Getting started with Gardening
Online short course
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Launching 11th December 2024! Sign up to our mailing list to receive important notifications prior to this course launching.
Get to grips with the fundamentals of gardening. Whether you are a complete novice, developing a new garden, or simply interested in venturing into the world of plants and gardening, this short online course has everything you need to know to get started on your horticultural journey and to appreciate the world of garden plants.
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Launching 11th December 2024
Join the mailing list to be notified when registration opens.
Frequently asked questions
The course is aim is to introduce basic horticultural skills and gardening concepts to people that are new to gardening.
Through our interactive lessons, demonstration videos, resources and activities, you will gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to start gardening.
The topics covered in the lessons are:
- The joy of gardening
- The kingdom of plants
- How to keep plants happy and healthy
- Seed propagation
- Vegetative propagation
- Weeds, pests, and diseases
- Contemporary garden trends
- Using plants in the garden
- Maintenance through the seasons
You can apply for this course anytime after 9th December 2024. You will be uploaded to the course on the Wednesday after your payment has been processed.
The course consists of a welcome activity and 9 topics which you can work through at your own pace. We recommend about 30 hours to complete this course. Each topic contains an interactive lesson and an associated activity for you to complete at home, as well as a selection of resources that complement the lesson. You are encouraged to share your ideas and the results of your activities on the course forums for feedback and discussion.
You will have access for 12 months so you will have plenty of time to refer back to the course if you wish to. There is the opportunity to receive a Statement of Participation on passing a quiz at the end of the course.
Online technical and tutor support will be available via the discussion forums in the course.
No, this is a beginners' course! Enthusiasm and motivation is all that is required!
Yes you can view examples of materials from our online short courses (link opens in a new window).
Please use the following password when prompted: Tryb4Youbuy!
You will need a computer with reliable online access with a connection capable of streaming videos and downloading documents. Most resources will be compatible with a tablet. An up-to-date browser is the main piece of software you will require.
This course will involve navigating around web-pages, viewing resources, viewing videos, participating in online forums and uploading photographs. Help is always at hand from our PropaGate Learning Team and from your tutor!
Some of the activities require you to purchase small, inexpensive items such as seeds and a soil pH testing kit.
This course costs £125 (12 months access).
You can purchase this course through our Online Shop. The link will be available from the 9th December 2024.
Matthew Edwards will be your tutor for this course. Matthew also teaches on the online RHS Level 2 theory course here at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
He is an honours graduate of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Horticulture with Plantsmanship). Since then he has worked as the sales manager for a specialist nursery, as the grower in a floristry garden, and as the head gardener in large private estates. His interests include sustainable gardening, alpine plants and kitchen gardening.
