Unlocking Horticultural Careers with RHS New Shoots: Your Pathway to Practical Experience

This post is greater than 6 months old - links may be broken or out of date. Proceed with caution!

If you're thinking of entering nature-based sectors but aren't sure where to start, you're not alone. At the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), we’ve found that a key barrier for many people interested in horticulture is the lack of opportunities to gain practical experience before committing to formal training.

That’s why we’ve developed our New Shoots initiative, offering a range of pre-entry level experiences to help school leavers, career changers, and anyone curious about horticulture get their hands dirty and explore what a career in this diverse sector could look like.

Whether you’re curious about how horticulture fits into broader environmental efforts, or you're keen to gain skills that can complement your existing career path, New Shoots offers a range of exciting ways to get involved, learn, and grow.

Two people kneeling in a garden bed about to do some planting — Work Experience (RHS / Helen Yates)

Taster Sessions

Have you always wondered what working in horticulture really involves? Are you curious to know why so many people are passionate about plants and gardening?

Feed your curiosity and join us on one of our taster sessions at our RHS Gardens to gain a deeper understanding of the horticultural industry and what’s involved.

Our taster sessions give you the chance to:

Gain an insight into working in a garden and uncover the secret life of plants.
Explore diffeYouth Volunteering (RHS / Oliver Dixon)rent training routes to kick-start a successful career in horticulture.
Discover the diverse career opportunities available in the sector.
Speak to people already working in the industry about their career journey.

You'll also have the chance to try a hands-on practical task with our teams.

Work Experience

Our voluntary work experience programme is designed to give people aged 14 and above the chance to gain professional experience in one of our world-renowned RHS Gardens. This invaluable experience is a fantastic way to enhance your CV, and it's open to both school students (14-18) and adults aged 18+.

We offer a variety of placements across our gardens, tailored to different interests, which include:

Garden Team – Work with our professional gardeners to plant and maintain the beautiful landscapes that make RHS Gardens so special.
Science and Collections Team – At RHS Garden Wisley, work alongside our experts in botany, entomology, and pathology to see how science drives horticultural excellence.
Education and Learning Team – Support our education team in delivering engaging activities for both children and adults.

These placements typically last one week and offer a well-rounded experience, giving you a taste of the diverse roles available within horticulture. Practical tasks will vary depending on the team you're placed with, but all will allow you to learn new skills and work closely with experienced professionals.

Youth Volunteering

For young people aged 14+, the RHS offers Youth Volunteering opportunities to be involved on a longer-term basis throughout the year. If you’re passionate about plants, nature, and the outdoors, this flexible programme allows you to gain practical experience while learning about the diverse career paths in horticulture.

Two people smiling in front of a floral border — Youth Volunteering (RHS / Oliver Dixon)

You’ll work alongside our skilled horticulturists, learning core skills such as propagation, planting, and garden maintenance, all while contributing to the upkeep of our stunning public gardens. This programme is flexible—you can volunteer as much or as little as your schedule allows, making it an ideal option for students or those with other commitments.

Volunteers often find this experience helps them make informed decisions about their future career paths. For some, it sparks a passion for plants that leads to further horticultural training, while others gain the confidence and skills needed to apply for horticultural jobs.

One of our former volunteers, Marcie, shared: "New Shoots is a great opportunity for young individuals to get insights into the industry, and it gave me the experience to go on to get a full-time job working as a gardener."

You’ll also be able to log your volunteer hours as a record of your practical experience, which can help with future job applications. Additionally, the RHS provides uniform items and reimburses travel expenses, ensuring that you’re well-equipped and supported during your time with us.

Green Skills Programme

The Green Skills Programme operates one Saturday per month from January to December. It offers individuals aged 18+ without a relevant horticultural qualification a unique opportunity to build practical skills and knowledge in horticulture. Participants can join the program at any time and continue for 12 months. For example, if you join in March you would complete the programme the following February.

Each session focuses on developing a specific skill linked to industry careers, along with engaging in general seasonal horticultural activities. While the programme provides valuable experience and insight into horticultural careers, it is important to note that participation does not guarantee employment.

Four people around a raised bed gardening against a blue sky — Green Skills Programme (RHS / Josh Kemp-Smith)

The next round of applications opens at the end of 2024, check our website for more details on how to apply.

Paid Internships

Our internship programme will run from the end of March through to October. This opportunity is specifically designed to support individuals who are new to the industry and may be considering, or just embarking on, entry-level horticultural qualifications. We understand that gaining practical experience is a vital part of any horticultural career, and this programme aims to provide that, while offering flexible options to accommodate those in full-time education or employment.

Interns will work alongside our skilled horticulturists at RHS Garden Wisley, engaging in hands-on tasks that are crucial to the maintenance and development of our world-class gardens. You’ll learn by doing—whether it’s planting, propagation, or general garden maintenance, these roles are designed to give you real-world experience in a professional environment.

To ensure that this opportunity is accessible to a wide range of individuals, we’re offering two flexible options:

Option 1: Part-time internships, designed for those who are balancing other commitments, such as full-time education or employment.
Option 2: A more intensive internship, ideal for those with greater availability who wish to immerse themselves fully in the experience.

These internships are part of the RHS’s broader strategy to diversify the horticultural workforce and ensure that individuals from all backgrounds can enter and thrive in the industry. As paid internships, they provide a more viable option for those needing financial support while gaining experience.

The next application window opens this winter, check our website for more details on how to apply.

Why RHS New Shoots?

At the RHS, we believe that horticulture should be accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of their background or prior experience. That’s why our New Shoots initiative is designed to offer a range of opportunities, from short taster sessions to longer-term placements, which help you get a real sense of what it's like to work in this diverse sector. We’re also committed to increasing diversity in horticulture, actively seeking to remove barriers to entry and welcome individuals from under-represented groups.

Two people bending down over some plastic pots, wearing gardening gloves — Taster Day (RHS / Chris Payne)

So whether you’re already working in the countryside, looking for a fresh start in a new career, or simply curious about horticulture, there’s lots to discover. Take that first step—gain practical experience, grow your skills, and discover where a career in horticulture could take you.

These are just a few of the many initiatives and programmes that New Shoots is running to help you gain practical experience in horticulture. For full details, visit our website at rhs.org.uk/newshoots, and take the first step towards a rewarding and sustainable career in horticulture.

Have a question? You can get in touch with us via our email.