Derby College has become the first College in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to launch a broad range of courses designed by the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

A full range of courses will be launched later this year and the first evening course will start on Thursday April 14 aimed at enthusiastic gardeners who want to increase their knowledge and skills or who are looking to re-train and work in the horticulture industry.

The 15-week RHS Level two course will start on April 14 and be held every Thursday between 6pm and 9pm with an additional four Saturday workshops at the College’s Broomfield Hall campus.

It is a practical hand-on course focusing on key skills including sowing seeds, vegetable propagation, soil testing, ground preparation, pruning and identification of a range of common garden plants, weeds, pests, diseases and disorders and beneficial organisms.

Faculty Head Eileen Swan explained: “We are delighted that Derby College has been chosen by the RHS to deliver their broad range of high quality courses.

“This first part time programme is ideal for people who have a keen interest in gardening and who want to improve their skills or who are perhaps looking for a change in career and want to turn their hobby into a horticulture business.

“Learners will benefit from the decades of teaching experience amongst your Horticulture team and the established grounds at Broomfield Hall are the ideal venue for this practical, hands-on course to learn a wide range of skills.”

The course is free for people aged 16 to 18 and costs £599 for those aged 19 and above.

For further details, please call 0800 028 0289, email mike.baldwin@derby-college.co.uk or visit www.derby-college.ac.uk/RHScourses