Gardening Courses at Barnsdale Gardens

Courses and events at Barnsdale 2008

All our current courses and events are listed below, with the dates they are being run. For queries or booking, contact us. Additional courses and events are still in the process of being finalised and will be added to this web site throughout the year. If you wish to add your name to our mailing list for details of any further courses, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.
Prices: Barnsdale Gardens Visitors Card holders are able to get a discount on all courses. Please enquire on the specific discount available for each course. Please note that all prices given for individual courses include tea/coffee and biscuits. The cost of a full day and the two day course includes lunch, tea/coffee and biscuits. * indicates lunch is included. For courses that involve materials and/or tools, these will be provided and are included in the cost (except for the painting days where individuals will be required to bring their own equipment, although Sandra can provide some essentials at cost, so please ask when booking).

Watercolour Painting Days *	10:30am - 4pm.	£60
These days will be tutored by Sandra Peck, a well known local artist, with each date focusing on a seasonal plant or area of the garden. Sandra is able to tutor a group of varied experience from complete novices to experienced painters, so experience is not required. The subjects and dates are as follows:
19/02/08 Georgian Window 13/03/08 Misty Violets (RHS) 15/04/08 Spring Flowers in Watercolour (RHS) 15/05/08 Flowers Close Up 12/06/08 Garden Views Simplified 31/07/08 Sweet Peas 14/08/08 Japanese Anemones 16/09/08 Rudbeckia 09/10/08 Pen and Wash in Sepia 11/11/08 Garden Doorway 04/12/08 Winter Watercolours

Spring Flower Fortnight	Price of Garden Entry
A two week event where all visitors will be able to view a wide variety of spring flowers growing in the gardens with the added incentive of a 10% discount on all Hellebores purchased in the nursery during this two week period.
18/02/08 - 02/03/08

Basics of Vegetable Growing	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
A morning aimed at beginners who need direction in getting their vegetable production under way. Topics covered will include preparation of soil, seed sowing, plant raising, requirements of certain crops and planting.
05/03/08

Food Fayre
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Food Fayre has been cancelled
08/03/08

Gardening Without Chemicals	7pm - 9pm	£15
A look at the organic approach to weed and pest control as well as fertilisers in the flower and vegetable garden.
20/03/08

Introduction to Organic Vegetable Growing *	10:30am - 3:30pm	£50
This course will equip all gardeners with the basic knowledge they require to become successful organic vegetable growers.
09/03/08 14/10/08

Gardening without Chemicals	7pm - 9pm	£15
A look at the organic approach to weed and pest control, as well as fertilisers in the flower and vegetable garden.
20/03/08

Spring at Barnsdale	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
Take a gentle stroll around Barnsdale in the company of Nick and Sue Hamilton, the owners, and discover the joys and beauty of this garden as it re-awakens into spring.
27/03/08

Plant Propagation	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
Instruction on all basic types of vegetative propagation including softwood, semi-ripe, hardwood and root cuttings.
01/04/08 12/11/08

Composting	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
An easy to follow look at composting, covering topics such as composting methods, compost bins and materials used which will enable each participant to readily compost from home.
03/04/08 26/09/08

Lawn Care	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
Our Head Gardener will demonstrate both spring and autumn care, covering a wide range of topics from repairing a lawn, feeding, aerating and scarifying.
04/04/08 01/10/08

Pruning Shrubs	10:30am - 12:30pm	£17.50
A practical demonstration on pruning a wide range of shrubs. By the end of this session, everyone should have the knowledge to prune all their shrubs with confidence.
07/04/08 15/10/08

Vegetables All-Year-Round*	10am - 3:30pm	£50
This course is aimed at less experienced gardeners, showing them the techniques required to have organically grown vegetables available every week of the year.
08/04/08 21/10/08

Planting for Wildlife	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
A look at a wide range of plants that can be used in the garden to attract wildlife and varieties that will keep it there.
09/04/08

Drought Tolerant Plants	7pm - 9pm	£15
With global warming impacting gardening more and more this group of plants is coming into it's own. We will be looking at a wide range of plants suited to this climate and their preferred positions.
10/04/08

Growing in Raised Beds	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
A practical morning that will look at how to grow plants and vegetables in different types of raised beds, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.
14/04/08

Trees for Small Gardens	7pm - 9pm	£15
With the average garden shrinking in size it is important to pick the right tree. We will cover a wide variety of trees looking at the advantages and disadvantages of growing each type.
06/05/08

Alpine Gardening	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
Creating an alpine feature in the garden can be daunting so this practical morning will look at the setting up of an alpine bed or feature, soil type required, aspects and the type of plants suited to growing in this environment.
07/05/08

Vegetable Weekends	From 11am Price of Garden Entry
A member of staff will be available during these two days to discuss all matters vegetable, with all the allotment areas not usually accessible by visitors being open for viewing.
31/05 - 01/06/08 23 - 24/08/08

Roses Day	From 11am Price of Garden Entry
Writer and broadcaster Stuart Dixon will be holding a range of personal talks and walks around the gardens looking at the beauty and versatility of the wide range of roses we have in the garden.
15/06/08

Dry and Damp, 'The Two Extremes of Gardening'	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
Although these growing situations are poles apart, there are many gardens that have both aspects. We will be looking at not only the plants suited to each situation but also those suited to both, as well as methods that can be employed to improve each growing position.
26/06/08

