More on training in horticulture<\/strong><\/p>\n How to become a gardener<\/a><\/p>\n Horticulture courses<\/a><\/p>\n 10 great online gardening courses<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n Garden design is a broad discipline that combines visual and creative skills with business acumen and project management. Designers come from diverse backgrounds.<\/p>\n Learning about plants<\/a> is a never-ending process and it\u2019s a good idea to get some hands-on gardening experience before, or in addition to, any training. Plant knowledge may be a fundamental part of the tool kit, but more practising designers say that it\u2019s absolutely essential to have a good understanding of three-dimensional space, scale and proportion. As designer Cleve West<\/a> told us: \u201cIf you can understand space and ergomomics, you can understand landscape and plants.\u201d<\/p>\n There are some design positions available with nurseries<\/a> and established practices, but more garden designers work largely for themselves. Therefore dealing with clients, managing projects and marketing your business successfully is as important as the creative side. You need to be highly self motivated and its worth thinking about your long-term business plan.<\/p>\n There are many garden design courses<\/a> in the UK, offering a range of qualifications over varying timescales and at different costs. Juliet Sargeant<\/a>, garden designer and former chair of the Society of Garden Designers<\/a>, says: \u201cLook for a course that will teach you what you want to know for the gardens you want to design. Some courses focus on plants, others on design and construction.\u201d Talk to tutors and past students. It\u2019s also important to consider the hours and work involved. Many courses are part time, but there may be a lot of course work. Think about your budget and location, too, as part-time study is a big commitment and needs to fit in with the rest of your life. Most colleges now offer online learning options.<\/p>\n Garden design is not a high-earning profession. Most people do not go into it for financial gain. Many designers supplement their income with work in teaching, writing or garden maintenance. It\u2019s important to remember, as designer Sarah Price<\/a> told us: \u201cYou have to make your own opportunities. The courses give you a foundation, but as a career, it\u2019s not going to come in a neat package.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n![\""Gardeners\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2022\/08\/Lucy-and-Carlos-with-V.boliviana.-Credit-RBG-Kew.-4-6f9a510.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Gardeners\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>What skills do I need to become a garden designer?<\/h3>\n
Do I need experience of design and horticulture?<\/h3>\n
Do I have to run my own business?<\/h3>\n
Where can I study garden design?<\/h3>\n
How much will I earn?<\/h3>\n