Learn from RHS experts and discover career opportunities available in the horticultural sector at RHS Garden Rosemoor.
RHS Garden Rosemoor has launched a free Green Skills Programme where anyone passionate about plants, nature, and the outdoors can gain practical horticultural experience working alongside their skilled teams at the gardens in North Devon.
The scheme to encourage people to turn their enthusiasm for the outdoors into a profession is part of the RHS’ nationwide New Shoots initiative to promote horticultural careers and to increase the number and diversity of people entering the sector.
The new Green Skills Programme operates one Saturday per month from January to December and offers anyone over 18 years of age the unique opportunity to build practical skills and knowledge in horticulture - no prior knowledge or experience is required. Participants can join the program at any time and continue for 12 months (so if you join in March, you would complete the programme the following February).
The Green Skills Development Programme is designed to provide students with an introductory skill set in a diverse range of horticultural practices and can be a first step towards various career paths in the industry. Participants will learn practical skills such as propagation, planting, garden maintenance and pruning, build on transferable skills such as teamwork, confidence, and effective communication, meet like-minded people and learn from experienced horticulturists about careers in the industry.
Each session focuses on developing specific skills linked to industry careers, along with seasonal gardening activities, for example:
- Basic pruning skills, which would be needed for a heritage gardening role.
- Propagation by seed, needed for jobs in production horticulture.
- Mulching, used for groundskeeping or soil science careers.
- Basic plant identification, essential for botany or gardener posts.
A student from the same scheme held at RHS Garden Bridgewater in 2025 said:
"I would absolutely recommend the Green Skills programme to anyone thinking about a career in horticulture. It’s a great way to build your knowledge and skills, meet like-minded people and get a real behind the scenes look at what goes on at an inspiring garden."
If you would like to learn more about the programme email chloeellis@rhs.org.uk or click below.