Garden Design & Maintenance

Learn the basics of gardening from the various soil types to plant planning and purchasing.

Identify an effective garden planning process from the initial consultation with the client through to site surveys, maintenance planning, to the final and completed project.

Know different garden design styles. Learn how to gain inspiration throughout the day, how to design a mood board and how to implement your design effectively for the best results.

Understand site surveys, approvals and measuring techniques. Learn how to use survey maps, photographic records and what surveys and appraisals you are going to need before you begin.

Learn the benefits of project planning.

Know the five forms that should be included in all your client packs.

Learn more about drawing a plan and essential graphic skills.

Know the various surfaces and materials, understand what hard landscaping is and how to deal with it.

Know the secrets of great soil.

Understand the importance of the right plan selection and care. This includes use of colours to make an impact.

Gain valuable plant knowledge that you can use daily to make the best choices based on your design, garden location and finish.

Learn how to identify high maintenance areas within any garden. Know the different options when it comes to low maintenance planning.

Learn the importance of sustainability. Know what plants to use, about water conservation and how to recycle and reuse when working in any garden.

Learn essential tips for reducing maintenance in difficult to manage and overgrown gardens.

Know what equipment you are going to need, what equipment you will need for certain jobs and what each item is capable of.

Get a good understanding of the most common garden pests, natural and chemical pesticides, integrated pest management and how to come up with a pest management plan that will work.

Identify effective solutions for difficult gardens from adding container plants to adding additional irrigation and more.

Know what to plan in a herb and vegetable garden.

Know what you need to start your own gardening business to achieve success.

Learn more about marketing your business, health and safety in the workplace, insurance, tax and record keeping, just to name a few of the points covered in this industry recognised course.

Gain valuable insight into raising flower beds, laying patios, decking, fencing, know more about artificial grass, how to lay lawn and how to build a fish pond.

An easy to understand syllabus that you can learn at home and in your own time.

Improve your career prospects with an industry recognised diploma.

Learn using any device at any time.

Enjoy ongoing support during your studies.

Soil type, soil evaluation & soil improvement: learn about the different types of natural soil and additional plant mixers that can be used to stimulate plant growth.

Garden planning & preparation: Understand the importance of initial planning on paper, before beginning the practical aspects of gardening.

Plant planning & purchase tips: Determine plant types and their uses, discover plant purchasing techniques.

Maintenance-Soil Nourishment & Watering: Learn the different materials essential for the nourishment of soil to facilitate the growing and maintenance of healthy plants.

To discover the importance of the initial consultation, ongoing discussions, clarity, and onsite analysis.

To understand the necessity of site surveying and garden concept plans to aid the decision- making process and avoid potential mishaps.

The basic elements of a good garden design, including the plant options, hardscapes, texture, and color elements.

To become aware of the process in reaching the master garden plan stage and incorporating further elements during the implementation stage.

The importance of gathering inspiration daily from all avenues of your life, nature, other gardens, books, online and your creative inspiration.

An expansive list of garden design possibilities and the insight that there can be one singular theme, a combination of two or more or an adapted version of any.

How creating a garden design mood board assists both the owner and garden designer in creating a visual effect of the ideas, colours, plants and preferred overall theme, which can be incorporated into the garden space and features available.

How to use a virtual mood board created from an array of images.

Materials and areas of measurements required for surveying a site for garden design

The various measurement techniques used for accurately measuring the different aspects required for completing a site survey, including curved and irregular areas

Various scales used in recording site measurements on survey maps

Correct photographic recordings and survey map drawing requirements

Learn the benefits of project planning regardless of the size of project

Become knowledgeable in the stages of project planning

Discover the importance of creating timelines, chronological action step lists and available resources

Learn about developing preliminary plans and baseline plans when planning a garden project

Discover ways to incorporate and create optical illusion methods to enhance small garden spaces so they appear larger than life, such as creating focal points and distractions

You will learn many techniques including the use of long lines and garden division methods

The effective use of space to create a garden that suits all tastes and preferences

Learn about narrow plant varieties, shelf layering and creating a portable garden to suit small gardens

You will learn how time spent with creative experimentation on paper can result in saving a lot of timely and costly delays and allow for the optimal garden creation for each space

You will learn how to draw a garden plan which offers beauty and practicality once you have carried out a site survey and consultation

You will discover how to create a scale for your garden plan that allows ease of following and minimize mistakes

You will know how to create a graphic from your garden plan to show best visual representation for the proposed changes and design options

The different considerations you should make before deciding which garden surface materials to choose for each landscape for effective style and functionality.

