Adult Learning Programme
Adult education courses at Great Dixter include study days, week-long Symposia, courses, lectures, and workshops.
Run by Head Gardener Fergus Garrett, as well as other Dixter staff and friends with an intimate knowledge of the garden, they will help people understand the ethos, methods, and plants that are used.
Week-Long Symposia
Started by Christopher Lloyd, Great Dixter has been running Symposia for over twenty years and owing to the excellent horticultural tuition, many participants return year after year.
Symposia span one week at Great Dixter and offer a rare opportunity for gardeners to learn first-hand with our Head Gardener, Fergus Garrett, and his team. All gardeners and levels of expertise are welcome.
There are 4 Symposia scheduled for 2026 as follows:
Saturday 7 February to Saturday 14 February 2026 – a practical Pruning Symposium
Saturday 9 May to Saturday 16 May 2026 – a theory based, General Symposium
Saturday 5 September to Saturday 12 September 2026 – a practical General Symposium
Saturday 7 November to Saturday 14 November 2026 – a practical Bulb, border design editing and management Symposium
See below for full details of these courses. Booking will go live on Friday 21 November at 16.00 (4pm) UK time.
In this section:
Healthy Soils
There is increasing understanding that owing to intensive growing practices, especially in agriculture, the health of our soil is under threat, which directly links to declining food security and biodiversity. This new course led by Michael Kennard (Compost Michael) and Michael Wachter (Great Dixter Gardener and primitive skills practitioner), will delve into the theory of
3 March 2026 10:00 am – 4:00 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH
Designing your garden with plants in mind
This practical course, led by Annie Guilfoyle will introduce students to the processes involved in designing a garden space and guide participants through the steps to producing a final master plan for their own project. It will include inspiration and instruction from the Dixter garden and nursery teams on the plants and plantings that make
9 March 2026 7:00 am – 13 October 2026 4:30 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH
Behind the scenes at Great Dixter – March
Great Dixter is a garden that delights and challenges. Our Behind the Scenes tours provide a special opportunity to enjoy a private viewing of the garden on a day when we are normally closed to the public. You will gain insight into the making of the Great Dixter borders with one of the garden team
9 March 2026 1:30 pm – 4:15 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH
Green woodworking workshop
Join us for a day of green woodworking in the Medieval Great Barn and learn how to make a miniature Sussex gate hurdle with our skilled craftspeople. This day will take you through all the stages of making a hurdle starting by using a froe and cleaving brake to split sweet chestnut poles which have been
13 March 2026 10:00 am – 4:00 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH
Nursery propagation day
The Great Dixter Nursery team will lead this Study Day held at the Great Dixter Nursery. Refreshments and lunch are included and we are offering a 10% discount on plant sales for attendees in the Nursery on the day. You will be taken through each stage from making your own compost, to taking cuttings, sowing seeds,
16 March 2026 10:00 am – 4:00 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH
Designing with plants
Head Gardener Fergus Garrett will lead this Study Day held at Great Dixter House and Gardens. Refreshments and lunch are included, served in the Great Hall and we are offering a 10% discount on plant sales for attendees in the nursery on the day. Learn how to combine plants using colour, shape, texture, repetition and
23 March 2026 10:00 am – 4:00 pmGreat Dixter House and Gardens, TN316PH