This is a 6-module home study course for the amateur gardener who would like to learn more about how to plan, maintain and organise their garden or allotment. Subjects covered include: Garden planning and design; the garden lawn; the herbaceous border; flower garden; soil management; vegetable garden; herb gardening; the small fruit garden; maintaining and caring for a garden pond; pest and weed management; greenhouse gardening; propagation. Students have up to three years to complete this course, allowing them to work through the modules at their own pace. On average, however, it takes students around 4 - 6 months to complete the course, based on 2 - 3 hours study time per week. why choose us?
Our tutorial support is second-to-none! You'll be assigned a personal tutor as soon as you enrol who will work with you all the way through. You can contact your tutor directly at any time if you have any questions or problems, or if you would just like a chat about how the course is going. Tutorial support is by e-mail and/or telephone.
detailed course outline
Course Book: The Gardener's Year, Alan Titchmarsh.
Module 1: Introduction. Garden planning and design. The herbaceous border. Year round maintenance plan.
Module 2: Soil basics. Developing and maintaining a good quality soil. Digging Methods. Organic matter. Drainage.
Module 3: Propagation. Using seeds, harvesting and saving seeds. Propagation by cuttings, layering, and grafting.
Module 4: Vegetables all the year round - selecting varieties, caring for crops, harvesting, crop rotation. The herb garden.
