A new year of adult leisure learning is about to begin at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate with the announcement of the programme of courses and workshops from September to December 2011.
Featuring short courses, day workshops and evening classes as well as long term courses, there are lots of new additions to the programme as well as some old favourites too.
There are plenty of the ever-popular willow weaving courses available (be quick as these tend to sell out very quickly!); workshops with a focus on sustainability, including wildlife gardening, growing soft fruit and top fruit and growing vegetables; and more art-based courses including photography and botanical art.
The more traditional gardening courses include cut flower gardening, winter hanging baskets and containers, pruning, herbaceous borders, spring flowering bulbs and many more.
Long Courses running at Harlow Carr
The following courses are running from September 2010:
- RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture (delivered by Craven College)
- City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Garden Design (delivered by Craven College)
- Certificate in Garden Art and Design (delivered by Leeds Met University)
- Certificate in Higher Education in Garden Art and Design (delivered by Leeds Met University)
Day workshops
Day workshops are delivered by local experts, including tutors from Craven College (Skipton) and Askham Bryan College (York). All are suitable for beginner gardeners as no prior knowledge is expected. Wherever possible there will be a practical element to the workshop and plant materials to take away. The courses cover the following themes and are listed in our course guide:
- Productive gardening (growing fruit, vegetables and herbs)
- Ornamental gardening (including alpines, herbaceous perennials, wild gardens and container planting)
- Horticultural skills (propagation techniques, composting and pruning)
- Willow weaving (making baskets, trellises and decorations)
- Flower arranging (including bridal posies and Christmas decorations)
- Family activities for an adult and child (making willow scarecrows, pumpkin carving and a series of adult/toddler gardening workshops)
All 29 courses and workshops will take place in the purpose built, award winning Bramall Learning Centre, one of the greenest buildings in the country. The facility opened in July 2010 at a cost of £3.3M
The award winning Bramall Learning Centre at RHS Garden Harlow Carr (photograph by Jerry Harpur)
The booklet with full details of all the courses can be found at: www.rhs.org.uk/Courses/Leisure-learning/Harlow-Carr
