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Gardening and Willow Craft

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Please note that all our gardening courses are mainly classroom based and, for a variety of reasons, can only involve a small amount of practical gardening outside, depending on the topic.  

Oriental Gardens from around the World 

Are you bored of seeing the same garden styles on television?  Join us on an exciting tour of Oriental Gardens around the world and breathe in the magic of a different kind of garden.  You might even be inspired to design your very own! Explore the mystique, history and design principles of oriental gardens. 

Oriental gardens are gardens with a purpose, filled with symbolism; they attempt to create a peaceful ambience, often through simplicity of design, and avoidance of using an excessive variety of materials, and limiting the number of plants.                                                                                 Oriental gardens strive to create harmony and balance, by imitating nature but rarely through the use of symmetry in the design.  Natural components such as rock, water, timber and sand or gravel are important, but may often be used in a stylised or symbolic way. 

Wednesdays 10.30am – 12.30pm   Jason Loh 

5 sessions from 21 September      £70/£42      GAL1      Stoke Lodge        

 

Wednesdays 10.30am – 12.30pm   Jason Loh 

5 sessions from 9 November      £70/£42      GAL2    Stoke Lodge               

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Plants and Planting  

A course on plants and planting for all purposes in the garden: covering flowers, evergreens, bushes, and the growing of fruit and vegetables. With content ranging from soil science to plant history this course has something to offer all gardeners who are serious about expanding their knowledge of plants and planting. 

Tuesdays 7pm to 9pm  Jon Wheatley 

8 sessions from 4 October    £112/£68       GAJ1              Stoke Lodge       

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Garden Design  

A basic introduction to garden design, construction and plant use, including restoration and a range of simple maintenance solutions. Course content will also include: design principles, drawing and drafting skills, site analysis, construction methods and techniques, as well as water, lighting, irrigation and drainage. 

Tuesdays 7pm to 9pm   Jon Wheatley 

8 sessions from 17 January     £112/£68       GAJ2      Stoke Lodge              

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The Hidden History of Horticulture 

A look at some of the women and men who shaped our gardens and the plants they made popular. A little garden history from a horticultural perspective. 

Friday 10am -12.30pm   Christine Pritchard 

1 session on 7, 14 & 21 October       £60/£36         GAC31           Stoke Lodge             

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Design your own garden    

An opportunity to improve and refresh your garden with support and help from a professional garden designer.  Learn how to redesign your own plot, beginning with basic principles and going on to look at paving, ponds and other garden features.  A separate course on choosing plants for your garden will also be offered in the Spring term.   

Maximum number of participants:  8 

NB It is important that participants have a garden, or part of a garden, to work on during the sessions.   

Deadline for enrolment:  21 October, ie 3 weeks before the course takes place as an information pack will be sent out to students before the first session of the course.  

Saturdays 10am to 3pm   Christine Pritchard 

3 sessions on 12 & 26 November and 3 December  £140/£84  GAC41   Stoke Lodge      

Deadline for enrolment:  6 January, ie 3 weeks before the course takes place as an information pack will be sent out to students before the first session of the course.  

Fridays 10am to 3pm   Christine Pritchard 

3 sessions on 27 January and 3 & 10 February    £140/£84  GAC51   Stoke Lodge      

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Choosing Plants for Your Borders   

An enjoyable and informal course on choosing the right plants for your garden. Professional garden designer Christine Pritchard will discuss suitable trees, shrubs and perennials and how to put them together for best effect. No previous gardening experience necessary. 

Maximum number of participants:  8 

Saturdays 10am to 3pm Christine Pritchard 

3 sessions on 4 February, 4 & 25 March     £140/£84      GAC6        Stoke Lodge      

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Choosing Plants for Your Borders   

An enjoyable and informal course on choosing the right plants for your garden. Professional garden designer Christine Pritchard will discuss suitable trees, shrubs and perennials and how to put them together for best effect. No previous gardening experience necessary. 

Maximum number of participants:  8 

Fridays 10am to 3pm  Christine Pritchard 

3 sessions on 24 February and 3 & 10 March      £140/£84  GAC7  Stoke Lodge      

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One-day gardening courses on Fridays 

Seasonal Gardening: Make the best of your garden in time for autumn/winter 

One in a series of short day courses designed to make every gardening season special by anticipating what can be done and how. We will include pruning, propagation and plant selection. 

Friday 10am -3pm  Christine Pritchard 

1 session on 30 September        £40/£24         GAC8             Stoke Lodge            

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Seasonal Gardening: Make the best of your garden in time for spring 

One in a series of short day courses designed to make every gardening season special by anticipating what can be done and how. We will include pruning, propagation and plant selection. 

Friday 10am -3pm  Christine Pritchard 

1 session on 2 December       £40/£24         GAC9           Stoke Lodge              

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Seasonal Gardening: Make the best of your garden in time for summer 

One in a series of short day courses designed to make every gardening season special by anticipating what can be done and how. We will include pruning, propagation and plant selection. 

