Course Outline:

Whether you have a large garden or small balcony, learn the basic skills of good gardening.

Discover what type of soil you have, which potting mix is best, how to choose ‘the right plant for
the right place’ and find out how to maintain your outdoor space with the minimum of effort
from the ground up.

Course introduction:
The living plant - plant requirements
Soil - types, analysis, soil testing, improvement
Pot selection, potting mixes, fertilizers
Plant selection - for sun, shade, dry, wet, privacy, fragrance, allergies
Maintenance - correct procedures for watering, fertilizing, pruning, staking
Pest and disease identification and organic controls

What to Bring:

Notepad & Pen

Comprehensive notes are provided and places are limited.

About The Tutor:

Judith Sleijpen graduated from Ryde School of Horticulture with distinction in Urban Horticulture and gained experience in the retail nursery industry for several years. As a Member of the Horticultural Media Association, Judith writes a monthly gardening column for “Peninsula Living” and has also published articles in “Landscape Contractor and Manager”, “Better Homes and Gardens”, “Gardens and Outdoor Living” and “The Garden Gurus”. Passionate about plants, gardens and bees, she is a Member of the Australian Institute of Horticulture, a former Committee Member of the Sydney Executive Committee of Open Gardens Australia and a former member of the Speakers' Bureau of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Apart from conducting her garden design and horticultural consultancy business, “Gardens, Balconies and Beyond”, Judith is a tour leader for the David Jones Flower Show and judges garden competitions in Ryde, Camden, Campbelltown, Bayside and Randwick.