General Horticulture Courses

Improve Your Opportunities to Work as an Arborist

This 900 hour course is aimed at those who wish to go into careers as managers or supervisors of workers in arboriculture. There are nine 100-hour modules in total, including a 200 hour workplace project. Students will need to arrange this themselves which makes it well suited to those who are currently working in arboriculture or landscaping or gardening positions which involve some tree care and maintenance. 

The four core units (which are common to all streams of this Advanced Certificate) cover office practices, business operations, management and marketing. The three specialist units of study relate to the selection, culture, maintenance and repair of trees with a further emphasis on other plants. It is a must for those looking to gain managerial work roles in this industry, or so as to branch into other areas of horticulture.

Develop the Skills Required to Manage a Retail Nursery

Gain knowledge in identification, care and handling of plants and other products sold through retail nurseries.

This 900 hour course trains managers or supervisors rather than workers. There are seven 100-hour modules plus a 200-hour workplace project in this course. The modules include the four core units common to all streams of this Advanced Certificate (i.e. management, office practices, business operations and marketing), plus three specialist units of study relating to the management and operation of a retail nursery.

Learn to Manage a Wholesale Production Nursery

This course is aimed at people who work as a supervisor, manager or owner-operator of a wholesale or production nursery. It is also suitable for those aspiring to get into managerial or supervisory roles. It is a 900-hour course covering both management and horticultural studies relating to running a wholesale nursery.

There are seven units plus a 200-hour workplace project in this course. These include the four core units common to all streams of the Advanced Certificate and three specialist units of study relating to the operation and management of wholesale nurseries. The core units are Management, Business Operations, Office Practices and Marketing.

Learn to Manage Hydroponics Businesses

This is a 900-hour management-oriented course designed to train managers of horticultural operations which utilise an advanced level of technology in the area of hydroponics.

There are eight units plus a 200 hr workplace project in this course. These are the five core units common to all streams of this Advanced Certificate (i.e. Management, Office Practices, Marketing and Business Operations). Three stream units in hydroponics and protected plant production involve another 300 hours of study. A workplace project relating to some aspect of horticultural technology involves the final 200 hrs of study.

Begin Your Journey Towards Horticultural Expertise

This advanced certificate in horticulture is designed to give people who wish to have a career in horticulture a competitive edge. Throughout this course you'll cover the key principles and practices of horticulture but you can also specialise in your preferred field.  

This well-balanced Advanced Certificate in Horticulture covers various aspects of Horticultural Science including: Propagation I, Soil Management, Horticulture III (Plant Health), Botany I, Practical Horticulture. This course is also a great stepping stone to higher qualifications.

Gain the Skills Needed to Make It in the Nursery Industry 

Nursery work offers many possibilities from growing plants form seeds or cuttings through to plant breeding, research & development, industrial design or sales and marketing. Wherever your career might take you and whatever your motivation, you do need a solid foundation in horticulture, and especially in propagation practices.   

This course is designed to give students a foothold in all the key areas needed to forge a career in plant nurseries in positions of responsibility. The course provides training for people wishing to work in nurseries at a technician or management level; in positions such as nursery managers, technical representatives or consultants.

Strive for Expertise in Ornamental Horticulture

This extremely comprehensive 2500-hour course covers a lot of ground in the twelve compulsory modules which have a focus on horticultural sciences, engineering, management and marketing. The remaining thirteen modules give you an opportunity to specialise in your preferred fields.   

The course provides training for people to work in the care and development of gardens, parks, or other areas of amenity horticulture (e.g. green walls and roofs, street trees, interior landscaping) at a technician, consultant or management level.

Create and Manage Natural Environments - National Parks, Wilderness Areas, Zoos, Resorts

  This course provides training for people to work in the management and development of recreation and park facilities and services. It is relevant to all types of situations including municipal parks, national parks, tourist parks, commercial landscapes, resorts, etc

Other study options may be to design your own Diploma or other qualification according to subject choices that suit your needs - see Design Your Own Course for more details.

Professional Training for a Horticulture Career

This is an outstanding foundation course for a career as a professional horticulturist anywhere in the world. The course was originally the basis of the former RHS Diploma in Horticulture which is why it differs to our other associate diploma in horticulture. Despite the RHS no longer running this course, we decided to keep the layout as it offers something different to our other offerings.  

This course covers many aspects of horticultural science including plant propagation, soil management, botany, plant ecology, protected plant production, landscaping gardens, establishing and maintaining plants and turf, practical horticulture and plant breeding.

