Horticulture & Land Management Revision — Royal Horticultural Society Occupational Qualification
Complete Royal Horticultural Society Occupational Qualification Horticulture & Land Management specification revision resources. Tailored syllabus coverage with topic breakdowns, quizzes, and practice questions.
Specification Topics
- Assist with Planting and Establishing Plants
- Garden Design
- Understanding applied plant propagation
- Idenification of a range of common garden plants, weeds, pests, diseases and disorders
- Understanding garden survey techniques and design principles
- Understanding a range of specialist elements in the establishment of garden and urban plantings
- Establishing and maintaining a range of plant types and forms
- Planning, collecting, preparing and establishing propagation material
- Understanding the selection and use of landscaping elements in the garden
- Assist with the Propagation of Plants from Seed
- Horticultural Management
- Assist with the Vegetative Propagation of Plants
- Horticultural Taxonomy, Botany and Plantsmanship ll
- Collecting and testing soil samples and specifying adjustments for horticulture
- Landscape Construction and Surveying
- Preparing soil for sowing and planting
- Understanding the setting out and construction of landscaping elements in the garden
- Identification of a range of common garden plants, weeds, pests and diseases
- Ornamental Planting
- Plant taxonomy, structure, and function
- Soil Testing
- Plant Health ll
- Collecting, preparing and propagating from seed
- Propagation and Protected Growing Environments
- Management of green spaces, landscaped areas, and ornamental gardens
- The root environment, plant nutrition and growing systems
- Research Project
- The management of plant health
Top Exam Board Tips
- Always check plant labels for spacing and depth.
- Use mulch to retain moisture.
- Wear gloves when handling soil or chemicals.
- Always refer back to the specific wording of the design brief or scenario, using its aims as criteria to justify every major design choice.
- Use professional horticultural and design terminology precisely—for example, correctly naming spatial divisions (vistas, enclosures) and planting design forms (specimen, mass planting).
- Show your working: include annotated diagrams, concept sketches, and evidence of research; examiners value the design process as much as the final plan.
- For the public garden context, explicitly address how the design will function across seasons and over time, not just at installation, and consider visitor flow and 'dwell points'.
- Practice timed scenario exercises beforehand to build confidence in collecting and interpreting site data quickly but accurately under assessment conditions.
- Link theoretical knowledge directly to a named practical example for each propagation method; e.g., describe stratification for a specific Rosa species, not just generic cold treatment.
- Use annotated diagrams or photographs in coursework evidence to illustrate anatomical features, such as a detailed cross-section of a semi-hardwood cutting showing the node and internode.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Planting too deep or too shallow.
- Overwatering or underwatering new plants.
- Ignoring soil preparation requirements.
- Failing to consider the safety and accessibility needs of public spaces, such as overlooking trip hazards or ignoring Disability Discrimination Act requirements.
- Selecting plants that are inappropriate for high traffic areas—delicate species requiring intensive care, or those with poisonous parts, thorns, or messy fruit.
- Providing a design concept that is overly personal or artistic without justification, resulting in a scheme that does not resonate with the broad public or meet the brief.
- Neglecting the documentation process, skipping vital steps like survey measurements, user consultation records, or underlying analysis that should inform the design.
- Assuming maintenance will be a minor issue; underestimating the resources required for pruning, litter management, and renovation in publicly accessible gardens.
Key Terminology & Definitions
- Be able to assist with carrying out planting., Be able to assist with any additional activities required to establish plants., Be able to work safely.
- 1. Be able to apply knowledge and understanding of garden design principles to a public garden context. 2. Be able to document, analyse and interpret information and apply understanding to garden design within a public garden.
- Understand the relevance of anatomy, physiology and environmental factors to seed propagation., Understand the relevance of anatomy, physiology and environmental factors to vegetative propagation., Understand the use of a range of growing media and propagation equipment.
- Be able to identify a range of plants and know their characteristics and decorative merits, Be able to identify a range of weeds by botanical name and know their characteristics and methods of control, Be able to identify a range of seeds, Be able to identify a range of pests and diseases and know their characteristics and methods of control, Be able to identify disorders and describe appropriate treatment
- Understand the historical development of garden design styles., Understand how to conduct a site appraisal and interpret the results, Know how to develop a client brief, Know a range of basic survey techniques, Understand how site characteristics may influence garden design., Understand the principles and elements of design.
- Understand the design principles and practices of using amenity bedding schemes., Know the typical components of a range of specialist garden areas., Understand specialist pruning for effect., Know a range of options available for urban gardening., Understand how water sustainability can be built into a garden.
- Understand the potential hazards and risks associated with establishing and maintaining plants, Be able to select and use appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing, Be able to select and use effectively a range of tools and equipment, Be able to plant, stake and tie a tree, Understand the principles of pruning, Be able to carry out maintenance pruning and training on a range of plants, Be able to provide aftercare to promote growth and fruition
- Be able to plan the collection of propagation material, Be able to collect propagation material, Be able to prepare propagation material, Establish propagation material in a growing environment, Be able to maintain and use relevant equipment, Be able to promote health and safety and environmental good practice
- Understand the contribution made by hard landscaping features to design and function., Understand the function of drainage systems in the garden., Understand the contribution made by soft landscaping features to design and function., Understand the contribution made by turf to the design and function of a garden.
- Be able to assist with preparing to propagate plants from seed., Sow seed under supervision., Be able to work safely.
- 1. Be able to apply knowledge and understanding of managerial operations and processes within a public garden context.2. Be able to select and use a variety of methods, skills and management techniques within a public garden context in order to manage a range of sites.environments throughout the year.3. Be able to document, analyse and interpret horticultural information and apply understanding to the management of public garden. 4. Understand and manage the potential hazards and risks associated with horticultural operations in a public garden.
- Be able to assist with collecting propagation material for the vegetative propagation of plants., Be able to assist with preparing propagation materials., Be able to assist with establishing propagation materials in a growing environment., Be able to work safely.
- 1. Be able to interpret horticultural information and apply understanding of nomenclature and taxonomy in the naming of plants. 2. Be able to deomonstrate an understanding of the use of structure and morphological characteristics in the identification of plants, and the application of genetic fingerprinting. 3. Be able to apply knowledge and understanding of plant taxonomy and nomenclature to identify a wide range of plants and to know their characteristics. 4. Interpret horticultural information and demonstrate understanding for the conservation of plants and habitats.
- Understand potential hazards and risks, Be able to select and use appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing, Understand reasons for soil testing, Be able to collect and prepare a soil sample for laboratory testing, Be able to accurately measure by weight the constituent components of different soil samples, Be able to measure the pH of soil, Be able to specify suitable materials to amend the PH value of soils, Be able to measure the area of a given site and make calculations, Be able to diagnose nutrient deficiencies and recommend remedial action
- 1. Be able to apply knowledge and understanding of landscape construction and surveying operations and processes within a public garden context. 2. Be able to select and use a variety of methods, skills and management techniques within a public garden context. 3. Understand the potential hazards and risks associated with landscape construction operations in a public garden context.