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RHS: Plant Nutrition & Roots (2)

Taught by Tom Cole

‘The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies‘ ~ Gertrude Jekyll

Course Description

This module will develop candidates’ understanding of factors affecting plant growth. The module will therefore incorporate the delicate balance of nutrients and pH levels that are required for plants to flourish, as well as drawing attention to the signs of specific nutrient deficiencies. Such study will allow the candidate to appreciate the importance of good quality soil, and so will then also draw upon: soil evaluation; management; and proper irrigation. In addition, candidates will examine compost and varying growing media.

Course outline

  • Physical and Chemical Properties of Soils

    In this lesson you will learn all about soil and how it supports plant growth. This will include soil formation and composition, as well as how to evaluate soil.

  • Water and Soil Irrigation

    This lesson covers the essentials for healthy plant growth. You will also examine soil water and its varying forms, before moving on to look at irrigation and its benefits.

  • Methods of Soil Improvement and Management

    Here you will learn all about the cultivation of soil, including how to test soil and cultivate it yourself. You will then learn how to consolidate seed beds and will consider the ‘seed bed’ system as a whole.

  • Organic Matter and its Importance in the Soil

    This lesson tackles the contribution and benefit of living organisms to soil health, as well as the process of decomposition of organic matter. From here you will study compost, including: the sources of compost; methods of storing compost; and how to make a compost bed.

  • Nutrients and Fertilisers

    You will be introduced to the nutrients needed by plants. Once you have come to terms with the individual nutrients required by a plant, you will study the signs of nutrient deficiency, as well as looking at soil pH and the effects of different pH levels.

  • Composts and Growing Media

    This lesson will focus on container gardening. However it will also cover alternative growing mediums to peat, and introduce you to the basics of hydroponics.

Choose how you want to learn

  • The Expert option

    Recommended

    Develop your learning further with marked assignments and personal tuition from Tom Cole

    • Start course whenever you like
    • 6 weeks tutor access for personalised assignment feedback & coaching
    • 6 assignments marked by Tom Cole
    • Online classroom with up to 20 classmates
    • 6 lessons with expert videos & notes
    • Group chat & direct message with tutor & classmates
    • Lifetime access to videos, notes & classroom
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    $499

  • The Peer option

    Discover the benefits of group learning in an online interactive classroom of no more than 20 people. Get the most from shared knowledge and community study

    • Start course whenever you like
    • Practise what you learn with your peers
    • Online classroom with up to 20 classmates
    • 6 lessons with expert videos & notes
    • 6 course assignments
    • Group chat & direct message classmates
    • Lifetime access to videos, notes & classroom
    Learn more
    $199
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Learn better together

  • Online classroom

    Start anytime and join a class of no more than 20 students

    Start anytime and join a class of no more than 20 students

  • Test yourself

    Practice what you learn with assignments after each lesson

    Practice what you learn with assignments after each lesson

  • Personal tuition

    Exclusive assignment feedback from Expert Tutors

    Exclusive assignment feedback from Expert Tutors

  • Share

    Share ideas with classmates from around the world

    Share ideas with classmates from around the world

Meet Tom Cole

Tom has been involved in land-based education since 1991. He was a lecturer at Capel Manor College, which culminated in becoming Head of Horticulture in 1997-2009. This role involved overseeing and leading a team based at 5 sites covering the London area. During 2009, Tom moved to Writtle University College as a Curriculum Manager, overseeing Further Education covering Agriculture, Countryside and Horticulture. During 2010 he became the Head of Faculty.

More recently, Tom has spent much time delivering RHS qualifications at Capel Manor College. He is an RHS Associate and speaker, qualification writer for Pearson/ BTEC and marks RHS Level 2 exams. Tom is also currently expanding a small, but perfectly formed soft landscape and maintenance business. Aside from teaching, he regularly broadcasts on BBC Radio Essex with Ken Crowther and contributes to various garden magazines.

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    RHS Level 2 Collection

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    8 Courses • Taught by 2 Expert Tutors
    RHS Qualifications: Distance Learning Approved Provider 2020

    The Royal Horticultural Society’s Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture is an internationally recognised qualification designed to inform those just starting out in gardening as well as to build upon pre-existing knowledge. It can often lay the foundations for a complete career change.

    All the knowledge required to pass the final exam has been gathered here in a collection of inspiring courses. Through the power of online group learning, we bring this course to you and help you to benefit both from internationally acclaimed horticulturalists, and from others working towards this qualification.

    Purchasing the full collection is the most economical way of readying yourself for the final exam - and saving on the price of buying module by module. However feel free also to pick and choose the areas that interest you if you simply want the pleasure of horticulture and do not want to achieve the overall RHS Level 2 qualification.

    More information about the qualification can be found here.

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