WORKSHOP PROGRAMME FOR 2011

We are pleased to offer the following programme of events for the coming year.

They are spilt into Open Days, Afternoon workshops and Day Long workshops - and if you book the Special Offer at the bottom of the page you get three workshops for the price of two!

Open Days have no restrictions on numbers, however Day Long and Afternoon Workshops do- so book early!

To book either pay by card by clicking the 'add to cart' buttons below the event description

or alternatively contact us on maurice@ballyrobertcottagegarden.co.uk or call us on 028 93322952

HELLEBORE EVENT

– Open Day

Sat 26th Feb 2011                        2-00pm to 4-00pm                      £5

including Tea

Spring has arrived when hellebores are in full flower in the garden. Invite some friends and come along for advice, talks and demonstrations on this superb spring plant.

Learn from Maurice Parkinson and the nursery staff how to pollinate and propagate hellebores in our nursery and view the collection of these beautiful flowers at Ballyrobert Cottage Garden.

SPRING INTO ACTION

– Day Long Workshop

Sat 12th March 2011                   11-00am to 4-00pm                    £39

including Tea & Lunch

Spring is an important time for having the garden prepared for the months ahead. Dealing effectively with a range of critical tasks at this time can greatly reduce maintenance and also improve the performance of the garden.

The workshop will enable those attending to see and learn at first hand from Maurice Parkinson how Ballyrobert Cottage Garden is prepared at this time of year.

TREE PLANTING AND AFTER CARE

– Afternoon Workshop

Sat 3rd April 2011                        2-00pm to 4-00pm                      £19

including Tea

Trees are often the main structural element in the garden. A well planted tree and subsequently well cared for adds greatly to the garden appearance. Ballyrobert Cottage Garden has over 100 types of trees in its six acre garden.

This workshop, led by Maurice Parkinson one of the few fully qualified arboriculturalists in the province, will offer guidance on how to choose trees and provide demonstrations on their planting and aftercare.

GARDENS BY DESIGN

– Day Long Workshop

Sat 7th May 2011                        11-00am to 4-00pm                    £39

including Tea & Lunch

Maurice Parkinson has been involved in the design and management of various Parks and Gardens in his career, most notably those within Belfast City Council. He designed Ballyrobert Cottage Gardenis and is currently involved in the design of various gardens, both large and small, throughout the province.

This workshop provides an introduction to garden design but the essence of the event is to demonstrate how thoughtful design in every day activities in the garden can make a big difference especially from a visual impact perspective.

The following elements will be included:-

• Garden styles;
• Functional garden types;
• Use of focal and interest points;
• Choice of plants having regard to environmental and visual considerations; and
• Plants which perform well in our climate.

MAKING GARDEN MAINTENANCE EASIER

– Day Long Workshop

Wed 15th June 2011                    11-00am to 4-00pm                    £39

including Tea & Lunch

The six acres of garden at Ballyrobert Cottage Garden is maintained with a very low labour effort; we don’t employ any gardeners despite being open to the public!

During this workshop you will learn in a unique garden setting the wide range of techniques and secrets employed by us, from garden design considerations to dealing with weeds.

CHARITY EVENT

– Open Day

Sat 23rd July 2011                        2-00pm to 4-00pm                      £5

including Tea

We do this every year and the turnout is always large! All entrance gate proceeds go to a charity (we have not decided which one this year- if you have any ideas please get in touch!). There will be talks on Gardening, Flowering Arranging etc and maybe a little bit of light entertainment!

THE USE OF HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS IN THE GARDEN

– Afternoon Workshop

Sat 30th July 2011                        2-00pm to 4-00pm                      £19

including Tea

The interest in herbaceous perennials in the garden has never been greater – and it keeps coming back each year (no pun intended). In more recent times herbaceous perennial planting styles have changed to accommodate new species such as grasses and help reduce maintenance.

Ballyrobert Cottage Gardens six acres of garden have one of the most extensive collections of herbaceous perennials in the province, numbering over 1000 at last count, and there will be the opportunity to view those species and varieties which have performed well locally.

The workshop will be led by Maurice Parkinson and will expand on these aspects.

PROPAGATION AS WE DO IT

– Day Long Workshop

Wed 10th Aug 2011                     11-00am to 4-00pm                    £39

including Tea & Lunch

Ballyrobert Cottage Garden and Nursery propagates and grows over 95% plants it sells – and that is quite a lot of plants! How do we do it?

This workshop is an opportunity to learn a range of propagation techniques, as utilised in our nursery, which can be used successfully in ones own garden whether for ornamental or edible plants. Those attending will also be shown how to deal with the critical early stages of growing on newly propagated plants including choice of compost and of growing location.

SHRUB PRUNING

– Afternoon Workshop

Sat 10th Sept 2011                       2-00pm to 4-00pm                      £19

including Tea

When you examine your garden with a view to controlling and maximising the performance of shrubs, do you ever wish you knew the secrets of achieving both tasks?

Help is at hand through a series of demonstrations and talks by Maurice and Joy Parkinson on what can be a difficult subject. We will show you how to tame a 'wild thing' and also how to undertake regular pruning.

AUTUMNAL SPLENDOUR IN THE GARDEN

– Afternoon Workshop

Sat 22nd Oct 2011                        2-00pm to 4-00pm                      £19

including Tea

Autumn is one of the most exciting times in the garden calendar. Many species and cultivars of plants have been planted at Ballyrobert Cottage Garden specifically for autumn colour.

Come along and see at first hand with Maurice and Joy Parkinson an extensive range of plants, over 1000 within our six acres, that excel at this time.

We will look at the placement and use of plants for autumn effect in a variety of gardens.

OFFER! Afternoon Workshops BUY TWO GET ONE FREE!

– Special offer on Afternoon Workshops

3 Afternoon Workshops                         2-00pm to 4-00pm                      £38

including Tea

When buying type in the three events you would like to attend when its asks 'Add special instructions to merchant' - they could be different workshops or three of the same if you are bringing two others. Either way make sure we have your phone number and we will be in touch!

OFFER! All Day Workshops BUY TWO GET ONE FREE!

– Special offer on All Day Workshops

3 All Day Workshops                         11-00am to 4-00pm                    £79

including Tea & Lunch

When buying type in the three events you would like to attend when its asks 'Add special instructions to merchant' - they could be different workshops or three of the same if you are bringing two others. Either way make sure we have your phone number and we will be in touch!