Course info

Choose a course then get in touch to make a booking or for more information.

DESIGN

Introduction to Garden Design

8 week course once a week £400

The course gives a basic foundation in the art of garden design, from site survey to final plan. You'll be able to work on your own garden design if you would like to. We will look at the principles and processes involved, and discuss how great design is not about being artistic. We will visit an inspiring private garden, look at the key importance of right plant, right place. We will create planting plans using many different resources. It will be a collaborative process, with as much input as you want from the tutors.

12th September for 8 weeks on Thursdays 10-3

PLANTS

Planting Pots and Containers

1 day course £70 (includes plants, bulbs, growing medium, bring pots or buy on the day)

This looks at different styles of container and different approaches to planting them for the coming months. You can bring containers with you to plant up, or there will be some available to purchase. Plants, bulbs and growing medium are included. Spring/summer and autumn/winter course available.

20th April 10-3

10th May 10-3

20th September 10-3

Creating a Cutting Garden

1 day course £55

This course is taught by leading local cut flower grower, Sarah Hammond, and covers the planning and establishment of a cutting garden, including variety selection, plot preparation, seed collection and sowing and harvesting.

11th March 10-3

13th May 10-3

Creating a Winter Cutting Garden

1 day course £55

This course is taught by leading local cut flower grower, Sarah Hammond, and covers the planning and establishment of a winter cutting garden. We will be looking at autumn sowing for easy annuals, suitable bulbs to choose and plant for forcing and for spring cutting, as well as flowers, stems and foliage for cutting through the winter.

10th September 10-3

Planting for Wildlife and Pollinators

1 day course £55

How do you attract more insects, small mammals and birds into your garden and how do you keep bees and other pollinators happy? We will look at how to garden and what to plant in order to attract wildlife. We will also make some habitats for different creatures.

31st May 10-3

Planting for year round colour

1 day course £55

We will look at how to plant for year round colour, using shrub stems, a range of leaf colours, bulbs. perennials and annuals. The course will also cover techniques to extend summer flowering. There will always be a high and a low season in the garden but you really can plan and plant to maximise year round colour.

1st March 10-3

12th July 10-3

Better Borders

1 day course £55

This course looks at how to improve or refresh a border. You could bring photos and measurements of your own challenging border. We will look at how using colour, height and shape, as well as successional planting can provide year round interest. You will leave at the end of the day with a plan to enable you to revamp your border.

5th July 10-3

23rd September 10-3

Basic Tree Survey and Inspection

1 day course £55

This provides learners with the knowledge to be able to identify a hazardous tree, determine the level of risk and then decide on an appropriate course of action. This course is aimed at a wide group of people, for example you could be employed as a local authority highway inspector, or work in the forestry, woodland or arboricultural field. You could be a park ranger, or work on an estate, it may be that you are a farmer or other type of landowner; it could be that you are an employee who has the responsibility for trees in the course of their work. Additionally our course could be useful if you work with trees in a voluntary capacity. This is not a LANTRA certificated course, but let us know if you are interested in us running one.

4th October 10-3

What To Do In The Garden Now

1 day course £55

This course looks at what is happening in the garden over the next few weeks. Whether you are new to gardening or looking for inspiration to make changes in your garden this year, you will go away with top tips for gardening in the coming weeks and you will learn:

In March: about what needs doing in this important season and how to do it. We will look at maintenance jobs, seeds that can be sown, plants which need pruning, perennials which can be divided and moved.

In May: about what needs doing in June and July in particular, and how to do it. We will look at maintenance jobs, seeds that can be sown, how to keep plants thriving and flowering through the summer.

In September: about what needs doing in September and October, and how to do it. We will look at maintenance jobs, seeds that can be collected and sown, how to keep plants flourishing longer, what jobs can be done now to prepare for your spring garden.

In November: about what needs doing over the winter months, and how to do it. We will look at maintenance jobs, seeds that can be sown, shrubs and trees which can be planted, how to overwinter tender plants, which plants can be moved and divided now, what jobs can be done now to prepare for your spring garden.

23rd March 10-3

18th May 10-3

21st September 10-3

9th November 10-3

Border Renovation

1 day course £55

You may have taken on a new garden or have a mature border which needs some attention. We will look at how to lift and divide perennials, prune and renovate shrubs, refresh the planting plan and increase the season of interest. We will also talk about improving the soil structure with a range of organic mulches.

14 February 10-3

18 October 10-3

Planting for Winter Structure and Colour

1 day course £55

This looks at how to create interest in your garden during the winter months. We will look at structure, foliage, texture and colour as well as scent, and you will be able to develop plant combinations and lists tailored to your own style and requirements.

16th September 10-3

Plants For Free – Propagation and Seed Saving

1 day course £55

This course shows you how to propagate many of your favourite plants and shrubs and create new plants for free. We will also look at seed saving and storage. Expect to leave the course with a small collection of propagated plants and some envelopes of seeds.

6th September 10-3

21st November 10-3

1 day course £55

This is the best time of year to plant new trees, shrubs and hedges. The key to establishing them successfully is planting correctly. We will look at planting methods, support, protection and irrigation. The day includes tree planting practice.

14th November 10-3

Lawn Care and Maintenance

1 day course £55

This course will show you how to care for your lawn, whether it is a hard working family lawn or a pristine ornamental lawn. We will look at the right equipment for the job, at the best seed mixes for the lawn you want, weed control, common diseases, lawn repair and the lawn care calendar.

