RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) Certificate in Practical Horticulture (CPH) is a unique course that focuses on the essential skills needed by budding horticulturalists today.

Building on over 100 years of professional horticulture training at the garden, this compact course has been designed to give students a solid grounding in horticultural techniques.

As a CPH student you will learn key practical skills, taught by experienced and enthusiastic horticulturalists. The essential theory behind the practice is explained, then most of the time is spent learning practical skills and getting 'your hands dirty'.

What does the course cover?
The RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture (CPH) is a unique course that focuses on the essential skills needed by budding horticulturalists today. Subjects covered on the course include Soil Care, Feeding & Watering, Seed & Vegetative Propagation and Growing Media. Full descriptors for all units are available in the applicants’ handbook.

When can I start?
The next summer course will start in July 2019, the next academic year courses will start in August/September 2019.

What is the format of the course?
Summer Course:
The summer course runs as a ten day block practical course over two weeks in July.
August/September - June Course:
The course runs on a Saturday or Sunday and consists of eight full-day units, a revision session and assessment day.

Students who attend all 10 days and pass the assessment are awarded the RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture. The course is assessed through a practical exam (80% of grade) and notes made during the classes (20% of grade).

Do I need any prior knowledge?
You do not need prior knowledge or experience to apply for this course. Enthusiasm and motivation is all that is required! This course is the perfect complement to the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture and can be completed before or after studying the RHS course.

How much does the course cost?
The cost for the course is £600. Full payment for the course is required on acceptance of a place.

What do I need?
This is a practical course so each module will involve indoor and outdoor work. Each week you will need to bring:

• Appropriate outdoor clothes (even indoor workstations can be cold)
• Steel toe-capped work boots
• Bypass Secateurs
• Packed lunch

Once you are accepted on the course we can advise you about what to buy and where to buy these items.

How do I apply?
You can download the Applicants' Handbook which contains further information and the application form.

CPH Courses Elsewhere

As well as being delivered at RBGE, the course is being taught in partner organisations in the UK (e.g. The Eden Project, Cornwall and Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire) and abroad (e.g. Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanic Garden, Istanbul). This is possible through the use of concise and flexible course materials that are easily translated and can be tailored to the needs of different organisations. To ensure that quality and standards are maintained worldwide, RBGE administers the assessment, qualification and verification guidelines.