Wildlife Gardening - Green Gardening Guide » Gardening Courses

You can send an online gardening course gift instantly

Alan — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:26 +0000

The dream gift for lovers of the outdoors is now only a click away. You can now present a loved one on Christmas day with the gift of a gardening course with some of the best gardeners in the world thanks to the unique gift certificates that have been launched online by MyGardenSchool, the first gardening school online.

You can send an online gardening course gift instantly

They have launched new gift certificates just in time for Christmas for each one of their 23 gardening courses which can be found online. This makes it possible for people who can’t think what to get for the person who has everything the chance to buy an online gardening course as a gift right up until Christmas day itself.

The beauty of the courses that are offered by MyGardenSchool is that the students are taught everything there is to know about gardens by some of most acclaimed gardeners in the world. They teach everything from keeping hens and bees, design and landscaping, growing herbs, vegetables and the secret to perfect roses, creating ponds, building treehouses, taking photos of your garden, and anything else you can think of.

Whether the recipient is an accomplished gardener with green fingers already in place, or an enthusiastic beginner who knows very little, these gift certificates are the perfect gift. Even photography and design enthusiasts will benefit from these great courses, and anyone looking for a new hobby will also greatly appreciate it.

Those wishing to buy a gift certificate for loved ones simply need to choose the online gardening course they would like from the MyGardenSchool website and click through to the individual course page. In addition to a course overview, details about the course tutor and a taster video, visitors will find a ‘Gift this Course’ button. The button leads buyers through the very simple ordering and payment process, and provides a printable certificate with an online code that enables recipients to book any course to begin at a time that suits them.

All MyGardenSchool courses cost £120, last four weeks and begin on the first Saturday of every month. The beauty of the course being online is that students learn at their own pace, and in the comfort of their own home. Each course includes step by step video tutorials, downloadable course notes, and the facility to chat with tutors and fellow classmates online, in a ‘virtual classroom’. The classroom may be ‘virtual’ but the camaraderie is real, and the technology is very intuitive and easy to use.

All of the MyGardenSchool tutors are outstanding in their field (and gardens), being accomplished gardeners and acclaimed gardening writers. MyGardenSchool tutors include multi-gold medal winner at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Andy McIndoe with courses in bulbs, shrubs and trees; Stephanie Donaldson, author and Gardens Editor of Country Living magazine with a course on organic gardening; leading garden designer and author, Hilary Thomas with a courses in planting design; photographer and author Sue Bishop with a course on flower photography; and John Brookes, prolific author who is often described as the world’s most influential garden designer, with a course on garden and landscape design. The details of tutors, together with courses, can be found on the MyGardenSchool online gardening course pages.

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Alan Titchmarsh wants TV to get back to gardening

Alan — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 02:57:02 +0000

Former Ground Force host Alan Titchmarsh says more gardening programmes need to be on television, claiming that the number has fallen in recent times this after ITV has announced him as host of their new and first prime time gardening programme.

In an interview with The Sun, he said there could be more gardening on the TV and that it cannot be overstated and offers everyone something. They are little nature reserves that make up millions of acres even though some think of them as frivolous and they are very important as is the communication of gardening skills.

Gardening has subsided recently down from when Home Front in the Garden and Ground Force were in TV in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, he added. He hopes to not compete with his new show against BBC Two’s Gardener’s World but if ITV wants to sex up the show he is not against it.

Hopefully the show will be on before BBC’s because it would be sad if we were on at the same time and added that he does not see it as direct competition to Gardener’s World but rather a complement to the show.

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Grow Your Own gardening event

Alan — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:33:11 +0000

The West Lancashire Allotments Federation and West Lancs Community Food Growing Project are teaming together to host, on May 7, 2011 the Grow Your Own gardening event at the Burscough Wharf encouraging green fingered residents to go for The Good Life.

The group’s spokesman said, the day is for you whether you just want to grow food at home or if you have had an allotment in the past. A new or experienced allotment grower can see stalls of all the plants and tools they need, get advice, go to a series of workshops and participate in a question and answer debate where experts will be quizzed on a myriad of topics.

