Get qualified and reap the rewards that this course can provide.

There are 13 lessons:

1. Become a Garden Designer

• About your course
• Introduction
• How gardens started (a bit of history)
• The garden today
• Designers today
• Where to find information
• Factors to be considered

2. Designers: What They Do and Why They Are Needed

• Owners requirements
• What a designer does
• Benefits of using a designer
• What a designer doesn’t do
• Providing guidance
• Types of client
• You, the designer
• Taking instructions

3. Getting Started

• Equipment
• Dress
• Suggested Authors
• CAD
• Impressions
• Checklists
• Wants and needs
• The design processes
• Assessment
• Survey
• Rough sketch
• FLP
• Drawing to scale
• Triangulation
• Relative and absolute measurements
• Labelling and keys

4. Soils and Sites

• The site itself
• Climate
• Micro climates
• Light and shade
• Rainfall and humidity
• Shelter
• Soil types and pH Improving soils
• Manures
• Fertilisers
• Lime
• Cultivation

5.  Getting Down to the Design

• Arranging plants
• Height
• Borders
• Beds
• Information sources
• Plants for a particular position: alkaline, acid, shade, sun
• Plants for particular uses: scent, ground cover
• Designs for shapes and sizes: themes, shapes, form
• Principles of garden design: direction, rhythm, harmony

6. Schematic Planning

• Colour Colour wheel
• Getting it right
• Colour patch bedding
• Foliage for colour
• Height Features which need special consideration
• Fruit
• Containers
• Tubs
• Rockeries and alpine

7.  Interest

• Winter in the garden
• Wildlife
• Lighting
• Furniture
• Safety
• Hazards and risks

8.  Water

• Benefits
• Uses
• Siting a pond
• Water features
• Planting a pond
• Construction
• Plans
• Equipment
• Filters
• Maintenance
• Lighting
• Safety

9  Children and Pets

• Play areas
• Children’s gardens
• Marketing ideas
• Equipment and toys
• Plants
• Water and children
• Safer features
• Pets
• Clients
• Other people’s safety

10 . Elderly and Disabled

• Considerations
• Access
• Paths
• Safety
• Features
• Tools
• Other issues
• Safety in general
• Hazards and risk

11.  Upkeep

• General
• Plant maintenance
• Feature maintenance
• Year planner: e.g. lawn
• Schedule of work
• Cost issues
• Variable costs
• Practical issues

12.  Structures and More Designing With Plants

• Walls
• Fences and trellis
• Paths
• Greenhouses
• Sheds
• Stores
• Summer houses
• Other features
• Furniture
• Plants for linking areas
• Direction
• Height
• Trees
• Shrubs
• Groups of plants
• Plant selection criteria

13.  Marketing Your Garden Business

• Expert advice on how to market your garden design venture

Please Note:   Each lesson includes background reading on the essential “must knows” about the subject, a set task or tasks to consolidate and enhance your learning, plus a written assignment, which is marked and graded and then returned with helpful comments and suggestions.

Once all the lessons have been completed, there will be a final assessment taken at a time and place of your choosing, or a final project, the subject of which will be agreed between your mentor and you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.

What your tuition fees include:

• All Course Material via Online, USB or Correspondence.
• Assignments Marked
• Professional Tutor Feedback
• Set Tasks – Practical Exercises to help you develop skills
• Self-Tests – multiple choice questions at the end of lessons in most modules
• Unlimited Personal Tutor Support – via our student classroom
• Committed and Friendly Admin Support – vital to your success
• ADL Ebook where relevant
• All ADL Exam or Project fees (exception RHS exams)
• Qualification Certificate
• Official Transcript with assignment grades
• Student Manual

Plus FREE

• Academic Writing course (optional – 10 hours only)
• Critical Thinking course (optional – 10 hours only)
• Job Seekers Careers Guide
• Study Tips on How To Study Better
• Career Counselling by ADL Staff
• CV Writing Help, Tips and Advice

There are no hidden extras