Friday 10am -3pm  Christine Pritchard 

1 session on 17 February       £40/£24         GAC11          Stoke Lodge               

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Garden Style courses  

A series of short one-day courses designed to give you more detailed information and ideas about specific aspects of garden styles. 

Garden Styles: Cottage Gardens 

Focusing on cottage gardens we will look at both design and planting. 

Friday 10am to 3pm   Christine Pritchard 

1 session on 17 March        £40/£24         GAC12         Stoke Lodge                 

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Garden Styles: Ponds and water features 

Focusing on ponds and water features we will look at both design and pond planting. 

Friday 10am to 3pm   Christine Pritchard 

1 session on 24 March        £40/£24         GAC13            Stoke Lodge                    

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Garden Styles: Woodland gardens 

Focusing on woodland gardens we will look at both design and planting from scratch or using existing planting.  

Friday 10am to 3pm   Christine Pritchard 

1 session on 31 March       £40/£24                 GAC14           Stoke Lodge                  

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Garden Styles: Front gardens 

Focusing on the front garden we will look at both design and planting 

Friday 10am to 3pm   Christine Pritchard 

1 session on 21 April        £40/£24                  GAC15           Stoke Lodge              

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Garden Styles: The Cutting garden 

One in a series of short day courses designed to give you more detailed information about specific aspects of garden styles. Focusing on flowers for cutting we have an opportunity to look at both border design and plant selection. 

Friday 10am -3pm   Christine Pritchard 

1 session on 28 April     £40/£24         GAC16    Stoke Lodge      

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Garden Styles: Naturalistic planting 

Focusing on new ways to use plants for informal, wildlife friendly gardening with the emphasis on low maintenance. 

Friday 10am to 3pm   Christine Pritchard 

1 session on 5 May        £40/£24         GAC17           Stoke Lodge 

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Willow Craft  

If you are interested in joining a Willow Craft course, please make sure you enrol by the deadline (usually a week before the course takes place) as enough willow needs to be soaked for several days before the course. 

Introduction to Basket Weaving 

An introduction into the wonderful world of willow:  learn the basic techniques to create two beautiful items.                                                                                                                         

Week 1:  Create a Catalan tension tray   

Week 2 & 3:  Weave a rustic berry basket                                                                                      

Deadline for enrolment:  1 week before the course takes place.                                                   Materials cost:  £20.00 per student, payable to the tutor on the first session                          

Wednesdays 6.30pm to 9pm    Sarah Edwards                                                                                                                                          

3 sessions on 18 & 25 January & 1 February   £60/£36     WCS3    Stoke Lodge  

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Introduction to Willow Weaving 

An introduction to the intriguing world of willow sculpture. Create three lovely items to decorate your home or garden. 

Week 1 Sphere, Week 2 Heart, Week 3 Bird 

No previous experience necessary.  

Deadline for enrolment:  1 week before the course takes place  

Materials cost:  £20.00 per student, payable to the tutor on the first session 

Wednesdays 6.30pm to 9pm    Sarah Edwards 

3 sessions on 8, 15 & 22 March     £60/£36     WCS4     Stoke Lodge  

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Willow craft courses on Saturdays 

Willow Owl Workshop  

Create one of these enchanting creatures for your garden.  Discover the creative potential of willow, learn the basic techniques and then weave your own Owl from locally sourced willow to take home.                                                                                                                                    

Practical: Make your own woven willow Owl, to take home, so please allow for necessary transportation.                                                  Deadline for enrolment:  1 week before the course takes place.                                                  Materials cost:  £15.00 per student, payable to the tutor on the day                                            

Saturday 10am to 4pm     Sarah Edwards                                                                                                                                         

1 session on 4 February        £68/£42     WCS8   Stoke Lodge  

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Berry Basket Workshop  

Weave a fabulous berry basket from locally sourced willow, perfect for collecting homegrown produce, foraging for berries or a stylish eco-friendly option for popping to the shops.                                                                                                                                                      Deadline for enrolment:  1 week before the course takes place.                                                Materials cost:  £15 per student, payable to the tutor on the day  

Saturday 10am to 4pm     Sarah Edwards                                                                                                                                         

1 session on 4 March       £68/£42     WCS9     Stoke Lodge  

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Easter Bunny and Basket Workshop  

Weave your own willow Easter Bunny to adorn your home or garden and make a beautiful nest basket for collecting your eggs.                                                                                              

Practical: Make a rabbit and a nest style basket from locally sourced willow                              Deadline for enrolment:  1 week before the course takes place                                                   Materials cost:  £15 per student, payable to the tutor on the day     

Saturday 10am to 4pm     Sarah Edwards                                                                                                                                                                   

1 session on 25 March      £68/ £42    WCS10       Stoke Lodge  

Book Now