26th April 10-3

14th September 10-3

Happy Houseplant Workshop

1 day course, £55 (including materials and refreshments )

We have teamed up with Pretty Cactus to offer a fun and informative session looking at how to choose the right plants for your home, where to put them, how to look after them, how to propagate them and what pests might upset them. We will also show you how to make a macrame plant holder to hang in your home or to give to a friend. We'll start with coffee and cake, and finish with a glass of fizz. Come with your friends and learn how to have happy plants in your home and how to make your own gorgeous pot hanger.

29th June 10-3

VEGETABLES AND COMPOSTING

Introduction to Veg Growing

1 day course £55

If you are new to growing edibles this covers all you need to know about designing and establishing a vegetable garden, whether you have taken on an allotment or are wanting to start growing your own vegetables at home. We will include crop rotation and successional sowing to ensure you eat your own vegetables for most of the year.

11th May 10-3

All you need to know about composting

1 day course £55

This looks at why and how to compost. We’ll cover all the different ways to compost including wormeries, what you can compost and how you can use your wonderful compost to improve your garden. We will also design and build a compost box.

11th May 10-3

7th September 10-3

PRUNING

Pruning Shrubs and Roses

1 day course £55

This is an introduction to the different pruning methods required for a range of shrubs including roses. We will also do a practical session where we will use various tools and methods to carry out seasonal pruning.

29th March 10-3

17th May 10-3

24th Oct 10-3

Renovation Pruning

1 day course £55

This is an introduction to pruning covering theory and with a practical session on renovating fruit trees in February, and other shrubs in April. This will cover how to restore overgrown shrubs, when to prune fruit trees and bushes, when to prune evergreen and deciduous shrubs.

2nd February 10-3

1st November 10-3

FLORISTRY AND CRAFTS

Sarah Hammond teaches our floristry and wreath making workshops as well as our cutting garden courses. She runs English Peonies, a very successful local cut flower and floristry business. Her hand tied bouquets are available at various local outlets, farmers markets and direct from the farm. Sarah also arranges flowers for events, weddings, funerals, private clients and local businesses. She grows her flowers and peonies on her family farm in North Norfolk and uses no foam at all in her arrangements.

Floristry day

2 workshops, morning and afternoon, £45 per workshop or both for £85 (inc all materials & flowers)

We will be running two floristry workshops arranging freshly cut locally grown flowers and foliage. We will be using foam free methods. Whether you grow your own or buy flowers we will discuss getting the best from your blooms with lots of tips including cutting and conditioning. We hope the workshops will also inspire you to grow, cut and arrange flowers from your own garden. There will be plenty of coffee, tea and cake available and you are welcome to explore the beautiful surroundings of Ketteringham Hall.

Morning: make your own beautiful hand tied bouquet

Afternoon: create an individual flower arrangement in a vase or container. If you have a special vase please bring it with you.

13th July, 9.30-12 or 1-3.30

Floristry workshop series

This 6 week workshop series runs between September and December (dates below) and will include all of the key elements of home floristry including seasonal arrangements for Christmas. You will learn how to create your own stunning, unique arrangements for you own home and for friends. Priority will be given to those booking all 6 workshops, but individual workshops may be booked subject to availability.

17th Sept: Cutting and conditioning flowers, hand tied bouquet

24th Sept: Foam free arrangements: using containers, flower frogs, taping to create an individual arrangement

1st Oct: Large urn arrangement

26th Nov: Tablescapes - using small containers

3rd Dec: Christmas wreaths from scratch (no foam)

10th Dec: Christmas table decorations and garlands

Each workshop runs from 10-1 and costs £55 including all flowers and materials (or £300 for all six weeks).

You could start a week earlier on 10th September with the Creating a Winter Cutting Garden course (see course outline above) which will include buying and planting bulbs for indoors (for Christmas flowering), as well as autumn/winter flowers, seedheads, foliage.

Halloween pumpkin carving and decorating

21st October

22nd October

Christmas wreath workshops

Sarah Hammond will show you how to make your own gorgeous festive wreath from scratch using locally gathered seasonal foliage and berries as well as moss (and no foam at all). We will start the morning with coffee and mince pies to get you in the mood and finish with a festive glass of fizz or mulled wine. Classes are small and if you book early you may be able to arrange a private workshop for you and your friends. Prices include all materials and refreshments.

5th December 9.30-12.30, £55

6th December 9.30-12.30, £55

12th December 9.30-12.30, £55

13th December 9.30-12.30, £55

Smartphone-ography

3 hour workshop £30

You have a brilliant camera in your hand most of the time! This workshop shows you how to get the best out of your phone camera (whatever the brand), how to take great shots of plants and gardens, how to edit them and how to post them on social media. Don't worry if you are complete beginner or if you have been posting your photos for a while and just want to do it better. The workshop is taught by experienced photographers Jo Davidson and Sarah Fry.

8th June 10-1

HARD LANDSCAPING Workshop Series

1 day course £55 (sign up for more than one in the 5 week series to save 10%)

1. Basic slab laying

This course will teach the basics of the patio laying process from measuring up and quantifying through excavation and levelling to slab laying to a fall and final pointing up. Aimed at gardeners who want to add construction techniques to their repertoire.

3rd April 10-3

2. Foundations

This will enable students to lay simple strip and raft foundations for garden walls and shed bases. The course will include measuring up, quantifying materials, marking out, shuttering, mixing concrete to correct ratios, pouring and screeding concrete.

3. Erecting fencing panels

4. Basic Bricklaying

5. Creating a small pond

get in touch to book a course or find out more

Course info

Norfolk School of Gardening

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