Free to attend the event will be held between 12pm and 4pm at the newly opened Burscough Wharf and to get involved or for more information on the event contact either Ray at rfowler001@btinternet.com or Terry at terry.lake@tinyworld.co.uk

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SOUTH CORNWALL SET TO BLOSSOM FOR FALMOUTH SPRING FESTIVAL (26th March – 3rd April)

Alan — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 07:36:05 +0000

Featuring Plant Shows, Gardeners’ Question Time, Guided Walks, Open Gardens, Spring Fair, and much, much more…

Falmouth in South Cornwall is going to be a hotspot for everyone seeking out beauty during the last week of March until April 3^rd as the city hosts its first ‘Spring Festival.’ On display will be everything from plant sales to flower shows to plenty of spring activities, food fairs, and even a fashion show. The displays will be spread out across town with even a Gardeners Question time scheduled to take place where you can get all the answers you need for an excellent spring garden this year.

The festival kicks off on March 26^th with the Princess Pavilion hosting a two day flower show that will show off the best of spring’s flowers. Both novice and professional gardeners are invited to attend and encouraged to drop by the National Maritime Musuem in Cornwall come March 28^th to get some great spring gardening tips from the experts.

There will also be plenty of family friendly activities taking place throughout the rest of the week including foraging workshops, guided walks, and a rockpooling event at Castle Beach.

On Friday 1^st April, a short ferry ride will lead the way to a special opening of the magnificent Lamorran Garden at St Mawes with its diverse range of sub-tropical plantlife. Later in the day the National Maritime Museum Cornwall will be hosting a Spring Fashion Show, and the first of three Garden Spring Cleans will also be taking place as the Community Alive Team helps to create ‘mini garden makeovers’ for the elderly and those in need. Saturday 2^nd April and Sunday 3^rd April will then see a spectacular Spring Fair hosted on Discovery Quay featuring fresh local produce and craft, music and children’s activities.

Throughout the week, local businesses and residents will be adding some magical floral touches to their windows and window-boxes. Some of Falmouth’s budding talent and hidden gardening delights will also be on show with a collaborative garden/outdoor art project between local schools and University College Falmouth (UCF) and a series of Open Gardens (normally private gardens opened to the public) both in the pipeline.

For more information and a full event timetable plus news on special Spring Festival accommodation offers please visit www.falmouth.co.uk or check out the ‘Falmouth Spring Festival’ facebook page

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Homes for Wildlife Project

Alan — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 05:52:54 +0000

Wildlife gardening will be brought to all the care company homes in the county, through the joint forces of the RSPB and Bupa. Many of the species in decline in British gardens will be encouraged through the RSPB Homes for Wildlife Project hoping to spark interest and reignite a passion for wildlife in the care home residents.

The opportunity to participate in other wildlife related activities will be available to residents once the project is established, these activities include building and painting nest boxes and watching birds on window feeders.

The creation of wildflower meadows, bog gardens, and ponds will be done by residents and staff as well. Bupa homes in the Midlands and Wales region is where the project was piloted in 2010. The idea was to make the homes and grounds more appealing to wildlife and to involve residents in all activities related to wildlife.

Because of the 90% positive response by those that took part in the pilot programme, the company decided to roll-out the programme throughout their UK homes in 2011.

Access to wildlife and nature is important for people especially those recovering from illness and the elderly says RSPB Lake Vyrnmy reserve manager Mike Walker.

There are many benefits to both the elderly and recovering and they include an increased mental and physical activity, an ability to work together with others and develop friendships and an overall renewed sense of purpose and of course the gardens are becoming refuges for our native wildlife and helping maintain a greener planet.

Taking part in wildlife surveys throughout the year the residents will be able to monitor their results.

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Groundwork NI Gardening course

Alan — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 06:32:16 +0000

Groundwork NI (Northern Ireland) is running two full-day training sessions in January for people wanting to grow their own fruit and vegetables or manage an allotment. This follows the phenomenal success of their ‘Grown your own’ sessions in 2010.

