I also belong to the RHS - The Royal Horticultural Society. They are the leading horticultural charity in the UK who work to inspire a passion for gardening and growing plants, promote the value of gardens, demonstrate how gardening is good for us and explain the vital role that plants play. They are also working hard to lead the way in coping with climate change, how this affects gardens and plants and how we can all help in our own gardens.
Membership of the RHS brings many benefits and is well worth the annual cost. Individual membership is currently £51.75 by direct debit and you can join up on their website. Membership includes the following:
- Book to visit all 5 RHS gardens and take a family guest or two children with you.
- A monthly subscription of The Garden magazine which is full of great articles.
- Unlimited personalised RHS gardening advice.
- Regular emails with exclusive member offers and content.
- Free entry to over 200 partner gardens.
- Savings on RHS show tickets
The RHS is perhaps best known for the Chelsea Flower show, that extravagant flower show that takes over Chelsea in May and exhibits the best and boldest of plants, gardens, designers and everything garden. They also run other regional and seasonal Flower shows which you can get details of on their website. These include Tatton, Malvern and Hampton court. It is worth taking the chance to visit one or more if you can. Its always a good way of seeing specialist nurseries and the plants they grow and sell.
 |
The RHS is also custodian of the Lindley Library, housed at its headquarters at 80 Vincent Square, London, and in branches at each of its four gardens. The library is based upon the book collection of John Lindley. The RHS Herbarium has its own image library collection consisting of more than 3,300 original watercolours, approximately 30,000 colour slides and a rapidly increasing number of digital images.
 |
The RHS runs formal courses for professional and amateur gardeners and horticulturalists.
The RHS Level 1 Award in Practical Horticulture aims to develop essential horticultural skills and to provide a foundation for further RHS practical qualifications at Levels 2 and 3. Anyone who has an interest in plants and gardening would enjoy this course.
Level 2 qualifications provide a basis for entry into professional horticulture, support career development for existing horticultural workers or can provide a foundation for further learning or training. There are separate theoretical- and practical-based qualifications at this Level and the RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture combines the theoretical- and practical-based qualifications.
Level 3 qualifications allow specialisation in the candidate's area of interest and can support further career and professional development for those already working in the field, or they can provide a basis for continued learning or training.
The Master of Horticulture (RHS) Award is the society's most prestigious professional horticultural qualification. It is of degree level and it is intended for horticultural professionals. The course allows for flexible study over a period of three years or more.
The RHS Campaign for School Gardening provides online inspiration, resources and advice to its members. With the help of teachers, volunteers and other school-gardening champions, they support millions of students in the UK, giving them the opportunity to grow plants, food and develop life skills.
 |
You can get old copies of The Garden from our wee free garden book library when we are open.
Follow us on Instagram @quirkybirdgardener
Comments
Post a Comment