Frequently Asked Questions

We take training you up to a professional standard very seriously. This includes:

• Limited group sizes
• Lead tutor: Caroline Tatham
• Professional training from other specialist experienced industry experts
• Lots of informative handouts
• Professional guidance with group feedback sessions
• Private tutorials
• Four live projects with real clients on a range of gardens
• Externally assessed and supported by Bridgwater & Taunton College
• Drawing up professional master layout plans
• Planting plans
• Presentation videos
• 3D drawings
• Introduction to how CAD can help
• SketchUp
• Desktop publishing
• Surveying
• Mood boards
• Sketchbooks
• Plant portfolio
• Marketing your new business
• Client process
• Case studies
• Volunteering opportunities

There are 30 days of training over the academic year. 

There are three terms of ten weeks each, all with a short half-term too.

The course-specific prospectus includes term dates.

The course has been written so that you get information and feedback in class and that all of your project work is completed at home.

Feedback is offered regularly in class so that you will feel supported in what you are producing at home.

Practical exercises and project work is completed at home to ensure the most efficient use of the time that you are with us.

You will need at least one day per week for homework, and of course, the more time and effort that you are able to put into the course, the more you will get out of it.

It does not matter at all.

All our courses have been written for students of all levels.

We have years of experience in getting students to a standard of work, they never imagined possible.

You don't need any previous plant knowledge at all.

Learning about plants is a lifelong journey and it's lots of fun.

During the One Year Professional Garden Design Diploma course, you will be undertaking a close study of 50 well-chosen plants with our help.

These plants will form the core of your future design plans.

Just as Caroline still uses her nifty fifty top plants, again and again. 

You'll be learning about those too.

Please don't worry! 

All of our courses are written to suit all levels of experience including absolute beginners.

We have a long track record of helping people to find their natural creativity.

We all have it - but some of us have been convinced otherwise by past teachers or our own inner doubts.

Getting in touch with your innate creativity can be a deeply rewarding experience. 

Each course has its own equipment list which you will find on that course's website page. If you are undertaking an online course you might want to gather your equipment together before making your course purchase

Each course description will make the intention of that course clear. Some, like our day courses, are informative and fun while others like our professional diploma are intended for those undertaking a career change. 

Each course website page contains a full description of the course contents.

Our day and online courses are suitable for everyone who is motivated to learn.

On our professional training courses, students join us from all walks of life and at all stages in their careers.

We do ask that you are willing to work hard and are highly motivated for a career in professional garden design.

We are very proud of the quality of our teaching and of the high standard of work that we set.

At our school, we start at 10:00 with tea and coffee and finish at 16:00.

If you are looking to start a professional career in garden and/or planting design, please visit the information about our One Year Professional Garden Design Diploma course on the website. We also offer a Three Day Gateway to Garden Design taster course, which gives an idea of what it's like to study on the one year course / to be a garden designer. 

Our classroom based day courses as well as our online courses, can be studied in any order and they all complement each other. 

We recommend starting with what interests you most, OR with what you feel you need the most work at / feel the least confident about. 

The creative process in the sketchbook is the foundation of all design work, and if this is something you'd like more confidence in, then the Online Creative Planting Design course is a great place to start.

In terms of professional practice, it is more usual to start with garden design and once that overall plan is completed, to then move on to planting design. But if planting is what you love it is perfectly ok to work the other way around. 

For a course specifically aimed at designing the whole of your own garden we recommend our Online Design Your Own Garden course.