Business Development Manager, Gary McNally commented, “Groundwork NI is keen to give local communities opportunities to develop skills to improve their quality of life. During this course you will learn the basics of growing vegetables at home, in a back yard or a small garden. It is the beginner’s guide for learning to grow your own and a must for anyone who wants to start enjoying the physical and health benefits that growing your own food can offer.”

Both courses are aimed at beginners and will cover a range of topics including composting, plant nutrition, controlling pests and disease, crop selection, digging techniques, site assessment, soil types and tools.

The cost is £50 and places are limited to fifteen participants, therefore, early booking is essential. A healthy lunch is provided and all participants will get ‘A Beginners Guide to Growing Fruit & Vegetables’ plus a container of seeds or seedlings to set them on their way.

Venue – The Groundwork Conference Centre, 63-75 Duncairn Gardens, North Belfast.

Dates and times – 15 January and 29 January, 9:30am-4:00pm both days.

Booking - online at www.groundworkni.org.uk, use the “Register Now” button and complete your details, or email Dave Carver, course facilitator; davidcarver@groundworkni.co.uk, or phone 02890 749494.

Dave Carver is very experienced in this field and can provide bespoke training for individuals and community groups. If you would like to discuss this with Dave, please contact him as above.

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A small garden pond

Alan — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:49:11 +0000

If you are looking for ways to improve your garden you may want to think about adding on a small garden pool, which can be purchased to fit both outdoor and indoor gardens. While the installation of a garden pond does require some work, the return is fulfilling, and if you choose to start with a small garden pond you will find the level of work required is significantly lower.

If you have an indoor garden you will find that adding a garden pool will compliment the quiet and comforting atmosphere of your garden. Simply having the garden inside your home will create a cooling effect enhanced by the fact that you will have the constant soothing sound of moving water similar to a waterfall in the background of your daily activities.

Most of the time it is best to place an inside garden pool in the corner of a garden in order to maximize the available space in the garden. Adding a few plants around the pond will also make it look much more natural.

If you have a garden pond then you will want to choose an appropriate size plants that match in size, keeping in mind that they will grow, some very quickly. You could stock it with shop bought fish, but if you leave it to its own devices you will be amazed that newts, frogs, and even fish will find their way to your pond without any assistance

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Interactive online garden design course launched by British garden designer Duncan Heather

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:31:33 +0000

Award-winning British garden designer, Duncan Heather, launches the world’s first-ever interactive online garden design course which means you can now train as a top-class residential landscape designer from the comfort of your own home, anywhere in the world.

Heather – founder and principal of the Oxford College of Garden Design which has trained most of the country’s top contemporary designers; including the award-winning, Olympic garden designer, Sarah Price and the flamboyant Charlotte Rowe – was himself trained by Britain’s best-loved octogenarian designer and garden writer, John Brookes OBE, whom many regard as one of the world’s top five garden designers of the 20th Century.

“I pride myself on the fact that the Oxford College of Garden Design has always been a market leader in technology and innovation,” says Heather.

“We have seen over the last few years how our students have benefitted from the use of technology in the classroom and have designed the online course so that seminars will coincide in real time with classroom lectures and, uniquely, our on- and offline students can learn together.” Heather has recently also teamed up with internet expert turned garden designer Elspeth Briscoe, to help guide innovation in landscape design through new technologies.

The one-year course now being offered online provides a post-graduate level qualification in Residential Landscape Architecture. It also, says Heather, will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of both students and the college; allowing those who want to train as garden designers to do so from the comfort of their own homes anywhere in the world and without long commutes to the Oxfordshire classrooms.

In the decade since the Oxford College of Garden Design first started, it has attracted students from around the world, including America, New Zealand and Japan and Heather is confident the online course will enable even more students who could not otherwise have been able to relocate to the UK to benefit from the same high standard of training as those based in the UK.

Each on-line participant will be allocated their own qualified garden designer tutor and will follow the exact same timetable as the on-site classroom students. Scientists have already shown how “whole brain training” will be the foundation of a new wave of 21st century education and the Oxford College of Garden Design is one of the first UK organisations to offer that pioneering technology to students around the world.

Watch this presentation to find out more.

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