Courses & Workshops
Courses & Workshops
We offer a number of horticultural residential short courses and workshops from our centre at Villa Ripaud, Villeseque-des-Corbieres, Aude, South France
Courses
Courses
We offer a range of 3 day courses with the option of staying onsite (if you don’t live locally). The current topics on offer are:
The Principals of Garden Design
15th - 17th February 2023
Course Duration
3 days
Topics Covered
- 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
Price
395€
The Principals of Organic Gardening
22nd - 24th March 2023
Course Duration
3 days
Topics Covered
- 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
Price
395€
Creating a Natural Swimming Pool
19th - 21st April 2023
Course Duration
3 days
Topics Covered
- Siting
- Preparation and planning
- Digging
- Construction
- Finishes
- Marginal plants
- Lilies and Lotus
- Maintenance
Examples of the types of natural swimming ponds created by Gary can be found here.
Price
395€
Workshops
Workshops
Day workshops are offered in a range of topics including:
The Principles of Pruning
20th November 2022
Course Duration
1 day | 10am –4 pm
Topics Covered
- Why prune
- When to prune
- Pruning tools
- How to prune
- Different pruning techniques
Price
90€
Tree and Shrub Planting
1st December 2022
Course Duration
1 day | 10am –4 pm
Topics Covered
- When to plant
- General planting
- Tree Planting
- Best fertilizers
- Watering systems
- After care
Price
90€
Compost Gardening
12th January 2023
Course Duration
1 day | 10am –4 pm
Topics Covered
- Why compost
- What can I compost
- How to build a compost heap
- How to create perfect compost
- Types of composting
Price
90€
Propagating Plants
9th March 2023
Course Duration
1 day | 10am –4 pm
Topics Covered
- How to take cuttings
- Grafting and budding
- Growing from seed
- Other propagation techniques
Price
90€
The Vegetable Garden
16th March 2023
Course Duration
1 day | 10am –4 pm
Topics Covered
- Where and why to site the garden
- Types of vegetables
- Choosing the most suitable types
- How to maintain the veg garden
Price
90€
The Fruit Garden
13th April 2023
Course Duration
1 day | 10am –4 pm
Topics Covered
- Planning the garden
- Types of fruit and rootstock
- How to grow successful trees
- The soft fruit garden
Price
90€
Included in the fees:
Light lunch
All of our workshops include a light lunch of sandwiches and salad.
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:
Transportation to venue
Airport, train and bus transfers can be arranged, please enquire for costs
Accommodation
Please click on the button below for details if you would like to stay at the venue.
Evening meals
Unfortunately, we do not have the means to provide an evening meal, however there are many restaurants a short drive away.
Online Courses
Online Courses
Coming Soon...
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