The different hard landscaping options, which can be used for varying garden requirements and preferences from solid garden flooring options like stone and concrete to softer, uneven options such as glass beadings or pebbles.

The advantages and uses of combining two or more hard surface options within one garden such as cost, functionality and style.

How to be familiar with the creative use of hard landscaping materials that are used to turn dull spaces into stunning visual displays and create functional but attractive garden areas.

Learn the composition of the various soil types including their textures and unique components.

Learn the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of soil and what can be done to enhance each for increased fertility.

Discover the types of plants that are best suited to each soil type: sandy, chalky, clay, peat, silt and loam.

Discover the secrets of creating great soil by use of organic, natural materials.

Learn the advantages of planting native species to enhance your garden and surrounding wildlife species

Learn how to best use space constraints and other factors to adhere to when planning the spatial aspects of plant life.

Learn about color themes and the color wheel so that the garden plants, shrubs and trees chosen complement the existing background and client preferences.

Learn about the effect of sunlight and climate features in relation to plant selection.

Understand plant reproductive systems: Asexual and sexual reproduction, plus a little plant physiology.

Receive a brief introduction to plant classification for a beginning to what plants to use.

Learn what plants work well in different gardens and the importance of matching certain plants together.

Learn about exotic and tropical plants, the care they need and how to grow them in temperate climates.

How to identify high maintenance areas in an existing garden

The different types of low maintenance gardens

How to use gravel, soil, and turf to make the garden maintenance lower

How planting few varieties, but more in number is a solution

Why creating a garden with plants that are maintainable is important

Why edible plants are sustainable

Going native with plants for sustainability

Reusing and Recycling Materials in the Garden

How to reduce maintenance if it is getting out of control

Pruning and deadheading for appropriate care of plants

How to perform natural pest control

Winterisation in a temperate climate is an essential part of owning a garden

What equipment you will need to run a garden design & maintenance service

How to choose the right tools for each job

What each piece of equipment is capable of

About racks & stakes for vine plants

How to define and identify common gardening pests

The difference between natural and chemical pesticides

How to garden based on the pests in your garden

How to monitor the pests in your garden to determine if a treatment plan is working

About adding container plants to keep the plants owners love without possible difficulties

How changing irrigation and watering systems can make a difficult garden easier to manage

About adding new plants with an eye towards low maintenance or new landscaping for easier gardens

How sometime starting over is the best option

What to plant

How to plant vegetable and herb gardens

How to fertilize the garden

About canning

About tailoring your services to meet the needs of groups of customers

How to build a website presence

How to price your service

Why customer service is essential

About website business marketing

About marketing and social media for a bricks and mortar company

Why networking is still important

About advertising costs

Health and safety laws, including OSHA guidelines

The responsibilities of an employer, employee and safety officer

The risks involved in gardening

The employee training requirements

An overview of the types of insurance required

The income business tax structure

Record keeping and software: you will need to have detailed records for taxes, which is made easier by software

Benefits of hiring an accountant

Benefits of raised beds

Materials to use for raised beds

Ideal dimensions for raised beds

Step by step directions of how to make a raised bed

What is a patio

What is an ideal size for a patio

What materials to use for a patio

Materials needed to lay a patio

Planning a deck

Ideal Placement of a deck

Choosing the material to build it with

Tools needed

The importance of fencing

What factors to consider while deciding upon a fence type

Choosing the best option for a particular garden

The types of fences available and where to use them

Choosing the right grass or turf for the lawn

How to prepare the soil for turf

How to take care of turf to establish a lawn

A step by step guide to laying turf

Why there is a need for artificial turf

The types of turf available

Calculation of cost and material

Material you will need

Choosing the right site

Selecting the correct lining

Material and tools needed to build the pond

Step by step instructions to build a basic pond