Learning Outcomes

Garden Basics

Soil Evaluation

Soil Improvement

Garden Preparation and Planning

Plant Purchase

Plant Types

Essential Watering

Soil Nourishment

Gardening Tools

Pest and Disease Defence

Who are your Customers?

A Typical Day for a Gardener

Month by Month Jobs in the Garden

Lesson Summary

In this module you will learn the basics of gardening, from the planning stage to maintenance. This will enable you to evaluate, plan, purchase, plant and maintain a garden to suit the natural environment and garden characteristics.

Choosing the Right Tools for the Garden

Racks and Stakes for Vine Plants

Gardening Bins

Rakes, Shears, and More

Watering Equipment

Introduction to Manual Watering

Garden Irrigation Systems

Other Must-Have Tools for Gardeners

Garden Safety

Injury Prevention

In this module you will learn how to select equipment you will need to maintain a garden. In addition, you will learn about racks and stakes for vine plants and how the different kinds of watering systems work.

Testing the Soil

Types of Soil

Other Ways of Classifying British Soils

Natural Additives

In this module, you will learn all about the primary types of soil and how to identify them in gardens all around the UK. You will also learn about the different qualities of soils any garden can have, what needs to be done to enhance the soil and what works best with each soil type.

Introduction

Native Plants

Mature Size Plants

Space Constraints

Value for Wildlife

Climate Conditions

Choosing and Combining Plants

General Plant Care

In this module you will learn, in addition to the soil type and moisture content, about other different aspects to take into consideration before embarking on selecting plants for a garden plot.

Plant Reproductive Systems

Plant Classification

Planting Different Gardens

Exotic and Tropical Plant Gardens

Native Plants for Outdoor Gardens

In this module you will learn about plant reproductive systems, plant physiology, and plant classification. You will also learn the importance 
of matching certain plants together, how to grow exotic and tropical plants in temperate climates and why native plants are a better choice.

How to Identify High Maintenance Areas

Types of Low Maintenance Gardens

Using Different Features for Low Maintenance

Low Maintenance Plant Types

Planting Fewer Varieties, But More in Numbers

Time-Saving Tips

This module provides tips on how to lower garden maintenance based on the type of plants and landscape of the garden.

How to Reduce Maintenance

Pruning and Deadheading

Pest Control the Natural Way

Fertiliser: Is it Necessary?

Winterisation Techniques

This module will explore aspects of maintaining a garden including pruning and deadheading, natural pest control, whether to fertilizer or not, and winterization in a temperate climate.

Sustainable Plants

Why Edible Plants are Sustainable

Going Native with Plant Choices

Reusing and Recycling Materials in the Garden

Saving Water for Conservation

This module will explain several aspects of building a sustainable garden as an owner or as a gardener working for clients. These include using native plants, garden recycling, and water conservation.

What is a Garden Pest?

Natural Versus Chemical Pesticides

Controlling Common UK Garden Pests

Integrated Pest Management

Monitoring the Pest Levels

Treatment Action Plan: Using Multiple Methods

In this module you will learn to identify garden pests and to protect your garden from them in order to have a garden that not only looks amazing, but also produces the most beautiful plants and succulent produce.

Different Solutions to Difficult Gardens

Removing High Maintenance Areas

Difficulties with Container Plants

Irrigation and Watering Systems

Adding New Plants to Your Garden

Starting Over with the Entire Garden

Other Garden Issues and How to Fix Them

This module will focus on looking at the common difficulties that gardeners often face, as well as the solutions to these problems. Though it is up to the gardener to make the final decision on what to do in these cases, the following module should help you improve the difficulty of gardening.

What to Plant in Vegetable and Herb Gardens

Planting What You Love

Natural Partners Versus Enemies

Timing is Everything

How to Plant Vegetable and Herb Gardens

Canning and Preservation

In this module, you will focus on learning how to grow your own produce and how to care for it once the harvest is over.

Initial Discussion and Onsite Viewing

Site Survey and Garden Concept Designs

Consideration of the Basic Elements of Garden Design

Garden Plant Design Planning

Planning of Perennials and Annuals

Master Garden Design Plan

Implementing the Design

Garden Project Management

In this module, you will become familiar with several aspects of the garden design planning process. You will also learn the process of developing a customized garden design.

Gather Inspiration for Garden Designs

Creating a Garden Design Theme or Style

Create a Garden Design Ideas Mood Board

Implementing the Garden Design Style

This module explores the potential opportunities and challenges that each garden presents. You will also learn about the many types of garden design styles and themes available to enable you to offer an appropriate design to your client.

What Is a Site Survey and Appraisal?

Materials Needed for Site Survey

Main Areas for Accurate Measurements

Types of Measurements Used for Garden Surveying

Scales Used in Site Survey Maps

Recording the Site Information on Paper

How to Measure a Busy Garden

Photographic Recording

Site Appraisal Drawing

Site Survey Checklist

Safety Considerations of Site Survey Maps

Potential Specialist Surveys

In this module, you will learn about the requirements and legalities of site surveys, materials required and main areas and methods of measurement.

