Garden Planning & Development

Course Overview

Examine factors that influence garden design, such as soil, drainage, topography and climate.  Learn cultivation, propagation and pruning techniques, as well as how to improve soils and prevent weeds, pests and diseases.  Study different plants, trees, shrubs, climbers and bulbs. Consider lawns, hedges, and water features.  Explore soft fruits, tree fruits, vegetables and herbs.  Inspect hard landscape features, such as fences, walls, pathways, patios, pergolas and decking. 

Pre-requisites

No previous experience required.

Qualification

ICS Garden Planning & Development Diploma

Support and Benefits

• Access to a dedicated ICS tutor to mentor and motivate you throughout
• Access to the ICS online Student Community, allowing you to interact with other students and browse our resource library
• Students will receive a Stainless Steel Garden tool kit in an attractive wooden presentation box
• Students will also receive the RHS How to Garden Textbook
  
  

Key topics

• Assessing and Surveying Your Garden

Learn how to carry out a full site assessment of your garden and how to conduct a site survey. Discover how to identify a soil’s texture and pH. Learn how to plot the boundaries and features in your garden and how to draw up a scaled plan of your garden.

• Plants and Hard Landscape Features

Identify plants suitable for the soil in your garden. Learn how to propagate a range of plants from seeds and cuttings, and how to prune a range of shrubs. Discover how to identify and deal with weeds, pests and diseases. Consider appropriate materials for a garden’s boundaries, and for paths, paved areas and driveways.

• Other Soft and Hard Landscape Features

Study lawns, hedging plants, annuals, biennials, perennials, climbers and bulbs. Learn how to choose trees and shrubs that provide a succession of colour and interest throughout the year. Discover ways of increasing wildlife in your garden, if desired. Consider water features and green houses. 

• Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Growing, and the Final Plan

Learn how to assess the suitability of a site for fruit and vegetable growing, and discover a variety of growing methods for fruit and vegetable crops. Consider herb growing. Explore a variety of design principles so as to improve the layout of your garden. Produce a completed plan for your garden.

Course Code

A28

Hours of study

90 hours

Technical requirements and Fees

The only requirement is access to a garden, so that you can apply the techniques you learn and complete some of the course activities and assignments.

Outline

You’ll complete eight assessments during your course. These assessments can be submitted to ICS online via the Student Community, or they can be posted to ICS. It is recommended that you submit your assessments online as you will receive your results more quickly this way. Please note that, due to their nature, some of your assessments may need to be posted.

While the assessments are intended to monitor your progress, they are also intended to encourage you to plan and develop your own garden. By completing each assessment and progressing through the course, you will come up with a detailed and realistic plan for your perfect garden.

Assessment Breakdown

• Assessment 1: 1 short answer question and 2 activities
• Assessment 2: 5 activities requiring you to produce a site plan of your current garden
• Assessment 3: 6 short answer questions relating to the plants, weeds and soil in your garden
• Assessment 4: 2 activities requiring you to plan the hard landscape features for your new garden
• Assessment 5: 2 (out of a choice of 7) activities/questions (e.g. ‘Describe how you would install and plant a wildlife pond.’)
• Assessment 6: 2 (out of a choice of 8) activities/questions (e.g. ‘Plan a border for a seasonal theme.’)
• Assessment 7: 2 (out of a choice of 5) activities (e.g. ‘Draw a plan for a vegetable batch.’)
• Assessment 8: 1 activity requiring you to produce a detailed plan for your new garden

Notes

Short answer questions normally require you to write between a sentence and a paragraph.