Spring Gardening

What is special about this course?

In this 1 day per week course you will learn a wide range of practical gardening and horticulture skills including:

  • How to combine plants to create beautiful displays.
  • How to use and maintain a range of hand tools by carrying out practical gardening tasks.
  • How to carry out spring and early summer gardening techniques including ground preparation, pruning, plant identification, seed sowing using varying techniques and plant propagation.
  • How to set up basic plant trials to investigate a topic of your choice which could include how factors such as compost or soil choice affect growth rate, an environmental study or how gardening techniques influence plant development.

This course would suit anyone with an interest in gardening and horticulture who would enjoy gardening in a group in the beautiful Hermitage Park and who would like to develop their horticultural knowledge and practical technique. 

This is a practical course delivered face to face in the wonderful surroundings of Hermitage Park, Helensburgh, with a small amount of theory delivered in the classroom in our Helensburgh Centre.

 

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, just an enthusiasm for gardening. 
  • Plant Display – Create beautiful plant combinations, learn how to maintain plant displays and how to choose plants which will thrive in different locations.
  • Use of Hand Tools in Horticulture and Gardening Skills – Use and maintain a range of hand tools by carrying out a wide range of practical tasks to develop your horticultural techniques and contribute to the maintenance and improvement of Hermitage Park.
  • Plant Trials – Learn how to set up a simple plant trial to test a theory in a topic of your choosing. Learn how to gather and present basic data and see if your theory is correct!
  • Practical Gardening Skills – Learn how to maintain gardens using techniques that should be carried out in the spring and early summer including plant propagation, maintaining plant displays and lawn care. 

Equipment

Warm clothing and waterproofs in case of inclement weather, and sturdy working boots.

How will I study my course?

  • Part Time

How long will my course last?

17 Weeks

Where can I study my course?

    • Helensburgh Learning Centre

Start date

Friday 24th January

The course will run on Fridays, 9.30am - 4.00pm 

Fees

This course consists of 3 SQA units and costs £258.

If you are on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits may receive a fee waiver. Please refer to page 2 of our Fees and Funding Guide to see if you are eligible. You can download a FEE WAIVER FORM here.  If you would like help or advice on fee waiver, please contact your nearest learning centre.

If you do not qualify for a fee waiver, you may be able to apply for an Individual Training Account (ITA) to cover up to £200 the cost of this course.

This course is not available to students who require a Tier 4 Home Office visa to study in Scotland (international or EU).

What can I do on completion of my course?

When you’ve successfully completed this course, you can move on to study at a higher level with courses such as: 

  • NC Horticulture 
  • HNC Horticulture 

Employment options in this sector could include gardening work or applying to work at a garden centre, nursery, market garden or horticultural charity.

Is there more information available online?

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‘This is a wonderful opportunity to study in the beautiful surroundings of Heritage Park in Helensburgh where you will work with a group of like-minded garden enthusiasts and develop your skills to improve your gardening at home or to progress to another horticulture course.'

Amber Crowley, Horticulture Curriculum Lead.

Apply for Spring Gardening

I want to start in 2024/25
I want to start in 2025/26

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at UHI Argyll. UHI Argyll operates a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion and/or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.