Are you a professional landscaper looking to sharpen your skills or a gardening enthusiast eager to delve deeper into the art of garden maintenance? At Alaster Anderson, we are not just passionate about cultivating plants, but also about nurturing talent and sharing knowledge within our industry.

The industry skills shortage poses a significant challenge to both the gardening and landscaping sectors. Often if you find good people they lack the skills and experience you require. By offering comprehensive practical training workshops that address some of the key skills, we aim to tackle this issue head-on. We believe that by equipping professionals and newcomers with the right expertise, we're planting the seeds for a more proficient, sustainable future in horticulture.

Join us to grow your skill set, foster community, and help ensure the longevity and standard of excellence that our industry strives for.

We are delighted to launch our new website - where you can learn about the courses we have available and book your space.

Learn more and book

Workshop Spotlight:

Winter Garden Maintenance – March 5th 2024

Join us for a day of discovery and hands-on training at the magnificent Hilliers Gardens and Arboretum. Our Winter Garden Maintenance workshop offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn directly from the Hillier's esteemed gardening team. This immersive experience is more than just a workshop; it's your chance to become an integral part of the historic Winter Garden for a day.

Why Participate?

Hands-On Experience: There's no substitute for hands-on learning. This workshop places you alongside the Hillier's team, renowned for their expertise, where you’ll engage in practical maintenance activities tailored for the wintertime. It's the perfect setting to enhance your skills and apply them immediately.
Seasonal Insights: Understanding seasonal nuances is crucial. Learn which maintenance practices are vital during the colder months to ensure gardens stay healthy and are primed for spring.
Historical Context: Gain insights into the fascinating history of Hilliers' Winter Garden. Discover the design principles and plant selections that have stood the test of time, and learn how they can be adapted to contemporary landscaping projects.
Networking: Connect with like-minded professionals and enthusiasts. Exchange knowledge, share experiences, and perhaps forge new partnerships.
Broaden Your Offerings: By participating, you can expand your service portfolio. Learn how to implement elements of the Winter Garden's timeless design into your own business offerings, adding a unique touch that clients will love.

Details:

Date and time: March 5th 2024, 9 am to 4.30 pm.
Location: Hilliers Gardens and Arboretum, Hampshire, England
Objective: To provide landscapers and garden enthusiasts with practical, hands-on garden maintenance experience alongside the Hillier's team; to impart knowledge of the Winter Garden's historical significance and how to apply its design principles in modern-day horticulture. Lessons include:
- Seasonal pruning
- Plant specific pruning
- Planting
- Mulching
- Strategic annual maintenance
Price: £220
Included: The course fee encompasses the training, all course materials, a delicious lunch, and refreshments throughout the day. It's not just an investment in your professional development; it's a day of cultural and historical indulgence, surrounded by the beauty of winter's touch on one of England's most cherished gardens.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is perfect for landscape professionals, gardening business owners and their teams.

Discover the rich and diverse landscapes of Hillier Gardens, showcasing an abundance of outstanding plants and trees, deeply rooted in history. Marvel at the sights while gathering inspiration for your own garden projects.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Sir Harold Hillier Gardens.

“We are excited to offer a venue for the course on Winter Garden Maintenance. Having been established 25 years ago with the sole purpose of enhancing the winter season, the team has honed their skills to present plants to the very best of their winter glory. Informal overview talk plus key skills to include pruning, mulching and planting, as well as ideas and inspiration along the way. Strategic maintenance tasks at particular times throughout the year are essential to get and retain the winter garden look.”

— Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Curator, David Jewell

Book your place

Our 'Winter Garden Maintenance' workshop is just the beginning of a series designed to help you grow. Whether you're fine-tuning your skills or seeking to broaden your horticultural horizons, this workshop is an opportunity not to be missed.

We are also running a day workshop on the 20th March, working in the renowned Centenary Border. These are one of the longest double mixed borders in the country and were officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen (formerly HRH The Duchess of Cornwall) in 2013. The variety of plant species in these borders is truly astonishing. Lessons include: