web site updated
March 2006
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All original material is copyrighted to Alison Marsden, Gardening by Design 2003-6. It may be used by clients for the benefit of their own garden but for no other purpose

Coaching

Working with groups & children

I am happy to work with an individual, a whole family, a group of friends and neighbours, a school, or a community or youth group. For a group, we can work in someone’s garden or wherever the group usually meets.  The hourly cost is the same however many people attend and everyone receives a copy of the handout (within reason! if in doubt please check in advance).

Why not get a group of local friends and neighbours together for a series of “Horticultural Coffee Mornings”? Everyone gets the benefit of all the topics, each one takes place in a different garden so everyone gets specific advice on the subject that concerns them most and the cost is shared.

Gardening must be the ultimate family leisure activity - all the better because you do not even have to leave home - and I am very happy to work with children. I love encouraging them into the wonderful world of gardening and the creatures who share our outside spaces.  I can introduce plant & tool safety and suggest gardening activities that are safe and non-destructive for small children. We have two children of our own and both are keen and competent under supervision ~ in an otherwise mostly ornamental garden,  we grew fruit and vegetables this summer specifically at the request of a six-year old who has planted, watered picked and eaten with sustained enthusiasm.

The main pre-requisites I have found for gardening with children are a zero-tolerance policy on picking anything without adult supervision, a rediscovered interest in worms and woodlice, several trowels (so that you can all have one at the same time) and a washing machine.