The Fundamentals of Gardening
This course is aimed at those who wish to make an informed start at gardening and those who may have been gardening for sometime but wish to understand more about why certain techniques are used.
We have all had a gardening problem and, have consulted the books and found that the plant we are tending looks nothing like the illustration in the book. As a student you will learn gardening techniques and some of the science that supports the techniques. This will enable you to adapt to the situation you find.
We have kept the number of students low (No more than 15) and whenever possible we will be using the walled garden as our training facility.
Delivered at 2 hours per week over a 40 week period we will cover a whole year of gardening. You should expect about 50/50 split between theory and practical. All sessions will allow time for general gardening discussion on student gardening problems.
Training dates and outline syllabus
Every Wednesday afternoon (apart from holidays)
| Month | Session Title | Areas Covered |
| October | Assessing a garden plot | Drainage, soil water, aeration, site clearance and microclimates |
| Understanding soil and cultivation | Soil type, soil structure, pH and soil fertility, soil cultivation, no dig option | |
| Tools | Right tool for the right job, how to maintain them, keeping them sharp | |
| November | Shrubs | Selection, how to plant, staking and protection, pruning to promote growth |
| Trees | Selection, how to plant and protection, pruning for reduction | |
| Hedges and wall shrubs | Informal and formal hedges, plant supports, use of mechanical cutters | |
| Propagation (1) | Division, root cuttings, seed collection | |
| December | Garden design (1) | Site analysis, design principles, drawing plans, budget, legal constraints |
| Garden design (2) | Hard landscapes, use of fences, paths, features, seating, wood treatments | |
| January | Garden design (3) | Plant selection techniques, use of colour |
| Organic gardening | Principles of organic gardening, selecting your own gardening principles | |
| Gardening for nature | Encouraging and supporting wildlife, | |
| Propagation (2) | Hard wood cuttings, grafting, seed sowing, use of compost mixes | |
| February | Protected gardening | Use of glasshouses, cold frames, cloches and hot beds |
| Fruit growing (1) | Fruit trees, selection, winter pruning, restricted growing techniques | |
| March | Fruit growing (2) | Soft fruit, berries and currants |
| Vegetables (1) | Crop rotation, square foot vegetable gardening, importance of fertility | |
| Vegetables (2) | Site preparation, direct sowing, crop protection | |
| Beds and borders (1) | Site selection, size of border, background planting, plant selection | |
| April | Beds and borders (2) | Hardy herbaceous plants, use in the garden, the traditional border |
| Controlling weeds | Use of hoe, mulches, safe use of chemical weed killers | |
| Composting and green manures | Hot and cold composting, use of green manures, home-made liquid feeds | |
| A cut flower garden | Use of annual flowers, sweet peas | |
| May | Salads | Tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and peppers |
| Beds and borders (3) | Annuals, biennials and bedding plants, ornamental containers and baskets | |
| The 8 x 6 greenhouse and general garden work areas | Purchase and setting up how a greenhouse works | |
| Visit to Garden | A visit and assessment of need in a student’s garden | |
| Jun | Pests and disease (1) | Bugs that fly, bugs that crawl |
| Visit to Garden | A visit and assessment of need in a student’s garden | |
| Pest and disease (2) | Viruses, mildews and nutrient deficiencies | |
| Water in the garden | The formal water feature, the informal garden pond, suitable plants and maintenance | |
| July | Propagation (3) | The propagation environment, soft wood cuttings, heel cuttings |
| Fruit (3) | Harvesting, summer pruning of fruit bushes, preparing strawberries for next year | |
| Flower arranging | How to arrange a vase of flowers, use of oasis. | |
| Fruit (4) | Summer pruning of fruit trees | |
| August | Chutney | Learn the secrets of good chutney |
| Bulbs | Botanical structures, growing conditions, naturalising and garden uses | |
| September | Use of grass | Lawn establishment, weed and feed, wild flower meadows |
| Lessons learnt | How did the season go, what would we change for next year? | |
| Helmsley Walled Garden Autumn Show | A chance to display some of this year’s successes |
Tutor for the course is Helmsley Walled Gardens Manager Mike I’Anson – he holds a HND in Horticulture (Distinction), RHS General Certificate (Distinction) a member of The Institute for Learning, the professional body supervising adult education. Prior to his appointment at Helmsley, Mike was head gardener for nine years at a five acre private house near Thirsk. He has been a part-time tutor for NYCC Adult Education and Askham Bryan College.
The course costs £320 which equates to £4 per hour of tutoring. The course charge includes materials etc required for tutoring. For the course to run a minimum of 6 students are required. The full price will be charged at the start of the course. The course will be held on a Wednesday afternoon with the possibility of a second course, again subject to number, running on a Wednesday evening. All course fees go to the Helmsley Walled Garden charity.
If you would like to apply for a place then please contact Mike I’Anson on mike@helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk or telephone 01439 771 427 and leave your details with a member of staff.
