Description

Course Overview

This information packed online couse will teach you the basics you need to start your own gardening company or boost your career within the gardening industry. You can turn your hobby into a successful business by completing the twenty nine modules and passing the multiple choice question test.

The modules cover everything from basic gardening to pest control, landscaping and more. The course takes approximately fifteen hours to complete and on successful completion, you will have the ability to download and print your industry recognised diploma.

When applying for a position within the gardening industry, your potential employer will be able to confirm your certification online. During your studies you will enjoy the convenience of studying at your own pace with no set schedule and from anywhere using any device, as long as you have a connection to the internet to access the modules.

Course Contents

During this Garden Design and Maintenance Online Diploma the following topics will be covered;

• Learn the basics of gardening from the various soil types to plant planning and purchasing.
• Identify an effective garden planning process from the initial consultation with the client through to site surveys, maintenance planning, to the final and completed project.
• Know different garden design styles. Learn how to gain inspiration throughout the day, how to design a mood board and how to implement your design effectively for the best results.
• Understand site surveys, approvals and measuring techniques. Learn how to use survey maps, photographic records and what surveys and appraisals you are going to need before you begin.
• Learn the benefits of project planning.
• Know the five forms that should be included in all your client packs.
• Learn more about drawing a plan and essential graphic skills.
• Know the various surfaces and materials, understand what hard landscaping is and how to deal with it.
• Know the secrets of great soil.
• Understand the importance of the right plan selection and care. This includes use of colours to make an impact.
• Gain valuable plant knowledge that you can use daily to make the best choices based on your design, garden location and finish.
• Learn how to identify high maintenance areas within any garden. Know the different options when it comes to low maintenance planning.
• Learn the importance of sustainability. Know what plants to use, about water conservation and how to recycle and reuse when working in any garden.
• Learn essential tips for reducing maintenance in difficult to manage and overgrown gardens.
• Know what equipment you are going to need, what equipment you will need for certain jobs and what each item is capable of.
• Get a good understanding of the most common garden pests, natural and chemical pesticides, integrated pest management and how to come up with a pest management plan that will work.
• Identify effective solutions for difficult gardens from adding container plants to adding additional irrigation and more.
• Know what to plan in a herb and vegetable garden.
• Know what you need to start your own gardening business to achieve success.
• Learn more about marketing your business, health and safety in the workplace, insurance, tax and record keeping, just to name a few of the points covered in this industry recognised course.
• Gain valuable insight into raising flower beds, laying patios, decking, fencing, know more about artificial grass, how to lay lawn and how to build a fish pond.

Course Modules

There are 29 modules in this Garden Design Diploma:

• Module 1: Gardening Basics
• Module 2 : Garden Design Process
• Module 3 : Garden Design Styles
• Module 4 : Survey, Site Appraisal & Measuring Techniques
• Module 5 : Planning Your Projects
• Module 6 : Proportion Illusions & Effective Use of Space
• Module 7 : Drawing a Plan & Graphics skills
• Module 8 : Surface and Materials / Hard Landscaping
• Module 9 : Secrets of Great Soil
• Module 10 : Plant Selection and Care
• Module 11 : Plant Knowledge
• Module 12 : Low Maintenance Gardens/Planting
• Module 13 : Sustainability
• Module 14 : Garden Maintenance
• Module 15 : Equipment
• Module 16 : Pest Control
• Module 17 : Solutions to Difficult Gardens
• Module 18 : Vegetable and Herb Gardens
• Module 19 : Running your own Gardening Business
• Module 20: Marketing and Social Media
• Module 21: Health and Safety
• Module 22: Insurance, Tax, VAT and Record Keeping
• Module 23: How to build raised flower beds
• Module 24: How to lay a patio
• Module 25: Decking
• Module 26: How to Put Up Garden Fencing
• Module 27: How to turf a garden / lay a lawn
• Module 28: How to lay artificial grass areas
• Module 29: How to Build a Garden Pond

Course Assessment

Once you have completed all 29 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 29 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.  The pass mark for the test is 70%.  If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.

Course Duration

This online course will take about 15 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.

Course Audience

Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.

Course Benefits

This online course will provide you with a range of benefits;

• An easy to understand syllabus that you can learn at home and in your own time.
• Improve your career prospects with an industry recognised diploma.
• Learn using any device at any time.
• Enjoy ongoing support during your studies.

A CPD Certified Course

CPD certification means that the course has reached the required Continuing Professional Development (CPD) standards and benchmarks, and the learning values have been scrutinised to ensure integrity and quality by the CPD Certification Service. CPD accreditation is recognised and respected internationally. Certification shows a clear commitment to self-development and professionalism.

Payment Options and Discounts

For purchases of 1 to 9 user enrolments select the number of users you require and add the product to your shopping cart by selecting Add to Cart. You will then be able to make payment using most credit and debit cards or a Paypal account.

For a licence for 10 or more user enrolments, discounts, or if you would like to pay by BACs transfer or by invoice, please contact a customer advisor on 0844 854 9218 or email [email protected].

Purchasing Options for your Organisation

We offer a variety of purchasing options giving you total flexibility in how you purchase online training for your organisation. Let us know your requirements and we’ll advise you on the most cost efficient method of purchasing:

• User Licence – a licence for a specified user on specified course/s. The user licence consists of a number of enrolments for a user to use on specified courses.
• Course Licence – a licence for specified course/s for any learner. The course licence consists of a number of enrolments to use on specified course/s for any learner;
• Bundle Licence – a licence for a specified bundle of courses. The bundle licence consists of a number of enrolments to use on any course for any learner in the bundle;
• Subscription Licence – a licence for a maximum number of users to access any course in a specified bundle;
• Site Licence – a licence to install one course, or one or more bundles of courses on your own learning management system. The site licence consists of a number of enrolments to use on any course for any learner in the bundle;

For more information on purchasing options and discounts please phone a customer advisor on 0844 854 9218.