Courses & Events

Barnsdale Courses

Barnsdale Courses

Our 2012 courses are listed below with a brief summary of their content (with the exception of the Painting Days which will have their descriptions added shortly) and any fees payable. All courses can be easily booked online by clicking here.

For any further information please call 01572 813200.

If you wish to add your name to our mailing list for details of any future courses, please subscribe to Free membership.

Please note:

  • Friends of Barnsdale Gardens Card Holders will receive a discount on all courses. Please telephone to book your course to ensure you receive your discount.
  • The fee for each course includes tea, coffee and biscuits. Fees for full-day and two-day courses include lunch (unless it states otherwise), tea, coffee and biscuits.
  • Materials and/or tools for courses will be provided where necessary and are included in the cost, except for art classes where individuals must bring their own equipment. Our regular tutor, Sandra Peck, can provide some art essentials at cost, so please ask when booking.
2012
 
Winter at Barnsdale 24 January 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
Take a very special tour around the Gardens with Nick Hamilton to look at the highlights at this magical time of year. Nick will talk about why and how individual gardens were created and point out the plants and trees that are at their prime during winter and the best place to put them in a garden.
 
Watercolour Painting Day - Poppies and Stone Wall 26 January 10.30am - 4pm £67
Tutor: Sandra Peck
Follow a step-by-step demonstration to capture the beauty of this country scene; bright red poppies set against an old stone wall.
 
Watercolour Painting Day  - Snowdrops 23 February
10.30am-4pm £67.00 Tutor: Sandra Peck
Try out lots of different watercolour techniques to paint these dainty flowers with a loose, wet-into-wet snowy background.
 
Basics of Vegetable Growing 1 March 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton                           For the complete novice, this course will lay down all the basics required to begin vegetable growing. Topics covered will include soil types, soil requirements, cultivation, propagation, growing on, planting out and the requirements of crops in order to achieve an abundant harvest. 
 
Growing in Raised Beds 1 March 2pm-4pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
A look at the benefits of growing in raised beds and the vegetables that are particularly suited to this environment. Subjects include; materials, bed construction, soils and soil mixes and cultivation.  
 
Basics of Vegetable Growing and Growing in Raised Beds 1 March Special Price 
Book and attend both of the above courses on the same day and get them for the special combined price of only £33.
 
Introduction to Growing Organic Vegetables 6 March10.30am-3.30pm £60 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
This one-day course is aimed at both gardening novices and those who want to know more about growing vegetables organically. The day begins by looking at organic principles, soil types, nutrients and organic fertilisers. After lunch in the Barnsdale Tea Room, we look at various organic matters and the pros and cons of each, pest and disease problems and how to cope with them organically and finally, how to achieve effective crop rotation. The course combines classroom learning with practical, ‘on the vegetable plot' discussions and there is full set of handouts provided at the end of the day.
 
Rose Pruning 7 March 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Jon Brocklebank
This practical course, led by our Head Gardener, Jon, illustrates how and when each type of rose should be pruned using simple step-by-step demonstrations.                     
 
Rose Pruning 7 March 2pm-4pm £18.00 Tutor: Jon Brocklebank
This practical course, led by our Head Gardener, Jon, illustrates how and when each type of rose should be pruned using simple step-by-step demonstrations.
 
RHS Vegetables all the Year Round 10 March 10am-3.30pm
RHS Members - £40.00 Non-members - £50.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
Run on behalf of the Royal Horticultural Society, this full-day course, aimed at both experienced and novice vegetables growers, combines classroom learning with practical, 'on the vegetable plot' discussions to provide the knowledge to achieve year-round produce from the garden. The course starts by considering the vegetables that can be had every month of the year, either fresh from the garden or from stored produce. Different vegetables and specific varieties that contribute to an earlier or longer season are considered as well as the important topic of propagation by seed. Nick takes the class through growing in beds using the mild and hot bed system, crop storage, the importance of catch crops, as well as materials that can be used to extend the growing season. At the end of the course, attendees will be able to plan and implement a cropping programme that will give them vegetables all year round. Lunch is not included in the cost.   Please note: A valid RHS Membership Card will be required on the day to validate members the tickets.
 
RHS Watercolour Painting Day – Cottage Doorway 13 March 10.30am-4pm
RHS Members - £53.60      Non-members - £67.00 Tutor: Sandra Peck
A beautiful scene with lots of interest - weathered wood, stonework, window panes and a profusion of gorgeous wisteria.
 
