Our Current Courses:
Grow your own veg workshops 2026
There is one more session left in this year’s veg growing course and it will focus on getting set up for a productive autumn and winter. It’s possible to keep harvesting food quite late in the year and over-wintered crops lead to good spring harvests too.
With an emphasis on organic and no-dig principles, and the knowledge and support of an experienced grower, come and learn how to produce nutritious food from your own allotment or garden.
Location: Near Orwell
Detailed course description
Growing your own vegetables is not only satisfying to do but you get to eat the freshest produce, save food miles and try delicious varieties that just aren’t available in the shops. It can seem daunting at the beginning, though, and take time to build up practical knowledge and experience so these monthly hands-on sessions have been created to provide knowledge and support and increase your chances of success.
You’ll need to bring gardening gloves, some hand tools and a pair of secateurs with you but all other equipment will be provided.
Course Format
Half-day course
Venue
Near Orwell
Price
£ 60
Friday 11th September 2026
Time
9.30am – 1pm
Designing colourful borders for year-round interest
A well-designed border provides colour and interest throughout the year, looking as intentional in winter as it does in the summer months. However, in our consultancy work we have seen many borders that fail to deliver this result, looking sparse, disjointed or unloved. In this intensive day course we will unpick the components of a border that works and show you how to use and combine plants more effectively in your own garden.
Location:
Lucy Cavendish College
Detailed course description
This intensive day course is all about using plants to create year-round interest in the garden. We will show you how you can improve your existing borders and what to think about when developing new planting schemes. There will be a mixture of theory with plenty of real-life illustrations, as well as hands-on activities that will get you looking at plants – and the effects they can create – in different ways. We will also spend some time looking at the college borders and identifying useful plants for different planting situations.
Some comments from previous participants :
“You’ve both quietly shifted my way of looking at things’…I’m now really motivated to build up a new design from first principles, rather than tinkering around the edges.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed and learnt a lot.”
“You are so knowledgeable and it made me realise just how important it is to get the main structure right in the first place.”
All materials will be provided but you may wish to bring some photos of your own borders to share and discuss with others. Lucy Cavendish has a café onsite for refreshments and you are also welcome to bring a packed lunch to enjoy in the garden, weather permitting.
Course Schedule:
Course Format
Full day
Venue
Lucy Cavendish College
Price
£ 110
Date
tbc
Time
9.30 – 3pm
Business Skills for Self-Employed Gardeners
If you’ve ever thought about running your own gardening business then this intensive morning course will give you the knowledge you need to make an informed decision and start off on the right track. It’s the course we wish had been around when we started our gardening careers and is built on years of experience as a garden business owner.
Tutor:
Meg Cobley
Location: Rock Road, Cambridge
Detailed course description
Working as a self-employed gardener can offer a rewarding career but research shows that many struggle with the business side of things. As a result, new businesses fail to get off the ground or fall short of reaching their full potential. This information-packed morning course focuses on the key elements you need to be clear about before you start advertising your services, including setting prices, finding customers, the legal responsibilities and where to find additional support. We’ll consider training options, tools and equipment and how to maintain income throughout the year. Developed from years of personal experience, as well as recent research into the common challenges, this course will give new and aspiring garden business owners the knowledge and confidence to make better decisions and plan for success.
Rock Road Community Room is in a convenient location off Hills Road with free parking in the surrounding streets on Saturdays and frequent bus links from Cambridge city centre, Babraham P&R and surrounding villages.
Course Schedule:
Course Format
Morning Course
Venue
Rock Road Community Room, Cambridge
Price
£60
Date
Saturday 7th November
Time
10am – 1pm
Autumn Propagation
Learn how to increase your stock of plants with the propagation techniques which are best carried out in October/November.
Location: Near Orwell
Detailed course description
Following a similar format to our successful Spring Propagation Course, we’ll start with demonstrations and some essential plant science before giving you the opportunity to take your own cuttings to nurture on at home over the months ahead.
Some time will be spent outside so please wear suitable clothing (including waterproofs, if required). We also recommend you bring gardening gloves and a pair of secateurs, if you have them.
Course Schedule:
Course Format
Morning Course
Venue
Near Orwell
Price
£60
Date
Friday 9th October 2026
Time
10am – 1pm
Introduction to Garden Design (5 days)
This five-session course introduces the fundamental principles of garden design, and guides you through the different stages from initial site survey and analysis, through scale drawing, to the production of final layout and planting plans. Delivered with a wide range of design resources, plenty of hands-on practice, personal guidance and a site visit for inspiration.
Tutor:
Meg Cobley
Location: Near Orwell
Detailed course description
Whilst garden design may seem to be all about aesthetics, in fact it starts with clear, logical steps and an attention to detail. You’ll therefore start by learning how to measure and analyse a site and practise producing simple scale drawings. We’ll then explore key design principles and show you how to ‘play’ with different ideas on paper until you’re ready to produce a final layout plan. The focus then turns to planting and how plants can be combined to create year-round interest.
Material choices are important so the course includes a visit to a hard landscaping showroom where we’ll assess the materials available to designers and the different effects that can be achieved with them.
Throughout the course the emphasis is on sustainability and the importance of selecting plants and materials that will thrive in our changing climate and limit the environmental impact of any new design.
Tea and coffee will be provided but please bring a packed lunch for the middle of the day. A short materials list will be sent prior to the start date.
