Designers Introduction to Practical Landscaping with TASK
Dates: This is a 3 day course from Monday 10 November to Wednesday 12 November 2025
Times: 09:30 - 16:30 each day
Cost: £585.00 (excl. VAT) per person
Location: Lower End Farm, Lower End, Birlingham, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 3AD
CLICK HERE TO BOOK >> Garden designers 3 day course — TASK Academy
Overview:
A 3-day course at the TASK Academy to introduce garden designers to some of the practical elements of landscaping and facilitate a deeper understanding of some landscaping practices. The course is a combination of classroom-based theory and practical workshop sessions.
The classroom element will cover the basics of landscaping using slides, material samples, and free ranging open discussion. It will provide a non-judgmental open forum where delegates can add to their knowledge of landscaping theory and practice. Delegates will be continuously encouraged to ask questions and share experiences and knowledge.
The workshop sessions are specifically designed for the designers to experience hands on practical landscaping operations and to use a variety of hand and power tools commonly found on site.
The course will involve the following aspects:
Starting with constructing a retaining wall. We introduce the basic theory of the subject using slides to illustrate key points and we use a Q&A format to develop the topic. Samples of materials used within retaining walls will be examined and discussed along with key construction techniques and mistakes to avoid – particularly during specifying phase.
The practical sessions will focus mainly on two of the main elements of a landscaping scheme, paving and walls. Over the course of 3 days (interspersed with class based theory sessions) delegates will learn to set up and construct a low brick wall with a small area of paving in front of it. This will involve setting up and using a mixer, setting out, setting up falls and levels for paving, working to string lines, using a variety of hand tools and power tools like cut off saws, bench/bridge saw and plate compacter.
Delegates will be shown a variety of materials through the course, types of brick and block along with porcelain paving, granite, limestone, sandstone and slate and their specific characteristics and challenges discussed:-
- Communicating with Landscaper
- Sustainable Drainage - SUDs rules for front gardens - how to plan
- Recycled/ Sustainable materials
- Porcelain vs Natural stone - laying methods and considerations of each material How to find a good landscaper - what to look for...!
The course will deliver the following outcomes:
- Give the delegates more confidence when discussing and specifying construction techniques and materials with contractors.
- Increase their theoretical knowledge of materials and construction techniques and enable them to ‘fill in’ their knowledge gaps in a non-judgmental environment.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Free membership access (worth £50) to The Landscape Library for 6 months, for all course participants once they have attended a TASK Industry course (includes access to training resources, articles, features, templates, publications, advice notes, cross section drawings and mentorship) . Email alangsargent@gmail.com once you have attended the course to access your membership.
- Lunch is not included, we recommend you bring your own packed lunch for each day
- You will receive an automated email from our order system to confirm your booking.
- One week before the date of the course, you will receive a course confirmation email with further information and course joining instructions which includes what to bring with you.
- There is currently no accommodation available at Lower End Farm for TASK students. There are plenty of local accommodation possibilities, please contact us for a range of options.
- Participants are required to have a minimum level 2 in English and Maths.
- Min age: 16
For a full itinerary please click on this link: Itinerary