Garden Planting Design

Do you have an outdoor space needing a plant makeover? Spent a fortune on plants and still not achieved the dream? Ready to make exciting changes but no idea where to start and not much gardening background? The Garden Planting Design course will help you choose the style of garden you want and the plants to achieve it.

Working with the conditions of your specific site including local climate factors, you will learn how to identify the right plant for the right space and know how to create the best soil conditions to get success.

After completing the course you will have created a detailed hand drawn plant design that includes your wish list of plants.  It will incorporate a precise “shopping list” of plants and soil requirements to avoid impulse buying and help manage your budget. You will also be confident in choosing a colour palette to enhance your preferred style and mood of garden

Most gardens have challenges and solutions can be found on this course – no matter what your gardening skills or plant knowledge.  The tutor will support you and offer help throughout.

With clear direction in a relaxed classroom environment you will be able to work out the best way to plant up your outdoor space - for any sized private area or shared community garden. You will be confident your final detailed and high quality design is the best for your garden, given its site and your budget.

Please bring some scrap paper, a notebook, pens, pencils and an eraser.  It is recommended you take photos of the area to be developed and bring them along to class to show and discuss with the group.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

Identify the style of garden you want for your own space

• Learn what plants will best achieve this style
• Identify and work with the site and climate conditions of your garden/outdoor areas to be developed; modify plant choices if necessary
• Accurately draw your detailed planting design on paper and to scale.
• Understand the role of colour in the garden and incorporate it into your design
• Understand the role of different plants in the garden and incorporate them into your design
• Learn how to identify what soil type is on your site and how to improve it to guarantee success
• Use your final design to create a “shopping list” of plants
• Calculate anticipated expenditure / prepare a budget (to also include soil improving items)

Please note that this course DOES NOT include:

 Hardscaping design. This is available in a separate course.

• Planting up your garden
• Recommending suppliers, service providers and retailers, although knowledge and experiences of the tutor and peers will be shared appropriately
• Pruning practices or plant disease management
• Organic methods of practice, although knowledge and experiences of the tutor and peers will be shared appropriately
• In depth coverage of specific plant groups eg roses, vegetables

Note:  Courses need a minimum number to go ahead so if we don't have enough enrolments a few days before the start date, we have to cancel. We'll let you know by email so please check yours regularly. If you need to cancel your registration, here are our terms and conditions: "What You Need to Know".

Suitable for beginners as well as those with some gardening experience.