1. WELCOME
The aims of the course
How to do the course. Getting the most from it.
How to do the assignments
What skills do you need?
Assess your strengths and weaknesses
Getting inspiration
Any problems?
Assignment
2. GARDEN DESIGN INFLUENCES
Sources of influence in garden design
Influence of garden history
Fashions and trends
Impact of television
The principles of design
Movement
Direction
Rhythm
Unity and balance
Using colour to influence your design
Assignment
3. WHAT DO YOU, OR YOUR CLIENT, WANT IN THE GARDEN?
Assessing your needs
Asking the right question
Making a list
How to record the information
Adding comments
What else can the client tell you?
Your form
Getting the client to sign on the dotted line
The maths. Areas
Triangulation
Chain surveys
Level surveys
Assignment
4. MEASURING A GARDEN AND RECORDING THE DETAILS
The Maths!
Measuring the area of a garden
How to find the area of a triangular part of the garden
Working with curves
Triangulation
Chain surveys
The 3, 4, 5 triangle
Recording the information
Measuring heights and changes in level
The importance of measuring the levels
Calculating changes in level
Using surveying equipment
Using the figures
Assignment
5. GETTING DOWN TO EARTH
The garden's aspect
How to measure and plot it
What are its implications?
Drainage.
Soil
What is topsoil and why do we need it anyway?
Texture
Structure
Nutrients
pH Scale
Assignment
6. PUTTING PEN TO PAPER (OR MOUSE TO PAD)
Using computers for design
What type of computer will you need?
What other equipment will you require?
Advantages and disadvantages of using computers
Presenting your drawing
Choosing a scale
Drawing to scale
General rules for drawing
Tools for drawing
Using a template
Using symbols
Assignment
7. PLANT USE IN THE LANDSCAPE
Using plants for screening and windbreaks
Food production
Using plants for their aesthetic appeal
Trees
Hardy shrubs
Herbaceous perennials
Grasses
Climbers
Lawns
Planting for harsh environments
How many plants to use
Where to source the plants
Assignment
8. PRESENTING YOURSELF AND YOUR WORK
Getting a corporate identity
Business cards
Headed notepaper
Compliment slips
Using a computer
A drawing board
Presenting your plans
The title block
The garden layout plan
The planting plan
9. USING INSETS, CONSTRUCTION DIAGRAMS AND NUMBER CHARTS
Preparing insets
Creating construction drawings
Using number charts
10. PAVING AND WALLS (HARD LANDSCAPE)
What is hard landscaping?
Flagstone paving
Block paving
Gravel surfaces
Decking and Walling
Assignment
11. WATER
Types
Positioning a water feature
Pumps and filters
Construction
Water safety
Assignment
12. GARDEN LIGHTING
Warning
Garden lighting today
Lights and their use
Lamps. Filters. How to choose a lamp.
Fittings
Water
Focal points and statues
Steps
When to consider garden lighting
Selling the principle of lighting to the client
Think about lighting early in the process
Electricity
Irrigation and water conservation
Assignment
13. GETTING DOWN TO DESIGN
Arranging plants
Height
Plants for particular problem positions
Plants for particular uses
Designing for shapes and sizes
After you decide the theme
Problem sites
14. SCHEMATIC PLANNING
Colour
The colour wheel
Getting the planting mix right
Colour patch bedding
Foliage for colour
Height
Fruit growing in small areas
Containers, tubs and patios
Plants to define areas
Hedges for defining areas
15. MAINTENANCE
Putting together a schedule
Putting together a maintenance guide
Water maintenance
Hard landscape maintenance
Assignment
16. GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE
What will you include in your service? Plans only, contract
management, or maintenance schedule? How many copies and how
many different types of drawing.
Selling by the hour or contract.
Where do your responsibilities end?
Writing terms and conditions, to protect both you and your
client.
Assignment
17. ADVANCED GARDEN DESIGN
Designer's block
Adding shapes to the garden
Inspection covers
Blocking unsightly views
Hiding sheds
Changing the shape of the garden
Assignment
18. PERSONAL PLANT FILES AND PORTFOLIOS
The plant file
What to start with
The file itself
What else to include in the plant file
Your portfolio
Presenting your work to clients
Presentation tips
How to present your work
19. END OF COURSE
Review and Next Steps
We supply all the modules at the beginning of the course,
so you can study topics whenever you choose.
We reserve the right to improve or amend the course contents.
Read more: What
you'll find in the pack
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