           
Spring at Barnsdale 22 March 10.30am-12.30pm £18 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
Take a special guided tour around the Gardens with Nick Hamilton at this inspirational time of year. Nick will consider all the individual Gardens and adjoining borders and will point out some of his favourites, as well as the plants and trees that are in their prime at this time of year.
 
Plant Propogation 28 March 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
This course covers the different forms of vegetative plant propagation; stem cuttings, root cutting, leaf cuttings, division and layering. In- and outdoor practical demonstrations include a wide range of plants and, at the end the session, attendees will have the knowledge and confidence to be able to propagate almost any plant in their garden using the methods shown.
 
Spring Flower Photography 1 April 9.30am-4.30pm £67.00 Tutor: Hemant Jariwala
Hemant Jariwala offers an introduction to flower photography for both occasional and enthusiast photographers, focusing on the plants that are at their prime in the spring . Effective visual communication skill is the key to successful image making, and Hemant illustrates this with examples from his own portfolio. Then, once you have an understanding of the photographic process of capturing the beauty of botanical plants, you can put theory into practice in Barnsdale’s beautiful and varied gardens.
 
Composting 4 April 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
 Being able to compost all that free material that we generate at home and in the garden is an exciting thought. This course will show you how! We look at what can and cannot be composted, the requirements of a compost heap, activators, turning a heap and the pros and cons of each type of compost bin.
 
Vegetables all the Year Round 10 April 10am-3.30pm £60 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
This full-day course, aimed at both experienced and novice vegetables growers, combines classroom learning with practical, 'on the vegetable plot' discussions to provide the knowledge to achieve year-round produce from the garden. The course starts by considering the vegetables that can be had every month of the year, either fresh from the garden or from stored produce. Different vegetables and specific varieties that contribute to an earlier or longer season are considered as well as the important topic of propagation by seed. Nick takes the class through growing in beds using the mild and hot bed system, crop storage, the importance of catch crops, as well as materials that can be used to extend the growing season. At the end of the course, attendees will be able to plan and implement a cropping programme that will give them vegetables all year round.   
 
Designing with Plants 14 April 10am-4pm £85.00 Tutor: Adam Frost
For many people, the most important part of a garden is the planting. Whether it is romantic, dreamy, a cottage garden style, minimalistic or a restrained plant selection, then award winning garden designer and landscape contractor Adam Frost's new planting design course can help you achieve your aim. Using the gardens at Barnsdale, he will explain in an inspirational and easy to follow manner his skills in planting for beautiful colour, foliage and texture combinations to achieve both structured and beautiful borders. For full details of this course and to book please contact Adam Frost on 01572 813151.
 
Pruning Shrubs 17 April 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Jon Brocklebank
Our Head Gardener, Jon Brocklebank, tackles the gardening task that seems to be feared by most in this practical two-hour session. Jon demonstrates how to prune shrubs in each of the various pruning groups by working on plants in BarnsdaleGardens, highlighting any special techniques as he goes along.
 
Watercolour Painting Day – Magnolias 24 April 10.30am-4pm £67.00 Tutor: Sandra Peck
How to capture the elegant shape of these sumptuous flowers and the texture of waxy petals and woody stems in watercolour.
 
RHS Watercolour Painting Day – Clematis 10 May 10.30am-4pm
RHS Members - £53.60 Non-members - £67.00 Tutor: Sandra Peck
How to paint and shape each petal, allowing colours to blend on the wet paper. Also tips to “lift” petals from the page.
 
Growing Under Glass 30 May 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
The prime focus for this informative session is to look at fruiting vegetables that can be grown under glass. The course covers structures available, what can be grown, the propagation of vegetables, requirements for a successful harvest as well as pests and disease control and concludes with the maintenance of your chosen structure.
 
Watercolour Painting Day – Close-up Rose 21 June 10.30am-4pm £67.00 Tutor: Sandra Peck
Your chance to create something special! Learn how to crop and blow-up an image and the importance of design to achieve stunning effect.
 
Garden Photography 24 June 9.30am-4.30pm £67.00 Tutor: Hemant Jariwala
Hemant Jariwala’s one-day introductory course is ideal for both occasional and enthusiast photographers who would like to take away memories of the special places they have visited. You will develop an understanding of garden design and how to express this as a photographic composition – formal or private. Hemant uses examples from his own portfolio to introduce this concept, and you will be able to put some of these ideas into practice around Barnsdale’s beautiful and varied gardens.
 
