Deepen your gardening knowledge and join us for two talks with award-winning garden designer Keri Fitzpatrick, and enjoy a complimentary lunch as part of the day.

Morning Talk – Creating & Planting a Garden on a Budget

Discover how you can create and plant a beautiful garden on a budget…

Keri will guide you through the process, and shares her top tips and advice on selecting and combining materials and plants – all you need to be inspired to give it a go yourself.

Subjects covered:

• Garden Inspiration and styles
• Practical and cost effective solutions to existing common problems
• Material selection – longevity and costs
• Key plants to consider for maximum interest
• Plant shopping for the budget conscious

By the end of the talk you will have:

• an overview of garden styles and key materials/ plants for the budget conscious.
• understand practical and cost effective solutions to existing common issues.
• have an awareness of different types of materials, their uses, cost and longevity.
• understand how you can save money on plant purchases.

Afternoon Talk – Design and Planting Tips for a Small Garden

Explore how to achieve atmospheric and all year interest in your small space. In this session, Keri will share design advice, hints and tips on how you can make the most of your small garden.

Subjects covered:

• Site assessment overview
• Design inspiration for small spaces
• Privacy & screening solutions for a small space
• Choosing the right plants for a small space

By the end of the talk you will have:

• An understanding of how to choose the correct plants for your small garden
• A list of plants that will create impact and interest but not outgrow their space
• A list of plants that are suitable for the atmosphere that you want to create

Who are the talks for?

Beginners and garden enthusiasts are welcome

The Tutor:

Keri Fitzpatrick studied garden and landscape design at the University of Brighton, and has exhibited at RHS Hampton Court as well as Gardener’s World Live.  Keri has travelled extensively and brings this experience to her garden planting and inspiration.

The Venue:

Old Barn Garden Centre is one of the largest nurseries in Sussex. The talk will be held in their purpose-built studio ‘The Garden Room’.

What’s Included:

• Two 90 minute talks by a gardening expert
• Sandwich Lunch
• 20% Off Plants Voucher for use at Old Barn Garden Centre on the day of the talks

Date, Time and Venue:

Wednesday 22nd October 2025
10.30am – 2.30pm
Old Barn Garden Centre, Worthing Road, Dial Post, Horsham, RH13 8NR

Tickets:

2-Talk Ticket including lunch – £20

If you’d prefer to join for one of these talks rather than both, please follow these links for individual talk bookings:
‘Creating and Planting a Garden on a Budget’ 10.30am – 12pm
‘Design and Planting Tips for a Small Garden’ 1pm – 2.30pm

What Next?

Once you have booked, you will receive an email confirmation of your booking – please check your junk mail if you have not heard from us.

About 2 weeks before the talks, you will receive another email, giving directions and joining instructions – again, please check your junk mail if you have not heard from us.

Other Gardening Talks at Sussex Garden School:

Boost your garden knowledge with professional tips from our horticulture & design experts. Our Gardening Talks are packed with insights gained from years of creating and planting gardens of all kinds. Whatever your garden problem, we have the solutions! Join us for just a morning ‘info-burst’ or relax into a whole day of learning with lunch to sustain you. You can find out about all of our gardening talks here!

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