The Gardener’s Garden Centre
HORTICULTURE COURSES 2019 / 2020
I have attended courses at Coolings for many years. The level of expertise and support they provide makes studying so enjoyable. www.coolings.co.uk/education
Rita Wyatt
NEW and Exclusive to Coolings! Plants and Plantsmanship
A 20-week course that is new and exclusive to Coolings for 'plantaholics' everywhere. Learn how to grow wonderful plants that have colour, scent and structure in your garden throughout the year. Relax and have fun, learning in the company of fellow gardeners. No exams, no pressure, no requirement for any prior course attendance. This course will feature tours of the garden centre to view and discuss the best products on offer for growing and displaying plants and how to keep your plants healthy, reducing the use of chemicals. Your tutor will also demonstrate planting and maintenance techniques.
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www.coolings.co.uk/courses
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Starts Monday 16th September 2019, 2pm - 4pm Cost: ÂŁ399
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Course Length: 20 Weeks Tutor: Tessa Allen
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Who can apply? Suitable for anyone with a love of gardening who would like to increase their plant knowledge and learn how to get the best from the plants in their garden. Topics included? Weekly plant identification of up to ten plants, with lots of information on where they grow best, the top cultivars to choose, with really useful growing and maintenance tips. The range of plants will include: Annuals and bedding plants Herbaceous perennials Shrubs and garden trees Hedging Ground cover
How to be a Successful Gardener
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Who can apply? For people who have an interest in gardening and want to know more without a taxing level of science and complexity. No prior knowledge or experience is required. Focusing on the principle areas of contemporary gardening divided into 2 modules, each 3 hours per week, for 15 weeks. The whole course lasts 30 weeks. The modules are also offered as individual courses so it will be possible to dip in and out for subjects you have a particular interest in. There will also be a practical element to each module to give real-experience of the topics covered.
What will I learn? Module 1 - The Basics of how to Garden: Grow Your Skills (28th Sept) S oil cultivation and preparation Propagation Planting M aintenance tasks Pruning Composting G rowing in containers and small areas
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Starts Saturday 28th September 2019, 9.30am - 12.30pm Cost from: £275 per (15 week) module | £525 for the year. (30 weeks)
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Course Length: 1 Year (2 modules) Tutor: Neil Bone
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OU ildlife and wildlife havens W P lant choice and wildlife – gardens significant impact on nature S ustainable gardening G ardening in a changing climate S ustainable design
Module 2 - Growing your own Fruit & Vegetables: Enjoy the Fruits of your Labours (February 2020)
P lanning your vegetable garden – when and what to sow P reparing the ground U se of fertilisers and compost – including green manures S owing and planting P eat-free growing P ests and disease monitoring and management F riend or foe - enemies and allies in the natural world H arvesting and avoiding gluts G ardens and your well-being H erbs for eating P lants of medicinal interest Within these four walls - how to reuse and recycle in the garden
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RHS Level 2
Certificate in Practical Horticulture Course Length: 1 Year Tutor: Kevin Tooher
Kevin Tooher
Starts: (Daytime) Friday 20th September 2019, 9:30am - 3pm Starts: (Evening) Wednesday 18th September 2019, 6:30pm - 9pm (plus some weekend days) Cost: ÂŁ650 (1 Year) This practical course is recognised in the horticultural industry and focuses on developing essential horticultural skills; many employers see this as a pathway to employment.
Who can apply?
The course has appeal for those working in horticulture looking to up-skill, as well as a future career changer and would also be of interest to the hobby gardener.
What will I learn?
Ground preparation for seed sowing Care and pruning of plants Sowing seeds and vegetative propagation techniques Soil testing Practical skills in establishing seeds and plants in soil Identification of a range of common garden plants, weeds, pests, diseases, disorders and beneficial organisms
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Whilst the course is more focused on practical skills there is still a significant classroom element and there are a number of very short written tests taken under exam conditions (around 10 to 15 minutes). Completing both RHS level 2 Certificates in Practical Horticulture and Principles of Horticulture entitles you to the RHS Level 2 Diploma.
RHS Level 2
Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture Course Length: 2 Years Tutors: Tessa Allen/Caroline Halfpenny
Tessa Allen Carol ine Halfpenny
Year 1: Monday 16th September 2019, 9:30am to 12:30pm or Wednesday evening 18th September 2019, 6:30pm to 9pm, finishing June 2020. Year 2: Course commences September 2020, finishing June 2021. Cost: ÂŁ575 per year (30 weeks) The RHS (Level 2) Certificate is well recognised within the industry; students who achieve it will be well placed to progress onto further courses or into employment. This course is over 100 years old and still as popular as ever. The course is also ideal for the dedicated amateur gardener who wishes to extend their knowledge and perhaps achieve a nationally recognised qualification. The Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture is a broad-ranging course taught 3 hours a week over 6 terms and covers the full spectrum of horticultural subjects. It is ideal for beginners or for those with some experience. Achievement on this course is through nationally set written examinations taken in February and June 2020 (Year 1) and February and June 2021 (Year 2) and the level of knowledge expected is equivalent to a good level of pass in a GCSE science subject.
What will I learn?
The weekly session will include plant identifications as well as classroom-based theory. Comprehensive notes will be provided. Students will be encouraged to take part in weekly practical demonstrations.
