Get ready for September
If you are thinking about studying Horticulture and Landscaping in September, there are a number of things you can do to prepare.
To be a skilled Horticulturalist or Landscaper, you need to develop a comprehensive view of the industry and how everything we study links together. Horticulture and Landscaping is not just about studying plants and concrete landscapes, it is also the relationships that exist between plant species, the environment and the ecosystem. The same can be said for landscaping. It is not just about landscape materials but also where those materials come from and how they fit into the environment.
How can I develop before September?
Below are some links to podcasts, websites, books and even films which provide a great way of staying inspired and engaged with the course content:
Books:
- Brush up on your species identification – tree spot out of your window or when out on a walk. Collins; a Field Guide to the Trees of Britain to is a good book to use for this. Identification books on most British species can be found in print, or alternatives are available online.
- Look at plants in your garden using the RHSA-Z Encyclopaedia of Garden Books, which will help you focus on specific plants that you are interested in. Available from Waterstones.
- Maybe you will be interested in the RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Design also available from Waterstones.
- There are also several Horticultural magazines that you could read:
Documentaries:
There are some great documentaries which will help develop your general knowledge and understanding and help you see what an amazing world we live in.
The following are all available on BBC iPlayer or ITV Hub:
- The Americas with Simon Reeve – the first episode in Alaska/Canada is particularly good for resource security looking at energy
Watch on Netflix, DVD or YouTube:
- Before the Flood – a film presented by Leonardo DiCaprio, exploring climate change and looking at what needs to be done today to prevent catastrophic disruption
Garden Design Apps
You might want to try redesigning your own back garden.
Watching the news:
You should be regularly watching the news to keep you up-to-date with what is happening in relations to the inter-relationship between people and the environment. You will be really surprised how many of the news bulletins relate to what you are studying.
- BBC News – an excellent source of up to date articles. Explore headings such as science, UK and world
- The Guardian – again many useful articles and logically ordered. Keep an eye on the environment, science, society and global development stories in particular
- Garden Landscaping – provides great features on garden styles, The difference between hard and soft landscaping, adding colour to your garden, how to make the most of a small garden
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