Kitchen Garden Forum

Just wandering what the community thinks of horticultural quailifcations. specifically those run by the RHS. The reason I ask is that whilst very keen on gardening I am restricted in what I can do; I only have a roof garden i.e no soil so everything has to grow in pots. The extent that I can "teach myself" is very limited. I have toyed with a change in career and I would love to work in horticulture in some way. To get the sort of experience that I will not get from my own garden and also, perhaps, to support the change in career, I've considered taking a qualification, either full or part-time. I'd be very interested in people's thoughts on that - maybe some of you have experience of the RHS qualifications?

Hi Armstrom

I know this is not an answer to your question, but you may find it interesting

http://www.verticalveg.org.uk/

I don't remember where you said you are in one of your other posts - you could add it to your profile. If you can't get some soil via an allotment you could perhaps try volunteering in some way. I guess a lot of organisations would expect helpers to know what they are doing but there might be somebody who would show you how as well.

Thanks Alan; that website looks very interesting and I'll have a proper look when I'm not at work .

Geoff, thanks for your post - I thought my location was on my profile - it is now. I have put myself on the waiting list for an allotment but I'm in central London so there are very few around - I expect to wait anywhere between 5 and 15 years. Opportunites for volunteering are pretty slim I expect, as it's a very built up area but I wll definitely give it a try and maybe contact the local residents association. There may be some properties with gardens nearby which older residents aren't able to care for.

I have had soil delivered before (for roses), but have to be careful with the weight on the roof; I don't want to wake up with my garden all around me

armstrong. Suggest you visit your nearest allotment site on a regular basis, get your face known, show an interest, it helps when a plot comes up.

Its a big stretch from gardening in pots to working full time, check out this link
http://www.landshare.net/index/
You may possibly find some land near to you, its a country wide organisation.
Also, I would visit a few places, to see what interests you most, maybe an organic farm, an agricultural college, a permaculture smallholding, a forest garden, a natural farm fukoaka style, forestry, parks, there are many options, and you want to make the right choice.

Thanks SM and NB!

Hi Armstom,
I switched jobs after 25 years to take a qualification in Horticulture and spent the next 33 years owning a nursery before I retired.
I must tell you that to take up Horticulture would mean a full time course for about 3 years and even 4 if you wish to take it to degree status.
There is a very great difference between a very keen amateur and the lowliest of professionals. It takes an awful lot of dedication and exceeding amount of hard graft.
I do not know your circumstances but in order to qualify for any grants whilst you are studying you must be of a certain age and really unencumbered.
Should you care to discuss this off forum please write to me by PM and anything you tell me would be in the strictest of confidence.
JB.

I'm looking for a lower level qualification than a degree - at least initially. Would be great to have some theoretical and well as practical experience.

Thanks JB - I will contact you privately.

Thanks everyone.