The garden landscape incorporates both soft and hard features. Soft landscaping is concerned with trees, shrubs, lawns, and living components. Hard landscaping is concerned with the solid features such as paths, paving, walls and structures. Most competent landscapers and gardeners have an understanding of both soft and hard landscaping.

Think like a garden designer

Learn to gather pre-planning information on site, how some different garden styles are created, how to make landscape drawings, what goes into making walls and hard landscape surfaces, how to add garden features to designs, how to make small spaces seem larger, lending from the surrounding landscape, and how to design small and large landscapes.

A first step toward being a Professional Landscaper

• Learn from a team of professional landscape designers in both Australia and the UK
• Learn about the components that make up a garden and how to arrange them to create affects of your own choosing.
• Become a Professional Landscape Designer

“This course contains the most essential aspects of a full professional landscape design qualification , condensed into 100 hours. If you are only going to do one short course, and you are really serious about garden design, this is ideal”   – John Mason  Dip Hort Sci, FPLA, FIOH, Landscape Designer since 1971, Garden Writer, Editor Your Backyard Magazine

“This is the essential know-all for budding garden designers and landscape gardeners alike. It will also hold some sway for the home gardener and enthusiast. The course covers the history of garden design, principles of design, landscape detailing, and construction through to drawing techniques, plans and then encourages the student to design their own detailed landscape design. This is a wonderfully creative course”

WHAT IS LANDSCAPE DESIGN?

Landscape Design is a multifaceted skill. It allows you to take a vision or “feeling” and transform it into a workable plan. It isn’t just making a place look nice, nor mass planting, but is also about suiting the landscape to the climate, land and setting that you have to work with. An understanding of plants, soils, timbers, climate, and other landscape materials are pivotal to the success of a good landscape design.

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Basic Design Procedure A. – collecting pre-planning information, landscape elements, principles, etc.
2. History of Gardening ‑ garden styles and themes, famous designers, garden influences.
3. Drafting & Contracting – drawing techniques, specifications, details.
4. Basic Landscape Construction – timber, steps, retainer walls, pathways, play structures, etc.
5. Surfacings – concrete, asphalt, gravels, mulches, grasses, gradients, etc.
6. Furnishings & Features – chairs, statues, figurines, birdbaths, skateboards, safety, etc.
7. Park Design A – good/bad park design characteristics, recreational landscaping.
8. Home Garden design – good/bad garden design characteristics.
9. Design Procedure B – development of concept plans and detailed planting plans.
10. Park Design B – development of park design, fun & fitness trails.

Plus a Special Assignment – comprehensive landscape design development.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

What You Will Do

• Explain the complete range of principles, elements and concepts used in landscape design.
• Visit and analyse a broad range of landscape styles, themes and components.
• Perform methods utilised to develop concepts and to create affects.
• Identify, record and utilise pre-planning information for the purpose of design development, and to use a checklist as a guide for surveying a site for a proposed design.
• Perform site survey and client interview with the site owner/manager.
• Explain the significance of effective client liaison, in a specific landscape job.
• Identify historical influences on landscaping.
• Explain the influence on modern garden design, of work by three garden designers who have been prominent in world garden history.
• Develop and compare the appropriateness of three design options for one specific landscape project.
• Draw an extensive range of different landscape symbols on paper, covering soft and hard landscape features.
• Transpose two different landscape drawings, reducing the scale by a specified amount.
• Draw a plan for a landscape, using legible graphic techniques.
• Determine site preparations required for a specified landscape site, including:
  • clearing/cleaning
  • earthworks.
• Explain the legal requirements for cleaning up after a landscaping job in your locality.
• Determine suitable timbers for construction of four different types of garden structures.
• Compare the suitability of different materials for surfacing paths, including:
  • Asphalt
  • Concrete
  • Local gravels
  • Local mulches
  • Timber
  • Ceramics.
• Collect, catalogue and determine appropriate use for different items of garden furniture.
• Design a paved area for a garden surveyed, including: scale drawings and construction instructions.
• Prepare a plant collection of at least eighty different plants incorporating:
  • Pressed plant specimens
  • Scientific and common names
  • Cultural details
  • How to use each of these plants in different landscape situations.
• Evaluate established landscapes based on:
  • Costs
  • Maintenance
  • Function
  • Aesthetics
• Develop detailed planting designs, including plant lists, for three landscape plans, to satisfy given job specifications.
• Analyse and compare the landscape designs of numerous selected homes and public parks.
• Develop and prepare concept plans for landscape areas such as:
  • Outdoor living area
  • Kitchen garden
  • Courtyard
  • Childrens playground
  • Entry to home
  • Neighbourhood park
• Draft a series of four conceptual plans, showing stages in the design of a home garden surveyed.
• Prepare a professional standard landscape design for a client in the learner’s locality, including:
  • A landscape plan drawn on tracing paper.
  • Materials specifications, including types and quantities.
  • Budget details.

A Statement of Attainment in Landscaping is highly beneficial for various individuals and professionals seeking to advance their skills and knowledge in this field. Here are some key groups who would significantly benefit from obtaining this credential:

Aspiring Landscapers

Individuals who are new to the landscaping industry and wish to gain foundational skills and knowledge. This statement serves as a stepping stone, providing them with the basic competencies required to enter the field and begin their career with confidence.

Current Landscaping Professionals

Professionals already working in the landscaping industry who are looking to enhance their skill set and stay updated with the latest trends, techniques, and best practices. This certification can help them advance their careers, qualify for more specialized roles, or take on leadership positions within their organizations.

Gardeners and Horticulturists

Gardeners and horticulturists aiming to diversify their expertise and offer more comprehensive services. By obtaining a Statement of Attainment in Landscaping, they can expand their service offerings to include landscape design, construction, and maintenance, thereby increasing their marketability and client base.

Landscape Design Enthusiasts

Individuals with a passion for landscape design who wish to formalize their knowledge and turn their hobby into a professional pursuit. This qualification provides the necessary skills and credibility to take on landscaping projects, either as a freelancer or as part of a landscaping firm.

Property Owners and Managers

Property owners and managers looking to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of their properties. This course can equip them with the knowledge to oversee landscaping projects, ensure quality work, and make informed decisions about landscape design and maintenance.

Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

Entrepreneurs and small business owners in the landscaping sector who want to improve their business operations and service offerings. A formal qualification can enhance their professional credibility, attract more clients, and potentially command higher service rates.

Environmental and Sustainability Advocates

Individuals passionate about environmental sustainability and ecological landscaping practices. This course can provide them with the knowledge and skills to implement sustainable landscaping solutions that contribute to environmental conservation and biodiversity.

By obtaining a Statement of Attainment in Landscaping, individuals in these groups can enhance their professional capabilities, broaden their career opportunities, and contribute to the creation of beautiful, functional, and sustainable outdoor spaces.