Planning Your Projects

Detailed Steps of Project Planning

Extra Tips for Project Management

Extra Tips for Meeting Your Planning Goals

In this module you will learn the important steps involved in planning your garden projects. The plan will safeguard against wasting time, effort and finances.

Proportion Illusions

Use Long Straight Lines to Create Illusion of Size

Effective Use of Colour

Create a View

Create a Cosy Retreat

Divide the Garden Space

Create a Distraction

Add Garden Rooms

Create a Final Destination Point

Create a Focal Point of Attraction

Effective Use of Space

Portable Gardening

Use Garden Features on Walls Instead of Ground

Be Alert for Space Saving Options

Wooden Decks

This module covers tricks, techniques and gardening ideas to ensure you can truly optimize the amount of available space in a garden.

Why Create a Garden Layout Plan?

How to Create a Garden Layout Plan

Creating a Scale for the Plan

How to Create a Garden Plan Graphic

Garden Design Ideas for Completing Your Plan

Potential Problems Checklist

In this module you will discover the advantages of creating a garden layout plan that incorporates existing features and desired changes to ensure the best choices are made for each garden plot, saving time, money and energy.

Considerations for Garden Landscape Surfaces and Materials

Surface and Materials Used for Hard Landscaping

Advantages of Combining Different Hard Landscaping Surface Materials

Hard Landscaping Combination Options

This module discusses the different considerations, options, advantages, and  types of hard surface landscaping materials.

Diploma in Garden Design and Maintenance - First Assessment

Test your knowledge of the first half of the course.

Benefits of Raised Beds

What Material Can You Use to Build a Raised Bed?

What Is the Ideal Dimension For a Raised Bed?

How to Build the Raised Bed

This module will teach you about raised beds, their benefits, utility and how to construct them. This includes materials needed, ideal dimensions and step-by-step directions.

What should you Lay it with?

Tools and Equipment Needed

Laying the Patio

In this module you will learn what a patio is, it's ideal size, and what materials can be used to build it. You will also learn about things to consider while planning and laying a patio, and the step-by-step procedure to follow in laying a patio.

A List of Tools you will Need

Follow these Steps

In this module you will learn the advantages of a deck, it's ideal size, and what materials can be used to build it. You will also learn about things to consider while planning and building it, and the step-by-step procedure to follow in building a deck.

Getting Started

Best Fence for the Garden

Building a Vinyl Coated Welded Wire Fence with T Posts

In this module you will learn the importance of fencing, factors to consider while deciding upon a fence type, and choosing the best option. You will also learn the types of fences available, material and tools required and the step-by-step procedure to follow in putting up the fence.

How to Prepare the Soil

Laying the Turf

In this module you will learn how to turf a garden and lay a lawn, a skill that every gardener must have. This skill includes learning ways to create a lawn, choosing the right grass or turf for the lawn, preparing the soil for turf, laying the turf, and taking care of the turf to establish the lawn.

Which Artificial Turf is Best?

Materials you will Need

Laying the Artificial Grass

In this module you will learn how to lay artificial turf or grass over an area. You will understand the need for artificial turf, the types of turf available, calculation of cost and material, material and tools required and the step-by-step procedure to follow in laying it.

Site Survey

Pond Size

Choose a Lining for your Pond

Digging the Pond

In this module you will learn how to build a garden pond. This includes how to select the right site and pond lining, the pod size, material and tools required and the step-by-step procedure to follow when building it.

Launching Your Business

Factors Influencing Success

Training and Certification

Focus on Building a Website Presence

Making Good on Deliveries and Gardening Jobs

Pricing Your Service

Factors to Keep in Mind While Pricing your Gardening Services

Finding Your Cost

Finding the Right Profit Margin

Customer Service Equals Success

Providing High Quality Work and Plants

This module focuses on how to establish and run your own gardening business. Factors such as staff skills, website presence, workload, customer service, and overall quality are presented and explained.

An Introduction to Marketing and Advertising

The Importance of Market Research

Setting your Goals and Objectives

Branding your Business

Getting a Website

Using AdWords

The Importance of Social Media

Going Viral

Taking Advantage of SEO

Print Advertising is Not Dead

Using Other Forms of Advertising

This module examines marketing and social media necessary to advertise your business appropriately. This includes website business marketing, networking, other social media tools and advertising.

Learn everything you need to know about garden design and maintenance with this free online diploma course.

Diploma in Garden Design and Maintenance

This diploma course trains you as a professional gardener and covers everything you need from the planning stage right through to garden maintenance. We show you how to evaluate, plan, purchase, plant and maintain a garden to suit its character and the natural environment. Whether you want to work on your own property or intend to landscape professionally, this course provides the skills required to make the most of the natural beauty around you.