The winter schedule: the head gardeners' how-to guide

This 3 day course led by Fergus and the garden team will take you through the planning and practical steps needed to prepare a complex garden like Great Dixter for the spring and summer display. The course will illustrate how work is prioritised over the winter to take pressure off in the spring.

Refreshments and lunch are included, and we are offering a 10% discount on plant sales for attendees in the nursery. 

Topics covered include:

• Composting,
• Soil preparation
• Feeding
• Weeding
• Thinning self-sowers to edit the picture
• Working off boards
• Splitting, dividing and planting
• Timing of seed sowing
• Pricking out
• Choosing annuals to add to the display
• Working effectively in the rain
• How to push and pull work to be efficient with your time
• The varied use of bulbs in the garden
• How to deal with bulbs after flowering
• What to consider when buying bulbs. 

The course will culminate in laying out a long season border and working in layers to extend the season. 

Price: £540

Buy tickets 

For more information please contact Catherine Haydock: [email protected] 01797 334 042