Garden Design for Beginners

Brochure Description

Ideal for anyone with a garden, this course focuses on designing a small area, introducing the basic principles of garden design. You will look at different layouts and planting styles with the aim of producing a planting plan to scale.

Tutor Profile

I am a qualified garden designer and have been self employedsince 2005. I also manage a garden maintenance business. My passion is for plants and therefore as a designer I specialise in this area. Many people in my experience have plenty of ideas, knowledge and expertise in respect of hard landscaping. My aim through this course is to offer some ideas, knowledge and expertise with plants and planting to complete an overall effect.

What will the course cover and how will it be taught?

This course is about introducing the basic principles of garden design. Rather than trying todesign the whole garden we will look ata small areaandwe will focus on the use of plants, and different planting styles, althoughhard landscaping optionswill be discussed.The aim is to producea small planting plan to scalewhich you can use in your garden.

During the course you will:

 Learn some botanical names.

 Understand how to assess the outdoor spaceand identify features which affect design.

 Identify features of plants for each plant type, environment and season.

 Identify different styles of planting.

 Understand the principles of garden designand how to make decisions using shape and form

 Understand how to draw to scale.

 Prepare and develop an individual design brief for a planting plan.

 Understand the basics of a kitchen garden.

 Understand how to use containers to create a design.

 Create a set of plan graphics –these are used on the plan to identify each plant type.

 Produce a planting plan to scale.

 Collate a plant list appropriate to the individual planting style.

You will learn through presentations, pair work, group work, individual tasks, practical work and class discussion. You will be able to see how you are getting on by discussions with the tutor and other students, and by getting feedback on the tasks you do.

Are there specific requirements for joining?

No previous knowledge of plants or garden design is required. You will have to draw plans to scale so you need some basic maths skills. Access to a computer and the internet would be an advantage for research purposes,as would word processing skills. However this is not essential.

Will there be any homework and how long will it take?

The only homework required is collecting details about the learners own garden which will be required for a particular lesson and working on their own design if they so wish.

What about equipment, clothing and materials?

Please also bring a pen and a notebook to the first session. Don’t forget your glasses, if you need them! There will be some additional costs are for

 a scale ruler

 A4 graph paper

 coloured pencils

 A4 file.

Please do not purchase these before the start of the course as the exact requirements will be discussed at the first session.

What can I do next?

A more advanced course will follow in the autumn if there is sufficient interest. This will cover designing a whole garden. We run a wide range of courses based in Kendal, Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale. You could also look at courses organised by other local Adult Education Centres at Cartmel, Dallam, Kendal Brewery Arts Centre and Kirkby Stephen.

Parking & Venue Information

The Centre is located on Castle Street in Kendal. From Wildman Street, turn left after the zebra crossing, follow the road to the left and the Castle Street Centre is on the left, set back a little from the road. You may use the Centre’s free car park but please vacate as soon as possible after your class.