Go Wild @ Barnsdale! Presents MIDSUMMER MAGIC	10:30am - 12:30pm & 2pm - 4pm
Child £3. Accompanying adult £5. Family (up to 5) £15. Includes entry to Gardens for the rest of the day.
A fun event for all the family! It’s magical Midsummer and there are fairies at the bottom of Barnsdale Gardens… and butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies too. Find out more about these winged wonders - plant some flowers they will love, hunt for garden nymphs or just follow our magical trail - but beware of the Troll! Then use your imagination to create your own translucent butterfly or damselfly, or be transformed yourself with the help of our face painters. All ages welcome. (Morning session aimed at children 8+ years, afternoon session at 5-8 years.) Sun hats &/or wellies and a drink advisable, fairy costume optional! Booking essential.
29/06/08

Penstemon Weekend	9am - 7pm Price of Garden Entry
A two day event where we will have a large proportion of our collection on display in the nursery with the added incentive of a 10% discount on all Penstemon purchased during the weekend.
12 - 13/07/08

Hemerocallis Weekend	9am - 7pm Price of Garden Entry
A two day event where we will have a large proportion of our collection on display in the nursery with the added incentive of a 10% discount on all Hemerocallis purchased during the weekend.
26 - 27/07/08

Penstemon in the Garden	7pm - 9pm	£15
These popular plants give excellent value for money, with their spectacular and long lasting flower display. An evening dedicated to Penstemon, we will look at the best varieties as well as the cultivation methods required in order to get the best displays.
14/08/08

Gardening in Shade	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
A look at a variety of different plants for a shady spot and methods of successfully growing in this situation.
26/08/08

Growing Under Glass	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
An opportunity to discover the best methods for getting the most from a productive greenhouse or tunnel, covering tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, melons and aubergines.
27/08/08

Summer Colour	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
The most floriferous time of the year, when all our gardens should be bursting with colour. We will look at plants that will not only fulfil this requirement but also extend our summer colour well into autumn.
28/08/08

Go Wild @ Barnsdale! Presents AUTUMN ANTICS	10:30am - 12:30pm & 2pm - 4pm
Child £3. Accompanying adult £5. Family (up to 5) £15. Includes entry to Gardens for the rest of the day.
A fun event for all the family! It’s harvest time and the creepy crawlies are coming out to play! Find out more about autumn in the garden - collect some seeds to plant in the spring, go on a minibeast hunt and use your imagination to create a scary spider or a wonderful web. All ages welcome. (Morning session aimed at children 8+ years, afternoon session at 5-8 years) Wellies and warm outdoor clothing advisable. Booking essential.
13/09/08

Water in the Garden	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
Water is an invaluable feature in a lot of gardens, with this morning session looking at construction of ponds and bog gardens as well as a range of suitable plants for the pond and bog area.
23/09/08

Two Day Garden Design Course*	9:30am - 5pm	£190
Internationally renowned designer David Stevens, ably assisted by Adam Frost, will be repeating the very successful Garden Design Course held here last year. Studies will cover: The Basis of Good Design, Garden Design Principles, Tension/ Mystery/ and Surprise, Preparing an Outline Scheme, The Importance of a Hard Landscape Structure, Garden Buildings, Ways with Water, Soft Landscape Principles and Planting Design. The latter will be linked into conducted tours around the gardens. The Course is designed to be both interactive and will appeal to a broad spectrum of both gardeners and designers. For further details and a Course Synopsis please contact: David Stevens 01280 821097 or Adam Frost 01780 410926
27 - 28/09/08

Preparing Your Garden for Winter	10am - 12:30pm	£17.50
Covering all the necessary tasks needed to see your garden and accessories through a normal British winter.
04/10/07

Growing Soft Fruit	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
A look at the various techniques used, not only to establish a variety of soft fruit that will then grow on to produce a healthy crop, but also how to keep them cropping well.
10/10/08

Simple Garden Design	7pm - 9pm	£15
A chance for beginners to get to grips with the basic principles of garden design, gaining enough of an insight to enable them to tackle their own garden.
14/10/08

Autumn at Barnsdale Guided Walk	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
The sheer beauty of Barnsdale in autumn is something to behold. Nick and Sue Hamilton will take you on a very personal guided walk looking at all the interest autumn brings in this famous garden.
19/10/08

Rose Pruning	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
Practical demonstrations of all types of rose pruning including bush and climbing roses.
29/10/08

Two Day Garden Construction Course*	9:30am - 5pm	£190
A Course that covers all the basic landscaping techniques that will enable delegates to understand and implement work in their garden. Subjects will cover carrying out a straightforward survey, understanding the characteristics and choice of materials, the importance of sound preparation and foundations for walls, paving and other surfaces as well as methods of laying these. The Course will contain both studio work and most importantly practical sessions in the gardens where theory will be put into practice. For further details and a Course Synopsis please contact: David Stevens 01280 821097 or Adam Frost 01780 410926
15 - 16/11/08

Pruning Fruit Trees	10:30am - 12:30pm	£17.50
This practical session will cover the pruning of a wide range of fruit trees for a wide range of growing methods and styles.
18/11/08

Colours in a Winter Garden	10:30am - 12:30pm	£15
Colour in the garden at any time of year is not all about flowers but this is particularly so during winter. We will spend a morning walking the gardens looking at coloured stems, leaves, barks and the odd flower or two that can bring interest into any winter garden.
20/11/08

Go Wild @ Barnsdale! Presents WINTER WONDERS	10:30am - 12:30pm & 2pm - 4pm
Child £3. Accompanying adult £5. Family (up to 5) £15. Includes entry to Gardens for the rest of the day.
A fun event for all the family! It’s nearly Christmas and your garden has gone to sleep- or has it? Find out more about the birds, animals and insects who overwinter there and how you can help them: make a bird feeder and decorate an outdoor Christmas tree, then create your own natural Christmas decorations to take home. All ages welcome. (Morning session aimed at children 8+ years, afternoon session at 5-8 years) Wellies and warm outdoor clothing advisable. Booking essential.
13/12/08

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