Horticulturists use their gardening knowledge and skills in many different ways and in many different settings; some in designing or maintaining gardens, others on golf courses or in parks, although for some gardening is just a pleasure and a pastime.
Our 400 acres of working estate will provide you with an excellent resource for developing your horticultural knowledge and skills, as they are complimented by facilities based on a commercial setting including glass houses, ornamental beds, shrub gardens and design studio.
Our experienced staff are well qualified to train the professional horticulturist, encourage the creative garden designer and develop the budding beginner. We also welcome the opportunity to work closely with employers to expand the skills of your workforce, and have a range of professional development and Work Based Diploma programmes to help build your business and meet the changing needs of the industry.
Many of our Work Based Diploma courses attract Government funding so your course could be free! Call us for more details on 01628 827426.
Courses available: Click on a course to find out more
Gardening Workshops
Apprenticeships (opens in new window)
Work Based Diplomas
Garden Design (opens in new window)
RHS (opens in new window)
Horticultural and Countryside Courses
Gardening Workshops
A selection of one and half days courses to develop your gardening skills and knowledge:
Creating your own Garden
Understand how to create the garden of your dreams. This course covers how to re-shape and re-plan your existing borders, as well as how to extend their interest throughout the year.
| Date | Friday 09/09/11 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX05 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Setting out your Hard Landscape Features
Learn the skills and techniques required to set out your patio, wall or driveway including setting falls.
| Date | Saturday 10/09/11 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 1000-1630 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX02 |
| Total Fee | £70 |
Understand Herbaceous Borders
A short course to provide you with advice on how to plan and plant your border for your own garden.
| Date | Friday 23/09/11 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX03 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Eco-Friendly Gardening
A short course which explains the importance of the plants needed for use in eco friendly gardens.
| Date | Friday 30/09/11 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX04 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Understand your Soil
Investigate garden soil and understand which plants grow best where and why. Analyse your own soil in order to get to know it better to inform your own approaches to soil management.
| Date | Friday 07/10/11 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX07 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Costing your Garden or Landscape Project
A theoretical course covering how to cost your garden project including walls, patios, decking and driveways along with other features.
| Date | Saturday 15/10/11 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 1000-1630 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX22 |
| Total Fee | £65 |
Grow Plants from Cuttings
| Date | Friday 04/11/11 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX30 |
| Date | Friday 16/03/12 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX30 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Decking for Beginners
This mainly theoretical course will help you understand the basics of constructing a deck including joints and different fixings, along with construction methods and materials used.
| Date | Saturday 05/11/11 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 1000-1630 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX19 |
| Total Fee | £65 |
Successful Vegetables
| Date | Friday 11/11/11 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX28 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Creating Allotments
Develop the skills and understanding to create a productive allotment.
| Date | Friday 18/11/11 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX08 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Putting Gardens to Bed
| Date | Friday 25/11/11 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX29 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Pruning Fruit
Why and how do you prune for fruit? This course answers these questions and will demonstrate how to prune correctly to increase fruit production and fruit quality.
| Date | Friday 06/01/12 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX09 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Garden Steps - Design and Planning
This short course will show you how to plan and design your garden steps and how to get the most from your garden, including construction methods.
| Date | Friday 20/01/12 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 1000-1630 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX20 |
| Total Fee | £65 |
Pruning Shrubs
Learn about formative and routine pruning for trees and shrubs to improve flowering and shape. The regeneration of mature and overgrown species will be covered.
| Date | Friday 10/02/12 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX10 |
| Date | Friday 30/03/12 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX10 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Hedge Laying
Learn the techniques in hedge laying.
| Date | Friday 09/03/12 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 0915-1600 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX11 |
| Total Fee | £65 |
Spring Lawn Maintenance
A combination of theory and practical skills showing you how to improve your lawn this Spring, including the problems that it could be suffering from and how to alleviate them.
| Date | Saturday 24/03/12 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 1000-1630 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX21 |
| Total Fee | £65 |
From Spring to Summer
| Date | Saturday 20/04/12 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX33 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Encouraging Wildlife Gardening
Learn which plants and garden design techniques encourage wildlife for both enjoyment and to keep pest and disease in check.
| Date | Friday 04/05/12 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX13 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Climbers and Wall Shrubs
Give height to your garden by growing a range of plants to screen those eyesores. Clothe walls, fences and trellises with beautiful plants for flowers and foliage.
| Date | Friday 11/05/12 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX14 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Introduction to Patios and Paving for Gardeners
A short course to help you understand the basic skills of laying patios and paving for your garden project.
| Date | Saturday 19/05/12 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 1000-1630 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX25 |
| Total Fee | £65 |
Fencing
A short course on how to plan and install fencing.
| Date | Saturday 26/05/12 |
| Duration | 1/2 day |
| Time | 1000-1330 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX23 |
| Total Fee | £65 |
Hurdle Making for Beginners
Learn the techniques of hurdle making
| Date | Friday 01/06/12 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX16 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Introduction to Bricklaying for Gardeners
A short course to help you understand the basic skills of bricklaying for your garden project.
