National Trust launches heritage gardening courses

The National Trust is launching two courses to help people develop knowledge and skill in heritage gardening. There will be a one-year foundation certificate, which is aligned with RHS level 2 horticulture and will help people develop skills in heritage gardening and a two year diploma which will provide in-depth knowledge of the subject.

The courses, which are co-funded by the National Gardens Scheme, are now open for applications. They will begin in September and there are ten places available on each one. Those that are accepted onto the course will train at major trust gardens, including Sissinghurst, Hidcote and Stourhead. There will also be a ten-week stint at Reasehearth College in Cheshire, with which the courses have been developed.

Trust gardens head, Mike Calnan, said that the courses are “designed to develop the modern skills needed to sustainably manage major heritage gardens into the future” and that “they fill the gap between botanic horticulture and amenity gardening diplomas”.