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The Course Contents
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 1
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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 2
3. WHAT DO YOU, OR YOUR CLIENT, WANT IN THE GARDEN?
- Assessing your clients 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
- Assignment 3
4. MEASURING A GARDEN AND RECORDING THE DETAILS
- The maths. Areas
- Triangulation
- Chain surveys
- Level surveys
- Assignment 4
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 5
6. PUTTING YOUR DESIGN ON 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 6
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
8. PRESENTATION, GARDEN LAYOUT PLAN AND PLANTING PLAN
- 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
- Assignment 8
9. PAVING AND WALLS (HARD LANDSCAPE)
- What is hard landscaping?
- Flagstone paving
- Block paving
- Gravel surfaces
- Decking
- Walling
- Assignment 9
10. POOLS AND WATER FEATURES
- Types
- Positioning a water feature
- Pumps and filters
- Construction
- Water safety
- Assignment 10
11. 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
- Assignment 11
12. MAINTENANCE ISSUES
- Garden maintenance – pleasure or a chore
- Planting – factors that affect plant health
- Making the lawn easier to maintain
- Water features – with and without fish
- Maintenance schedules
- Assignment 12
13. GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES
- 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 13
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