| Date | Saturday 16/06/12 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 1000-1630 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX24 |
| Total Fee | £65 |
Plant Identification
This day course is suitable for all who find it difficult to recognise plants or know the common name but find it hard to recall the botanical name, let alone spell it! Dispel the myth of Plant Taxonomy (Classification) and Plant Nomenclature (name) and learn how to simplify plant recognition and identification.
| Date | Friday 22/06/12 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX18 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Growing Vegetables
Develop the skills and understanding to maintain a productive allotment.
| Date | Friday 13/07/12 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX17 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Softwood Cuttings
Learn the secrets of getting plants for free. Investigate propagation techniques, including nodal and internodal cuttings, in order to achieve successful establishment and development of new young plants.
| Date | Friday 20/07/12 |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX15 |
| Total Fee | £35 |
Work Based Diploma in Amenity Horticulture Level 2
These twelve month, day release programmes, are suitable for new employees and those who have been in the industry for some years and have attained knowledge and expertise and who now wish to obtain a recognised industry related qualification. It is possible to complete in a shorter timescale dependent on level of expertise.
The programmes consist of seven units (two mandatory and five optional) selected to meet the needs of the individual and their workplace.
Mandatory units:
-
Developing your personal performance
- Monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the workplace
For further information regarding Work Based Diplomas, start dates, and funding, please call 01628 827464.
Landscape - Level 2
A programme designed for landscape, garden and amenity area construction and maintenance employees.
Optional units include:
- Establishing plants outdoors
- Maintaining general amenity turf
- Constructing and maintaining boundaries and paths
- Maintaining plants outdoors
- Operating and maintaining equipment and machines
| Date | Flexible training please contact us for dates and times |
| Course Code | HORT/M/P201 |
| Total Fee | £950 |
Sports Turf - Level 2
A programme designed for golf course and other sports turf employees.
Optional units include:
- Maintaining the health of sports turf
- Presenting, maintaining and repairing sports turf surfaces for play
- Using and maintaining equipment and machines
- Preparing and operating tractors with attachments
- Establishing outdoor plants
| Date | Flexible training please contact us for dates and times |
| Course Code | HORT/M/P202 |
| Total Fee | £950 |
Work Based Diploma in Amenity Horticulture Level 3
These are one year, day release programmes. Learners will need to already have the NVQ Level 2 Amenity Horticulture qualification or equivalent and be planning and supervising projects and maintenance in the workplace.
The programmes consist of nine units (four mandatory and five optional) selected to meet the needs of the individual and their workplace.
Mandatory units:
- Estimate resources regulations and programme work
- Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security
- Manage yourself
- Manage information for action
Landscape - Level 3
A programme designed for landscape, garden and amenity area construction and maintenance employees.
Optional units include:
- Establishing plants outdoors
- Maintaining general amenity turf
- Constructing and maintaining boundaries and paths
- Maintaining plants outdoors
- Operating and maintaining equipment and machines
| Date | Flexible training please contact us for dates and times |
| Course Code | HORT/M/P301 |
| Total Fee | £1050 |
Sports Turf Greenkeeper - Level 3
A programme designed for golf course and other sports turf employees
Optional units include:
- Maintaining the health of sports turf
- Presenting, maintaining and repairing sports turf surfaces for play
- Using and maintaining equipment and machines
- Preparing and operating tractors with attachments
- Establishing outdoor plants
| Date | Flexible training please contact us for dates and times |
| Course Code | HORT/M/P302 |
| Total Fee | £1050 |
Horticultural and Countryside Courses
Certificates in Gardening
Accredited by City and Guilds and the NPTC these Level 2 courses are excellent opportunities for the keen gardener to develop skills in gardening and horticulture.
BCA offers both the Certificate in Gardening and the Practical Certificate. Each is assessed via external tests for each unit studied and students will be successful in these programmes if they achieve all assessments.
Level 2 Certificate in Gardening (Theory or Practical)
Theory units:
- Identification and Control of Plant Problems (Pests & Diseases)
- Plant Naming and Identification
- Introduction to Plant Selection
- Understand the Principles of Garden History
| Date | Wednesday 07/09/11 – 02/05/12 |
| Duration | 30 weeks |
| Time | 0915-1645 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/P205 |
| Total Fee | £573 |
Level 2 Certificate in Gardening (Practical)
Practical units:
- Establish and Maintain Plants Outdoors
- Contribute to Fruit Production by Organic Methods
- Participate in Propagation Techniques
- Contribute to Vegetable Production by Organic Methods
| Date | Thursday 08/09/11 – 10/05/12 |
| Duration | 30 weeks |
| Time | 0915-1645 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/P206 |
| Total Fee | £573 |
Level 3 Certificate in Countryside Management
This course develops an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the countryside. Students will study conservation with a woodland management overview.
| Date | Tuesday 06/09/11-08/05/12 |
| Duration | 30 weeks |
| Time | 0915-1645 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/P305 |
| Total Fee | £625 |
Gardening through the Year
Talks, demonstrations and hands-on experience covering seasonal topics including bulbs, house and garden plants, pruning, fruit and vegetable propagation, soils and fertilisers, pest and disease control and garden problem solving and advice. Learners will meet once a month for 8 months during the growing season.
| Date | Friday 16/09/11 – 15/06/12 |
| Duration | 8 sessions |
| Time | 0915-1230 |
| Course Code | HORT/M/PX01 |
| Total Fee | £275 |
