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Course code: P09412
Subject area: Learning for Wellbeing
Study level: Part Time
Course level: U
Course time:
10:00 - 12:00
Days of week:
Thursday
Course date:
16th Apr 2026 - 2nd Jul 2026
Course location:
Abingdon Campus1. Working on the College Allotment - Grow and identify flowers, vegetables, and herbs. - Recognise and manage common weeds. - Carry out seasonal gardening tasks in all weather conditions.
2. Propagation & Growing in the Polytunnel - Sow seeds in soil and seed trays in a controlled environment. - Propagate plants from cuttings and division. - Maintain ideal conditions for plant growth, including temperature and humidity control.
3. Soil Preparation, Composting & Sustainability - Use hand tools to prepare and maintain growing beds. - Improve soil health with composting techniques and organic matter. - Learn sustainable gardening practices and waste reduction.
4. Caring for Plants & Maintaining the Growing Space - Thin, prick out, and transplant seedlings. - Water, weed, and manage plant health effectively. - Support biodiversity and eco-friendly gardening techniques.
5. Classroom-Based Learning & Theory - Explore plant biology, soil science, and pest management. - Understand seasonal planning and sustainable gardening principles. - Reflect on practical work and develop gardening knowledge.
- Sustainable gardening practices including recycling household waste items. - Gardening to increase biodiversity and provide food and shelter for wildlife. - Budget friendly ways to increase plant stock including taking shoot and root cuttings, dividing plants, sowing seeds. - Reducing garden and household waste by composting. - Harvesting rainwater and efficient watering strategies. - Using free resources such as eggshells, cardboard to improve soil. - Designing Summer themed planted containers. - Pruning and dead heading techniques to maximise flowering potential of plants. - Maintaining the summer garden and preparing for the growing season. - Wildflower meadows and the creation of small-scale wildflower meadows. - The pros and cons of “No mow May.” - Different plant types and how they can be combined to best effect in the garden.
You will need: Gardening gloves (if you choose to wear them, not essential), clothes and footwear suitable for practical gardening.
Participants may like to start collecting useful resources such as: empty toilet roll tubes, clean empty milk cartons, packing paper as used by online retailers, clean, empty plastic food containers of various sizes. You will be advised in advance which weeks these resources will be used.
Please note due to half term there will be no teaching on 29th May 2025.
Keep growing your skills with advanced allotment planning, crop rotation techniques, and sustainable gardening methods. Consider joining a specialist workshop or mentoring new gardeners in the community.
There are bursaries available to help you with other course costs. Call 01235 216 212 for more information.
The rules on fee reduction are complicated and we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions staff on 01235 216 400 to discuss your options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page.
£350.00
£5.00
As this is a non-accredited course, there is no formal qualification. To track your progress and achievement you will be required to complete a short document.
