Difficult to photograph, the photo shown above was the best that I could do. Fungus gnats or Sciarid flies live in damp compost and only really are a problem indoors, living in your houseplants and flying around your home. The one in the photo is about 2mm long. Apparently, they do no damage to the… Continue reading Fungus gnats or Sciarid flies
Finding an exam centre
So I think that I have already mentioned that I had some difficulty in finding an exam centre to sit the exams as an external candidate, and I understand that I was not alone in this difficulty. I had assumed that I would be allowed to pay a local college to sit the exam there.… Continue reading Finding an exam centre
Extra info – exam papers and other resources
A few extra things I wanted to note here, which didn't seem to fit in anywhere else. The past RHS exam papers are available here: https://www.rhs.org.uk/Education-Learning/Qualifications-and-Training/RHS-qualifications/Level-2/Past-papers They only ever seem to provide the last 4 exam papers, of which the oldest 3 generally have model answers (this year has been a bit odd with Covid,… Continue reading Extra info – exam papers and other resources
Exams at Wisley September 2020
I went to RHS Wisley to sit the postponed exams from June 2020, and they had made a few changes. You used to go to the visitor centre and the exam room was upstairs in their offices, but now the exams are in Car Park 4, which is maybe a mile or so further down… Continue reading Exams at Wisley September 2020
R2112 Lawns
The grass species they want you to learn are: For an ornamental lawn - Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra subsp. commutata For a utility law - Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis Benefits of growing a lawn from seed Seed is easy to handleSeed is easier to transportthere is a greater range of mixtures available to… Continue reading R2112 Lawns
R2112 Aquatic plants
I find this section difficult, just because I don't have a pond and have never worked on one. The plants are therefore a complete mystery! You do not have to describe how to make a pond in this section - a relief because I have no intention of doing that either. The syllabus asks you… Continue reading R2112 Aquatic plants
R2112 Alpines and Rock plants
There is almost certainly going to be a question on Alpines and Rock plants. Note that this does not include heaths, heathers and conifers, so I would guess that if you name any of these plants you would not get the marks. Alpine plants = plants native to high mountainous habitats above the tree line.… Continue reading R2112 Alpines and Rock plants
R2112 Shrubs and trees
For this section, the syllabus asks you to be able to name: 10 trees no taller than 10 metres in height, suitable for a domestic garden, eg: Malus x zumi 'Golden Hornet', Acer griseum5 trees grown for winter interest eg: Acer griseum, Prunus serrula. Do not name evergreen trees here.5 trees for autumn display eg:… Continue reading R2112 Shrubs and trees
R2112 Herbaceous perennials and bulbs
There is almost always a question covering this area. The syllabus asks you to learn: 10 herbaceous perennials for growing in a border eg: Hemerocallis fulva, Paperver orientale, Sedum spectabile, Verbena bonariensis.5 herbaceous perennials for growing in shade eg: Brunnera macrophylla, Astrantia maxima.5 herbaceous perennials for growing as ground cover eg: Alchemilla mollis, Geranium macrorrhizum.4… Continue reading R2112 Herbaceous perennials and bulbs
R2112 Understanding the choice, establishment and maintenance of garden plants and lawns
Bedding plants Definitions to learn: Bedding: fast-growing plants used for a temporary display. Usually used in flower beds eg: Pelargonium zonale, Impatiens wallerianaHardy: a plant which is able to withstand cold temperatures below -5oC. However, if the plant is in a pot, it may need some protection. eg: Primula vulgaris, Viola x wittrockiana.Half-hardy: a plant… Continue reading R2112 Understanding the choice, establishment and maintenance of garden plants and lawns
Gardening studies 