Learn Horticulture Principles for Employment or Gardening Businesses

Develop your knowledge of horticulture principles, practical aspects of plant culture and maintenance, plant science, plant identification and how and where to use different types of plants in the landscape.

This course provides a broad-based foundation which is flexible enough to allow you to adapt to and work in different sectors of the industry - as a gardener, landscaper, technician, business owner, consultant, etc.

Learn Skills Needed to Work With Trees

To work in the challenging and stimulating arboriculture industry you need fundamental knowledge and understanding of trees, their amenity value and their indisputable value to the environment. Such knowledge includes the maintenance and management of trees; tree assessment for health, monetary or environmental value, fundamentals of planting, transplanting, pruning, site planning, identification and treatment of pests diseases, nutritional and other disorders, tree surgery, after care and advice and tree removal.

Arborists are there to encourage and maintain healthy, growing trees where at all possible; their work therefore has an important role in the community. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get a foothold in the tree care industry.

Discover How To Excel in Garden Maintenance

This is a great course for those wanting to start their own business, or wanting to work in the landscape maintenance industry. Develop a very good understanding of the fundamental skills and knowledge required to become a professional horticulturist. Learn about pests and diseases, soil nutrition, different types of irrigation, weed control, and turf management. 

This intensive certificate level qualification is suitable for anyone looking to work in home gardens, commercial landscapes, parks, or historic gardens - whether for employment, self-employment or to develop a garden maintenance business. 

Find Out How to Promote Horticulture Businesses

All horticulture enterprises have to be promoted to survive. However, whilst many horticulturists are skilled in their understanding of plants, they don't necessarily know how to make the most of business opportunities.   

Ask yourself - would you like to improve your business or career? Would you like to sell more horticultural products or are you expected to? If so, then this could be the course for you. In this course you will learn about marketing in general, but also specifically marketing in the horticultural industry. You can apply this knowledge to a wide range of business types and situations and it could make the difference needed to keep a business afloat or take it to the next level.

Gain Skills & Knowledge to Work in Fields of Horticulture

If you want a career in horticulture, this course is an ideal starting point. The course was developed by experts in the industry and has been so successful that it is regularly one of our best-sellers. Due to its popularity it is regularly updated to reflect any changes in industry standards. 

Graduates from this comprehensive certificate have a history of career success. The course provides a strong foundation in general horticulture (up to 350 hours) as well as specialised training in a chosen area such as propagation, landscaping or organics.

Learn About Grounds Maintenance & Management 

People with knowledge of grounds maintenance are sought after for employment in different kinds of settings such as public gardens, parks, private estates, business grounds, city-scapes, and green spaces in urban or rural areas.     

This immersive course provides initial training for gardeners, groundsmen and others involved in the care and maintenance of parks, gardens and turf facilities. The first half of the course is devoted to general horticulture to give you a solid foundation in horticulture principles, but the remainder is specifically related to grounds maintenance.

Study for a Career in Nature Park Management

This online course is aimed at people working in, or intending to work in, a range of nature parks - such as wildlife parks, national parks, reserves, ecotourism resorts, forests and other natural areas open to public use. 

Develop a foundation in plant identification and horticulture as well as a basic understanding of such things as botany, ecology, land care and rehabilitation, weed management, wildlife management, sustainability practices, and so forth. As we move into times of uncertainty with regards to climate change and plant and animal extinctions the need for people with the requisite skills in land management has never been stronger. 

Discover How To Identify & Control Plant Pests & Diseases

• Learn to identify and care for many different plant varieties.
• Find out how to identify and diagnose problems including pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies and toxicities, and environmental disorders.
• Become knowledgeable about natural and chemical control options, integrated pest management, application equipment, safe use of pesticides, and more.

This comprehensive certificate provides initial training in the area of plant protection. The first half of the course covers general horticulture principles whilst the remainder covers topics specifically related to plant protection. 

Learn Advanced Propagation Techniques

This course is a grower's delight. It will help you to develop skills and knowledge about propagating different types of plants by seed, cuttings, budding and grafting, separation, division and layering - in a commercially viable way.

Also learn about plant identification and general culture as a sound foundation for understanding horticultural practices. This comprehensive course is designed principally for plant propagators, whether for employment, personal development or business opportunities. Become skilled in growing all sorts of plants. 

