BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE AT
BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS
BE OUTDOORS WITH A CAREER IN HORTICULTURE>>
Study in unique surroundings amongst 7,000 plants at a world famous botanical site with Birmingham Metropolitan College and Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Gardens were founded in 1832 and in 2012 Birmingham Metropolitan College established a presence at the Study Centre to meet the challenges of our evolving society. Many famous families and horticulturists have contributed to the development of the Gardens and you have the chance to make a difference in the future. For amateur gardening enthusiasts, we offer a whole range of courses, whether you’re interested in conservation or composting, fruit trees or hedges, there will be something to suit you!
Short lectures walks and talks: 3 hour evening sessions. Short sessions based on evening attendance that include a short lecture, walk and talk with a cup of tea and a biscuit to end the session 08 April 2014 18.00-21.00 Spring interest and colour in the garden
£25
22 April 2014 18.00-21.00 Gardening for beginners
£25
30 April 2014 18.00-21.00 Growing vegetables and salads
£25
21 May 2014 18.00-21.00 £25 Garden history and its impact through the years 04 June 2014 18.00-21.00 Perfect plant, perfect place
£25
10 June 2014 18.00-21.00 Summer interest and colour in the garden
£25
11 June 2014 18.00-21.00 Floristry for fun
£25
One day practical workshops: 4 hour introduction sessions. One day concentrated sessions for specific subjects of interest. All costs are plus materials 08 March 2014 10.00-14.00
£25
Make your own bird box
Have a go taster sessions: 3 hour or 5.5 hour sessions; one of each per term. Come into the botanical gardens for a half or full day session and get involved in a whole range of horticultural tasks 10 May 2014 9.30-12.30 14 June 2014 9.30-15.30
free £25
This course is completely practical where you will be making your own bird box that you can take home and place in the garden. The course includes carpentry techniques and advice on encouraging wildlife into your garden. 12 April 2014 10.00-14.00
Make your own bat box
£25
This course is completely practical where you will be making your own bat box that you can take home and place in the garden. The course includes carpentry techniques and advice on encouraging wildlife into your garden.
17 May 2014 10.00-14.00
£25
Make your own hanging basket
This course is completely practical where you will be shown the techniques involved in making your own hanging basket. This can be taken home for display in your own garden.
information to successfully grow and maintain trees, shrubs and hedges. The course takes you through plant selection, buying stock and planting techniques plus after care including the use of a range of tools and machinery. 30 April 2014 - 18 June 2014 18.00-21.00 £100
07 June & 14 June 2014 10.00-14.00
£40
Create your own alpine trough with planting
Part 1. This workshop is based across two sessions. In part one you will construct your alpine trough creating a mix called hyper tufa. You can book for part two separately. Part 2. This is part two of creating your alpine trough - now the trough has been created its time to plant and landscape it using a mixture of alpine plants, rocks, gravels and aggregates.
Beds and borders
This six week short course will give you the ability to plan, design and maintain wonderful borders in your garden. It concentrates mainly on herbaceous perennials and bedding plants but also takes you through planting design and planning as well as planting techniques and a whole range of maintenance techniques you will need to maintain your beds and borders; plus combating those pests, diseases, and disorders that plague every gardener. 03 May 2014 - 07 June 2014 10.00-13.00
£100
Growing vegetables and salads
This six week short course will give you the techniques and principles on how to grow a range of vegetables and salad crops - ideal if you have your own allotment or vegetable patch and are keen to “grow your own”!
Saturday courses: One day concentrated sessions for specific subjects of interest 07 June 2014 10.00-16.00 £65 Propagation ; plants for free This practical short course will show you how to propagate plants. You will learn the techniques involved and the tools and environments to be used in propagation enabling you to propagate your own plants for free. 05 July 2014 10.00-16.00 Conservation in the garden
£65
Conservation is an ever increasing important part of gardening. This practical short course will show you how to encourage wildlife into your garden plot and explore what wildlife already exists, but most of all you will learn how to conserve what we have now for generations to come.
Courses with qualifications Longer part-time programmes that lead to a recognised certificate. 16.00-19.00 (10 weeks) £190 including exam fee *Floristry - Creative Craft Level 1
This longer programme will give you a full introduction into the world of floristry. You will be learning a range of practical floristry skills and helping to decorate and create floral displays for events based at the Botanical Gardens. It is accredited by NCFE. 10.00-14.00 (12 weeks) £220 including exam fee *Practical Gardening Award Level 1
Six week short courses: 3 hours per week. More in-depth programmes to develop your skills even further. 08 April 2014 - 13 May 2014 18.00-21.00 £100 Growing trees shrubs and hedges This six week short course will give you all the
This longer practical gardening award will give you the basic techniques involved with the establishment and maintenance of garden areas. Subjects will include weeding, watering, pruning, lawn care and plant identification. This course is accredited by City & Guilds.
09.15-15.15 (20 weeks) £362 *RHS Certificate in Garden Planning Level 2 This Royal Horticultural Society Certificate will take you through the principles of garden planning that include garden design, plant establishment and maintenance plus gardening in enclosed environments like glasshouses.
COMING SOON HNC and HND in Horticulture
Industry related certificates: On demand programmes LANTRA competence certificates; run as ongoing programmes throughout the year. These include: • *Safe use of machinery and equipment: • Chainsaws • Brush cutters • Strimmers • Mowing machines • Abrasive wheels, grinders, STIHL saws • *Pesticide Application Certificate (PA1 & PA6A) • *Health and safety • *First aid at work *Please enquire for the next available dates
Full Time Courses Apprenticeships in Horticulture Apprenticeship in Conservation & Environment Animal Care Diploma Level 2 Animal Management Diploma Level 3 Conservation, Countryside & Environment Diploma Level 2 Countryside Management Diploma Level 3 Forestry & Arboriculture Diploma Level 2 Forestry & Arboriculture Diploma Level 3 Horticulture Diploma Level 2 Horticulture Diploma Level 3 Horticulture HNC/HND Land-based studies Level 1
Are you looking for a fulfilling career working with plants? This course offers an opportunity to study fascinating horticultural disciplines including landscape design, pest biology, garden history, crop mechanisation, project management and crop production. Career opportunities include: Garden management, garden design, contract management, education or selfemployment.
Apprenticeship This apprenticeship could see you working in a garden centre, park or for a large organisation like the National Trust helping to maintain gardens as part of a visitor attraction. So if you enjoy working outdoors and have a passion for plants and watching them grow this could be the apprenticeship for you. Apprentices will learn a number of topics which will include maintaining sports, turf, production horticulture, parks, gardens and green spaces. Other topics covered will include health and safety, ground preparation, planting and seed sowing including establishing plants, tool care, harvest and grade produce for sale and plant propagation. Career opportunities include: Garden centre worker, gardener, green keeper, grounds person, parks worker, landscape gardener or designer
Register your interest 0845 155 0101 For more information t 0845 155 0101 w bmetc.ac.uk e ask@bmetc.ac.uk