COURSE DESCRIPTION The secret to good design is effective planning, coupled with the skills and confidence to put your plans into practice.  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.   LESSONS LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO GARDEN DESIGN

• DO IT IN STAGES
• THE PLANNING PROCESS
• EARTHWORKS
• DESIGN IS A PROCESS
• HOW TO DESIGN A GARDEN ROOM STEP-BY-STEP
• GARDEN ROOM COMPONENTS – WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR GARDEN ROOM
• DESIGNING A GARDEN FOR A NEW HOUSE

 LESSON 2: APPROPRIATENESS OF GARDEN DESIGN

• TECHNIQUES FOR KEEPING IN SCALE
• THE IMPORTANCE OF SPACE
• GARDEN FEATURES FOR SMALL GARDENS

 LESSON 3: CREATING AN IMPACT

• BORROW YOUR NEIGHBOURS LANDSCAPE TO MAKE YOUR GARDEN SEEM LARGER
• BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN
• BRINGING THE GARDEN INSIDE

 LESSON 4: DESIGNING TO A BUDGET

• WORKING OUT YOUR BUDGET
• MAINTENANCE COSTS
• THE PLANT BUDGET
• SELECTING AND MAINTAINING YOUR TOOLS

 LESSON 5 CHOOSING PLANTS

• WHAT VARIETY?
• WHICH PLANT?

 LESSON 6: USING THE GARDEN

• OUTDOOR LIVING
• GARDEN FURNITURE
• BARBEQUES
• CHILDREN PLAYING
• MAKE GARDENS MORE USER FRIENDLY

 LESSON 7: WHERE THE GARDEN MEETS THE HOUSE

• WHAT TO DO
• PRACTICAL CONCERNS
• OTHER WAYS OF JOINING THE GARDEN AND HOUSE

 LESSON 8: MAKING THE WINTER GARDEN MORE COMFORTABLE

• SOLUTIONS FOR SLIPPERY SURFACES

 LESSON 9: GARDENS FOR CHILDREN

• PLAY EQUIPMENT FOR DIFFERENT AGES
• CHILDPROOFING A GARDEN
• PLAY EQUIPMENT

 LESSON 10: THE SECURE HOME AND GARDEN  LESSON 11: LIGHTING A GARDEN  LESSON 12: DEALING WITH SHADE

• TREES TO CREATE SHADE
• ENTERTAINING IN A SHADED GARDEN

 LESSON 13: GARDEN ART

• CHOOSING GARDEN ORNAMENTATION
• GARDEN SCULPTURE
• OTHER ORNAMENTATION

LESSON 14: POTS & PLANTERS

• LOOKING FOR COLOURFUL POTS
• USING COLOURFUL POTS

 LESSON 15: COLOUR IN THE GARDEN

• COLOURS AND GARDEN STYLES
• TIPS FOR USING COLOUR
• SEASONAL COLOUR
• TIPS FOR YEAR-ROUND COLOUR
• HOW TO BRIGHTEN A WINTER GARDEN

 LESSON 16: APPLICATIONS FOR COLOUR

• TEN WAYS TO USE COLOUR
• COLOUR THEMES

 LESSON 17: GARDEN FURNITURE

• FURNISHING THE GARDEN
• WHAT FURNITURE DOES YOUR GARDEN NEED?
• WHERE TO PUT YOUR GARDEN FURNITURE
• WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN GARDEN FURNITURE
• BARBEQUES
• WASHING LINES
• HAMMOCKS
• UMBRELLAS
• POOL SIDE FURNITURE
• COLOURS

COURSE FEATURES

• 20-hour, self-paced course
• Fully online, flexibly paced
• Optional practical tasks throughout
• Automated self-assessment tests
• “Certificate of Completion” on achieving a 60% pass rate on a final assessment

WHO SHOULD STUDY THIS COURSE? This self-paced garden design course is ideal for hobbyists, homeowners, aspiring designers, and professionals seeking practical, flexible training in creating functional and beautiful outdoor spaces.