Gardening Courses
Mondays and Fridays
C&G/NPTC CERTIFICATE IN GARDENING
Guildford College, Merrist Wood Campus
9.30-3.00 from January to July 2008 (Modules include: practical tasks, sites, soils and cultivation, trees, shrubs and hedges, beds and borders, propagation.)
9.30-3.00 from September 08 to March 09 (Modules include: practical tasks, growing fruit, growing vegetables and salads, wildlife gardening, organic gardening).
9.30-3.00 from April 09 to December 09 (Modules include: practical tasks, ponds and water features, lawns, landscapes and structures, garden design, weeds, pests and diseases).
Click for the Guildford College web site (opens in new window)
Design and plant your own garden
Wednesday
A brand new course at the King Charles Centre, Surbiton created for people interested in re-designing and planting up their own gardens. Theory will include plant identification and design. Practical projects will include the design and planting of students' gardens. This is a leisure course so no exam!
9.30 - 12.00 from September 07 for 10 weeks (autumn and winter interest)
January 08 for 10 weeks (winter into spring)
April 08 for 10 weeks (spring and Summer Colour)
Click for the Kingston Centre web site (opens in new window)
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Garden design and plantmanship
Thursday
The King's Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington.
9.30 - 12.00 from September 07 (10 weeks).
January 08 (10 weeks).
April 08 (10 weeks).
Plant identification and a practical design project. Designed to further the plant knowledge for those with some experience of the subject.
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Practical workshops
Tree Identification
Claremont Landscape Gardens, Surrey. Thu Sep 20th 10-3
Weed and Wildflower Identification
Country walk in Surrey. Thu Sep 27th 10-3
Herbacious Perennials Identification and Use
Wisleys Herbaceous Borders. Thu Oct 4th 10-3
Lawns Workshop
Merritt Medical Centre, Chessington or other suitable location. Thu Oct 11th 10-3
Pruning Workshop
St Michael's Convent, Ham. Thu Nov 1st 10-3
Pruning Workshop
Sheri's Garden in Dunsfold. Thu Nov 8th 10-3
Plant Naming
Kew Gardens. Thu Nov 15th 10-3
Tree, Buds, Twigs and Bark
Return to Claremont to view the trees from the "tree identification" workshop in September to see how
the trees have changed. Thu Nov 29th 10-3
Workshops in your own gardens!!
All suggestions will be considered, please let me know.
The workshops will be £50 and will include lunch and a suitable publication.
Please send a £10 deposit for each one you are interested in (non-refundable)
with your
booking to,
Cathie Brooks,
22 Wilverley Crescent,
New Malden,
Surrey
KT3 5LN.
Numbers are strictly limited and bookings only taken on receipt of the deposit.
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Horticultural Consultancy
I can offer a full consultancy service to advise you on every aspect of your garden from a complete makeover to a brief 'what to do when' visit. Please ask for a quote.
Before
After
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Garden Design Service
I can design your garden for you and prepare a portfolio as it takes shape. I have an army of horticultural students willing to help create the garden you have always wanted. It doesn't have to cost a fortune!
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Garden Maintenance, Hard and Soft Landscaping
Years of experience enable me to recommend experts in every field under my watchful eye of course! I offer an hourly garden maintenance service, clearance, hard landscaping, lawns, planting plans and bespoke maintenance programmes.
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Jobs!!
Please let me know if you are interested in work experience. It is an ideal opportunity to come and work on one of my gardens and earn while you learn. You can contribute on a voluntary basis too to gain experience and confidence before embarking on your own garden maintenance career. Once I have seen you working I can even give you a reference!
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Help for new gardeners / gardens
If you are already gardening but need some extra help I can offer this at special rates. Perhaps you have taken on a new garden and need some advice on pruning; I can come and work with you for an hour or two until you gain confidence. It's better than making mistakes so please ask.
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Distance Learning
If you cannot attend college or are physically unable to work I can coach you via email. I can answer your questions, identify plants and even guide you through the RHS Certificate in Gardening. Please ask if you have any special requirements.
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Garden Visits
There are often organized group visits to Kew, Wisley and other gardens, including Highgrove which is by invitation only from HRH Prince Charles.
This is an excellent day out and a good learning experience.
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Garden Centre personal shopping Assistant
I can come with you to advise you on which plants to choose depending on individual requirements, drawing on years of experience.
Planting the wrong plant in the wrong place is not just a potentially expensive mistake; it could be hazardous to your health or property!
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Please register your email address, through the contact page, to be kept updated on all of the above.