This course is perfect for those who have a new garden with nothing in it, or an established garden in need of changes. It is aimed at enthusiastic amateur gardeners who would like to design their own garden.

The course will begin on the first evening with a talk showing some inspirational images of various gardens and a discussion about your garden and individual requirements.

Day one will cover the essential pre-design work, including the site survey and analysis, enabling you to evaluate your own garden prior to design. You will formulate your own design brief and learn how to create a functional layout plan, which will help with site planning and arrangement.

Day two will be spent designing the garden in the studio.

Day three will focus on the planting design and how to produce a planting plan. You will learn the importance of structure when considering the planting.

During the course, the lecture sessions will include practical demonstrations, illustrated lectures and hands-on workshops. The tutor’s approach is to act as a guide, showing you the mechanics of garden design and giving you the confidence to exploit the endless possibilities that are available. Weather permitting, we will use West Dean Gardens for inspiration and to reinforce the theory of design; the objective being that you will complete the course having an in-depth insight into how to design your own garden and feel confident enough to tackle your own projects.

What students need to bring

• A sketchbook and notebook
• Some inspirational garden books on design and planting that you may find useful at the planting plan stage
• Some drawing equipment
• Photos and images of your own garden
• A measured survey (to scale in metric) of your own garden space – you will need this to do your design; without a survey it is very difficult to base a new design. You may want to consider having a professional survey done or carry out a survey. If you are in any doubt, please contact the tutor by email: [email protected]

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• A1 tracing paper
• Medium drawing pencil and eraser
• A selection of drawing pens (not essential)
• Metric scale ruler, set square
• Masking tape
• Circle guide
• Compass
• Mechanical drawing pencil

Additional information

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

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am. Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options

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