Restoring old gardens to their former glory is a lot more involved than what most people would realize.

If a restoration is to be credible, the landscaper needs to understand the history and determine what is authentic and appropriate for a restoration; before they even start to plan the work that needs to be undertaken.

Despite the complexities and costs involved; there is an ever increasing demand for garden renovation specialists. If you love both gardens and history; this could be an ideal career move for you.

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Landscape History & Design Styles
2. Surveying the Site
3. Assessment of Plantings and Features
4. Selecting Components for Retention
5. Work Programming and Risk Management
6. Drainage
7. Hard Landscape Feature Restoration
8. Planting Restoration and Maintenance

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading

• Outline the history of UK garden design and the influence of plant introductions.
• Evaluate an established ornamental garden in order to determine any particular design style period, or plants of interest.
• Describe basic methods for the survey and recording of the layout and content of an established garden, and explain the importance of detailed information including assessment of site factors.
• Explain processes and the need for assessment and recording of the type, condition and future potential of a range of plantings and features in an ornamental garden.
• Explain the main criteria used to select plantings and features for retention in a restored garden.
• Explain the need and processes of analysis of collected information.
• Prepare a summarised programme for organisation of garden restoration work
• Assess risk and identify safe work practices
• Recognise and explain the visible signs of the failure of old land drainage systems and describe remedial measures
• Describe and explain the practical procedures necessary for the restoration of a range of hard landscape features.
• Explain problems which may be encountered in the improvement of retained hedges, plantings and lawns.
• Describe practical solutions for improving retained hedges, plantings and lawns
• Evaluate the use of modern maintenance techniques in established gardens