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Practical Gardening Skills

Course Type:
Part Time
Entry Requirements:
In order to attend the course, learners should be able to follow verbal and written instructions in English at Entry Level 3 and above. Learners will also need a basic level of IT skills to be able to access the course and follow online instructions. If training or support is needed, please enquire about our free ICT courses.
Start date:
Jun 2026

Course Overview

Gardening and growing your own plants, vegetables and flowers can bring a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits. This course is a great way to develop a wide range of gardening skills to apply in work or your own garden. The course is suitable for complete beginners, through to those who would like to further develop their existing skills and knowledge.

What will I learn?

This course is accredited, and you will need to complete a short workbook or Microsoft Form during or between sessions to accompany the practical activities.

By the end of the course, learners will:
– Learn about gardens, plants and working in a garden setting
– Recognise and remove weeds.
– Propagate plants via cuttings
– Prepare ground for planting
– Learn about garden tools and how to maintain them
– Design and plant up an area
– Understand health and safety procedures in horticulture
– Select appropriate next steps onto further learning opportunities

This course contains four accredited units from Open Awards:
– Planting and Establishing Plants
– Clearing and Weeding a Garden (E3)
– Use and Maintain Garden Tools (E3)
– Introduction to Ground Preparation (E3)

These units are blended into the core content of the course and learners will create evidence for the unit’s criteria by completing tasks and practical activities as planned by the course teacher. Certification for this unit will be provided upon successful completion of the course.

How is the course delivered?

Sessions will be either in-person or online. Online learning will be completed through Zoom and learners will complete the course by independently working through a variety of assessment tasks, including:
– Tutorials
– Quizzes
– Reflecting on their own learning and experience
– Participating in discussion forums
– Complete practical tasks

How will my learning be assessed?

Sessions will be either in-person or online. Online learning will be completed through Zoom and learners will complete the course by independently working through a variety of assessment tasks, including:
– Tutorials
– Quizzes
– Reflecting on their own learning and experience
– Participating in discussion forums
– Complete practical tasks

Additional Information

Learners will need:
– Access to a garden, green space, allotment or outdoor area where possible.
– Access to a small range of gardening tools, and personal protective equipment although this is not necessary as some of this can be provided (in person courses.)

The Additional Learning Support Teams work across college supporting students with a variety of learning needs in different ways. Support can be requested at enrolment or at any point throughout your course.

It would be useful to have a pen and paper so you can make notes throughout the course (if you are studying online).

Potential Careers

Following the completion of this course the following progression option are available:
– City and Guilds Level 1 Award, Certificate, Diploma in Practical Horticulture Skills
– More details on this progression route can be provided by your teacher, please enquire if you are interested.

Lancashire Adult Learning run other associated and general interest courses which can be found within this website.

Course Facilities

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