Horticulture
Free online taster horticulture courses
This collection of courses introduces you to a wide range of topics including propagation, cultivation, design and plant biology.
These courses were developed by the Horticulture department at UHI Argyll.
Drystone Walling
In this intensive introduction to drystone walling, you’ll learn how to repair and construct field walls and drystone garden features. Ideal for beginners, this course equips you with the basics to safely build drystone walls and features at home.
Suitable for ages 14 and above. For inquiries related to physical disabilities affecting tool use or stone lifting, please contact us.
- Where? Helensburgh (three-week course), Rothesay (one-week course)
- Full-time or Part-time? Part-time Helensburgh Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 26th August, Rothesay 19th -23rd August.
- Want to find out more? Rothesay course // Helensburgh course
Spring Gardening
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.
- Where? Helensburgh
- Full-time or Part-time? Fridays, 9.30am - 4pm
- Want to find out more? Visit course page
Horticulture NC
Whether you simply want to improve your skills in the garden or are considering a career in horticulture, this highly practical course will equip you with all the essentials you need to succeed.
- Where? Helensburgh, Dunoon
- Full-time or Part-time? Full-time, starts Jan 2025
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Horticulture HNC
The HNC Horticulture is designed to provide students with a broad knowledge of horticulture and landscape and develop – at a practical level – an understanding of plants' characteristics, growth, and use.
The course will be delivered by very experienced horticulture lecturers and an award-winning garden designer.
- Where? This course can be studied from anywhere in Scotland with two days per week of online theory classes and 5 residential field trips to carry out practical work.
- Full-time or Part-time? Full-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Horticulture HND
The HND Horticulture will develop your skills in plant and crop physiology and breeding, planting design, soil management and landscape surveying, as well as experience in the care, maintenance and management of plants. You will also have the opportunity to gain experience in ecology and plant habitat conservation.
- Where? This course can be studied from anywhere in Scotland with two days per week of online theory classes and 5 residential field trips to carry out practical work
- Full-time or Part-time? Full-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page