Additional information
| Course dates | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
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Have you ever wanted to find out how to prune your roses properly, or produce new plants for free from your existing ones?
B.E.S.T. is offering a series of ‘Taster Courses’ on the first* Friday of the month throughout 2026.
Each day will consist of a hands-on introduction to two seasonal horticulture tasks, from apple pruning to planting a ‘bulb lasagne’.
All the £25 Taster Courses can be booked separately – you choose the days and the skills you want to try. Click on the headings below for more details – ‘What is covered?’will show you the full list of skills on offer.
This group of courses is useful for anyone who wants to learn a particular horticultural skill, or a range of horticultural skills just for interest, or perhaps before committing to a program of study.
*Second Friday in January and April, to avoid public holidays
On each course day you will have the opportunity to get hands-on with two different horticultural skills.
The following skills are covered during the course: one in the morning, 10.30 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. and after a short lunch break one in the afternoon, 12.30 p.m. – 14.00 p.m.
morning, winter pruning of apple trees, and in the afternoon, propagating plants from leaves
morning, methods of plant division, and in the afternoon techniques for testing the pH of soil and determining the texture.
morning, spring lawn care, and in the afternoon, caring for roses.
morning, seed sowing indoors, and in the afternoon, propagating a range of plants from softwood cuttings.
morning, seed sowing techniques outdoors, and in the afternoon maintaining knives and secateurs.
morning, caring for and propagating bearded Iris, and in the afternoon propagating a range of plants from semi-ripe cuttings.
morning, potting off and potting off plants and restrictive potting, and in the afternoon, soft tissue grafting potatoes and tomatoes.
morning, “the right plant, right place”, and in the afternoon, irrigation and fertilisation of plants in a changing climate.
morning, “ the bulb lasagne technique”, and in the afternoon autumn lawn care and maintenance.
morning, bulb propagation techniques, and in the afternoon “putting the garden to sleep”.
morning, propagating a range of plants from root cuttings, and in the afternoon tool maintenance and storage for winter.
morning, propagating plants from hardwood cuttings, and in the afternoon sustainable Christmas wreath making.
This range of courses is not assessed, but you will be given guidance, tuition and feedback on the activities you undertake.
This is not a formal course, but you can request a certificate of attendance from the course tutor at the end of each day.
The cost for each 'day' consisting of two skills/activities is £ 25.00.
Courses will take place our Ryton Centre indoors in our bespoke horticulture training cabin, and outdoors on the site as appropriate.
Click on the green ' Enrol for this course' button below and complete an enrolment form on line; please ensure you provide ALL of the details requested.
Payment options are through the website using a credit/debit card or PayPal.
You need to come to each taster event wearing suitable clothing for the activities. We will supply all the necessary tools, equipment and materials.
You can go on to undertake The Royal Horticultural Society Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture, or perhaps one of Certificate of Competence courses for machinery and equipment.
£25.00
| Course dates | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
|---|
We have collected together some quick links to useful pages that you should find helpful.
B.E.S.T in Horticulture Education Limited, Registered in England No 14088275. (A not for profit organisation)
B.E.S.T. in Horticulture Ltd. Registered in England № 7739766.
