AMBERLEY GARDENING SCHOOL March and April 2026 COURSE CALENDAR 

Amberley Gardening School Mini Gardening Course  COURSE SCHEDULE AND DETAILS   10:00 AM – Introduction to Botanical Plant Names and Garden Design  Begin the day with an introduction to botanical plant names and various plant types. Learn how to create a well-structured garden design using evergreen plants. The session will also include a discussion on hedging and the opportunity to learn and remember some key plant names. Please note that there will be a short ‘fun’ test at the end of the course to review what you have learned.  11:00 AM – Pruning and Plant Division  This session covers the techniques for pruning woody perennial plants and trimming herbaceous plants. Additionally, participants will learn about plant division, an essential skill for maintaining healthy and productive gardens.  12:00 PM – Lunch Break  Enjoy a 30-minute lunch break. Tea and coffee will be available. Please remember to bring your own packed lunch.  12:30 PM – Soil Science and Planting Techniques  Learn about different soil types and conditions, the pH scale, and the importance of organic matter. This session also covers composting, methods for improving clay soil, and proper techniques for planting directly into the ground.  1:30 PM – Feeding Plants  Discover how to feed plants effectively to encourage growth, flowering, and fruit production. The session will explain the different types of plant food and the role of various nutrients in plant health.  2:00 PM – Q&A and Recap  Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and revisit any topics discussed throughout the day.  Course Fee and Dates:  The cost of the course is £100, which includes VAT. The Mini Gardening Course will be held on the following dates: March 17th, 26th, 28th and 31st, 2026.  Additional Information: Please wear suitable clothing and shoes for working outdoors in potentially muddy conditions. There will be opportunities for hands-on participation for those who wish to gain practical experience.  Contact Information: For more information, please contact Paul at 07827 973959, email paul@amberleygardenservicer.co.uk, or find us on Facebook at @ambgardserv.   

AMBERLEY GARDENING SCHOOL GARDENING LESSONS  Here is a list of topics I will be covering in 2026 at my new gardening school. Each presentation/lesson will be educational discussing horticultural science, and there will be opportunity to carry out some practical tasks, so bring your gloves.  FEATURE PRESENTATIONS INFORMATION  A feature presentation is 30mins long about a specific topic.  1. Plant names and identification – An insight into plant nomenclature, in order to understand how to look after plants and give them the best chance of survival, first you need to know what they are. 2. Pruning Woody perennials – How to prune your woody plants without damaging them or risking loss of flowers in the season, removing unwanted growth and hormone effects in plants. 3. Bulb Planting – Different types of bulb and soil preferences, a bulb for every month of the year. 4. Pruning roses – Rose pruning basics 5. Pruning herbaceous plants – Cutting back herbaceous plants to encourage new growth and flowers at the right time 6. Pruning Climbing plants – Taking a look at the many different climbing plants and how to keep them under control 7. Feeding plants – Introduction to the many different types of plant food available 8. Sowing seeds/propagation – How to grow your own plants under cover. 9. Planting division – dividing plants you have in your garden to increase supply. 10. Soil types – Introduction to soil types and benefits of organic matter 11. Vegetable growing/planning – Plan your vegetable patch to make best use of space/companion planting. 12. Allotment session – Tips and tricks on the veg patch. 13. Pest and disease – ways to reduce box moth and protect your box hedge 14. Cut flower garden session – Lots of different flowers for the house, how to preserve and extend the season 15. Hanging baskets – A session on how to plant hanging baskets effectively. 16. Growing in a polytunnel – growing tomatoes, cucumbers, chillis, etc. 17. Container planting – Time to pot up your plant pots, adding food, choices of plants. 18. Soil care and lawn maintenance – scarifying, aeration and how to use weed and feed. 19. Growing cut flowers – Grow your own cut flowers for the vase at home 20. Trimming Alpine Plants – the importance of trimming alpines to improve flowering. 21. Growing marginal plants – a presentation in the bog garden 22. Bamboo maintenance – different varieties and how to keep it under control. 23. Maintenance of fruit – Keeping an eye on your fruit bushes for insects, feeding at right times for increased fruit production. 24. Thinning out in the orchard – how to improve your fruit tree harvest 25. Chelsea chop – What is it and why do we do it 26. Dead heading flowers and seed heads – how to prolong flowering in plants and flowers. 27. Hedging - Choosing the right hedge for your garden. 28. Composting - Creating your own organic matter 29. No dig gardening - for veg and cut flower production. 30. Methodology in tree planting -plant correctly for best possible results, discussion on Mycorrhizae benefits  These lessons will run at different times between March to December 2026 and will correspond to the monthly schedule that will be posted on Social media and my website in the near future.  This is very much a new project with the Polytunnel being constructed in late February creating lots of exciting opportunities to experiment with seed sowing, propagation and plant/flower production. Alongside, we have a 1-acre garden to use as a training ground to learn how to carry out tasks in a practical way too.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me paul@amberleygardenservices.co.uk