Level 1 Horticulture Course in Acton. Classes run at Capel Manor College Gunnersbury Park Campus, part-time during the day. The course runs for 31 weeks. You'll develop practical gardening skills across all seasons, covering plant care, tools and equipment, health and safety, and hands-on work in college and other gardens. No previous experience is needed. You must be aged 19 years old or over to enrol. This level 1 horticulture qualification is awarded by City and Guilds.
Who this course is for
This course is ideal for building your gardening skills and confidence.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for The Maintenance Gardener (Level 1) course. You do not need previous experience, just a willingness to learn. You may be asked to attend an interview to explore your interests, experience and ambitions. You must be aged 19 and over to enrol on this course.
What you will learn
You'll learn how to establish and maintain garden borders, trees, shrubs and flowers.
You'll practise sowing vegetables and flowers from seed.
You'll develop skills in caring for gardens across all seasons.
You'll use a range of horticultural tools, equipment and machinery safely.
You'll apply health and safety practices relevant to outdoor work.
You'll build plant identification skills.
You'll carry out practical work in college gardens and other garden settings.
How you will learn
Learning takes place in the classroom and outdoors through practical, hands-on sessions. You'll work in the college gardens and other garden environments to develop your skills directly. Assessment is based on practical tasks and coursework completed throughout the course. You may be asked to attend an interview before you start, so the centre can understand your interests and experience.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Capel Manor College Gunnersbury Park Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Garden maintenance worker: maintaining private and public gardens day to day.
Groundskeeper: caring for parks, sports grounds and open spaces.
Community garden volunteer: supporting local growing and green projects.
Nursery assistant: helping with plant growing and sales at a garden centre.
Landscape labourer: entry-level outdoor work with landscaping teams.
What you could study next
Level 2 Horticulture Course (Professional Gardener): the next step for those moving toward paid gardening work.
Level 2 Hard Landscaping Course: focuses on construction elements such as paths, walls and paving.
Level 2 Fruit and Vegetable Gardening Course: specialist training in food growing and kitchen garden management.
All three Level 2 routes build directly on this horticulture certificate and are available at the same college.
