Horticultural & Gardening Courses 📚

That depends on what you want to do. If you simply want to improve as a gardener, good books and online videos may be enough. If you want to work professionally in horticulture, a recognised qualification will help enormously — horticulture is a science, and attempting to bluff without proper grounding will quickly become apparent.

If you want to deepen a hobby — growing vegetables, keeping an allotment, or houseplants — a short course at a college or online will suit you well. For a professional career in horticulture, you'll need something with a recognised qualification at the end. The RHS offers several levels of qualification that are widely respected across the industry, covering both practical and theory modules.

Introductory and short courses generally ask for no prior experience. More advanced and degree-level courses will expect a solid grounding in the subject. University degree courses may require A levels or equivalent qualifications.

For those moving into horticulture as a new career, a great starting point is the RHS Level 2 qualification. It's an industry-recognised award that prospective employers will know and respect, covering both practical skills and horticultural science.

A short introductory course on a single topic might take just one day. A degree in horticulture typically takes three years full-time. RHS Level 2 and 3 certificates are usually completed over one to two years part-time alongside work.

Most online courses are open to all ages. In-person courses will vary by provider. The RHS Level 1 qualification is specifically targeted at under-18s and is an excellent place to start.