Marks Hall Garden Design Courses

As many of you know here at Karen Chamberlain Garden Design we don’t just design gardens for our clients, but we also teach them how to re-design their garden’s for themselves.

Last month we carried out our first ever garden design course taking place at Marks Hall Gardens.  A truly unique workshop not only did it give participants tips and advice on garden design but also allowed us to explore Mark’s Hall well renowned wall garden.

A big ‘thank you’ to all the ladies who attended the workshop and to the venue Marks Hall Garden’s for providing us with such a warm and welcoming environment.

During the day we spent the morning exploring design techniques and, following lunch, took a stroll up to the Walled Garden to see contemporary ideas in action, before stopping off at the Wedding Garden to gather more traditionally inspired ones.  All in all it was a very enjoyable day and we were even blessed with great weather!

Here are a few comments from the day…

“Please do let me know when other things come up as I do find them so interesting and very relaxed and I like the way you work by looking at everyone’s problems or stumbling points as it also gives everyone else the use of these ideas to use as well …..All in all a very good day….. lunch and coffee’s/teas were well supplied and enjoyed”.

“What a superb setting for a workshop ! Beautiful surroundings and the delightful staff. I really enjoyed the relaxed and informal teachings and discussions and went home with so many ideas to think over I have sat looking at my garden armed with paper, pencil and your ideas to mull over until the weather improves and I can try out these ideas. Exciting times!”

“I had a really enjoyable day with lots of good ideas to put in place, good course and good company.  I have already got some things in place ready to go when the weather stops!!! well at least the snow and cold-am planning my long border and with the help from the workshop the ideas are flowing.  Can’t wait”.

As for future workshops and courses, please check out the courses section on our website for current courses running and do email us if you are interested in being kept up to date with future courses.

Our collaboration with Marks Hall is anticipated as being a Winter/Spring programme, so watch this space for new titles and dates starting Winter 2013.  We are also looking for a local garden venue that has the facilities for a Summer programme, so if you know of one, we would be very interested in hearing about them.

For general garden design advice specific to your garden and to find out about the garden design and planting courses we run, contact Karen on 01206 369 333 or email info@karenchamberlain.co.uk

Posted in Courses, News |

Karen Chamberlain Garden Design support 2013 Harwich Festival of the Arts

Here at Karen Chamberlain Garden Design we are very excited to support Harwich Festival of the Arts  by donating a prize to the Auction of Promises.  The festival is taking place between 26^th June & 7^th July

The Festival Launch will take place in the Alma Inn, Harwich tomorrow at 7.30pm.  During the night there will be a talk by Artistic Director Diana Burrell on the forthcoming festival, followed by an Auction of Promises, plus guitar music from one of the festival performers.

One of the items listed in the auction of promises is “A one hour verbal garden design consultation” with our very own well-renowned garden design expert Karen Chamberlain.

One of Karen’s most popular services this will enable the lucky winner to gain professional advice on how the design of their garden could be improved and revitalised, releasing its true potential. See our garden design services page on our website for more information on this and Karen’s other services.

Please click here for more information on Harwich Festival of the Arts and other items listed in the Auction of Promises.

For garden design advice specific to your garden and to find out about the garden design and planting courses we run, contact Karen on 01206 369 333 or email info@karenchamberlain.co.uk

Posted in News |

Garden design & planting tips this Easter!

At Karen Chamberlain Garden Design we wish all our clients across Essex and Suffolk a VERY HAPPY EASTER!

With all this snow around the country and a bitter chill to the wind we can be forgiven for thinking it is still mid-winter, not a time when we should really have a spring in our step and be surrounded by daffodils!

Well with the Easter bunny firmly wrapped up inside the below are few gardening and planting design tips for your garden for March.

Stay connected

But first a word on keeping in touch, did you know as well as through our blog you can also follow Karen Chamberlain Garden Design on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and by signing up to receive our Monthly Newsletter.  So don’t miss out on top garden design, planting tips and lots more follow us now!

Things to do in March

1. Plant Lilies

Some books will tell you that lilies are planted in autumn when in fact they can be planted much later as they only need 12-14 weeks from panting to producing those gorgeous bowl-you-over blooms.  You should find them in the garden centres now, hanging up on racks in little plastic bags desperate to get into the soil.

So with a certain devil-may-care attitude and a spring in your step I give you permission to impulse buy, just this once!

1. Sow Some Chillies

Chillies provide a certain kick to many a dish, so why not plant them in your garden! To achieve a decent outdoor crop chillies need a long growing season and are best stared off indoors towards the end of this month.

