Understanding Plants and Plant Science Level 3

• Understand the characteristics and the naming of the main groups of plants and their life cycles.
• Explain the impact of climate change on Horticulture.
• Understand the structure and function of plant cells, tissues and vegetative organ.
• Understand the structure and function of closers, fruits and seeds.
• Understand the importance of photosynthesis, respiration and the movement water and minerals through the plant.

• Understand the importance of abiotic conditions in plant health.
• Know the role nutrition plays in ensuring plant health.
• Understand the impact of competition on plant health.
• Understand the importance of pests and plant pathogens.
• Know the principles of biosecurity and plant passports.

• Understand soil types and profiles.
• Know the role of nutrients in plant growth and health.
• Understand plant nutrition provided by soil and other growing media.
• Understand pH and nutrient availability.
• Review the importance of bulk constituents for growing media.

• Know the importance of site selection for outdoor food production in a garden or allotment.
• Understand the cultural operations used to produce outdoor food crops in a garden or allotment.
• Understand the principles of vegetable crop production.
• Understand the production of top and soft fruit for a garden or allotment.

• Understand basic garden planning principles and the elements that contribute to a good design.
• Understand the characteristics of accepted garden design styles.
• Understand the effective use of soft landscaping elements.
• Understand how to incorporate key elements into a cohesive design.
• Understand the importance of safe, health, environmentally-aware and sustainable development of garden sites.

• Understand the choice of plants for seasonal display and their establishment and maintenance.
• Understand the choice of perennial plants and bulbs for display, and how to grow them.
• Understand the choice of woody plants for display and their establishment and maintenance.
• Understand the choice of alpine and rock garden plants and how they grow.
• Understand the planting and maintenance of a garden pool.
• Understand the establishment and maintenance of lawns.

You may start at any time and have a full year to complete your studies. This is more than enough time to give you flexibility and work at your own pace without the pressure of deadlines.

This course will enable you to work when and where you want. You can study from home or at work; it is completely up to you. All your materials will be posted to you, so receiving your materials is easy. You will also receive our award-winning support by email, so help is only a click away!

This course is assessed by a series of assignments, which are submitted to your tutor for marking. No external examination is required.

At the end of this course successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from TQUK.