Venue
Study from the comfort of your own home.
Times
Start when you wish, and work at your own pace. A guideline is issued to each student for assignments/exercises but there are no stringent deadlines.
Dates
Study At Your Own Pace
Details
In an industry centred on a visual and living art form such as garden design and landscaping, it’s easy to become so engrossed in beautifying a space that the many costs and administrative responsibilities of running a business can be overlooked. This course is designed to equip you with the essential business skills needed to complement your creative talent.
Please note: this course is offered as a correspondence course, with optional in-house training for local students and digital support for those living further afield. This flexible approach allows students to learn at their own pace, accommodating their personal and professional schedules.
For students in KZN, personal tutoring at my studio is available at a mutually convenient time for a small additional fee. For those living further afield, tutoring is conducted via Zoom, email, or WhatsApp.
Who Benefits
This course is ideal for anyone in the gardening industry, including landscapers, garden service company owners, grassing contractors, and garden designers.
Outcome
Upon completion of this course, students will feel confident entering the landscaping or garden service industry with a solid understanding of marketing, administration, labour management, and the quoting process. While experience will continue to enhance these skills, our mentoring ensures students develop strong business acumen and confidence in their abilities
Content
Course Structure
Marketing
Marketing is a critical aspect of any business but is often overlooked due to time constraints. Without visibility in the marketplace or clear communication of your services, business growth is limited. This course teaches effective marketing strategies and how to leverage the expertise of professionals in the marketing industry to support your business.
Administration
A dedicated workspace is essential in this creative industry. While some may begin at the kitchen table, every designer benefits from a space that separates creative work from everyday distractions. This module covers the equipment and systems needed to run a successful and organized business.
Labour Practice
Managing staff is one of the most significant financial and moral responsibilities in a landscaping or garden service company. This course guides you through labour practices, including hiring temporary versus permanent staff, contracts, and lawful dismissal procedures. Understanding and adhering to provincial or national labour laws will help you maintain a happy, productive workforce and avoid costly issues.
The Quoting System
Accurate quoting is essential for business success. This module walks students step by step through a comprehensive quoting system, using pre-designed plans to practice without testing design skills. By the end of this module, students will have a reliable system that ensures no critical point is missed - practice and repetition reinforce mastery.
This course bridges creativity with business expertise, giving gardeners, landscapers, and designers the confidence to run a profitable and well-organized operation.
Options
Not Applicable
Do I Need Previous Experience?
If you are not already working in the gardening industry, then it is imperative that you enrol in this and the Premier Garden Design & Maintenance programme simultaneously otherwise you will have no knowledge on which to quote.
Course Enquiries
You can submit your form in two ways:
1) Download the form, complete it, and upload it to the onlne form on this page. (Note: If you do not have Adobe Acrobat we suggest using PDFGear, which is a free program)
2) Download the application form, complete it and email it to info@schoolofgardendesign.com
We will be in contact with you shortly after the forms are submitted, but should you not hear from us within 48 hours please send a follow up email to the address above.
On application, you will be requested to pay a 20% non-refundable deposit.