London Stone Development Days In Partnership With LCGD

As a landscaper, would you like to know more about planting? Andrew Fisher Tomlin, Director of the London College of Garden Design, knows how it is. “Landscapers are always going to have occasion when they just need to do some planting themselves,” he says. “Maybe they’re replacing paving or putting in a new terrace and the property owner says, ‘Could you do this bed for me?’ You just want to get on with it yourself.” Or, as a designer, are you confident with construction detailing - your master plan is stunning, but what are the right materials, how deep should the foundations be, and how is the design going to be built-up? As you know, at London Stone we’re fervent believers in #OneIndustryUnited and, if there’s one thing that fosters unity, it’s mutual understanding and improved communication, which is why we’re presenting two courses throughout the year in our Surrey Showroom in Farnham and our North London Showroom, Bounds Green, N11.

We’re delighted that the courses will be presented by Andrew Fisher Tomlin, and Andrew Wilson. Neither need any introduction - but let’s indulge them for a minute - as being among the top designers and landscapers in the country, with RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Gold award-winning gardens under their belts. Both are also former chairmen of the Society of Garden Designers. As Directors of the London College of Garden Design, the Andrews have also enjoyed a long career in education too. “London Stone have been brilliant over the years in supporting graduates at shows, and me,” says Andrew Fisher Tomlin. “We’ve got a close relationship. We try to do some CPDs that are free throughout the year and this is a good opportunity to take courses out to people.”

The first, “An introduction to construction design for designers”, presented by Andrew Wilson, will explore how to fulfil a garden design brief in terms of the construction detailing and will be particularly useful for garden designers or landscapers who have had no formal training in this aspect. It’ll also be very helpful for new designers who would like to boost their knowledge. “We get so many requests for this sort of course that we’re actually launching a new construction design programme,” says Andrew Fisher Tomlin.

Andrew, himself, presents the second: “An introduction to planting design for landscapers”. He will discuss planting effectively for resilience and maintenance and it’s particularly aimed at landscapers interested in how this area might dovetail with and expand their business. Trained garden designers won’t find anything they haven’t covered, but for those with no planting design training, Andrew describes it as “a simple approach, but a first step to the wider world of planting design.” The first two are already sold out, and others later in the year are 50% booked, so don’t linger before signing up. Not only are they an excellent way to increase communication with other contractors you work with, but the courses will count towards CPD hours and offer a great opportunity to explore and gain confidence in areas that you might want to expand on in future. To sign up, visit London College of Garden Design and follow the links. We’ll look forward to seeing you there! Post updated: November 2024