Designing Gardens

Accredited Designing Gardens Course

Transform your ideas into beautiful, practical outdoor spaces with this IEAC Accredited Course. Across 17 comprehensive lessons, you’ll explore the art and practical process of garden design; from assessing a site and developing your ideas to choosing plants and producing professional-quality garden plans. Whether you want to transform your own garden, develop a rewarding hobby or take your first steps towards a career in garden design, this course will help you approach outdoor spaces with greater knowledge, confidence and creativity.

A well-designed garden is more than a collection of plants. It connects the home with its surroundings, creates atmosphere and brings people closer to nature. This course will help you combine creativity with practical planning to create gardens that are attractive, environmentally sustainable and suited to everyday use.

What will you learn?

You’ll work through the complete design process, discovering how to:

• Understand your site and identify its opportunities and limitations.
• Connect the house and garden to create a harmonious outdoor space.
• Explore garden styles and develop a clear direction for your design.
• Choose suitable plants for the setting and your overall vision.
• Incorporate paths, patios and garden features to add structure and interest.
• Work within a budget and turn your ideas into clear, considered plans.

Throughout the course, you’ll consider how these elements work together and how your design can develop as plants mature and seasons change.

Who is this course for?

Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast, a homeowner planning a transformation or an aspiring garden designer, this course offers a step-by-step approach to developing your knowledge and confidence. Apply what you learn to your own garden or use it as a starting point for exploring a future in garden design.

Assessment and certification

Complete your final assessment at a time that suits you, day or night. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive an IEAC (International Education Accreditation Council) Certificate, personalised with your name and full course details.

Bring your creativity outdoors and discover how to design a garden with beauty, purpose and lasting appeal.

THE LESSONS IN THIS COURSE COVER THE FOLLOWING:

LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO GARDEN DESIGN

• DO IT IN STAGES
• THE PLANNING PROCESS
• EARTHWORKS
• DESIGN IS A PROCESS
• HOW TO DESIGN A GARDEN ROOM STEP-BY-STEP
• GARDEN ROOM COMPONENTS – WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR GARDEN ROOM
• DESIGNING A GARDEN FOR A NEW HOUSE

LESSON 2: APPROPRIATENESS OF GARDEN DESIGN

• TECHNIQUES FOR KEEPING IN SCALE
• THE IMPORTANCE OF SPACE
• GARDEN FEATURES FOR SMALL GARDENS

LESSON 3: CREATING AN IMPACT

• BORROW YOUR NEIGHBOURS LANDSCAPE TO MAKE YOUR GARDEN SEEM LARGER
• BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN
• BRINGING THE GARDEN INSIDE

LESSON 4: DESIGNING TO A BUDGET

• WORKING OUT YOUR BUDGET
• MAINTENANCE COSTS
• THE PLANT BUDGET
• SELECTING AND MAINTAINING YOUR TOOLS

LESSON 5 CHOOSING PLANTS

• WHAT VARIETY?
• WHICH PLANT?

LESSON 6: USING THE GARDEN

• OUTDOOR LIVING
• GARDEN FURNITURE
• BARBEQUES
• CHILDREN PLAYING
• MAKE GARDENS MORE USER FRIENDLY

LESSON 7: WHERE THE GARDEN MEETS THE HOUSE

• WHAT TO DO
• PRACTICAL CONCERNS
• OTHER WAYS OF JOINING THE GARDEN AND HOUSE

LESSON 8: MAKING THE WINTER GARDEN MORE COMFORTABLE

• SOLUTIONS FOR SLIPPERY SURFACES

LESSON 9: GARDENS FOR CHILDREN

• PLAY EQUIPMENT FOR DIFFERENT AGES
• CHILDPROOFING A GARDEN
• PLAY EQUIPMENT

LESSON 10: THE SECURE HOME AND GARDEN

LESSON 11: LIGHTING A GARDEN

LESSON 12: DEALING WITH SHADE

• TREES TO CREATE SHADE
• ENTERTAINING IN A SHADED GARDEN

LESSON 13: GARDEN ART

• CHOOSING GARDEN ORNAMENTATION
• GARDEN SCULPTURE
• OTHER ORNAMENTATION

LESSON 14: POTS & PLANTERS

• LOOKING FOR COLOURFUL POTS
• USING COLOURFUL POTS

LESSON 15: COLOUR IN THE GARDEN

• COLOURS AND GARDEN STYLES
• TIPS FOR USING COLOUR
• SEASONAL COLOUR
• TIPS FOR YEAR-ROUND COLOUR
• HOW TO BRIGHTEN A WINTER GARDEN

LESSON 16: APPLICATIONS FOR COLOUR

• TEN WAYS TO USE COLOUR
• COLOUR THEMES

LESSON 17: GARDEN FURNITURE

• FURNISHING THE GARDEN
• WHAT FURNITURE DOES YOUR GARDEN NEED?
• WHERE TO PUT YOUR GARDEN FURNITURE
• WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN GARDEN FURNITURE
• BARBEQUES
• WASHING LINES
• HAMMOCKS
• UMBRELLAS
• POOL SIDE FURNITURE
• COLOURS

HOW OUR COURSES WORK:

•    Enrol any time of day or night.
•    Start studying immediately or later (as you wish).
•    Upon enrolment, you will receive an email containing your “Username” and “Password”
•    Help desk – Contact us via email: info@homestudy.co.uk or call: + 44 (0) 1227 789 649
•    There are automated self-assessment tests at the end of each lesson.
•    At the end of the whole course, you are presented with an automated examination.
•    Gain a 60% pass and receive an: IEAC (International Education Accreditation Council) Certificate.