Gain the skills and the knowledge in Designing Gardens in this short self-paced course.

Designing your own garden can be one of the most creative things that you ever do – producing a living sculpture that gives you years of enjoyment. The secret to good garden design is a plan and having the skills and knowledge to put your plan into fruition. Although this short course in Designing Gardens is a 20 hour self paced course, the breadth of material that is covered is great.

Work through the course at your own pace. Do as many or as few of the activities as you need to.

There are seventeen lessons in this course from a basic introduction to garden design, to following a budget, plant selection, making the garden meet the house, different designs and using different features to complete your design.  As you progress through each lesson you will be provided with a range of ways you can expand your learning. By choosing which tasks you do and don’t undertake you can expand in areas that interest you most, and skip areas of less interest.

You won’t miss anything important that you need to know about garden design as long as you read the notes that are presented alongside these “learn more” suggestions.

How does it work?

At the end of each lesson, you will be given a short interactive test to undertake, which will provide an indication of how your learning is progressing. Upon completing the very last lesson, you will be offered a more thorough automated test or examination. This final assessment can be undertaken at any time of day or night; and any day of the week; and if you achieve an overall pass (60% or more); you will be able to obtain a “certificate of completion” with your name and completion date on it.

Note: these short courses are self-guided online courses and are not to be confused with our tutor-supported online courses.

Course Outline

1. Introduction to Garden Design
2. Appropriateness of Garden Design
3. Creating an Impact
4. Designing to a Budget
5. Choosing Plants
6. Using the Garden
7. Where the Garden Meets the House
8. Making the Winter Garden More Comfortable
9. Gardens for Children
10. The Secure Home and Garden
11. Lighting a Garden
12. Dealing with Shade
13. Garden Art
14. Pots and Planters
15. Colour in the Garden
16. Applications for Colour
17. Garden Furniture