Aim for a Career in Nursery Management

This is a superb course for people who want to manage a production nursery, retail nursery or garden centre. Learn how to run and market a nursery industry business efficiently and profitably with this comprehensive certificate course.

Whether your goal is to establish or improve your own nursery, or to take up a managerial position in an existing nursery, this course will be of value to you. 

Train for Managerial Roles in Garden Centres, Nurseries or Farm Shops

If you enjoy plants and gardens but have an interest in the sales side of things, then this course could be right for you. With an emphasis on management, sales and marketing, the course is aimed at people who seek supervisory or managerial type positions within horticulture retail. It may also suit those with some experience who want to take the next step.

This extensive certificate course may be studied entirely online, and you can start at any time you wish and work at your own pace. Our tutors are there to help you every step of the way to gain this unique qualification.  There are five core modules and you then choose one elective module to suit your interests.

Begin Your Journey Towards Expertise in Plantsmanship

Plantsmanship may be described as having skill or expertise in plants and planting. Many horticulturists also have knowledge of rare or unusual plants and employers often seek people with this kind of knowledge. This course lays a foundation to help you build knowledge and skills in identifying plants. You are then able to broaden the scope of plants you are able to identify.

At the end of this course you will be able to look at plants with greater focus and see the characteristics that differentiate one plant from others. You can then place it into a group (family or genus) which exhibits those characteristics. In doing so, you will find it easier to identify plants, and work out their classification, even if you do not know precisely what they are.

Gain Useful Skills in Propagating Plants

Good propagators are one of the most valued staff members in any production nursery. Their speed and strike rate will determine the profitability of the entire nursery. Because of their pivotal role; good propagators tend to always be in demand in the nursery industry, and their job security is high.

To be a good propagator, you need to know how to identify a wide range of plants; and be able to understand and make judgements about what parts of the plant to use and what techniques to apply in order to propagate them effectively. These things are taught strongly in this course.

Strive to Become an Expert Horticulturist

Professional horticulturists are a very different breed to other people. This is a career which is all too often more of a passion for people than a job. Gardening is arguably the most popular "hobby" in the developed world; and for those of you who are lucky enough to pursue and complete a diploma such as this you are likely to keep learning about and practising gardening - whether as a job, or a passion, for as long as you live. 

One only needs to look at the nurserymen, garden writers and radio hosts to see active horticulturists come in all ages through to people in their 80's.

Secure a Future Working in Landscaping 

The Foundation Certificate in Garden Planning and Development (Level 3) is aimed at those who wish to work in landscape design and construction. It serves as an introduction to all aspects of soft and hard landscaping and provides insights into planning, drawing, building and using plants in the landscape. 

Develop your ability to use design principles for setting out landscapes and find out how to use garden elements to create different styles. The course covers landscape construction, garden design, survey techniques, specialist garden themes and urban planting.

Learn Skills Needed for Entry into Horticulture Jobs

This vocationally-oriented course comprises core studies in general horticulture plus specialised elective studies. Slightly longer than one of our 100-hour modules, the course focuses on plants and plant culture - the skills and knowledge needed for gardening and garden maintenance type positions.

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 as well as knowledge of essential horticultural principles and practices, and practical skills in plant propagation, growth and care.

Learn About Plant Growth & Development

This intensive course is aimed at those who wish to learn more about growing plants including how to propagate them, feed them and protect them. This is done through nurturing your understanding of plant physiology and biological processes as well as plant identification and types of plants. 

This Foundation Certificate in Plant Growth for Horticulture (Level 2) includes 4 units covering - The Plant Kingdom (Unit 1), Plant Nutrition, The Root Environment (Unit 2), Pests, Diseases and Weeds (Unit 3), and Sexual and Asexual Propagation (Unit 4).

Study Advanced Plant Growth

This Foundation Certificate in Plant Growth for Horticulture (Level 3) is a longer and more detailed course than the Level 2 course. It is aimed at those who would like greater understanding of plant science and physiological processes to aid their knowledge of plant growth.  

Use this course to develop your ability to describe the principles of plant taxonomy, structure, function and growth, the management of plant health, and plant propagation. 

Study Towards a Career as a Gardener

This course is aimed at people wishing to work in residential gardens or public gardens where the majority of duties concern growing and maintaining turf grass and plants - including vegetables and fruit.   

The provides a route to employment in professional horticulture by assessing knowledge of the scientific principles and underpinning horticultural practices. It also supports career development for those already working in the profession, or it may be used as a foundation for further learning or training in the field of horticulture. There are no prerequisites required for entry into this course.

