RHS level 2 combined practical & theory

Hi all,

Over the last few years I have found myself gravitating towards becoming more and more interested in horticulture. I have now enrolled to study RHS Level 2 in Practical Horticulture at college on Saturday mornings from September. I will doing this whilst working Monday to Friday. Whilst I would consider myself a novice in the grand scheme, I do have basic knowledge of plant care and propagation and have my own garden where I grow small amounts of veg and plants.

I am thinking of enrolling to do the theory as well, so my question is does anyone have any experience of doing the practical course alongside the theory modules in the same year? Is this this too much to ask from myself as a novice? I work office hours and don’t have any childcare responsibilities and feel like I would be committed to the home study.

Interested to hear your thoughts or experience.



Thanks in advance,

Steve

 

"Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life" If you really want to do it I think you will be able to do it, and that's from someone who has a lot of "I wishes", when I was at school (we still used slates and chalk then ) gardening was only given to lower grade pupils, that was how it was viewed then, I imagine there are an awful lot of people on here who would love to garden for a living, if you have the drive and opportunity go for it.

 

Thanks Mazambo,

 

Hi @Steve86 I would suggest asking the tutors at the college to tell you APPROXIMATELY how many hours per week they course should take in terms of directed study, practical work etc. They are surely the ones who know if it is realistic to try it. After all, they don't want people failing just because they can't put in the required hours.

 

Hi @Steve86 is that the course at shuttleworth college?

I am just looking to book on to the thursday afternoon practical level 2 course and also interested to know if others have done the course and what they think of it.

Over the last few years I have become totally obsessed with it. After my trip to Chelsea Physic Garden on Friday I’ve decided I am going to study it.

 

Sad how times have changed. At one time there were so many study courses available. Correspondence courses, adult further education etc etc, part time tuition. Then when it was considered the right time arrangements would be made for you to attend and take the test. Now there is much talk of bettering oneself but the means to do so appear to have vanished in many cases.
I sincerely offer my best wishes to all who take up the challenge.

 

Hi Snorky,

Nope it’s the course at Abingdon College in Oxford, they do a Saturday morning course thy fits with my work hours better then evening courses. Good luck if you have enrolled as well

 

Thanks @Steve86 Have they mentioned what books/study guides to read for the theory side of it? I an going to do practical first then theory and was wanting a head start of the theory side.

 

Hi @Steve86 - I did the 1st theory papers in June. I self-studied and would say that you could probably do it alongside working a 9 to 5. I remembered quite a lot of of the plant structure stuff from school, and the rest is really knowing the latin plant names. There are past papers on the RHS website, with answers to some of them, but not the latest papers. The 2nd theory paper on garden design looks much more difficult to me, although I haven't started studying for that yet. Apparently, you will need to learn over 100 plant names, descriptions and sizes.

@Snorky85 - the RHS do not give a recommended text book, although they list a whole load of books you could read. I'm in the process of putting all of my notes up in a blog (just as somewhere to store it all really) and have listed there the books I referred to and what I thought of them. I believe that this forum does not allow us to post links, so sorry! You'll have to search for the blog, but I hope this helps.

 

Not sure what makes you think that, but I have posted several and have never had a problem. Seventh icon from the left on the toolbar.

Nick

 

could be because this is their first post... can't have new members jumping in with links right away because then the admin would have to review them to make sure it isn't misplaced or commercial/advertisements... I think that is why...

 

Not directly related to the course but just advice on education whilst working. My wife retrained in her thirties and did an OU degree whilst working long hours, cramming the final two years into one year whilst overseeing major house renovation (didn't have a paid job for that last year)

If you are disciplined and prepared to sacrifice other personal and family activities then I would say that with a regular hours job that it is totally doable.

Good luck !

 

Perhaps I have quoted this before. My experience as at the time, Deputy Parks Superintendant. In my case. My masters were, the LCC and later the GLC. Come the summer semesta, we would be sent info of students seeking paid holiday-time work. I would always plump for students who had worked here before. We must take into account, most students were educated. So simply my attitude. I might browse the list and make my selections.
Bearing in mind that this was the summer break. For the parks and gardens, this was a ver busy time. Here, I readily call to mind a medical student. He was in his second/third year. To me. He really stood out. He'd been with us before. He knew the ancieant woodland.

Morning gents. So. Eric, will you and Harry go and clean and tidy up Dairsie Road entrance.

Eric knew what tools to take etc. I often wonder how he did in his medical exams.

 

Got it in one!!! Also the terms and conditions had something about not posting links leading people away from this forum. And *cough* I'm a responsible citizen
Anyway, if you have a Wordpress account, you can search for the same ID name as I have here.

 

Just got in from enrolling on the RHS level 2 practical course. Hmm, i dont think it’s going to be too difficult. Hardest thing will be remembering the plant names which is more of a memory test than anything I think.