Introduction to Gardening

Grow your skills with this six-week introductory gardening course

Taught by horticulture lecturer Richard Lewis, this beginner-friendly course will have you nurturing your garden plants with confidence.

Dates and times

The course will be taught at Ness Botanic Gardens across six consecutive Saturdays, from:
Saturday 11 October through to Saturday 15 November 
09:30 – 16:00

Cost

The cost for members is £200.00 for the 6 week course. 
The cost for non-members is £250 for the 6 week course. 

Course content

You will learn key principles and practices of horticulture, including:

•    Plant taxonomy, classification and nomenclature
•    Soil health and cultivation, including pH testing, mulching and composting techniques
•    Propagation of plants, sowing seeds and taking cuttings, and the equipment and environments required for successfully raising plants
•    Choosing the right plants for your garden, as well as principles of container gardening
•    Lawn care and maintenance, with demonstrations of mowing equipment
•    Plant maintenance techniques, including different pruning methods
•    Plant health and management of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies
•    Growing fruit and vegetables in allotments and small gardens

What to bring

There will be a lunch break, there is the Botanic Kitchen café onsite which you can use or feel free to bring your own lunch and refreshments. 
All tools will be provided. 

How to book 

Please book a place via our online store. 
Each course is limited to a maximum of 12 participants. Places must be booked in advance.
If we don’t meet a minimum number of bookings to run the session, we'll contact you at least 72 hours in advance and issue a refund. A session would otherwise only be cancelled due to extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances.

Please also review Ness Botanic Gardens' workshop and event terms and conditions (PDF) for important details regarding booking, participation and cancellations.