Ref: S3D33633
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.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Annie Guilfoyle has a BA in Garden Design from Middlesex University, her design studio Creative Landscapes is based in West Sussex. Her work is draws upon influences from art and architecture. She combines running her studio with lecturing internationally.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
