Working in two contrasting gardens across all four seasons, classes will combine seasonal discussions with hands-on practical work each month.
The year, month by month
January: Lifting and dividing plants; identifying and managing winter weeds; cutting back perennials and ornamental grasses; mulching; recognising and managing pests and diseases in the glasshouse; plant identification.
February: Pruning and training fruit trees, shrubs and roses; lifting and dividing snowdrops in the green; sowing hardy annuals; plant identification.
March: Staking herbaceous perennials; propagation by division, cuttings, layering and air layering; sowing sweet peas and building frames; training climbers; preparing the kitchen garden for the growing season; plant identification.
April: Planning the bulb order; planting grasses and perennials; identifying weeds; direct-sowing hardy and half-hardy annuals; collecting hellebore seed; planning irrigation; plant identification.
May: Planting seasonal containers; identifying and managing pests and diseases; planting out hardy annuals; carrying out the Chelsea chop; propagating snowdrops by twin-scaling; propagating succulents; managing Buxus; plant identification.
June: Dividing bearded irises; thinning fruit; identifying weeds; taking shrub cuttings; managing drought; establishing and managing meadows; caring for the summer border; plant identification.
July: Summer pruning of trees, spring-flowering shrubs (wisteria, philadelphus etc) and restricted-growth fruit trees (espaliers, cordons, etc.); cutting back early-flowering perennials; assessing the garden for late-summer interest; plan winter work; ordering bulbs; maintaining meadows; plant identification.
September: Taking cuttings of salvias and other tender perennials for overwintering; seed collection; assessing the garden and planning winter work; beginning seasonal cutting back; management of brown material, compost bins, dead hedges; plant identification.
October: Pricking out hellebore seedlings; seed collection; lifting and storing dahlias; planting bulbs and perennials; taking cuttings; plant identification.
November: Planting trees, shrubs and roses; winter hedge cutting; plant identification.
