Garden Teaching
As well as designing gardens, i also teach people basic horticultural techniques and practices, giving them the skills to maintain their own gardens.
Have you ever wanted to know how to look after your garden but never had the knowledge or the skill set to do so? Well, let me change that…
A lot of people have a garden but lack the knowledge needed to maintain it. That can then lead to a disconnect between the owner and the space right outside their back door. Yet, that space could be used as a space to retreat to, an area to entertain friends and family, a place to absorb some much needed vitamin D or even just a little spot to get away from the pressures of daily life. And all the while it sits there, neglected, not being used to its full potential, the lawn unmowed, the dead leaves being blown around, the plants looking way past their best. This isn’t always down to a lack of desire, more often than not it comes down to a lack of confidence and understanding.
Most garden owners don’t realise that, with just a few key pieces of information, that lack of belief and knowledge can be turned into skills that will last a lifetime and change the attitude towards that alien place they call a garden, unlocking its limitless potential and enhancing their lives at the same time.
My garden tutorials run from between 2-4 hours, depending on the size of your garden and your desire to learn. In that short space of time you will go from an absolute beginner to becoming a competent novice who no longer looks at their garden with trepidation but instead sees it as a space full of opportunity.
To book a tutorial simply call me or send me an email and we will find the best date and time for your session.
Pruning
The most misunderstood and feared area of expertise in the garden is pruning. How, when, why, with what, where; there are many questions people have about this pretty simple task. Learn how to prune, when the best time to do so is, the different reasons why we do it, the best implements to use and where to do so on the plants in your garden. You’ll be an expert pruner within one session.
Composting
With the cost of soil conditioners rising, the environmental impact of the miles your products have to cover to reach you, not to mention the unknown contents and the plastic most arrive within, making your own compost has never been so important for both you and the planet. I will teach you how to do it and bust some myths about the unfounded concerns people have. You’ll never throw away the contents of your vacuum cleaner bag again!
Soil
Soil is the bedrock for every garden that contains plants and lawn. Understanding your soil is critical in providing the perfect growing conditions for your garden’s greenery. It can aid in your plants’ ability to fight against pests and diseases, it can encourage a greater biodiversity and it can be the difference between strong or weak growth. Better soil in your garden can also save you money on watering and save you time weeding.
Plants
Most people don’t have any idea of the plants that sit right outside their back door. This then leads to a lack of knowledge on how to maintain them and so they generally get left to their own devices. This is where i can help.
As part of your tutorial i will photograph all of the plants in your garden and send you a document that identifies each of them alongside maintenance advice on each one so that you can learn their names and how tend to their needs at the right time of the year.
Some comments from my happy customers
“We were fortunate to be able to invite Saul round to our garden for one of his tutorial sessions!”
What fantastic value for money. Saul is personable and interesting with a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of plants and horticulture.
We had a brilliant time, it felt like an informal chat with a friend. My wife has a reasonable knowledge of plants whereas i am a real amateur. My mum joined in as well and Saul was able to converse with all of us on an equal level. We learned so much on the day and at no point did it feel rushed or hurried. Saul always had time to talk and explain.
He then backed up all our conversations with a very comprhensive Plant Maintenance Document. This will be a useful reference for us for many years hence.
I feel that i could write much more. I cannot recommend Saul highly enough, whether you want the Tutorial or garden design. This is a person who knows what he’s talking about and uses it for others’ benefit.
Thank you Saul.
Graham, South Darenth, Kent
“Saul was the best thing that could ever happen to us to help us look after our garden.
Having a garden with so many plants can be daunting and Saul gave us a tutorial that helped us understand that it can be easier than what it seems! He is super knowledgeable, friendly, patient and he is such a good tutor. He came to our home last Saturday and soon after he sent us an amazing document (now our garden bible) with pictures and descriptions of how to look after each plant. We can’t wait to get his help again when we start our vegetable growing!
K, Eynsford, Kent
“He was so knowledgeable, fun, inspirational and encouraging.”
Andrea, Bexley Village, London
“Just a few words to say how pleased i have been with the expert advice given by Saul”
This has resulted in a transformation of the garden’s layout and planting arrangements. Being able to discuss design and planting options provided an extremely beneficial learning experience. This was backed up by detailed post visit notes and a very helpful garden project plan.
Saul, thank you very much for your expertise and keen eye for detail and for realising our garden’s full potential. Inded, friend sand family have provided great feedback when visiting – well done you.
P.S Husband enjoyed all the digging!!
Carol, Bean, Kent