Online short course
Ready to learn something new? This September, enjoy 15% off online short courses
Get to grips with the fundamentals of gardening
Whether you are a complete novice, developing a new garden, or simply interested in venturing into the world of plants and gardening, this online course, Getting started with Gardening, has everything you need to know to get started on your horticultural journey and to appreciate the world of garden plants.
The course is aim is to introduce basic horticultural skills and gardening concepts to people that are new to gardening.
Through our interactive lessons, demonstration videos, resources and activities, you will gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to start gardening.
The topics covered in the lessons are:
You can purchase this course anytime. You will be registered onto the course on the Tuesday or Thursday afternoon after your payment has been processed.
The course consists of a welcome activity and 9 topics which you can work through at your own pace. We recommend about 30 hours to complete this course. Each topic contains an interactive lesson and an associated activity for you to complete at home, as well as a selection of resources that complement the lesson. You are encouraged to share your ideas and the results of your activities on the course forums for feedback and discussion.
You will have access for 12 months so you will have plenty of time to refer back to the course if you wish to. There is the opportunity to receive a Statement of Participation on passing a quiz at the end of the course.
Online technical and tutor support will be available via the discussion forums in the course.
This is a beginners' course. Enthusiasm and motivation is all that is required!
This course is for people aged 16 and over.
Yes you can view examples of materials from our online short courses (link opens in a new window).
Please use the following password when prompted: Tryb4Youbuy!
You will need a computer with reliable online access with a connection capable of streaming videos and downloading documents. Most resources will be compatible with a tablet. An up-to-date browser is the main piece of software you will require.
This course will involve navigating around web-pages, viewing resources, viewing videos, participating in online forums and uploading photographs. Help is always at hand from our PropaGate Learning Team and from your tutor!
Some of the activities require you to purchase small, inexpensive items such as seeds and a soil pH testing kit.
This course costs £135 (12 months access).
From 4 September to 30 September 2026 you can purchase this at a special discounted rate of 15% off.
You can purchase this course in our Online Shop.
You will be registered onto the course on the Tuesday or Thursday afternoon after your payment has been processed.
Matthew Edwards will be your tutor for this course. Matthew also teaches on the online RHS Level 2 theory course here at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
He is an honours graduate of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Horticulture with Plantsmanship). Since then he has worked as the sales manager for a specialist nursery, as the grower in a floristry garden, and as the head gardener in large private estates. His interests include sustainable gardening, alpine plants and kitchen gardening.
Getting started with Gardening is my first course with RGBE and it’s great. Matthew is welcoming and approachable as well as being very knowledgeable. I have found the course inspiring and motivational. It is helping me to build confidence in my gardening ability and gives me a structure to work to and a community to learn with. It’s pretty easy to follow and I like that I can take my time with it.
