Courses

Garden Courses - Scroll down to see each month's courses

Through informative talks and demonstrations from Rebecca Lemonius (custodian/ gardener) and Anna Ribo (head gardener), you can be inspired by Long Barn's history and Vita Sackville West  and Harold Nicolson's ageless style,  gaining skills to use in your own garden or garden work.  What we do, when we do it and how we garden here at Long Barn will be covered, so you can follow the garden through the seasons, whilst learning more about this very special place and its history.

The courses vary in content so check the details and dates listed below for anything you are particularly interested in.  Alternatively, you may wish to attend them all, the courses are designed to compliment each other and take you through a full year in the garden, witnessing the dramatic changes month to month as the seasons progress.  If you wish to do morning and afternoon sessions on the same day we recommend you bring a packed lunch or if this is logistically difficult let us know and we will assist, after all, there is only so much cake you can eat in a day. In general the afternoon courses will be more focused on one or two particular topics. 

The courses are a mixture of talks and demonstrations, you will not be asked to prune, plant or weed and they are set outside as much as possible. However, the history talks will be in the comfort of the house, a rare treat, as Long Barn is a private home and not open to the public. For the avoidance of doubt, the drawing courses do involve actual drawing but prior experience and skill is not required, the courses are aimed at all levels. 

February 

Rose Pruning in the Garden


10:00am-12:00pm

The rose pruning course will cover training roses and pruning a variety of types.  

There will be warm tea and coffee and homemade cake to keep the cold out

Price: £35

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

March 

Morning Garden Course

9:30am-1:00pm

March's morning course will include: 

Price:  £50

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

March 

Afternoon Garden Course

2:00pm -4:30pm

March's afternoon course will include:

Price: £40

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com 

April

Morning Garden Course

9:30am-1:00pm

April's morning course will include:

Price: £50

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com 

April 

Afternoon Garden Course

2:00pm - 4:30pm

April's afternoon course is a taster course on the usefulness to gardeners and garden lovers of observation through drawing. 

Anna Ribo, our head gardener, is fine art trained and a wonderful teacher. Hardback sketch books and 2B pencils required but talent/ prior experience is definitely optional. 

All levels, including complete beginner are welcome. There will be refreshments and cake available throughout the afternoon.

Price: £40

To book please contact 

lbgardenskent@gmail.com 


May 

Morning Garden Course

9:30am-1:00pm

May's morning course will include:

Price: £50

To book please contact 

lbgardenskent@gmail.com 


May 

Afternoon Garden Course

2:00pm-4:30pm

May's afternoon course will include how to plan and plant the 'hot colour' garden at Long Barn. 

Full of vibrant pinks, reds, purples and oranges this mixture of herbaceous, annual and shrubby plants of varied hardiness is full of fun and colour May-October. 

Intensively gardened, but only 4m by 5m, it is translatable to most plots and a chance to see how this mixed planting is put together.

There will be refreshments and cake available throughout the afternoon.

Price: £40

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com 

May 

Garden Observation Sketchbook 

9:15am-1:15pm

Come and draw in the gardens at Long Barn with expert guidance, Anna Ribo our head gardener is fine art trained:

Price: £55 per person

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

June 

Morning Garden Course

9:30am-1:00pm

June's morning course will include: 

Price: £50 per person

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

June 

Afternoon Garden Course

2:00pm-4:30pm

June's afternoon course will include:

There will be refreshments and cake available throughout the afternoon.

Price: £40 per person

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

July 

Morning Garden Course

9:30am-1:00pm

July's morning course will include: 

Price: £50 per person

To book, please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

July 

Afternoon Garden Course

2:00pm-4:30pm

July's afternoon course will take an in depth look at planting a mixed border, ideas and practicalities, with a focus on useful perennials. 

There will be refreshments and cake available throughout the afternoon.

Price: £40

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

September

Morning Garden Course

9:30am-1pm

September's morning course will include: 

Price: £50 per person

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

September

Afternoon Garden Course

2:00pm-4:30pm

September's afternoon course will include:

There will be refreshments and cake available throughout the afternoon.

Price: £40 per person

To book, please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

September

Garden Observation Sketchbook

9:15am-1:15pm

Come and draw in the gardens at Long Barn with expert guidance, Anna Ribo our head gardener is fine art trained:

Price: £55 per person

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

October

Morning Garden Course

9:30am-1:00pm

October's morning course will include: 

Price: £50

To book please contact:

lbgardenskent@gmail.com

November

Morning Garden Course

3 November 2023

9:30am-1:00pm

November's morning course will include:

Price: £50

To book please contact 

lbgardenskent@gmail.com