Wildlife Gardening

This is a 10-module course for the keen wildlife gardener who would like to learn how to plan and maintain a wildlife garden, attracting the optimal number of wild visitors. Includes best-selling course book - How to Make a Wildlife Garden by Chris Baines, as well as all required study material and full tutorial support.

The course is packed with practical tips and ideas. It includes advice from wildlife experts and botanists as well as successful wildlife gardeners. In addition the course explores the latest research in this field.

Students have up to three years to complete this course, allowing them to work through the modules at their own pace. On average, however, it takes students around 8 - 10 months to complete the course, based on 2 - 3 hours study time per week.

why choose us?

Our tutorial support is second-to-none! You'll be assigned a personal tutor as soon as you enrol who will work with you all the way through. You can contact your tutor directly at any time if you have any questions or problems, or if you would just like a chat about how the course is going. Tutorial support is by e-mail and/or telephone.

course outline:

Module 1: Why a Wildlife Garden? Explore the importance of wildlife gardening. Learn about wildlife garden design and layout. Understand the importance of an organic approach to wildlife gardening. Location. The needs of human inhabitants.

Module 2: Ecology in the Wildlife Garden. Creating a balanced ecosystem. Garden ecology. Understanding wild populations. Global footprint. Succession.

Module 3: The Health of Plants. Photosynthesis and limiting factors. Transpiration. Nutrition. The growing environment. Creating a balanced and abundant wildlife garden.

Module 4: More on Wildlife Garden Design. A full plan of your wildlife garden. Effective assessment of a site. Wildlife potential. The role of hard landscaping. Key design elements.

Module 5: Selecting the Right Plants. The right plants for your wildlife garden - the history of gardens and native plants. A complete planting plan. Understanding planting elements. Borders and beds. The Wildlife pond. Design and maintenance. Creating a wetland area. Populating your pond.

Module 6: The Woodland-Edge Habitat. Planting plan; selecting the right species; exploring natural woodlands. Shrub border. Hedgerows. Understanding the hedgerow habitat. Managing a hedgerow. Selecting the right species. Hedgerows as wildlife highways. Study wildlife.

Module 7: Grassland and Biodiversity. Natural lawns and wildflower meadows. Developing the right soil. Assessing your lawn/meadow needs. Reliable sources for seed. Preparation and planting. Biodiversity. Seedbanks. Studying wildlife. Common wild visitors and some rarer species. Identifying wildlife - tracks, droppings and other signs. National studies.

Module 8: A Healthy Soil. Soil types and plant growth. Drainage, nutrients, organic matter, and soil organisms. Digging methods. Attracting new species into your garden. Supplementary food sources for wildlife.

Module 9: Plant Propagation. Propagating native plants. Structure of seeds. Storing and sharing seed. Understanding germination. Vegetative propagation. Identifying, selecting and sourcing wild species for your garden. Nurturing wild plant species. Harvesting wild fruit, berries and fungi.

Module 10: Fruit and Vegetables. Incorporating fruit and vegetable area into your wildlife garden. Pest management in the wildlife garden. Organic pest control - biological control, crop rotation, companion planting. Protecting wildlife. Controlling predators.

spreading the cost of your course

You can spread the cost of your course over 4 monthly payments by choosing our instalment option. There is a £20 administration fee if you choose this option.