Kitchen Garden Forum

Has anybody been on a course or got garden qualifications?
I wondered if i could do it alongside my PT teaching job-I've been on a few websites; but would like to know if anbody has actually done one?
I fancied garden design-I have an art degree; but don't really know if this would aid me
This may well be something in the long term rather than now.
I need to learn a lot more about planting first!

Jopsy i don't suppose i should be answering this really. I havn't got any qualifications or even been on any courses, but what i do have is a lifetime of experience, i've been lucky and been around some very good gardeners.
I'm sure your art degree would be a huge asset in garden design, as you will be able to visualize certain aspects of a garden in your mind, even before you start to put it down so beautifully on to paper.
Don't do what i've done though Jopsy, and leave things to late in life.
Now just pull that rip cord.

Kind regards Old Herbaceous.

Theres no fool like an old fool.

Thanks Herby
I've been toying with the idea for a while; but now I'm PT at school(since having Lily)this would be the ideal time.
I designed my current garden with a friend as he had the planting knowldege.
I'll see what I can find ut; but it's nice to have encouragement

Oh, and it's never too late!

Hi Jopsy,
I do not know how far you are from a Horticultural college but they all do NVQ courses 1 to 3 and some do 4.
I feel that if you were to enrol on a one day course which ran for 30 weeks you would gather an awful lot.
Of course I do not know how awkward it would be with Lily as she must always come first this I do realise.
How far are you from Exeter? I'm sure there is a college there.

Dear JB
I'm only 20 miles as the crow flies from Exeter, I shall definately be looking into it.
It's really to continue learning rather than any other outcome-ie monetary! Not that most gardeners would do it for the cash, rather the love!
It would be a nice balance between school and home.
Thanks for your input
Jo

jopsy wrote:Has anybody been on a course or got garden qualifications?
I wondered if i could do it alongside my PT teaching job-I've been on a few websites; but would like to know if anbody has actually done one?
I fancied garden design-I have an art degree; but don't really know if this would aid me
This may well be something in the long term rather than now.
I need to learn a lot more about planting first!

hi jopsy,in 2001 i went on a 12 month full time course at a college in durham.level 2 in commercial horticulture.it was a fantastic learning experience even though ive farmed and gardened as long as i can remember.there was hovever a massive emphasis on health and safety which took up most of you writing time(a bit ottt)but then again if someone has never used tools sprays and machinery it was probaly right.come to think of it if i hadnt went on that course i dont think i would be using a computer now because i didnt have a clue about them.but alongside operating the computerised glasshouses they also taught you all the basics of IT.thers also the option of part time courses.failing that have you ever considered one of the long distance learn at home courses,you can then set your own timetable for work and still qualify for a nationally recognised certificate.go for it if possible you wont regret it

Hi Jopsy and Peter,
In 1994 although I am well qualified I paid to do an NVQ 3 course as it was the easiest way of updating myself in the Nursery Stock world. My qualifications were back in the 1970's and the amount of change that had taken place in that time was amazing.
Amazingly I was the grandfather of the course and therefore saddled with all sorts of problems that just about all my fellow students managed to get.
Even broken engagements and sadly one marriage and do you know they still come back to me all these years on with their problems. Woulld you believe it one of my tutors, and I might say the best, was 40 years younger than me. It threw her for a time and when she kept on saying to me is this right after everything she said I had to take her aside and say, I am here to learn your methods not for me to teach you my methods and after that she was really a super Tutor. The course only lasted 30 weeks of the year and I really missed it all when it was over. I learned an awful lot in that year and will never regret what it cost me. You of course will get the course free but will probably have to pay for the examinations. I didn't take the exams I just got the information. Really Super.