Summer Flower Photography 22 July 9.30am-4.30pm £67.00 Tutor: Hemant Jariwala
Hemant Jariwala offers an introduction to flower photography for both occasional and enthusiast photographers, focusing on the plants that are at their very best in the summer . Effective visual communication skill is the key to successful image making, and Hemant illustrates this with examples from his own portfolio. Then, once you have an understanding of the photographic process of capturing the beauty of botanical plants, you can put theory into practice in Barnsdale’s beautiful and varied gardens.
 
Watercolour Painting Day – Sweet Peas 24 July 10.30am-4pm £67.00 Tutor: Sandra Peck
A summer treat – sit in the Paint these beautifully sweet-scented favourites, fresh-picked from the garden.
 
Watercolour Painting Day – Blue Hydrangeas 16 August 10.30am-4pm £67.00
Tutor: Sandra Peck
Using different watercolour techniques to capture the essence of these gorgeous blooms – a beautiful effect.
 
Gardening in Shade 21 August 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
This short course considers plants that are suitable for growing in various shade situations and covers methods that can be used to improve the conditions so as to broaden the scope for planting. Indoor tuition is combined with outdoor exploration of the plants being discussed in BarnsdaleGardens.
 
Watercolour Painting Day – Sunlit Garden 11 September 10.30am-4pm £67.00
Tutor: Sandra Peck
Follow a step-by-step demonstration to paint this beautiful scene, with minimum fuss and lots of drippy paint.
 
Composting 26 September 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
Being able to compost all that free material that we generate at home and in the garden is an exciting thought. This course will show you how! We look at what can and cannot be composted, the requirements of a compost heap, activators, turning a heap and the pros and cons of each type of compost bin.
 
Preparing Your Garden for Winter 27 September 10am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
Although the term, 'putting your garden to bed for winter' no longer really applies there are a lot of jobs that need to be done before winter descends. Part tutorial and part looking at specific jobs in the Gardens, this is a practical guide for any gardener.
 
Rose Pruning 3 October 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Jon Brocklebank
This practical course, led by our Head Gardener, Jon, illustrates how and when each type of rose should be pruned using simple step-by-step demonstrations.
 
Rose Pruning 3 October 2pm-4pm £18.00 Tutor: Jon Brocklebank
This practical course, led by our Head Gardener, Jon, illustrates how and when each type of rose should be pruned using simple step-by-step demonstrations.
 
Watercolour Painting Day – Windmill 9 October 10.30am-4pm £67.00 Tutor: Sandra Peck
How to sketch buildings in pen with a bit of style and add extra interest with a wet brush. Sepia pen supplied.
 
Introduction to Growing Organic Vegetables 8 October 10.30am-3.30pm £60
Tutor: Nick Hamilton
This one-day course is aimed at both gardening novices and those who want to know more about growing vegetables organically. The day begins by looking at organic principles, soil types, nutrients and organic fertilisers. After lunch in the Barnsdale Tea Room, we look at various organic matters and the pros and cons of each, pest and disease problems and how to cope with them organically and finally, how to achieve effective crop rotation. The course combines classroom learning with practical, ‘on the vegetable plot' discussions and there is full set of handouts provided at the end of the day.
 
Growing Soft Fruit 11 October 10.30am–12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
This course looks at a wide range of soft fruit that can be grown fresh in the garden and covers soil requirements, aspect, growing conditions, training and pruning. The day starts with a tutorial before moving out into the Gardens to consider the soft fruits grown at Barnsdale.
 
Autumn at Barnsdale 14 October 10:30am - 12:30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
Take a special guided tour around the Gardens with Nick Hamilton at this colourful time of year. Nick will consider all the individual Gardens and adjoining borders and will point out some of his favourite specimens, as well as the plants and trees that are particularly noteworthy at this time of year.
 
Pruning Shrubs 16 October 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Jon Brocklebank
Our Head Gardener, Jon Brocklebank, tackles the gardening task that seems to be feared by most in this practical two-hour session. Jon demonstrates how to prune shrubs in each of the various pruning groups by working on plants in BarnsdaleGardens, highlighting any special techniques as he goes along.
 
