Allotments 4 All
General => RHS Question & Answer => Topic started by: Linda32 on October 11, 2006, 11:22:24
-
Hello, first off thanks to whoever opened this section :)
I'm doing this course by distance learning and have just sent in the first set of mid-module questions.
If these anyone else out there, I'd like to hear from you :)
Any hints, tips, magazines or books you've bought etc and how you keep your interest.
Linda
-
We have people that are doing RHS courses to work along side of us. They find it a great help in understanding some of the jargon.
Find a landscape business, garden designer, even a big estate in your area and volunteer a few hours each week, you will find the skills you aquire invaluable.
The last girl we had is now working as the gardener on the site we were creating when she was learning. She was a very quick learner and also doing a distance course. She said it made it more real for her.
-
Hi Linda 32, yes i asked Dan to place this section as I'm doing the RHS g2 course as well, Ive just finished assignment 6 (garden design) and found it intense, and wanted help, so when i do assignment 7 I'll be asking for more help, the books i use can be seen on my blog site (look for Windy's spot link) if you need some help just PM me and i'll see if i can help
-
I did this two years ago and typed up my notes and have emailed them to a couple of people on here previously. I believe the syllabus has changed a bit this year, though.
-
Hello all,
I do volenteer gardening at our Millennium Green throughout the summer. The second Saturday of the month from April to October. :)
I've just got my first set of results back 18/30 was my mark which I was quite pleased about. The tutor pointed out where I'd gone wrong, so I know what to look at now. But also the facts I'd got right :)
-
I'm currently doing this course, started in September 2006, but I'm taking the course via evening classes at an agricultural college.
As I have no previous knowledge of Botany and my latin can only be described as weak I'm finding it hard going at the moment. I've been assured by my tutor that it will continue to be a very steep learning curve for the rest of the course......
It's nice to hear that others are doing the same course and finding that it isn't an easy course to complete. I can't imagine how I could help anyone else at the moment, but I am willing to try should anyone post for advice that I know anything about (which isn't much at the moment).
I am enjoying the course and have found the other students and the tutor very supportive, so hopefully I will make some kind of progress sooner or later.
Good luck to anyone else doing this course.
-
A brilliant book (at least for the stage I am at) is one I borrowed from the library - in the eye witness dictionary series (thought these were just for the kiddies, but this book is great).
Eyewitness 'The visual dictionary of plants' published by Dorling Kindersley ISBN 0-86318-833-8 filed in the library non fiction at No 580. i
-
Did the BTEC National Certificate level 3, am willing to try to help if I can.
-
hi all, OK i asked for this section so i think i should start the first questions:
design an island rosebed to cover a circular area around 5m diameters, draw a diagram showing which species, & where positioned. the planting should mainly be roses, but you can use ground cover or edging species as well, you can choose whether to use just one or many verities/types of roses------(http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/378/rosebed1rc6.th.jpg) (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rosebed1rc6.jpg) just click on drawing for bigger view, do you think im on the right track, or do you have any ideas
thanks
windy
-
I'm doing this course by distance learning and have just sent in the first set of mid-module questions.
Hi Linda - I just wondered how you applied to do this by distance learning? I have been sent the course booklet from the RHS but can't see anywhere about distance learning. Also, I can't seem to see anything about course fees???
???
-
I'm doing this course by distance learning and have just sent in the first set of mid-module questions.
Hi Linda - I just wondered how you applied to do this by distance learning? I have been sent the course booklet from the RHS but can't see anywhere about distance learning. Also, I can't seem to see anything about course fees???
???
look on learning curve...and you can look on the RHS website aswell. RHS level 2 is a more theory and knowledge based certificate. so basically, there's a syllabus....you buy the books and learn everything you need to...and take however long you want. you have to post coursework to your teacher every now and then...and then once you've done all that...there's an exam you need to take.
-
I start my 'Botanical' full time in February. Looking forward to it...got a bit of a problem in addition to the norm....the course is in Belgium and is in Dutch (which I don't as yet speak or understand enough of....I also am advised to get my Latin on board....Mmmm, looks like an interesting couple of months ahead!!
-
Hi everyone,
I have just received my distance learning pack for the RHS level 2, from Learning Curve (thanks Windy for the tip off!). Haven't had chance to look through it fully yet, but looks great! I was also sent Alan T's "The Gardener's Year" and "Principles Of Horticulture" (Adams and Early), which I presume cover the course content. Had a quick flick through the assignments this morning - they don't look easy do they! I'm thinking back to my GCSE biology and most of the terminology isn't looking familiar so I guess I'm going to have a lot of studying to do! Looking forward to it though.
How is everyone else getting along since their last posts? Kenkew - how is your Dutch coming along?!
:)
-
Has anyone just sat the RHS Level 2 cert exams? I sat them both last week ... was wondering how you found them?
