Gardening & Horticulture

Gardening and Horticulture

Horticulture is a diverse and dynamic industry that includes the commercial production of fruit, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants as well as the design, establishment and maintenance of parks, gardens, leisure and sports grounds, open spaces and managed landscapes.

Horticulture is a worldwide industry varying in scale from large multinational companies to small entrepreneurial organisations and companies. Local authorities, botanical gardens and The National Trust are also big employers. At home and abroad, British-trained horticulturists are always in high demand.

We offer a range of horticulture and gardening courses that provide you with the skills and training needed to succeed in a career in this sector. With our fantastic facilities including modern greenhouses and outdoor stock beds filled with an intriguing range of plants, you are sure to enjoy the real outdoor experience. Planted areas include a Mediterranean herb garden, a wildlife haven and elements of gardens recreated from our successful gold medal winning gardens at various shows around the country.

What will I do?

Lessons combine classwork and practical work, emphasising the wide range of skills needed for employment in the horticulture/gardening industry. You will also be expected to attend work experience placements, gaining valuable on the job experience. Students are also given the opportunity to develop their enterprise skills through a number of sales activities throughout the year!

Career opportunities

b Nursery work b Retail garden centres b Garden design b Plant propagation b Plant production b Groundsmanship b Landscaping b Organics b Science b Education b Tree surgeon b Self-employment.

Courses

Career-Focused Courses Level Entry Requirements Diploma in Practical Horticultural Skills 1 No formal qualifications.

Diploma in Practical Horticultural Skills Diploma in Work-Based Horticulture 2 Level 1 qualification in horticulture.

3 A Level 2 qualification in horticulture or suitable experience.

Duration Location 1 Year Brecon/ Newtown 1 Year Brecon/ Newtown 1 Year Brecon/ Newtown

We welcome applications from mature students

New innovations – Lettuce Wall at Newtown College

Newtown College has gone all green-fingered as it introduces a new Horticulture course. This exciting new addition has brought with it a new collaboration with Cultivate, and a new initiative with the introduction of a lettuce wall to the Newtown College Foyer.

The eye-catching addition of the lettuce tower in the Newtown College foyer is part of the Crop Cycle project, a Farm Urban system to cultivate lettuce and other greens using a soilless system of vertical towers. This project is funded by the Welsh Government to introduce indoor growing CEA of food crops into communities. Whilst we live in a rural environment, new ways of nurturing plants, using what is known as hydroponics, is revolutionary and is growing in popularity.

Local, sustainably grown food is absolutely key in tackling important issues surrounding our food system, climate change and biodiversity.

Richard Edwards Cultivate Crop Cycles project manager said: “They taste great, are highly nutritious and are super fresh. Visit our deli in Newtown to try them for yourself!”

Average annual earnings