Course Schedule:
Course Format
Full day
Venue
Near Orwell
Price
£400 for all 5 sessions
Date
Mondays 5th, 12th & 19th October and 2nd & 9th Nov
Time
10am – 3pm
Winter Containers
Create a pair of winter containers to take home that will provide colour and interest in your garden from October right through to late spring.
You’ll be able to choose between different colour schemes (pinks, brights or darks) to make the creation truly yours.
This would make a lovely gift or morning out with a group of friends.
Location: Near Orwell
Detailed course description
During this morning course you’ll create a pair of containers that are packed full of spring colour using the ‘lasagne’ method. By topping them off with attractive and long-lasting winter plants, you’ll have a continuous display through the autumn and winter until the bulbs start to emerge in colourful succession in the spring. All the materials you need, including two large (35cm) containers, compost, a collection of spring bulbs and winter plants, will be provided and you will have a choice of colours available. Make a matching pair or choose different bulb mixes to create added variety.
Course Schedule:
Course Format
Morning course
Venue
Near Orwell
Price
£150 (includes pots, bulbs & plants)
Dates
Friday 16th or Saturday 17th October
Time
10am – 1pm
Practical Gardening Programme (6 sessions)
If you are keen to develop your practical gardening skills quickly and want to learn the best way to approach a wide range of tasks, then this course will start you on the right track. It also provides a solid foundation for anyone considering a horticultural career alongside valuable experience of working in a large garden.
Location: Great Abington
Detailed course description
Each of the six sessions in this programme focuses on a different horticultural theme, starting with an introduction and some relevant plant science in the classroom, followed by lots of practice outside in the garden. Topics include soil care, propagation, planting techniques, ‘weed’ recognition, plant health and how/when/why to prune for best results. We will also cover health and safety, the care and maintenance of tools and planning gardening tasks throughout the year.
The overall aim of our informal, friendly sessions is to build your horticultural knowledge and confidence so that you can manage a range of gardening tasks and make informed decisions effectively and efficiently.
The maximum class size is eight people which ensures that there is plenty of individual attention and time for questions. For those considering a career in horticulture, the programme demonstrates structured practical experience in a garden, something that research shows employers value but which can be hard to find.
Course Format
Morning course
Venue
Great Abington
Price
£350 for six sessions
Date
Tuesdays 29th September, 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th October & 3rd November 2026
Time
9.30am – 1pm
Rose Pruning
Pruning roses keeps them healthy and encourages good flowering. We’ll cover climbers, standards, shrub, bush and groundcover varieties and look at controlling vigourous ramblers too. There’ll be plenty of hands-on practice so bring good gloves!
Location: Near Orwell
Detailed course description
During this morning workshop we’ll focus on rose pruning techniques, as well as training methods and rose health in general.
If you have your own secateurs and pruning gloves then bring these along as there’ll be plenty of practice.
The maximum class size is eight people which ensures that there is plenty of individual attention and time for questions.
Course Format
Morning course
Venue
Near Orwell
Price
£60
Dates
Friday 5th February2027
Time
10am – 1pm
Pruning Fruit Trees
Apples, pears, quince, medlars … many fruit trees benefit from pruning in winter and we’ll show you the best methods to use.
Location: tbc
Detailed course description
During this morning workshop we’ll focus on pruning fruit trees. You’ll learn how, when and why to prune and the best tools to use for the job. We’ll also look at some of the pests and diseases that can affect these trees and organic methods of dealing with them.
If you have your own secateurs and gardening gloves then bring these along as there’ll be plenty of practice.
The maximum class size is eight people which ensures that there is plenty of individual attention and time for questions.
Course Format
Morning course
Venue
tbc
Price
£60
Dates
Early 2027 tbc
Time
9.30am – 1pm
Seed sowing in February
Some seeds take a while to germinate in our climate so in this workshop we’ll be focusing on the ones to start with early – both edible and ornamental. This would make a great Valentine’s present or activity for plant-loving couples!
Location: Near Orwell
Detailed course description
During this morning workshop we’ll focus on pruning fruit trees. You’ll learn how, when and why to prune and the best tools to use for the job. We’ll also look at some of the pests and diseases that can affect these trees and organic methods of dealing with them.
If you have your own secateurs and gardening gloves then bring these along as there’ll be plenty of practice.
The maximum class size is eight people which ensures that there is plenty of individual attention and time for questions.
Course Format
Morning course
Venue
tbc
Price
£60
Dates
Friday 26th February 2027
Time
10am – 1pm
Grow your own veg course 2027 (5 sessions)
With monthly sessions between February and June, this course guides you through the process of growing your own food.
Each month focuses on the jobs to do then, taking the mystery out of planning a productive allotment/garden and ensuring you keep a succession of crops going through the year.
With an emphasis on organic and no-dig principles, and the knowledge and support of an experienced grower, come and learn how to produce nutritious food from your own allotment or garden.
Location: Near Orwell
Detailed course description
Growing your own vegetables is not only satisfying to do but you get to eat the freshest produce, save food miles and try delicious varieties that just aren’t available in the shops. It can seem daunting at the beginning, though, and take time to build up practical knowledge and experience so these monthly hands-on sessions have been created to provide knowledge and support and increase your chances of success.
You’ll need to bring gardening gloves, some hand tools and a pair of secateurs with you but all other equipment will be provided.
Course Format
Half-day course
Venue
Near Orwell
Price
£395
Fridays 12th February, 12th March, 9th April, 7th May & 11th June
Time
10am -1pm (Feb & June)
10am – 3pm (March, April, May)