If so, you should consider becoming a garden designer.

But how do you get into garden design (or landscape design as many people call it)?

It isn't easy. Garden design is a closed world. Few people know how to lay out a design, how to find clients, or what to charge.

That’s why this course is so useful. It tells you all you need to know about professional garden design.

Having a client approve your first design is a real thrill. And it’s surpassed only by the pleasure of getting money for it. Imagine getting paid for doing what you enjoy.

And the best way to achieve this is by gaining the Diploma in Garden Design from the Blackford Centre. You can study the course online at home, and there's a printed edition that comes to your door. There's no pressure – and we give you lots of support.

Extra income - or a new career?

Garden design can be your main work, or it can provide a second income. You can work from home, either part or full time, and you get to meet interesting people.

Wouldn’t you love to spend all day in the fresh air, walking around gardens? Planning how to make them really special? Wouldn't you enjoy having tea in the shade with the earnest owners, showing them how to make their dreams come true?

How busy do you want to be?

As a garden designer, you can work from home. You can fit the work around your other commitments, and decide how much work to take on.

There are very few costs. You just need a phone and a notebook. Virtually every penny you earn is profit.

About the course

The Diploma course shows you how to become a professional garden designer. It's designed to give you the right information when you need it.

The course is a complete learning package, and even includes a starter kit for your first meeting. ‘Become a Garden Designer’ is crammed full of information, tips and exercises. Everything is beautifully packaged to provide you with your own permanent reference library which you can consult long after completing the course.

Constructed by garden design experts, the course distills years of experience, covering every kind of garden. By taking this course, your success as a garden designer is assured.

And you don’t need to be good at drawing. We reveal how to produce competent designs - even if you’ve never drawn anything in your life. Plus we give you free garden design software, which let you draw professional layouts.

Student Success Story "I’ve had a proper garden business started since April 2009 and I now have three gardens to maintain full-time and I’ve had four garden design jobs – design and implementation and two others that have been designed but not yet implemented. I am starting on my seventh design job and it’s a big one with lots of levels and stonework (all other jobs were just planting schemes). So I’m a bit nervous but very excited! I’m also just starting to advertise – as up until now, it’s only been by word of mouth. Very exciting!"

Student Testimonial "I have enjoyed the whole experience, and am very glad that I decided to participate in the course. My congratulations go to all who are involved in the running of the course, and the dedication from everyone too. Thankyou again for helping me pass and get my Diploma, and hopefully start a new career in Garden Design, I cherish your support and encouragement."

Watch the video above to learn more about becoming a garden designer.

Did you know?

We also offer a gardening Diploma course. If you're more interested in horticulture, why not check it out: //www.inst.org/garden/become.htm?’.

Personal to you

To help you fully understand the course material, we set you 13 assignments. These are marked by one of our experienced tutors, who will stay with you throughout the course.

It means your work is checked in a friendly atmosphere before you are exposed to the outside world.

You’ll have unlimited access to your tutor, who'll give you free advice and suggestions on anything to do with garden design, including your own clients.

And you can always telephone an advisor at the Blackford Centre. We love hearing from students.

Unlike other organisations' courses, you can take as long as you want to complete the course.

And remember that our courses are based on the real world. By the end of it, you'll have met all the main problems that a garden designer encounters. So you won't face any surprises when you meet your first client.

Could you become a garden designer? Take our free assessment now. Click here.

International in scope

We have students from all over the world, including the USA, Canada, Ireland, France, Australia, New Zealand, France and Portugal.

We take full account of international issues, such as climatic zones.

And thanks to email, your assignments can be marked and returned to you as fast as if you were next door.

Free bonuses If you enrol on the course today, you’ll also get these great bonuses, absolutely free: Bonus 1. Fully-customisable Marketing and Stationery Kit (value £275). This ten-piece kit gives you ready-made advertisements, posters, leaflets and even your business stationery. Just add your own contact details, and print them. Click here for details of the kit. Bonus 2. You get the files for a free garden designer's website (value £385) You’ll receive a free website for your garden design business. The site comes in a range of five colours, complete with sample text. It will save you a lot of money, weeks of delay and the trial and error that comes with designing a website. For more information, click here to see the free garden designer's website. Bonus 3. Free mentoring when you complete the course (value £365) Once you complete the course, we’ll give you three months’ free business mentoring. You’ll have a personal mentor who'll help you set up your own business (if that's your choice). For three months after getting your Diploma you'll get one-to-one advice and support from an active practitioner. So if you're unsure on how to launch your own business, this mentoring programme will put you on the road to success. And because it's all part of the Blackford Centre's course, it won't cost you a penny. Bonus 4. You get a free copy of Business Blueprints (value £17) This 47 page book contains complete step-by-step checklists for starting a successful business. Click here to learn more about Business Blueprints.

Exclusive information

The course gives you an invaluable insight into the garden design world. You can't find these trade secrets disclosed anywhere else. The course is distilled from actual experience, to give you the answers to questions like:

• How do I present my designs?
• What sort of people buy garden design?
• Where do I find clients?
• How much do I charge?
• What paperwork do I need?
• How do I do a drawing?
  

How long does the course take?

You can complete the course in around nine months, depending on your other commitments. Some students do it faster, while others take longer. That's one advantage of distance learning. You can learn at your own speed.

And there's no time limit on the course. So if you need to be away for six months, you can do so without worrying.

Money Back Guarantee Examine the course at your leisure for 60 days. And if you for any reason it doesn't meet your needs, just let us know and we'll refund your fees. No questions asked. Why do we offer this? Simple. We don't want unhappy former students. We'd rather stay friends. And it stands to reason that no course can suit absolutely everyone who registers on it.

When you complete the course

Once you complete the course, you’ll receive your Diploma, which is a recognition of your skills and knowledge.

We also send information about your success to your local newspapers. It’s a good way of telling potential clients that you’re available.

We’ll also put your name on our list of Approved Garden Designers.

And if you register with the Blackford Centre, you can get continuing help after the course.

What you'll learn from the course

By the end of the course, you'll have acquired the following skills:

• You'll have learnt the skills of garden design.
• You'll know how to set up and run a garden design or landscape design business

Students who satisfactorily complete the course are awarded the Diploma in Garden Design. They receive the Diploma certificate.

You'll also get this virtual sticker (above) to use on your website, letters and brochures.

The right course for you

You should check that this is the right course for you. Compare other garden design or landscaping courses before enrolling. Here are the main things to check for:

• Can you get a no-quibble refund if the course isn't suitable?
• Does the whole course come in one package (some don't do that)?
• Does the course cover the setting up and marketing of a business (if that is your aim)?
• Is there proper one-to-one tutoring?
• Is the course comprehensive? For example, does it cover topics like garden lighting, or levels?
• Is the course endorsed?

It's time to get started

Having read this far, you've got what it takes - motivation. So now you can register online, because this is where the adventure and rewards begin. It's easy to start:

1. Register online. If you need help or information, e-mail or phone us at the Blackford Centre.

2. We’ll ship the full course materials within three working days.

3. When you get the course, read the first module. It’s laid out in an easy-to-follow format. Then do the simple first assignment. Send it to your tutor for marking. He or she will return it to you with friendly advice and comments.

4. Do the same for the other modules, until you reach the end of the course. By then, you'll probably be earning good money as a garden designer.

With best wishes,



Kit Sadgrove
Chief Executive