I find a window sill which faces northish/east and is above a radiator to be a good spot as it’s light, warm but not scored by the midday sun.  “I like to play it cool” so this year I am trying two varieties suitable for outdoors ‘Meek & Mild’ which is said to be ideal for stuffing and roasting and another ‘Padron’ billed as a Tapas Pepper both have low heat levels.

So we hope you have a great Easter and remember to keep connected.  For garden design advice specific to your garden and to find out about the garden design and planting courses we run, contact Karen on 01206 369 333 or email info@karenchamberlain.co.uk

Posted in Garden design advice, Gardening advice, Monthly gardening advice, News |

Part 1: How to design your garden

At Karen Chamberlain Garden Design we often asked by our clients that we work with across Essex and Suffolk what exactly does garden design involve?

The following blog is the first in a new five part series outlining the basics steps taken by a garden designer to help you design your own garden.

Part 1 – Write a brief and create a mood board

You cannot make successful changes to any space, let alone one as challenging as a garden, unless you are clear about the existing issues.

One of the most revealing questions I may ask a new client is:

Why am I here? This often results in them listing all the annoyances – perfect, as now I know all the issues the new design has to address.

The next big question is

What do you like about your garden? Answers to this question reveal what’s special about their space; an element I make every effort to retain.

In addition to a written brief you may find it enlightening to gather together images of gardens that you like to help focus your thoughts and to provide inspiration for your own design.

It’s very tempting to the DIY designer to ignore the seemingly boring phase of ‘data gathering’ but really understanding your needs and wishes is key to making effective changes and not costly mistakes!

Next time – Analyse the Garden’s Environment -more data collection but this time the focus is on the garden and not you!

For garden design advice specific to your garden and to find out about the garden design and planting courses we run, contact Karen on 01206 369 333 or email info@karenchamberlain.co.uk

Posted in Garden design advice, News |

Book now – a few places still available for our March garden design course

Don’t miss your opportunity to book your place on our garden design workshop taking place on Wednesday 6th March at Marks Hall Gardens.

Just perfect for those who might have felt that their gardens lacked lustre last summer and who would like to make some changes but feel daunted by the prospect of where to start.

Details as follows:  

Revitalise Your Garden Workshop
Date - Wednesday, 6th March 2013
Place - Marks Hall Gardens, Coggeshall, Essex. CO6 1TU. 01376 563796
Times - 10am to 3pm
Cost -  £45.00 includes refreshments. lunch and entrance to The Walled Garden
Booking - direct with Marks Hall either on-line or via telephone 01376 563796.

Drawing from over a decade’s worth of knowledge in creating gardens, of all shapes and sizes, Karen help you to take a fresh look at your garden.  You’ll spend the morning exploring some very simple techniques used by professional garden designers to create harmonious and interesting spaces, including a few trade secrets!  After lunch Karen will take you on an exclusive tour of the Wall Garden, where you can observe some of the techniques learnt during the morning session and find inspiration for your own garden.  (Wear sensible shoes and bring your camera!)

Towards the end of the day there will be time to browse in the plant centre where Karen will be on hand to answer questions and offer essential planting advice.

Lunch, refreshments and handouts (including a list of Karen’s top 50 ‘Designer Favourite Low Maintenance Plants’), are included in the cost.

To find out more about our garden design services helping you to design your own garden please contact Karen on 01206 369 333 or emailinfo@karenchamberlain.co.uk

Posted in Courses, News |

Bag a Best Buy

 At Karen Chamberlain Garden Design in Essex we don’t just help you with your every garden design need, but in our regular blogs like to give you useful gardening pointers and also top tips to save you money!

So for our top tip to ‘bag a best buy’, remember for your seeds and young plants to flourish they need a good start in life and the compost you chose could mean the difference between success and failure which is why I always keep a look out for the results of ‘Which?’ composts trials. www.which.co.uk/gardening

This year’s top spot goes to J Arthur Bower’s Seed and Cutting Compost, whilst three B&Q own label products ‘Verve’ (growbag, cuttings and multipurpose composts) take 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

If you prefer a peat-free product the best in trial was Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro Concentrated Compost.

When buying compost always buy from an outlet that has a brisk turnover that way you will be sure of bagging the freshest stuff.  Don’t buy bags that look old and faded as they may be last year’s stock.

To find out more about our garden design services helping you to design your own garden please contact Karen on 01206 369 333 or email info@karenchamberlain.co.uk

Posted in Gardening advice, News |