For information about our Level 1 course this spring click here
General information about our Level 1 and Level 2 horticulture courses
Level 1 Horticulture Courses
We currently run one Level 1 horticulture course several times across the year. When we have dates for the next courses we post them on this page. If there is no course recruitment open now you can contact us on courses@organiclea.org.uk to register your interest and we will be in touch when a new course is available.
The course is a Level 1 Practical Horticulture Skills Award (City and Guilds)
This course is for those who want to gain basic horticulture skills. It is designed to build basic and technical skills for anyone who is thinking about working as a gardener or who wants to enhance food production knowledge for the home environment. You will be studying in our community market garden environment with a blend of classroom guided learning and practical tasks to practice techniques and seek guidance when needed. Topics covered include understanding the basics of soil science –soil types, structure, pH and nutrients, organic matter and using it to improve soil, making compost and other fertility products, getting the best out of your soil, basic cultivation techniques; and planting considerations including the needs of different food crops, sowing seeds all year round and basic sowing techniques to support successful propagation.
Level 2 City and Guilds Horticulture Courses
We run several different Level 2 horticulture courses, usually starting in the Autumn term. A City & Guilds Level 1 horticulture qualification or equivalent experience is considered an essential entry requirement for a Level 2 course. Volunteering at OrganicLea will provide you with relevant experience to lead into one of these courses. Our Level 2 courses are often oversubscribed so do consider volunteering whilst you wait for recruitment to begin.
Introduction and Assessment sessions are held in the summer and will be advertised here. If you are interested please contact courses@organiclea.org.uk to register your interest, and we can let you know when recruitment begins each summer.
Work Based Horticulture Skills, Level 2 Certificate (City and Guilds)
Dates: This course runs twice a year from September– March and March – July, one day a week, 9am – 5pm (usually Wednesdays, with a month of Tuesdays when you join our Harvest Team).
The aim of this course is to provide a work-related, competence-based qualification in Work Based Horticulture. It is aimed at people who are eligible for funded places as this course will allow you to develop, understand and practise the skills required for employment and/or career progression in the horticulture sector. The course covers monitoring and maintaining health and safety, establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, preparing ground for seeding and planting, carry out harvesting operations, propagate plants from seed and establishing crops or plants in growing medium. For each unit, there will be a tutorial, plus additional portfolio support and practical assessment from the tutor, and workplace supervision and guidance from the tutor and other members of the Hawkwood Production team.
Practical Horticulture Skills, Level 2 Certificate (City and Guilds)
Dates: October– May, one morning a week, 10.30am – 1.30pm
This course is delivered in 26 sessions over 37 weeks. This ‘practice’ based course equips the production horticulturalist with the essential know-how and techniques to assess, prepare and maintain gardens at a range of scales. Study units include: prepare for planting; techniques for plant care; training and pruning in fruit production; stem cutting propagation; pedestrian controlled rotary cultivation; and identifying plants by botanical names. You will be assessed at the Hawkwood site during course hours and this includes practical assessment gardening tasks and accompanying written worksheets. Home study will support your gardening practice and works
Note: A City & Guilds Level 1 horticulture qualification or equivalent experience are considered essential entry requirements for this Level 2 course. An Initial Assessment will required before enrollment can take place.
