RHS level 2 combined practical & theory

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by Steve86, Jul 23, 2019.

  1. Steve86

    Steve86 Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2019
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +12
    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
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
    • mazambo

      mazambo Forever Learning

      Joined:
      Sep 11, 2018
      Messages:
      1,508
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Stoke-on-Trent
      Ratings:
      +3,718
      "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 :heehee:) 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.
       
      • Agree Agree x 3
      • Steve86

        Steve86 Apprentice Gardener

        Joined:
        Jul 23, 2019
        Messages:
        4
        Gender:
        Male
        Ratings:
        +12
      • CarolineL

        CarolineL Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jun 12, 2016
        Messages:
        1,597
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        Retired Software engineer
        Location:
        Rural Carmarthenshire
        Ratings:
        +4,304
        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.
         
        • Like Like x 2
        • Snorky85

          Snorky85 Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jul 7, 2013
          Messages:
          3,064
          Gender:
          Female
          Occupation:
          Accountant
          Location:
          Lincolnshire
          Ratings:
          +10,847
          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.
           
          • Agree Agree x 1
          • Mike Allen

            Mike Allen Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jan 4, 2014
            Messages:
            2,861
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired. Plant Pathologist.
            Location:
            Eltham. SE. London
            Ratings:
            +6,097
            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.
             
          • Steve86

            Steve86 Apprentice Gardener

            Joined:
            Jul 23, 2019
            Messages:
            4
            Gender:
            Male
            Ratings:
            +12
            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
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Friendly Friendly x 1
            • Snorky85

              Snorky85 Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jul 7, 2013
              Messages:
              3,064
              Gender:
              Female
              Occupation:
              Accountant
              Location:
              Lincolnshire
              Ratings:
              +10,847
              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.
               
            • esthersym

              esthersym Apprentice Gardener

              Joined:
              Aug 23, 2019
              Messages:
              4
              Gender:
              Female
              Ratings:
              +8
              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.
               
            • Nikolaos

              Nikolaos Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 26, 2019
              Messages:
              1,714
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Midlands, UK
              Ratings:
              +4,288
              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
               
            • CanadianLori

              CanadianLori Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Sep 20, 2015
              Messages:
              9,687
              Occupation:
              Battle Axe
              Location:
              Oakville, Ontario, Canada Zone 5A
              Ratings:
              +30,478
              could be because this is their first post... :ideaIPB: 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... :dunno:
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • Agree Agree x 1
              • Informative Informative x 1
              • andrews

                andrews Super Gardener

                Joined:
                Aug 28, 2018
                Messages:
                900
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Waste Management and Consultancy
                Location:
                South Yorkshire
                Ratings:
                +2,369
                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 !
                 
                • Informative Informative x 1
                • Mike Allen

                  Mike Allen Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jan 4, 2014
                  Messages:
                  2,861
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Retired. Plant Pathologist.
                  Location:
                  Eltham. SE. London
                  Ratings:
                  +6,097
                  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.
                   
                • esthersym

                  esthersym Apprentice Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Aug 23, 2019
                  Messages:
                  4
                  Gender:
                  Female
                  Ratings:
                  +8
                  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 :heehee:
                  Anyway, if you have a Wordpress account, you can search for the same ID name as I have here.
                   
                  • Funny Funny x 1
                  • Snorky85

                    Snorky85 Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Jul 7, 2013
                    Messages:
                    3,064
                    Gender:
                    Female
                    Occupation:
                    Accountant
                    Location:
                    Lincolnshire
                    Ratings:
                    +10,847
                    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.
                     
                    • Like Like x 2
                    Loading...

                    Share This Page

                    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                      Dismiss Notice