Master Classes: new for autumn

HBGBS are offering a series of Master Classes for gardeners throughout the UK. Each Master Class is delivered by an expert in their field and will be a practical workshop for hands-on learning.

The registration fee for 'Basic Nomenclature and Plant Identification' and 'Archaeology of Historic Gardens' is just £50 for which HBGBS bursaries are available. Places are limited so return your application form now!  

NEW for this AUTUMN

Management Skills

A new Master Class has been designed to meet your management skills needs.  The two-day Management Skills Master Class covers two key areas:

• Building the Team

• Coaching and Training Your Team

The course is aimed at garden managers, supervisors and all staff looking to upgrade their skills portfolio. 

Venue	Date
Bristol	10 - 11 September
Cambridge	14 -15 October
Manchester	28 - 29 October
Edinburgh	3 - 4 November
Durham	10 - 11 November

Download an application form

Download a programme

  

Green Gardening Day

Venue: Nymans Garden

Date: Tuesday 5th August.

This one-day course looks at the key areas of sustainability that can be addressed by professional gardeners: Ed Ikin, Head Gardener at Nymans Garden demonstrates the sustainable management of plant health, energy, waste and water.

There is a £50 registration fee (cheque payable to English Heritage).

To book your place on this course please complete the application form and return by email. Book early to avoid disapointment.

Download a programme

Download an application form

  

Last Chance to book Master Class:

Basic Nomenclature and Plant Identification 

This course will be delivered by the eminent taxonomist, Susyn Andrews. Susyn has designed the course to be of value to any gardener who has a diverse plant collection and/or is teaching, writing or answering questions to the public about plants.

The day will consist of a morning centred in the classroom looking at definitions and highlighting the various challenges in plant naming. The afternoon will be spent looking at and identifying plants in the garden and putting the theory into practice.

No prior taxonomic experience is needed.
The course will dovetail with your gardening experience and will provide the vital knowledge needed to ensure accurate plant identification and labelling.

Download a Programme

Download an Application Form

Archaeology of Historic Gardens

 

This will be conducted by the eminent archaeologist: Brian Dix.

The workshop will be in two parts: the morning will be spent looking at archive materials, maps, paintings and aerial photos discussing the key features to observe when viewing a site. The afternoon will be spent walking the grounds of each venue, often with the local historian, observing the key features of that particular site and exploring the issues that are of particular interest to the field garden archaeologist.

 

Download the Application Form

Climate Change in Your Garden

This Master Class has been postponed due to a low uptake - if you are interested in attending this course just let us know and if we can get a reasonable number of people together we shall set a date!

The morning session will introduce the theory and principles of climate change and look at the following topics:

• Assessing the impact of predictions using London as an example.
• Adaptation by design – implications for wildlife, plant diversity, soils etc.
• Mind-map the major issues e.g. water, soil, flooding and plant growth.
• Mitigation: Looking at machinery, waste management and buildings, operations for example.

The afternoon session will look at actual examples from gardens using aerial photos and maps and consider the following:

• How to assess the major issues and how to respond to them.
• Considerations for the future: Wind turbines, lakes, water towers, etc.
• How to adapt: Preservation of existing collections, character of site, historic authenticity, choice of plants etc.