Ref: S1D37122
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 spring course, which will take place in April, the focus is on the following topics:
Lunch in the Colleges 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 23 January 2026, Friday 24 April 2026, Friday 17 July 2026 and Friday 30 October 2026.
You will receive a small seasonal takeaway from West Dean to enjoy after the day.
Please wear suitable clothing and layers for inside and outside, including stout shoes, raincoat and sunhat, depending on the season.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Student registration: 9.15am-9.30am
Course teaching: 9.30am-5pm
Morning session: 9.30am-1pm
Lunch break: 1pm-2pm (lunch included)
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm
Teaching finishes: 5pm
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.