-
our college (West Anglia) is making us do em all in one day - stingy sods. 6 hours of intense anxiety and teeth grinding. guess i will be on the vallium at the very least. 28th June, day of despair!
cheers, suzy
-
I'm doing this course by distance learning and have just sent in the first set of mid-module questions.
Hi Linda - I just wondered how you applied to do this by distance learning? I have been sent the course booklet from the RHS but can't see anywhere about distance learning. Also, I can't seem to see anything about course fees???
???
Hello,
Sorry I havn't replied sooner :-[ I've no idea how that link came to be there, do links change after a certain period of time :-\
Anyway http://extending-learning.co.uk/ this is who I'm studying with :)
-
I am so excited, my results finally came yesterday after sitting the exam in June and I have passed the first year, so I am very pleased with myself :D
How has everyone else got on?
Return on Tuesday for the second year.
trina
-
Hi all,
As a newbie to the A4A website, I am wondering if anyone out there can give any feedback on some of the distance learning colleges, in particular HCC and KLC? Living in mid-Wales (2 hours from anywhere) it is going to have to be correspondence topped up with some practical Workshops from somewhere while on holiday.
I am quite interested in the KLC course as it has more of a design slant to their course work than other colleges, which might be to my benefit. It also means that should I decide on a change of direction then it gives me 12-18 months to decided on further training in design or gardening orientation. However if you compare their modules (briefly described on the website) with that of the HCC syllabus then I am slightly concerned that you miss out on the plants side (KLC have reassured me that their course does adequately cover the RHS Level 2 exam requirements). Anyone with experience of KLC I would be interested in any comments.
I would love to know from others how they coped with Distance Learning and have you found a benefit to your gardening/life/new job?
Thanks for looking.
Al
-
I wasn't impressed at all by the HCC material that I saw; it's certainly in-depth and there is a lot of it, but a lot of it was outdated and/or completely irrelevant to the RHS course. A motivated person who bought and worked through the "Principles Of Horticulture" (Adams and Early) book mentioned earlier in the thread could save themselves a few hundred quid.
It was an old version I saw, so maybe things are better now and I guess it is really the tutor's time that you are paying for. [I did the RHS course at an evening class in Cambridge, so can't comment on that part of HCC's offering.]
You can often find naughty people selling their course material from HCC/KLC etc. on ebay, so you might be able to try before you buy....
-
Hi Al
I've recently started doing the RHS Advanced certificate through distance learning. I'm doing it with learningcurve. I was in the same situation as you when it came to trying to decide who to do it with. Ideally I'd have liked to have done it at college bt there isnt anywhere close enough to me that offers it, so distance learning was the only option. I looked at the HCC site and learningcurve, can't remember whether I looked at KCL or whether they actually do the Advanced certificate. I chose learningcurve in the end simply because they were quite a bit cheaper than HCC, but I have no idea how their learning material compares.
So far I have been happy with what I've received, although I have noticed that they don't seem to do a very thorough job of proof reading their material! My tutor has been ok so far but I haven't had much to ask her yet. I did find it hard to know how much extra work I'd be expected to do on top of the stuff they send out, but my tutor has since helped with that.
Learning by distance learning is ok although I haven't quite got the hang of diciplinging myself yes so not getting through it as quickly as I'd hoped, but have almost finished the first module, then I'll need to complete the assessment, I think when I get the comments back it'll help to give an idea of whether I'm doing enough work.
I hope this helps a little.
SP
-
Well, for what it's worth...here's my bit. I did the course...sort of!
The instructor took an instant dislike to me. Apparently I asked too many many questions! (In Dutch, too!) eg: He showed us a garden he'd designed with a new tree he'd planted in front of the window which looked out onto a triangular garden..I asked him why he'd put the tree there and not at the end of the tiangle for the occupants to 'cast their eye on'. Also wasn't there a problem with restricted view, and slippy leaves on the patio and restricted light?...Mmm! Didn't go down well.
The next day he asked my infront of the whole class, 'What's that tree over there, Ken?'
The tree wasn't in leaf and was about 50 metres away. I asked him if I could have a closer look, but he said I had to tell him from 'here'. I said it looked like beech. His face lit up...'No! Wrong!' he said. 'It's Oak!'
So I asked him which species it was. He said, 'An Oak.' I said, 'Yes, but there's hundreds of species, which one is it?'
He said, 'It's an Oak...an Oak tree...don't you know that?' And he walked off.
(My next step was major mistake) Next day I took in my 'World Definitive Tree Guide'...! Woops, I pointed out that there were 500 species of oak!
This and other examples of him having having a go at me led him to remarking on my report...'Needs further instructions on how to dig holes and clean paths before taking part in the next module'....I read his report out to the class and the 'committee' and they all but fell off their chairs....I was happy to be out of it!
