Horticulture

Free online taster horticulture courses content

Free online taster horticulture courses

This collection of courses introduces you to a wide range of topics including propagation, cultivation, design and plant biology.

These courses were developed by the Horticulture department at UHI Argyll.

Visit the OpenLearn Create website to start

Macro image of leaves

Drystone Walling content Close up of a stone wall

Drystone Walling

In this intensive introduction to drystone walling, you’ll learn how to repair and construct field walls and drystone garden features. Ideal for beginners, this course equips you with the basics to safely build drystone walls and features at home. 

Suitable for ages 14 and above. For inquiries related to physical disabilities affecting tool use or stone lifting, please contact us. 

  • Where? Helensburgh (three-week course), Rothesay (one-week course)
  • Full-time or Part-time? Part-time Helensburgh Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 26th August, Rothesay 19th -23rd August. 
  • Want to find out more? Rothesay course // Helensburgh course
Autumn Gardening content Autumn Gardening

Autumn Gardening

This highly practical course introduces horticultural techniques you may not have tried at home as well as giving you an understanding of garden design in context and the biodiversity of our native plant ecosystems. 

This course is ideal for anyone who would like to improve their skills for gardening at home, improve their well-being through horticulture or who are considering starting a career in horticulture and would like an introduction to basic horticultural skills. 

  • Where? Helensburgh
  • Full-time or Part-time? Fridays, 9.30am - 4pm 
  • Want to find out more? Visit course page
Horticulture NC content Yellow wellington boots in a garden

Horticulture NC

Whether you simply want to improve your skills in the garden or are considering a career in horticulture, this highly practical course will equip you with all the essentials you need to succeed. 

  • Where? Helensburgh, Rothesay
  • Full-time or Part-time? Full-time, starts Jan 2025
  • Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Horticulture HNC content Person placing a plant pot in a planter box

Horticulture HNC

The HNC Horticulture is designed to provide students with a broad knowledge of horticulture and landscape and develop – at a practical level – an understanding of plants' characteristics, growth, and use.

The course will be delivered by very experienced horticulture lecturers and an award-winning garden designer.

  • Where? This course can be studied from anywhere in Scotland with two days per week of online theory classes and 5 residential field trips to carry out practical work. 
  • Full-time or Part-time? Full-time
  • Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Horticulture HND content Student kneeling in garden planting

Horticulture HND

The HND Horticulture will develop your skills in plant and crop physiology and breeding, planting design, soil management and landscape surveying, as well as experience in the care, maintenance and management of plants. You will also have the opportunity to gain experience in ecology and plant habitat conservation.

  • Where? This course can be studied from anywhere in Scotland with two days per week of online theory classes and 5 residential field trips to carry out practical work
  • Full-time or Part-time? Full-time
  • Want to find out more? Visit the course page