Who can apply?
Entry onto this course is open to anyone who has a genuine interest in horticulture – no formal qualification is necessary. The following outline is intended only for general guidance on the range of subjects to be studied:
Year 1: Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development
Plant classification, structure and function Propagation Weeds, pest and disease problems Soil management and nutrition
Year 2: Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance
Garden design Fruit and vegetable growing Greenhouse management Plant choice, establishment and maintenance
Guided tours including RHS Wisley Garden, will be arranged and are included in the course fees. Completing both RHS level 2 Certificates in Practical Horticulture and Principles of Horticulture entitles you to the RHS Level 2 Diploma.
www.coolings.co.uk/courses
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Garden Horizons
Plants: Their World Wide Web
Course Length: 1 Year (30 weeks) | Tutor: Tessa Allen Starts Thursday 12th September 2019, 9.30am – 12.30pm OR 1pm - 4pm
This course includes ten full-day visits to gardens and places of horticultural interest. The days of the visits will run from 9am - 4pm. The price includes all coach trips, but not entry to the gardens.
Who can apply? Suitable for anyone with a love of gardening. This exciting and informative course covers a fascinating range of topics.
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What will I learn? N AT LE YOUR Weekly plant identification Understanding your garden micro-climate Encouraging beneficial fauna and flora in your garden Growing your own cut flowers Plant adaptations for surviving challenging environments Trees for small gardens AR
Classroom days will include practical demonstrations, including opportunities to improve your propagation skills.
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Exclusive to Coolings! Relax and have fun, learning in the company of fellow gardeners. No exams, no pressure, no requirement for any prior course attendance.
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Cost: £635
Tessa Allen
Visits will include: Nymans Borde Hill Cambridge Botanic Gardens Parham Park Woolbeding Hyde Hall Sussex Prairie Garden
I have really enjoyed the course - all tutors have been great and knowing that I don't have to take an exam made the course even more enjoyable. Antony Hays
Botanical Adventures 4
Who can apply? Enjoy learning in a relaxed and informative atmosphere in the company of enthusiastic fellow gardeners. This course includes ten planned full day visits to a range of gardens and nurseries in the South East to compliment the class room themes studied. (The price includes all coach trips, but not entry to the gardens).
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www.coolings.co.uk/courses
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King Ashurbanipal of Assyria (r. 669 - c. 631 BC) was a formidable warrior and he was also a very keen gardener! We take a look at how the Assyrian kings created a slice of paradise on earth with their exoctic botanical gardens.
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Starts Friday 27th September 2019, 9.30am – 12.30pm Cost: £635
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Course Length: 1 Year (30 weeks) | Tutor: Neil Bone
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Ancient Assyria to Astronauts
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What will I learn? Find out how research is helping us to understand more about plants and how studying them is helping us develop new technologies to combat global warming and famine. In class we look at how growing plants in space opens-up new possibilites for long- term missions and may in the future reduce the burden of bringing or shuttling provisions. The key to such development is plant research in space. Hands-on weekly practical sessions will help you learn new gardening techniques you can use in your own garden. Become confident in propagating a wide range of shrubs, bulbs and flowers using a variety of different methods.
Exclusive to Coolings! Planting Design for Beginners
Students will learn about a wide range of trees and plants and how to design successfully with them.
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Knowing which plants to choose for your garden and how to place them can be a difficult process. This course aims to introduce students to a wide range of topics which will help them achieve the right results.
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Starts Monday 23rd September 2019, 9:30am to 12:30pm Cost: ÂŁ199
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Course Length: 6 Weeks Tutor: Alex Lindsay (BA Hons, GD DIP)
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Who can apply? Suitable for anyone with a love of gardening who would like to increase their plant knowledge and learn how to get the best from the plants in their garden. Topics to include? Learn about a wide range of plants, trees and how they work best in your garden Design theories Planting styles How to draw up planting plans Learn about some of the most influential planting designers in history
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OF Coolings runs a wide range of gardening related courses, some practical, some academic and some just for fun. They’re all richly rewarding, both socially and in learning. If you are not sure which course is best for you, come along and chat to our tutors to see what it’s all about:
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Come and meet our lecturers to find out what it's all about.
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Courses at Coolings School of Horticulture 2019-2020
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• Saturday 22nd June 2019 (1pm - 4pm) Here at Coolings we like to think of ourselves as a beacon of educational excellence but much friendlier and relaxed than other similar establishments. There are lots of good reasons to take a course with us, and they’re all included in the price. I nspirational lecturing staff who make learning easy and fun A purpose-built working area for practical sessions We have our own gardens and production nursery where students are encouraged
Tessa Allen
to take part in practical sessions, and which enable them to gain an insight into our industry Light refreshments are included as part of your course We hold a glamorous Awards Evening for those completing a course of a year or more Courses are lots of fun! A mature and warm atmosphere where friendships are made
Neil Bone
Kevin Tooher
To Book All Courses Book online at www.coolings.co.uk/education Email: lesley@coolings.co.uk Coolings Nurseries Ltd The Gardener's Garden Centre Rushmore Hill Knockholt 01959 532269 Sevenoaks rushmorehill@coolings.co.uk Kent, TN14 7NN 8
www.coolings.co.uk