Course Overview
*This course has no course fees.
Want to learn the basics of gardening? This free, eight-day course is set up for anyone wanting to grow fresh produce at home. Classes will run in the evenings and some weekends so you can fit it around other commitments.
Wednesday and Thursday sessions will run from 6pm -9pm and will focus on seed sowing in containers, where to buy seeds, understanding seasons, and types of gardens.
Saturday sessions will run from 9am - 4pm and will focus on seed sowing directly into the ground, seed beds, techniques for using tools, health and safety, using machinery and how to maintain a lawnmower.
Enjoy this inclusive course with small class numbers and no formal assessments. Get advice on how to set up a garden at your own home, making the most of your space, no matter how big or small.
Build your knowledge so you can confidently grow fruit and veges for yourself and your whanau.
Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive the award of:
- Community Garden Skills (Level 2)
| Locations | To be confirmed |
|---|---|
| Next intake | To be confirmed View more details |
| Study options |
8 days part-time |
| Total credits | 6 |
| Indicative Fees | No tuition fees for domestic students View full fees information |
| Eligibility | View entry criteria |
To see the information for international students change your location using the button at the top right of the screen.
Career opportunities
Students completing this training scheme will have skills and a pathway for entry level education programmes in horticulture, agriculture or forestry, and or possible employment in the Primary Sector.
Topics you'll cover
- Sow seed in containers and in the open ground
- Plant out container plants
- Work collaboratively on a project
- Maintain and use pedestrian operated, motorised garden equipment safely
- Maintain and use garden tools
This training scheme is to teach students how to work with plants, soils, garden tools and basic machinery so they can support a community garden and provide food for their families.
Course Fees
| Indicative Fees * | No tuition fees for domestic students |
|---|
Please note, fees for our 2025 intakes are yet to be confirmed. Once they are, we will update our website to reflect the new 2025 fee amount.
Your final fee may vary if:
- you have a choice of topics/papers to study
- the qualification excludes GST
- there are extra course materials to purchase
- student levies apply
We’ll let you know if any of these apply to you.
* Important fee information, and hints and tips
Help with fees
Are you Eligible for Free Fees?
There are several ways to take advantage of free study at Toi Ohomai. Find out how on our Fees Free FAQ page.
Student Loans and Allowances
This course does NOT meet the requirements for student loan or allowance applications through StudyLink.
Find out more at studylink.govt.nz
Course Entry Information
Entry criteria
No entry requirements - open entry
Standard Entry Criteria
Admission, entry, selection, and enrolment into programmes will be in accordance with the Academic Regulations and/or, where approved, specific programme regulations.
English language requirements
Level 3 certificate IELTS General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 or completed New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace or Academic, or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined in Rule 18 and Appendix 2 of the NZQA Programme and Accreditation Rules 2013.
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Course Locations and Intake Information
- Waipa Campus (Rotorua) sessions will be held on Wednesday and Saturday
- Windermere Campus (Tauranga) sessions will be held on Thursday and Saturday
Intakes to be confirmed Ask to be notified when the next intake becomes available
Study options
- 8 days part-time
