RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture
Updated
The RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture* at Glasgow Botanic Gardens is a 10-day course that will give you the fundamental practical skills of a horticulturist.
The course is offered in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and supported by the Friends of Glasgow Botanic Gardens. The course is coordinated by Lisa Swift, who also teaches alongside lead tutor Billy Kenny.
Tutors Billy and Lisa bring a wealth of horticultural knowledge and expertise to this project, as well as providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens provides an inspiring venue for learning, through its plant collections and outdoor spaces.
Further course details and application form are below.
*Please note this is not an RHS course.


Course content and supplies
You can access module information in the handbook.
All equipment and tools will be provided except the following, which students are expected to provide themselves:
- A pair of secateurs
- Safety footwear
- Suitable outdoor clothing
Fees
The course fees are £550, which includes £50 non-refundable deposit.
There is no fee to apply for the course, so please do not send any money with your application. You will be asked for payment for the course fee (£550) when you are offered a place on the course.
Timetable
The course takes place at weekends. Please check the upcoming course dates below before applying as you will need to attend all dates to complete the course.
Spring 2026 course dates
CPH01 Looking at Plants – Saturday, 21st March
CPH02 Soil Care – Saturday, 28th March
CPH03 Feeding & Watering – Saturday, 11th April
CPH04 Seed Propagation – Saturday, 18th April
CPH05 Vegetative Propagation – Saturday, 25th April
CPH06 Growing Media & Potting – Saturday, 9th May
CPH07 Planting – Saturday, 16th May
CPH08 Pruning & Training – Sunday, 17th May
Revision Day – Saturday, 30th May
Assessment – Saturday, 6th June
Summer 2026 course dates
CPH01 Looking at Plants – Saturday, 15th August
CPH02 Soil Care – Saturday, 22nd August
CPH03 Feeding & Watering – Saturday, 29th August
CPH04 Seed Propagation – Saturday, 5th September
CPH05 Vegetative Propagation – Saturday, 12th September
CPH06 Growing Media & Potting – Saturday, 19th September
CPH07 Planting – Saturday, 3rd October
CPH08 Pruning & Training – Saturday, 17th October
Revision Day – Saturday, 24th October
Assessment – Saturday, 31st October
Enquiries
For further enquiries about the CPH at Glasgow please email cphglasgow[at]gmail.com.
Apply
Applications can be submitted at any time via the webform below. You will receive a response within 2 weeks of applying. Once your application has been accepted you will be added to the waiting list for the next available course.
Please check the course dates above before applying as you will need to attend all sessions to complete the course.
CPH Application Form
Candidates will be selected on the basis of the answers given to the questions below.
