The Real Gardening School has a simple mission and that is to create good gardeners and share the thrill of making plants grow. Whatever your lifestyle, age or circumstances, gardening is hugely beneficial to both the mind and body.

So whether you're a beginner or just in need of a confidence boost, these relaxed, informal classes, presented by Pamela Johnson and Jill Anderson, will demystify horticulture and help you make the most of your precious patch of earth.

Click this link for the booking form which contains more information, or phone/email (see Contact us page) for more details

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London Garden - with dogs in mind

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Before and after views

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The areas in this long narrow London garden were re-defined providing a smart paved terrace near the house, the trellis partially screens the rest of the garden (it's always good to have some surprises), and helps to contain the dogs.

The lawn provides a soft green backdrop for surrounding plants - the dogs like it too. There's a paved seating area with a timber pergola for shade and a raised brick pool at the sunny end of the garden.

The pictures were taken before planting, but fortunately there are some lovely mature trees. The planting plan comprises climbing plants on the pergola and fences, some evergreen shrubs for winter structure, ornamental grasses, herbaceous perennials and spring & summer flowering bulbs to give colour, scent and interest all year round.

Small Garden in Clapham, London

Before and after photos with plan:

The brief was for a low maintenance garden to give privacy from tall buildings on three sides of the house.
The main area of this garden measures just 5 x 3 meters. It was already paved and had trellis on some of the walls but was completely devoid of plants.

A chunky, timber pergola provides shade, screening and a structure for climbing plants. Completing the trellis on the top of the walls and using tall bamboos in containers also helps with privacy.

Raised beds were painted a pale, plum colour to match the kitchen walls, giving continuity between the interior of the house and garden. The planting has a colour scheme of purple and gold, spring and summer bulbs, ornamental grasses and scented climbers.

The house now has a lovely outdoor room for relaxation and entertaining friends and family.

Stable Cottage

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Picture Key :
1 - seat designed and built by Anderson Landscape Design, and made from reclaimed timber.
2 - colourful perennials backed by a hazel fence
3 - a sunny, terraced bank packed with interesting plants that look good all year round
4 - spring time containers

A secluded garden in Surrey combining unusual fencing, original furniture, colourful planting that suits the soil & conditions, it's therefore easy to manage and is planned to fit in well with its rural setting.

The lower garden has dramatic planting and is a sunny place to have a cup of coffee in the morning.

The upper garden, backing on to woodland, is designed in a more naturalistic style.

London Garden with sculpture

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Definition of the layout and a planting plan were requested to improve this large London garden.

A boardwalk made from reclaimed timber leads past colourful plants to a hidden sunken area in the middle of the garden giving an interesting perspective to surrounding plants, a long narrow pool emphasises the tranquil mood of the garden.

Screened by a clipped yew hedge, at the sunny end of the garden, there's a terrrace with a large table for entertaining friends and family, under a pergola covered in a shady grapevine.

The garden provides a suitable backdrop for pieces of sculpture made by one of the owners. The planting consists mostly of perennials and ornamental grasses with structure being provided by topiary and a clipped yew hedge.

Shalford, Surrey

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Before and after views to the house . ...... ......... . Before and after views from the house

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The Brief

This back garden had become difficult for the owners to look after and lacked shape. They wanted a garden that needed less maintenance, was suitable for a wheelchair, had somewhere to grow vegetables, attracted birds and looked pretty all year round.

The New Garden

A paved terrace under a pergola with enough room for a table and chairs with a small pond for wildlife next to it, provides somewhere near the house to relax and enjoy the garden. The path weaves through the garden past a small circular lawn, mirrored by a small circular area of shingle on the other side of the garden, to another small seating area. Beyond the low fence, and screened by tall grasses and light, airy perennials is an area for raised vegetable beds with a small shed and potting bench.

The Plants

The existing trees provided a mature structure, this was enhanced with some evergreen shrubs for shape and autumn colour. Lavender, herbs and sedum were planted for perfume and colour they thrive in the light, sandy soil. Ferns, epimedium and hellebore are happy in the shady areas. As well as looking good the plants also attract birds & insects.

The soil was improved with organic matter before planting, compost bins ensure enough organic matter will be produced to help keep plants healthy and recycle material from the house & garden  

Hampton Court Flower Show 2005
Bronze Medal Winner
Title: Spiral
Contractor: Oakleaf Enterprise

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The entrance to the garden is up the steps brushing over scented thyme, it features a small oak deck with table & chairs to sit & relax over a cup of tea.

It's enclosed by a curved blue/grey wall with bands of burnt orange reflecting the planting of dark orange helenium and calendula contrasting with lime green euphorbia and purple sage. Topiary gives structured shapes & contrasts with ornamental grasses, plants weave through a simple curve of black vertical uprights reflecting the shape of the wall.

The garden measures only 4.5 x 5 metres, the colours and planting could easily be adapted to reflect different spaces and styles.

Timber is used extensivly because it gives warmth & texture, the good news is that most of it is recycled and would otherwise have gone to landfill.

The garden was built by Oakleaf Enterprise, a Guildford based charity that enables people with mental health problems to retrain for employment.

Click here to see an animation of this garden being built by Oakleaf Enterprise

Hampton Court Flower Show 2004
Silver Medal Winner
Title: Renew

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Reclaimed timber decking provides a place to sit and enjoy the garden.

Shaded by a canopy and surrounded by bold colours, the texture and perfume of plants create an enriching atmosphere. Slate grey walls, pierced by red glass discs to let the sun shine through, are a dramatic backdrop for the plants & decking.

Sculpture by Graham Clayton.