2 Day Workshop: Designing a London Garden
Dedicated to growing and gardening in London’s unique micro-climate, this workshop will guide you through making the most of the city’s capabilities, from planning and design to fruition. From understanding the potential of your site, to the practical steps you might take to see it actually take shape, and all the challenges you might encounter on the way. Working with nature and ever mindful of the impact we gardeners can have on the environment, join this workshop and get the chance to look at your own site through the eyes of a professional. Danny and our team have successfully created countless urban gardens and guided clients to make the most appropriate decisions, and bring wealth of knowledge and experience that will encourage you to consider your next steps when planning your own green space. From the initial understanding of site, screening and aspect, to the urban microclimate, we will be guiding you on your journey to creating your own distinct urban paradise. Whether you have just started creating your space or are in the middle of something exciting, join this workshop to energise and radicalise your thinking.
Areas that will be considered during this session are:
● The particularities of urban gardening - The Precious Space
● Our responsibilities as custodians of the land
● Site, aspect, boundaries, screening out the neighbours - satisfying nature's needs and our neighbours’ aesthetic sensibilities
● Rising to the challenges of your own individual site
● Gardens as a contribution, rather than a drain on, resources
● Hard and soft landscaping
● Utility areas, water, storage etc
● The Art of Planting - evergreen and deciduous - trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, climbers and weeds -what, when, where and why?
● Which plants and how to plant them - finding your style
● Plant and colour palettes
● pH and soil types - what action to take if any
Participants are encouraged to bring along measurements of their gardens in metres and centimetres as we will be tackling scale drawings to get a true and realistic perspective of the space.
This is a 2 day workshop:
Day 1: Saturday 9 August 10am-3pm
Day 2: Sunday 10 August 10am-3pm
Meet Danny (he/him)
Danny (he/him) started his career as a maintenance gardener, later joining the RHS at Wisley to build community gardens. He was Education Manager at Walworth Garden for three years and now works as a gardener at Regent's Park University. Danny has a deep and long-standing relationship with plants, and loves nothing more than bringing their fascination closer to other people. He is constantly on the lookout for new and radical approaches to gardening and design, whether it be using alternative materials, unusual cultivars or simply fresh approaches to what a garden can be. Danny takes joy in teaching in the perfect classroom that is Walworth Garden where he specialises in our design courses and wildlife friendly approaches to gardening.
Price: £150
Southwark resident looking for a free place? Unfortunately we are unable to offer free places on August workshops. Places are however available on other sessions throughout the year.