Courses & Workshops
Courses
We offer a number of horticultural short courses and workshops from our centre at Villa Ripaud, Villeseque-des-Corbieres, Aude, South France and are developing some online courses which will be available soon. The current topics on offer are:
The Principals of Garden Design
- Coming in Spring 25
- Online
Topics
- Analysing a site
- Colour blending and contrasting
- Textures, heights and tiers
- Achieving rhythm
- Right plant, right place
- The garden as another room
- Paving, walls and other structures
- Creating a design
The Principals of Organic Gardening
- Coming in Spring 25
- Online
Topics
- Earthworm power
- Fighting pests without chemicals
- Making natural fertilisers
- Your soil and how to improve it
- Making your own composts
- Green manures
- Combating weeds
- Companion planting
Creating a Natural Swimming Pool
- Coming in Spring 25
- Online
Topics
- Siting
- Preparation and planning
- Digging
- Construction
- Finishes
- Marginal plants
- Lilies and Lotus
- Maintenance
Workshops
Workshops
Workshops are offered in person and online in a range of topics including:
The Principles of Pruning
- Coming in Spring 25
- Online
Topics Covered
- Why prune
- When to prune
- Pruning tools
- How to prune
- Different pruning techniques
Tree and Shrub Planting
- Coming in Spring 25
- Online
Topics Covered
- When to plant
- General planting
- Tree Planting
- Best fertilizers
- Watering systems
- After care
Introduction to Compost Gardening
- Coming in Spring 25
- Online
Topics Covered
- Why compost
- What can I compost
- How to build a compost heap
- How to create perfect compost
- Types of composting
Propagating Plants
- Coming in Spring 25
- Online
Topics Covered
- How to take cuttings
- Grafting and budding
- Growing from seed
- Other propagation techniques
The Vegetable Garden
- Coming in Spring 25
- Online
Topics Covered
- Where and why to site the garden
- Types of vegetables
- Choosing the most suitable types
- How to maintain the veg garden
The Fruit Garden
- Coming in Spring 25
- Online
Topics Covered
- Planning the garden
- Types of fruit and rootstock
- How to grow successful trees
- The soft fruit garden
Included in the fees:
Refreshments
During the breaks we will provide tea, coffee and cold drinks.
Course materials
For the course, we will provide all learning and training materials.
Training
Our courses are taught by Gary McArthur an experienced horticultural lecturer
Not included in the fees:
Accommodation
Please click on the button below for details if you would like to stay at the venue.
Online Courses
Online Courses
More online courses coming Soon...
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