-
I've been thinking about doing a course, I left uni a year ago and now I feel I want to learn something. I don't really want to repeat material that I have already covered though!
I did a degree and PhD (did not finish) and was a lecturer, my subject matter included soils, living landscape, soil and plant relationships, british forests. I know all about soils, climate, ecology, nutrients, succession etc.
But want to learn about are the non native plants, gardens and design.
-
Hia SueSteve,
I decided on the KLC course because it had a bit more of the design element, also in the latest Gardener's World they were advertising and offering £70 off, which may have been the clincher for me!!!
Not sure I can advise you on the material and wanting to repeat it, as it sounds like you have a good background. I thought I knew a little (very) - based on TV and a maddening collection of plant books - but I have to say when I looked at the example questions in their registration book I realised how little I actually knew. Which I am kind of glad about, if I had picked it up and thought know that, know that it may not have been such a challenge. I know some people have said that they would be able to have sat the RHS Level 2 having studied the RHS reading list but for me I am not sure without a structured way of studying I would be able to keep up the motivation and also getting back in to the design element is exciting for me.
Have just received the manuals and starting the read through. Two things, if you do decided on the KLC course they do give you the option of 28 day money back if you are not happy. And second, not sure if it is allowed, but I am sure I could copy the example questions from the registration pack (it is a couple of pages) and send them to you, if it might help you decide whether to do a course or not.
All in all, really glad i have decided to do it and lets hope that the enthusiasm keeps up!
Al
-
Hi,
I'm a A4A newbie AND an RHS Level 2 Student by Distance Learning. I went down the KLC route because my RHS membership gave me a £100 discount. Those of you worried about the plant knowledge side of things on this course needn't as part of the assessment includes drawing up 50 plant profiles in trees, shrubs, bulbs etc. categories. You need to provide a lot of detail on the 50 chosen plants, plus 3 companion plants - that gives you plenty of plant knowledge as the portfolio builds up. KLC also has a student forum for each course they offer, very similar to this one, so it's a good way of keeping in touch with some fellow students. Anyone considering this course should note that KLC are merging with the English Gardening School, so I expect the courses on offer and materials will change in the next year or so.
I chose distance learning as I'm unsure if we'll be staying in our current location. If we were, I would definitely have chosen to study at the local agricultural college in spit of it being over £200 more than the distance learning. I'm finding it very difficult to motivate myself to study at home. I prefer the practical gardening on offer in my garden and allotment and reading lots of gardening books/magazines, blogging about gardening etc. etc. than knuckling down with the actual manuals!
I hope this helps for anyone else considering KLC or the distance learning route!
-
I wondered if there was anyone who wanted to join a couple of us who study together through a text/voice enabled chat program called Paltalk.
Here are the details for anyone who wants to join us. We hope to be open most evenings at least for a couple of hours but as time goes on and we have more members we can open longer hours:
1. Go to www.paltalk.com (http://www.paltalk.com)
2. Download palscene
3. After installing chat program you get yourself a username by clicking on the blue link that says 'new user. get nickname'(!)
4. The room is in 'Education>Study Groups'. To get to a room click on 'browse all rooms'. But you will only get in if the room is open. So might be a good idea if you let us know your username so we can add you to our pal list and invite you when the room is open
Hope this makes sense! It does seem a bit confusing at first. Any problems let me know either here or via pm.
Good luck and hope to see you there!
Eve
PS. Here is a link to the rhs forum where I first posted this:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/ibb/posts.aspx?postID=14665 (http://www.rhs.org.uk/ibb/posts.aspx?postID=14665)
Also here is a link to the webpage of the study group which is another way of getting in!
http://chat.paltalk.com/g2/group/1149000475/DisplayGroupDetails.wmt (http://chat.paltalk.com/g2/group/1149000475/DisplayGroupDetails.wmt)
-
I am studying City and Guilds
National certificate in Horticulture level 2.
You study for two years and is a mixture of practical and theory.We spend one day a week in college with lots of homework and assignments.We take our final exam in June.The fee is around the £400 mark but I think if it is the first time you have studied at this level it is free.I have had a great time and as a bonus made new friends.I am learning all about one stroke and two stroke engines at the moment and as I have never as much as looked at an engine it is a challenge.I would say to anyone go ahead and do it,you learn so much.Good luck to everyone.
-
Did anyone take the Horticulture 2 exam yesterday? (The second Level 2 exam). Just wondering what folks thought of it.. :)
-
I am doing C and G our final not till June.Have you just taken an RHS final?
If so was it what you expected,harder or easier. :)
-
I have just enrolled on the RHS Level 2 Certificate course (one day a week from September) at Capel Manor College, so I'm interested in seeing what people have already said about this course and look forward to sharing feedback with people who are doing it now. Is anyone else in the same position?
