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LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN HORTICULTURE

Horticulture students enjoying their Horticulture course at Hadlow College

Resources

  • Extensive glasshouse facilities
  • Field nursery stock production
  • Computer controlled environmental and irrigation systems
  • Fruit and container production units
  • Plant propagation centre
  • Fully equipped landscape training centre
  • Demonstration garden for leading national retailers
  • Fully labelled plant collectiopn throughout the College grounds
  • 10 acres of landscaped gardens and two National Collections within Broadview Gardens
  • Fully commercial garden centre

Typical Employers
Local authorities, nurseries, garden centres, publicly and privately owned gardens, commercial landscaping companies.

Industry Links

Students benefit from a wide range of links with commercial nurseries, research institutes, organic producers, public and privately owned gardens as well as exposure to the retail world through our onsite garden centre. The College is also a member of the Royal Horticultural Society; NCCPG and the Hardy Plant Society.

More about Horticulture, Landscape & Design Courses faculty

Establishing an all round understanding of horticultural principles and practices, this course is ideal for students who wish to change career or enter higher education. You will benefit from a comprehensive theoretical and practical training in horticulture, which will provide you with practical skills, an in-depth knowledge of plants, soils, landscaping and design, plus sound business sense.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have 4 GCSEs at grades A* - C, 2 of which must be English, Maths or Science or have a full level 2 qualification at Merit in a relevant subject.

Additional Experience
Life experiences will be taken into account when considering applications.

Location
Hadlow

Course Duration
2 years, 4 days per week.

Course Content

 Year 1 

  • Establish and manage exterior plant displays
  • Manage plant propagation activities
  • Understand historical influences on the development of gardens
  • Understand the principles of plant science
  • Undertake identification, selection and use of ornamental plants
  • Undertake tree and shrub pruning and maintenance
  • Understand the principles of soil science
  • Construct and restore walls
  • Undertake an investigative project in the land-based sector
  • Functional skills

 Year 2

  • Undertaking land-based machinery operation
  • Understand the principles of plant health and protection
  • Undertake horticultural production techniques - outdoors
  • Maintain turf in parks and gardens
  • Undertake specification, programming and monitoring of landscape projects
  • Construct horizontal landscape surfaces
  • Understand the principles of advanced horticultural science
  • Undertake computer aided design in horticulture
  • Business management in the land-based sector
  • Undertake and review Work related experience in the land-based sector
  • Functional skills

Assessment Method
Written assignments and practical assessments.

Progression Routes
Successful students can progress onto a degree level course in production/amenity horticulture, garden design, landscape management or other related subjects. Alternatively they may wish to enter industry.

Specialist Equipment Needed
Steel toe-capped boots and waterproof clothing.