Course Overview
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of designing, preparing, planting and growing from seed and cuttings. Horticulturists work in a variety of outdoor settings and their use creativity and knowledge in a range of specialisms such as nursery production, garden centres, landscaping gardening, crop production and public and heritage gardens. It has recently been reported that there is a shortage of workers with skills in horticulture sector.
You will learn by building up skills, professional techniques and knowledge by working in teams in a realistic horticulture environment that includes polytunnels, gardens, borders, planting containers and lawns. Class based lessons will give you a full understanding of the theory of horticulture and expand your knowledge for assessments. During the course of the academic year, you will be involved in relevant industry visits.
What You Will Study
This course will cover a range of the topics and units, some of which are listed below:
- How to prepare soil and mulching
- Planting
- Designing gardens
- Effective watering
- Soil pH and structure
- Planting hanging baskets and containers
- Creating displays from bulbs
- Caring for planted areas
- Making new plants from seeds and cuttings
- Growing fruit and vegetables
- Supporting plants effectively
- Painting and preserving wooden structures
- Potting up and growing on plants
- Identify plants and weeds
- Cutting grass safely
- How You Will Be Assessed
Theory assessment will be short-answer questions and there will be observed practical assessments.
- Entry Requirements
Predicted GCSE Grades 9-3 in three subjects.
AND
Minimum Entry Level 3 in English and Maths or equivalent.
AND
A good reference from Head of Year 10 or Headteacher.
AND
A genuine interest in horticulture and a commitment to the course. - Further Study
On successful completion and with the required English and maths grades you can progress through the levels.
