Kew Specialist Certificate in Kitchen Garden Production
A one year, full time course to gain a specialist certificate in working in a kitchen garden cultivating a range of vegetables and fruit.
Kew’s Kitchen Garden
Our Kitchen Garden sits in the corner of the original site of the Georgian walled kitchen garden at Kew.
Here we grow vegetables, fruit and herbs which are used at our restaurants and sold to the public. The Kitchen Garden is home to an array of heritage and modern cultivars, plus we are trialling new crops.
Our horticultural approach to the garden places emphasis on the science of crops. We have strong links with Kew’s science directorate, interpreting their work that takes place around the world.
The Kitchen Garden is no-dig and does not use chemicals on its crops. Instead, we use companion planting and alternative methods to combat pests and diseases.
It is an area to visit and be taught how to grow-your-own. There are many tours and events held in the area, which is a hub of activity.
About the course
This course is perfect for horticulturists wishing to specialise in a particular area of horticulture by spending a full year within that area of specialism.
Open to horticulturists anywhere in the world who would like to come to Kew to undertake some professional training in some of Kew’s unique plant collections. This course runs from September to September.
The programme involves:
- working predominately within Kew’s Kitchen Garden
- undertaking two weeks of work experience or a travel scholarship related to kitchen garden production.
Coursework
- attending the Kew Diploma lectures on Protected Cropping and Environmental Controls, and Propagation
-
regular plant identification tests
- completing a pest and disease project looking at a range of pests and diseases affecting fruit and vegetable plants
Additional qualifications
- FEPA PA1 & PA6aw
- Manual handling course
- Health & Safety training
- In-house tractor driving course
Salary
- £19,582 per annum, plus a £725 book and equipment allowance
Eligibility
Applicants are expected as a minimum:
- to hold a Level 2 qualification in horticulture, or equivalent (such as a PGG traineeship or HBGTP)
- to have six months* practical experience in a professional horticultural environment (*six months in total - not, for example, one day a week for six months)
- to be computer literate, with the ability to produce word-processed coursework
- to have a good working knowledge of the English language - evidence to that effect will be requested
Applicants from overseas will be considered. Acceptance is subject to a Work Permit being granted for non-EU nationals.