Become Skilled at Growing & Caring for Plants

This is a comprehensive diploma level qualification in garden maintenance. It covers everything you need to know to make a success out of a career as a gardener.  

In this course you will get to study ten 100-hour modules that focus on different aspects of garden maintenance. Improve your knowledge and skills within each area. It is a must for anyone wanting to progress in garden maintenance jobs or develop a gardening business. Study online by distance learning, start at a time that suits you, and work at your own pace.

Train in Horticulture Retail Management

This is a unique course offering a qualification in horticulture retail which can be applied to garden centre, nursery or farm shop management as well as other similar enterprises. The course covers marketing, wholesale nursery and bookkeeping. This intensive 1,000-hour course can help to develop your business and career opportunities within these areas of the nursery retail industry.

There are ten modules cover both horticultural and business related studies. Graduates are likely to seek managerial or supervisory type roles, or use what they learn to run their own businesses.

Learn Horticulture Skills for a Range of Different Roles

Amenity horticulture covers gardens and public spaces such as green spaces, parks, streetscapes, grounds of buildings, and so on. Study amenity horticulture by distance education and learn different practical skills to equip you for a variety of jobs. 

With this course you can improve your job and career prospects in amenity horticulture by earning while you learn. You can start the course at any time to suit you. You will be required to study our Amenity Horticulture I and II modules plus an elective of your choice. this is combined with 200 hours of work experience which you may already have acquired. 

Study Theories and Practices of Tree Care 

Learn about aboriculture - the culture and management of trees. This 500 hour course blends practical experience in arboriculture with theoretical understanding.

The course covers three core modules - Arboriculture I, Arboriculture II, and Trees for Rehabilitation. There is also a 200 hour industry/workplace project providing the student with practical applications of their knowledge. This component of the qualification may be achieved through relevant industry experience already acquired.

Combine Your Experience with Learning to Gain a Qualification

Whether you are a professional or amateur gardener, this course will lay the foundation for maintaining residential or commercial gardens efficiently. Learn the skills and knowledge required to maintain and keep gardens looking healthy.

This proficiency award combines three of our 100-hour modules with 200 hours of work experience. It is aimed at those who already hold gardening positions or who have previous work experience in gardening or landscaping and would like to combine that with some study to gain a qualification. 

Aim for a Career in Garden Nursery Work

This course provides garden nursery training by distance learning. If you work in garden nurseries or would like to, this course is a great way to get started. Staff in nurseries may be involved in growing plants, caring for plants or marketing and selling plants - and there can be specialised positions within each of these areas. This course exposes you to all aspects of nursery work so gives you a strong platform from which to specialise.    

The course contains three core modules of Nursery Growing, Nursery Hands and Nursery Sales, followed by a 200 hour industry/workplace project. Those with previous or current work experience in the nursery industry may use that to satisfy this component.

A Course Which Combines Learning & Experience

The proficiency award is a specialised qualification. It comprises a set syllabus consisting of about 30 lessons that relate to a particular specialist theme i.e. different areas of horticulture. You select and study three short 100-hour courses of your own choice which relate to each other (e.g. three crops courses or three landscaping courses).

In addition, you must complete 200 hours of approved work experience before receiving the award. This can be for work already undertaken (e.g. previous jobs). Approval of course structure must be obtained before enrolling.

Learn About Irrigation Systems for Plants & Crops in any Location

Good irrigation and water management is essential for healthy plants and crops. It is also increasingly important for the environment as well as profitability of farms and plant nurseries. Some plants use water faster than others, and water usage can be affected by a range of things such as roots systems, wind, temperatures, soil structure and plant health.   

In this course you will learn about irrigation management within horticulture through consideration of both plant physiology and irrigation system design. Study five 100-hour modules that look at the theory and practice of irrigation and horticulture.

Train to Be a Propagation Expert

Propagation is an essential part of the nursery business - whether to provide plants to gardeners, retail nurseries, garden centres, re-vegetation projects, landscapers, orchards, vineyards, farms or other end-users. People with skills in propagation are sought after by nurseries and having the ability to grow a wide range of plants could stand you in good stead for your own plant-growing business.

Study this proficiency award course to become an expert in propagation. This 500-hour course can be taken online to give you in-depth knowledge into all areas of propagation from making propagation mixes to environmental control, and all types of propagation from seeds to cuttings, and grafting to division.