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Free Level 1 Horticulture Course in Stockport

CostFREE
Duration9 months
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
StartFlexible
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 1 Horticulture Course in Stockport. Classes run at YMCA Reddish, full-time during the day. This free horticulture course for adults runs over 9 months and covers practical skills in growing, maintaining, and caring for plants and outdoor spaces. There are no formal entry requirements. You'll have an interview to confirm the course is the right fit. The course leads to a City and Guilds horticulture qualification recognised by employers in gardening and grounds maintenance.

Who this course is for

Do you like being outdoors, working with your hands and creating things that people can enjoy? Then a career in horticulture could be the right path for you.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. You will have an interview to make sure that this course is right for you.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop practical plant care and growing techniques
  • You'll learn how to maintain garden beds, borders, and outdoor spaces
  • You'll understand soil types, plant health, and seasonal growing cycles
  • You'll practise using hand tools and basic horticultural equipment safely
  • You'll learn about pest and disease identification and basic control methods
  • You'll build knowledge of sustainable and environmentally responsible gardening practices

How you will learn

Learning takes place in the classroom and through hands-on practical sessions. You'll be assessed through practical tasks, observations, and short written or oral activities. Assessment is ongoing throughout the course rather than in a single exam. Your tutor will observe your practical work and check your understanding as you progress.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. YMCA Reddish will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Gardener: maintaining private or public gardens and green spaces
  • Grounds maintenance operative: keeping parks, sports grounds, and estates tidy
  • Garden centre assistant: advising customers and caring for stock plants
  • Landscape labourer: supporting landscaping and planting projects
  • Cemetery and parks operative: maintaining public outdoor spaces
  • Nursery worker: growing and tending plants in a commercial nursery

What you could study next

After this level 1 horticulture qualification, you could move on to a Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture to deepen your practical skills and improve your job prospects. A Level 2 qualification opens doors to more skilled roles in grounds maintenance, landscaping, and garden design. Some learners go on to a Level 3 qualification or an apprenticeship in horticulture.

Apply on ymca.co.uk →
Apply now →

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