Start your Blueprint for Garden Design at SERC

Potential students are being encouraged to sign up for a new bespoke course on garden design at SERC’s Holywood Campus.

Associate Horticulture Lecturer, Joanna Loane said, “Having worked in garden design for several years, and as a Horticulture Lecturer, I was thrilled to develop this bespoke OCN Level 2 Certificate in Garden Design suitable for aspiring professional garden designers, for landscapers wishing to upskill and gain a qualification, or for those who want to gain the skills to be able to design their own garden."

She added, “This is the only course of its kind in Northern Ireland that focuses solely on the design element of the garden.   Students begin with surveying the garden site, learn to draw to scale and cover the principles of garden design and hard landscaping.   All the while, they will build on plant knowledge, and learn about plant selection and using colour and texture whether you want to create a haven for relaxation or something that will meet the needs of a whole family.  The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in garden design and no prior knowledge of gardening is necessary, so it is suitable for a complete beginner.”

She continued, “The course runs for 3 hours on a Tuesday morning each week at our Holywood Campus. By the end of the course, participants will have the skills to create design solutions and layouts to suit any brief, from a small garden, which must also house refuse bins or a fuel tank, right through to larger landscapes.  There is the option to continue into a second year to achieve an OCN Level 2 Extended Diploma in garden design (3 hours on a Tuesday afternoon), which involves studying garden styles, plant and soil science and plant care."

Students could progress to the RHS Level 2 Plant Growth and Development also offered at SERC.

Come along to our Adult Education Open Evening, 5.00pm – 8.00pm on Thursday 22 September at our Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses to unlock your future #BetterOffAtSERC.