Gardening Courses & Workshops, Isle of Mull, Scotland

We are running courses this year for discerning gardeners and would be horticulturalists on the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland. There is a full range of levels from the novice to the current horticulturalist wishing to learn a new skill.

Courses are available as either one day, where the topic will be given a general overview or as a residential weekend course where we will delve much deeper into the subject

Prices

Day courses, run mid-week, available at £35.00 per person including lunch.

Weekend courses available at £185.00 per person including buffet supper upon arrival and last evening of the course and lunch each day. Accommodation is extra.

Saturday night is a free evening for you to enjoy some of the local restaurants.

Accommodation at High Oatfield is £30.00 per person for a double room with continental breakfast.

Tutors

Mike and Jen Swift have many years of gardening experience between them. All courses are intimate to the point where we will run a course for just four people where you will have ample time to ask all the questions you wish that pertain to you and your garden, as well as take part in your chosen specific subject.

Both Mike and Jen have worked in commercial as well as private horticulture and all courses emphasise what you wish to know rather than just what we wish to tell you.

Mikes work latterly has been in garden design and restoration whilst Jens speciality is propagation, Mike has also been teaching adult education on the Isle of Mull for the past ten years.

Weekend Courses

Travelling on a Friday the weekend starts with an introduction on Friday night with a buffet supper. Saturday is half and half theory and practical whilst Sunday is half practical and half touring the island looking at the practical application of the course in other gardens and situations, closing on Sunday night with a buffet supper and a talk before returning home on Monday.

Accommodation

We have Bed and Breakfast accommodation available in two double rooms and we can also put you in touch with other Isle of Mull b & b accommodation depending how many are on the course. Note : All our own b & b accommodation is organic.

Our Gardening Courses, Isle of Mull, Scotland - 2011

Hedges, screens and shelterbelts

Using plants from around the world that thrive on the coast we will show you how to create the type of garden that will allow you to grow any plants you fancy once your shelterbelt is in place. All the plants discussed are salt tolerant, wind tolerant and drought tolerant on light sandy soils. Read more about our Hedges, screens and shelterbelts course.

Suitable coastal plants

This shows you suitable plants that will grow on the coast so you do not waste money on the wrong type of plant in the wrong place and have to start all over again. Practical hands on demonstration in the garden explaining how to build raised beds and improve your soil. Read more about our suitable coastal plants course.

Composting

This is the best and cheapest way to accumulate organic matter to improve your soil. Using available materials including seaweed, bracken and organic material . Different types of composting, make your own bins or using commercially available ones. See the results from each type. A hands on course. Read more about our Composting Weekends in February.

Poly tunnels and protected cropping

Using a tunnel or covering the ground to warm it up early, to extend the growing season or to provide you with somewhere to work in bad weather and enable you to grow crops under cover that you cannot grow outside. Read more about our Poly tunnels and protected cropping course.

Plant propagation

Propagating your own plants is the most satisfying form of producing plants for your garden. We show you how and you will have the chance to do it for yourself. All the different methods of propagating will be discussed and most will be demonstrated on the course. Read more about our Plant Propagation courses.

When you make your own travelling arrangements we advise you to book your vehicle early if you are coming by car with Caledonian MacBrayne from Oban.

email : Click here to email us or telephone Mike or Jen on 01680 812323 or 07733 483048 for further details.