Level 1 BTEC Gardening Studies Course in Tonbridge. Classes run at Hadlow College, full-time during the day. This one-year course covers preparing soil, growing plants, and keeping plants healthy. You'll also learn basic animal care and estate maintenance skills. Practical sessions take place in a commercial glasshouse, poly tunnels, and a 50-acre community garden.
Who this course is for
This highly practical course is an ideal starting point for those students with few formal qualifications. Covering the basics of caring and feeding of animals (farm livestock) along with estate maintenance skills you will also cover the process of preparing soil for plants, grow plants and keep plants healthy. These skills are learnt in our custom-built commercial glasshouse and poly tunnels along with utilising our 50-acre public/community gardens called ‘Broadview Gardens’. For the Agriculture units these will take place on our commercial farm where you will work with, and alongside our Sheep flock and Beef heard. An example of the full list of units covered, could include: -
Being Organised
Developing a Personal Progression Plan
Working with Others
Researching a Topic
Caring for and Feeding Animals
Moving and Accommodating Animals
Developing Estate Maintenance Skills
Preparing Soil for Planting
Growing Plants
Caring for and Keeping Plants Healthy
What you will learn
You'll learn how to prepare soil and grow plants from scratch.
You'll develop skills in keeping plants healthy in a glasshouse and poly tunnel environment.
You'll practise basic care and feeding of farm livestock.
You'll build estate maintenance skills across a working outdoor site.
You'll gain hands-on experience in a 50-acre community garden setting.
How you will learn
This is a highly practical, classroom and site-based course. You'll learn through hands-on work in a commercial glasshouse, poly tunnels, and outdoor gardens. Assessment is through coursework, practical tasks, and portfolio evidence rather than written exams. You'll build a record of the skills you develop throughout the year.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Hadlow College will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Gardener: maintain gardens, parks, and green spaces
Groundsperson: care for sports pitches and outdoor estates
Nursery worker: grow and tend plants in a commercial nursery
Horticulture assistant: support planting and landscape teams
Farm worker: help with livestock care and land maintenance
Parks and grounds operative: work for local councils or estates
What you could study next
Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture: the natural next step, covering plant science and practical skills in more depth.
Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Horticulture: combines study with on-the-job training.
Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides: a useful add-on for grounds and garden roles.
Level 2 Animal Care qualification: if you want to develop the animal husbandry side further.
