The Gardening Year at West Dean – Autumn with Tom Brown

Ref: S1D33300

Location: West Dean
£159

About this course

Tom will go through a number of seasonal tasks, both from a theoretical and practical standpoint. This course is an opportunity to discover tips and techniques to help get great results at home.

Course Description

This course is one of a new series of four one-day courses led by Tom Brown, Head Gardener at West Dean Gardens. It aims to take a seasonal look at some of the key aspects of what is growing and happening over this coming year at West Dean Gardens.

In this autumn course, which will take place in October, the focus is on the following topics:

  • Overwintering dahlias
  • Planting and using tulips
  • Overwintering tender plants
  • Winter protect tree ferns
  • Seed collecting and hardwood cuttings
  • Kitchen Garden tasks
  • Leaf cuttings
  • Dividing perennials and rhubarb crowns
  • Lawn care

Lunch in the College’s dining room will include freshly picked or harvested produce by the Gardens Team, and you will be given a small takeaway to enjoy at the end of the day.

Anyone booking all four days over this year will receive free individual entry to West Dean Gardens for the following year (non-transferable), so that you can see the progress. The dates are: Friday 24 January 2025, Friday 25 April 2025, Friday 18 July 2025 and Friday 31 October 2025.

Course Materials

Included

You will receive a small seasonal takeaway from West Dean to enjoy after the day.

What students need to bring

  • Please wear suitable clothing and layers for inside and outside, including stout shoes, raincoat and sunhat, depending on the season.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Please wear suitable clothing and layers for inside and outside, including stout shoes, raincoat and sunhat, depending on the season.

Timetable

Student registration: 9.15am - 9.30am
Course teaching: 9.30am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.30am - 1pm
Lunch break: 1pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm
Teaching finishes: 5pm

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options

General Information

Tutors

Tom Brown. Photo credit: Sam Stephenson

Tom Brown

Having worked at RHS Wisley Gardens, latterly running the plant and vegetable trials, Tom then moved to become Head Gardener at nearby Parham House for nearly ten years. Tom joined West Dean College of Arts and Conservation in May 2019 to head up the garden team and manage the impressive Kitchen Garden, Cut Flower Garden, extensive fruit collection and 13 large, Victorian Glasshouses – along with the College Grounds and Arboretum. 

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