- Root Structure
- Types of Root Systems
- Root Modifications
- Morphological Changes due to Maturation
Identification and Function of the Reproductive Parts of the Plant
- Parts of a flower: Sepals, Petals Staemens, Carpel
- The Inflorescence
- Flower Structure
- Types of Fruits
- Fruit and Seed Terminology
- Modification of Fruits -dry fruits, succulent fruits, composite fruits, false fruits
- Key to Main Fruit Types
Pollination and Fertilisation in Higher Plants
- Pollination Processes
- Self Pollination, Cross pollination
- Pollination Mechanisms
- Compatibility
- Fertilisation, Embryo and Seed Formation
- Post Fertilisation
- F1 Hybrids
- Genotype versus Phenotype
- Male Sterility
- Parthenocarpy
- Hybrid Seed Production
- Terminology
- Seed and Fruit Development
- Seed Structure
- Seed Germination
- Fruit Set, Growth and Development
The Fundamental Physiological Processes in Plants, Plant Growth and Developmental Relationships
- Importance of Photosynthesis
- The Light Reactions
- The Dark Reactions
- Chloplasts in Photosynthesis
- C3, C4 and CAM Plants
- Rate of Photosynthesis
- Chemistry of Respiration
- Rate of Respiration
- Stages of Respiration
- Aerobic versus Anaerobic Respiration
- Transpiration and Translocation of Water
- Osmosis
- Diffusion
- Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake
- How Water, ions and metabolites move through a plant
- Tropisms; Phototropism, Geotropism, Thigmotropism, etc
- Chemical Growth Modification; Auxins, Gibberellins, AA, Ethylene, Cytokinin, etc
- Effects of Chemical hormones
- Light factors in plant growth
- Artificial Light
Soils and the Root Environment
- Soil Profile
- Importance of Soil
- Soil Composition
- Texture
- Structure and soil types
- Soil Horizons (A, B, C and R)
- Naming the Soil
- Improving Soil Structure
- Soil Sampling
- Improving Fertility
- Organic Matter
- Benefits of adding Organic Matter
- Soil Water and it’s Value to Plants
- Water Loss from Soils
- Improving Water Retention
- Hygroscopic Water, Gravitational Water, Field Capacity and other terminology
- Saturation
- Rate of Watering
- Plant Health and Drainage
- Symptoms of Poor DrainageImproving surface and sub surface Drainage
- Tensiometer
- Soil pH
- Nutrient Availability and pH
- Calcifuges and Calcicoles
- Adding Lime
- Adding Acidic Materials to Lower pH
- Conservation Issues: Peat
- Terminology
Plant Nutrition
- Soil Life: Earthworms, Mycorrhyzae, Nitrogen Fixing
- Nitrogen Cycle; Ammonification,Nitrification, Detritrification, Nitrogen Loss
- Forms of Nitrogen
- The Nitrogen Cycle
- The Carbon Cycle
- The Nutrient Elements
- The Major Elements
- The Minor Elements (Trace Elements)
- Total Salts
- Diagnosis of Nutrient Problems
- Fertilisers
- Types of Fertilisers
- Applying Fertilisers
- Natural Fertilisers
- Manures, Rock Dusts, Seaweed
- Composting Methods: sheet composting, Indore method, 14 day method, compost bins, trench composting, etc
- Green Manures
- Mulch and Mulching
- Cultivation Techniues
- Cultivation Tools and Equipmentalt
- Improving Water Infiltration into Soil
- Non Dig Growing Method
- Soil Problems
- Soil Rehabilitation
- Properties of Growing Media
- Potting Media: Components and mixes
- Choosing Growing Media
- Air Filled Porosity
- Hydroponics defined
Plant Health Problems
- Factors Affecting Plant Health and Growth
- Types of Problems
- Conducting an Inspection
- Determining and Recommending Treatments
- Responding to Difficult to Diagnose Problems
- Plant Pests -major groups
- Pest Treatments – Sanitation, Physical control methods, Resistant varieties, Biological controls, Chemical controls, Soil drenches
- Insect Biology; structure, lifecycles, etc
- Review of Major Pests and their Treatments
- Review of Major Diseases and their Treatments
- Review of Environmental Problems and their Control
- Types of Weeds
- Identifying Weeds
- Weed Control Methods; suffocation, burning, cultivation, grazing, mowing, solarisation, chemicals, etc
Plant Propagation Principles and Practice
- Sexual Propagation
- When to Sow Seed
- Why Some Seeds Don’t Germinate
- Dormancy Factors in Seed -Hard Seed Coat, Chemical Inhibitors, Undeveloped Embryos etc
- Difficult to Germinate Seeds
- Treatments to Break Seed Dormancy
- Seed Sources
- Seed Saving; Seed Storage
- Sowing Seed Indoors
- Seed Sowing: Germination, Temperature Control Hygeine
- Seed Propagating Media
- Sowing Seed Outside
- Handling and caring for Seedlings
- Potting Up
- Propagation after care
- Propagation from Cuttings
- Succeeding with Cuttings
- Types of Cuttings
- Softwood, Semi Hardwood and Hard wood Cuttings
- Variations on Cuttings: nodal, heel, tip, etc
- Leaf Cuttings, Leaf bud cuttings, Root Cuttings, Bulb Cuttings, etc
- Stock Plants for Cuttings
- Layering
- Propagation from Specialised Stems and Roots; Offsets, Division, etc
- Propagating Tools: Secateurs, How to Cut, Knives
- Grafting
- Propagating Plants in a Greenhouse
- Cold Frames
- Heated Propagators

Aims of RHS Level 2 Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation & Development

Describe the classification of higher plants
Describe the internal structure of higher plants
Describe the structure and functions of roots, leaves, stems and buds.
Describe the functions of the reproductive parts of the plant
Describe the process of pollination and fertilisation in higher plants.
Describe the processes photosynthesis, respiration, the movement of water in plants and plant growth and development.
Develop an understanding of the constituents, properties and management of soils and growing media.
Describe the nutrient elements and plant nutrition in relation to soil and growing media.
Describe the uses of organic matter and the importance of living organisms in the soil
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.
Develop an understanding of the principles and main practices of plant propagation in horticulture.

Price: £325
Qualification: Certificate
Estimated Course Duration: 100 hours
Available Learing Methods: Online, CD and Correspondence (+£35)
Enrolment Dates: Our courses are self-paced and you can start at anytime

Enrol Today

RHS Level 2 Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment & Mantainence VHT039

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 07:01:12 +0000

Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment & Maintenance. This RHS course is an excellent starting point to employment in professional horticulture by assessing knowledge of the scientific principles underpinning horticultural practices. This RHS course also 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.

Course Structure for RHS Level 2 Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment & Mantainence VHT039

This course consists of 10 in-depth lessons which cover everything needed to pass the RHS examination.

Principles of Garden Design
- Introduction
- Landscape Principles (Unity, Balance, Proportion, Harmony, Contrast, Rythm)
- 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 Landscapingalt
- 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 Rejuvinate 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 Sigificant 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, Hygeine, 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

Aims of RHS Level 2 Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment & Mantainence VHT039

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.

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.