Level 3 Garden Design Certificate of Achievement/Postgraduate Diploma

L3 Modules:

Introduction – Garden Design Influences

Client-Designer Relationship -The Basic Principles of Garden Design

Planning the Garden

Taking measurements

Drawing the Plan

Preparing the garden

Equipment, Tools, Soil and Irrigation

Surfaces

Lawns and Steps

Planting

Garden features

Costing and estimation

Course Fees: £379 excl. of 20% VAT and 3% PayPal Processing Fee.

Postgraduate Diploma

We offer classes in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh

The list below provides an overview of the topics covered in this course.

History of Garden Design

An in-depth look at the history of garden design, covering the ways in which gardens evolved through time and how this influences the way we design today. You will learn about:

Mesopotamia
Egypt
Persia (Iran) & The Persian Empire
Greece
The Roman Epoch
India
China
Japan
Spain
Monastery and Castle Gardens
The Italian Renaissance
The French Tradition
English Traditions

Principles of Garden Design

From plant selection to selecting colour schemes, this topic covers the principle components that form the garden designers craft. You will learn about:

Balance and Proportion
Unity and Repetition
Movement or Rhythm
Contrast
Colour
Focal Points
Simplicity
Know your Materials
The Seven Principles of Plant Selection

The Elements

Take an in-depth look at some of the most important elements within a professionally designed garden. From outdoor floors to garden themes, this topic deals with many of the most important elements you will require when designing your outdoor rooms. You will learn about:

Path and Patio Planning
Decks
Living Floors
Lawns
Garden Walls
Living Walls
Hedges and Shelterbelts
Seaside Themes
Cottage Style
Mediterranean Style
Modern or Architectural Garden
Fragrance Garden
Wildlife Garden
Vegetable Border Garden
Rockeries
Japanese Gardens

Assessment & Presentation

This practical topic covers all you need to know about assessing a client’s wishes and needs, and how to make effective presentations of your ideas to them. Preparing simple base plans at first, you will build up to a concept drawing and then a final working plan. You will learn about:

The Garden Area
Steps to Effective Measuring
What’s Above, What’s Below?
Existing Plants and Trees
Recording Sun and Shade
Factoring in Hardiness and Microclimates
Soil Conditions
Ph levels
The Client Questionnaire
Drawing Tools
Creating a Base Plan
Title Block
Bubble Plan
Landscape Symbols
Concept Drawing and Working Plan

The Business

Understand the steps you need to take to start your own successful garden design business. You will learn about:

Business Essentials
Getting Started
Pricing and Selling Your Services and Products
Customer Service
Day-to-Day Operations
Working from Home
Business Supports, Information, and Entitlements

Plant Science

Garden Design is an art, a craft and a science. The truly competent garden designer should be proficient in all three elements. You will learn about:

Structure and Function of Plant Cells
The Power of Flowers
Plant Physiology: How Plants Work
Breeding and Genetics
Soil and Water
Plant Propagation
Plant Diseases and Pests
Weeds in the Lawn and Garden
Environment and Ecology of the Garden

Course Fees: Home Study £895 or Classroom-based £2,395.00 excl. of 20% VAT and 3% PayPal Processing Fee.