Horticulture

The Fifth Trust’s horticulture department offers a wide range of work-based and hands-on activities for gardeners of all abilities.

At our Barham Skills Centre we have a large, purpose-built propagation unit for growing our nursery stock and a market garden producing fruit and vegetables to keep our café kitchen and garden centre stocked with fresh produce throughout the year. Students learn how to grow plants from seed, take cuttings, and tend them until they are ready to sell, and are shown how to use all kinds of garden tools. These skills are taught through hands-on experience and backed up by optional classroom time. At the Vineyard Garden Centre, students help care for, display and sell the plants they have grown.

Those interested in the natural world can also take part in the John Muir Discovery Award, which encourages people of all backgrounds to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places.

Many of our students choose to work in our garden maintenance team. Led by a qualified and experienced team leader, they take on all types of work in the local area – including weeding, grass mowing, planting, garden clearance and small tree work –  for both private and commercial customers. Horticulture students can also join in on log deliveries.