Garden Events and Courses
Garden Events and Courses - Scroll down for all events and bookings
Garden Courses- Through informative talks and demonstrations by Rebecca Lemonius and Anna Ribo, you can be inspired by 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. Details of individual courses are set out below.
History Talks- Rebecca will hold these in the evening, 6pm-8pm, with a chance to stroll around the garden in the evening light prior to the talk starting at 7pm in the house.
Coffee Mornings- come and see the garden as the year progresses, with an optional brief history chat on the terrace or under the loggia (all outside), as for other events and talks, pre-booking is essential.
For all events please be aware that Long Barn is a private garden and it is terraced. Many of the paths are original and narrow. If you have mobility restrictions we will do our absolute best to accommodate your requirements but please do email us in advance on lbgardenskent@gmail.com
For further details and to book events and courses please scroll down. Pre-booking is essential for all listings.
February
Rose Pruning in the Garden
Saturday, 24 February 2024
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: £40
March
Coffee Morning in the Garden
Friday 22 March 2024
10:00am-12:00pm
Come and see the garden in spring and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a walk around the garden. There will be an optional brief history talk for those not familiar with the garden at 10:30am either on the terrace or under the loggia. The coffee morning will take place outside, so wrap up warm.
Price: £16
April
Seeds, Plant Divisions and Border Supports
Friday, 19 April 2024
9:30am-1:00pm
April's garden course will include:
a walk around the garden looking at April jobs as spring gets underway.
seed sowing, germination, pricking out and potting on. An economical approach to gardening.
spring plant division for happy, healthy (and more) plants
Using 'pea sticks' to support the herbaceous border
tea/coffee and cake.
Price: £55
April
History Talk 1 and Garden Visit
Thursday, 25 April 2024
6:00pm-8:00pm
A general talk on Vita Sackville West and Harold Nicolson's seventeen years at Long Barn. The talk will start at 7:00pm but guests are welcome to arrive from 6:00pm to see the garden in the evening light.
Non-alcoholic refreshments will be available.
Price: £25
May
Garden Observation Sketchbook
Monday, 13 May 2024
9:15am-1:15pm
Come and draw in the gardens at Long Barn with expert guidance from garden designer and former Long Barn head gardener, Anna Ribo:
increase your observation skills through sketching. Taking time to 'stop and stare' is an invaluable part of gardening and observing plants in groups and close up increases our understanding and appreciation of them.
take time to connect with nature, capture a moment in the garden and enjoy the process of observing and documenting the world around you.
suitable for anyone, beginners through to experienced artists. All that is needed is a hardback sketchbook and 2B pencil.
tea/coffee and cake
Price: £60
May
Creating a border
Friday, 17 May 2024
9:30am-1:00pm
May's garden course will include:
a walk around the garden looking at May jobs and garden management.
Assessing rennovating and planning a border, things to consider and choices to make.
using annuals, half hardy and tender plants in the garden to create colouful interesting borders.
tea/coffee and cake.
Price: £55
May
History Talk 2 and Garden Visit
Thursday, 23 May 2024
6:00pm-8:00pm
Fascinating stories of some of the people who have lived at Long Barn over the past 100 years, including Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Sidney Bernstein.
The talk will start at 7:00pm but guests are welcome to arrive from 6:00pm to see the garden in the evening light.
Non-alcoholic refreshments will be available.
Price: £25
June
Meadows and Naturalising Plants
Friday, 14 June 2024
9:30am-1:00pm
June's morning course will include:
a walk around the garden looking at June jobs and garden management.
meadows (including small ones) and their management.
naturalising plants and gardening with nature in mind
tea/coffee and cake.
Price: £55
June
History Talk 3 and Garden Visit
Wednesday, 19 June 2024
6:00pm-8:00pm
Gertrude Jekyll, Lutyens, William Robinson and other influences on the creation of the gardens at Long Barn.
The talk will start at 7:00pm but guests are welcome to arrive from 6:00pm to see the garden in the evening light.
Non-alcoholic refreshments will be available.
Price: £25
September
Propagation, plants for late season interest, bulbs and autumn sowing
Friday, 6 September 2024
9:30am-1pm
September's morning course will include:
a walk around the garden looking at September jobs and garden management.
How to keep the show going -plants for late season interest.
A look at propagation and in particular semi-ripe cuttings.
Planning for spring, bulbs and autumn sowing, including how to overwinter seedlings.
tea/coffee and cake.
Price: £55
September
Garden Observation Sketchbook
Friday, 13 September 2024
9:15am-1:15pm
Come and draw in the gardens at Long Barn with expert guidance from Anna Ribo:
increase your observation skills through sketching. Taking time to 'stop and stare' is an invaluable part of gardening and observing plants in groups and close up increases our understanding and appreciation of them.
take time to connect with nature, capture a moment in the garden and enjoy the process of observing and documenting the world around you.
suitable for anyone, beginners through to experienced artists. All that is needed is a sketchbook and 2B pencil.
tea/coffee and cake
Price: £60