I want to broaden my knowledge, understanding and skills and am hoping it is not too elementary. It does not sound as though it is. I have learned a fair amount over 30 or more years of gardening, but am not very good on the science or on some aspects (e.g. propagation).
-
Ooooh Enjoy yourself. I like Betula have just done the City and guilds and wish I could do it all over again. I really enjoyed having the best excuse to talk gardening with lots of like minded people, it also made me think about aspects of gardening I hadn't looked at before and make me look at things differently.. :)
T.
-
Well folks, I finally got my results after 2 years of turning up at college on a Tuesday evening.
I PASSED... yippee!! :D
Hope everyone else did well.
trina
-
I am so pleased for you.Well done.Tulipa and I both passed. ;D ;D ;D
-
Oooh, well done Trina, as Betula says we both know how you feel, it's lovely isn't it. Congratulations! ;D ;D
The only thing is I miss it so much now..... :'(
T.
-
Just done the first exam today for the Level 2 Certificate. Scarey! Not many questions on things I'd gone to a lot of trouble to revise (e.g. soil science) and too many on things that I'd skimped (e.g. greenhouses). Sod's law. Didn't go on this course in order to do exams, but learning about soils, nutrients, plant biology etc. has certainly been interesting and surprisingly useful.
-
Best of luck ;D
-
Thanks betula. All of us found it tougher than we'd expected, but we're glad it's over - the first part, anyway. We're all going on a trip to Cambridge Botanical Gardens on Monday as a special treat. :)
-
We went to wisley.
We were going to kew as well but the coach never turned up :(
Have a great time :)
-
Thanks betula. All of us found it tougher than we'd expected, but we're glad it's over - the first part, anyway. We're all going on a trip to Cambridge Botanical Gardens on Monday as a special treat. :)
take your own food, or plenty cash! seriously, the winter border is stunning, and the outcrop style rock garden is huge. hope the weather is good for you, why not pop to anglessy abbey while you are that close? they have a fantastic long winter garden, and the sight at the end of the walk is stunning!
http://www.angleseyabbey.org/gardens/winterwalk/index.html
-
Thanks betula. All of us found it tougher than we'd expected, but we're glad it's over - the first part, anyway. We're all going on a trip to Cambridge Botanical Gardens on Monday as a special treat. :)
take your own food, or plenty cash! seriously, the winter border is stunning, and the outcrop style rock garden is huge. hope the weather is good for you, why not pop to anglessy abbey while you are that close? they have a fantastic long winter garden, and the sight at the end of the walk is stunning!
http://www.angleseyabbey.org/gardens/winterwalk/index.html
Thanks Tony. Really looking forward to the Winter Garden. I'll ask the tutors if there's time to pop into Anglesey Abbey - never been there but heard a lot about it.
-
Thanks betula. All of us found it tougher than we'd expected, but we're glad it's over - the first part, anyway. We're all going on a trip to Cambridge Botanical Gardens on Monday as a special treat. :)
take your own food, or plenty cash! seriously, the winter border is stunning,
The Botanic garden isn't at its best right now; a lot of ongoing development work means that not all of the greenhouses are open and the buildings which held the cafe and shop have been demolished to make way for a new educational centre which should be fantastic when it opens.
That said, it's still a special place and has far too much interesting stuff to see in a single day's visit. The winter border is looking (and smelling) lovely right now. And if you thought the food & drink was expensive in the botanic garden, better not go into the touristy parts of Cambridge.......
-
Thanks betula. All of us found it tougher than we'd expected, but we're glad it's over - the first part, anyway. We're all going on a trip to Cambridge Botanical Gardens on Monday as a special treat. :)
take your own food, or plenty cash! seriously, the winter border is stunning,
The Botanic garden isn't at its best right now; a lot of ongoing development work means that not all of the greenhouses are open and the buildings which held the cafe and shop have been demolished to make way for a new educational centre which should be fantastic when it opens.
That said, it's still a special place and has far too much interesting stuff to see in a single day's visit. The winter border is looking (and smelling) lovely right now. And if you thought the food & drink was expensive in the botanic garden, better not go into the touristy parts of Cambridge.......
Thanks Ceratonia. We enjoyed the Winter Garden. Snowdrops and aconites growing side by side looked stunning. Also the silvery brambles mixed with various kinds of Cornus. Mahonia smelt great. But you're right that there wasn't a lot to see, so I sneaked off for an hour and a half to have lunch with my daughter who's at Clare College.
-
Clare college is one of the few that has its gardens generally open to the public - the Fellows garden is probably the most beautiful of all of them, with lots of hidden parts. Better in summer or autumn, though.
-
Clare college is one of the few that has its gardens generally open to the public - the Fellows garden is probably the most beautiful of all of them, with lots of hidden parts. Better in summer or autumn, though.
We walked round the Fellows garden in October when daughter started there. Beautiful. Must have another look in the summer.