Simple Garden Design 17 October 7pm-9pm £18.00 Tutor: Adam Frost
The aim of this short course is to give attendees the knowledge and confidence to carry out some basic garden design for their own outdoor spaces. The tutor, Adam Frost, is a Chelsea Gold Medal winning garden designer and is also an expert landscape gardener, which makes him one of the very best in his field.
 
Vegetables all the Year Round 17 October 10am-3.30pm £60 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
This full-day course, aimed at both experienced and novice vegetables growers, combines classroom learning with practical, 'on the vegetable plot' discussions to provide the knowledge to achieve year-round produce from the garden. The course starts by considering the vegetables that can be had every month of the year, either fresh from the garden or from stored produce. Different vegetables and specific varieties that contribute to an earlier or longer season are considered as well as the important topic of propagation by seed. Nick takes the class through growing in beds using the mild and hot bed system, crop storage, the importance of catch crops, as well as materials that can be used to extend the growing season. At the end of the course, attendees will be able to plan and implement a cropping programme that will give them vegetables all year round. 
 
Garden Photography 21 October 9.30am-4.30pm £67.00 Tutor: Hemant Jariwala
Hemant Jariwala’s one-day introductory course is ideal for both occasional and enthusiast photographers who would like to take away memories of the special places they have visited. You will develop an understanding of garden design and how to express this as a photographic composition – formal or private. Hemant uses examples from his own portfolio to introduce this concept, and you will be able to put some of these ideas into practice around Barnsdale’s beautiful and varied gardens.
 
RHS Vegetables all the Year Round 25 October 10am-3.30pm
RHS Members - £40.00 Non-members - £50.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
This full-day course, aimed at both experienced and novice vegetables growers, combines classroom learning with practical, 'on the vegetable plot' discussions to provide the knowledge to achieve year-round produce from the garden. The course starts by considering the vegetables that can be had every month of the year, either fresh from the garden or from stored produce. Different vegetables and specific varieties that contribute to an earlier or longer season are considered as well as the important topic of propagation by seed. Nick takes the class through growing in beds using the mild and hot bed system, crop storage, the importance of catch crops, as well as materials that can be used to extend the growing season. At the end of the course, attendees will be able to plan and implement a cropping programme that will give them vegetables all year round. Lunch is not included in the cost. Please note: A valid RHS Membership Card will be required on the day to validate members the tickets.
 
Plant Propagation 6 November 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
This course covers the different forms of vegetative plant propagation; stem cuttings, root cutting, leaf cuttings, division and layering. In- and outdoor practical demonstrations include a wide range of plants and, at the end the session, attendees will have the knowledge and confidence to be able to propagate almost any plant in their garden using the methods shown.
 
Watercolour Painting Day – Snow Geese 8 November 10.30am-4pm £67.00
Tutor: Sandra Peck
How to easily portray these delightful birds in loose watercolour, giving them individual character and charm.
 
Two Day Garden Design Course 10-11 November 9.30am-5pm £195.00
For full details of this practical course, covering all you need to create your own unique garden design contact the course tutors; award-winning garden designers, Adam Frost (01572 813151), or David Stevens (01280 821097).
 
Pruning Fruit Trees 13 November 10.30am-12.30pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
The subject of pruning seems to send fear through the hearts of most gardeners. The tutorial and practical demonstrations included in this course will provide attendees with the basic knowledge and confidence they need to train and prune a wide range of fruit trees, including; apples, pears, plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, nectarines and figs.
 
Pruning Fruit Trees 13 November 2pm-4pm £18.00 Tutor: Nick Hamilton
The subject of pruning seems to send fear through the hearts of most gardeners. The tutorial and practical demonstrations included in this course will provide attendees with the basic knowledge and confidence they need to train and prune a wide range of fruit trees, including; apples, pears, plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, nectarines and figs.  
 
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop 25 November 10.30am-12.30pm £25.00 Tutor: Sue Jarvis
Come and be shown how to make a beautiful natural wreath to take home. This relaxed and friendly morning course includes detailed demonstrations, festive refreshments and all materials - a lovely way to start the holiday season.
 
Watercolour Painting - Simple Cards 6 December 10.30am-4pm £67.00 Tutor: Sandra Peck
Come and paint your own Christmas cards from a selection of seasonal favourites, each design easy to achieve. Lots of inspiration.
 

To book on any of the above courses please click here