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RHS level 2 self-study help

neilbradburnneilbradburn Posts: 142
in Plants
Hi all,

I have searched the forums in vain for this specific, information so am hoping you kind folk can help me.... 

I am hoping to self-study the RHS level 2 courses. I gather the "principles of horticulture" book covers the first certificate. However, my understanding is that the planning certificate is less well offered by a single book, and thus course notes and  several recommended study texts may be the best way to study, and I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to recommend study books or, and I realise this is a big ask, provide digital course notes.

My primary motivation is to learn more about my passion of horticulture, with a secondary benefit of giving me the option of moving my career path into gardening - especially useful given the uncertain times ahead.  At this stage, given financial conditions, I would rather not have to pay out large course fees, and thus would greatly appreciate any assistance in the self-study direction.

Thanks for reading!

Kind regards.
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Posts

  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 970
    I did this at college one day a week so we did have the added advantage of class discussion and the tutors but the basics of everything you need is in the book. I’m not sure what specific books to recommend as it’s a bit of a mix of topics - a bit of design and then more practical things like using greenhouses etc - hard to cover without several books. Also the RHS certificate is quite traditional so you might not  want to get your exam head muddied by other opinions.

    Maybe some of the Dr Hessayon books eg his greenhouse expert etc - you should be able to pick these up quite cheaply second-hand
    The RHS site itself has lots of information on it as well and you know then your still getting the correct slant (exam wise) on the topic.
    Gardeners World site (not the forum) has a lot of practical information - suggesting articles rather than the forum as from us you will get lots of experience and differing opinions and you need to stay focus on what the RHS want the answers to be)
    Re garden design and planning - from memory this is again quite practically focused but if you are interested in this aspect the John Brookes books are good and still as relevant today as when published e.g Garden Design Workbook has practical how to but is also an enjoyable read and full of inspiration 
     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 970
    PS sorry can’t offer any scanned notes as I didn’t keep any of mine and it was quite a long time ago
     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • neilbradburnneilbradburn Posts: 142
    Hi butterfly66,

    Many thanks for the considered response! Your recommendations of sources of information and comments about the traditional approach of the RHS are noted and very much appreciated.

    Kind regards
  • neilbradburnneilbradburn Posts: 142
    Butterfly66: and thanks for considering my request for course notes. Hopefully someone else might have some :-)
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    neilbradburn said:
    I gather the "principles of horticulture" book covers the first certificate. However, my understanding is that the planning certificate is less well offered by a single book, and thus course notes and  several recommended study texts may be the best way to study,
    @Butterfly66 says, the RHS are really very specific about what they want, so you do need to be aware of this. 
    Good luck!
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Oh! There was a whole long response I wrote before that bit and it's disappeared. 
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    In short - you are right - no textbook for the planning & maintenance certificate. Start by looking at past papers and noting carefully the kind of details being asked for and - especially - what are deemed to be good answers. That should give you a clearer idea of what they're after and how to proceed.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    PS I have YouTube playlists for most of the modules. I can post links. Fewer for the planning certificate, sadly.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • neilbradburnneilbradburn Posts: 142
    Hi LG_,
    Many thanks for the considered response !Ik how it feels for computer input that you've spent lots of time on to magically disappear, so feel for you:-( 

    As you suggest, I will reverse engineer the course from the past papers provided by the RHS.

    If you get the chance, those links to YouTube videos would be much appreciated!

    Kind regards
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    edited May 2020
    Here's the link for my 'Production of outdoor vegetables and fruit' playlist as an example. I think you should be able to get to my other playlists from there, but if not, let me know and I'll link from here. Just remember that these are not RHS videos, so not every bit of  information within them will be exactly what they prescribe. 
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
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