Gardening Courses

Throughout the year we run practical gardening courses at Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens. Our gardening workshops include hands-on courses such as apple tree pruning as well as workshops dealing with garden design. In keeping with the ethos of our garden they tend to look at ways to garden that encourages wildlife. These workshops are either led by garden owner, Vanessa Cook, or by visiting experts.

We also hold a variety of more creative arts and crafts courses using the garden as inspiration.

All courses include entry to the garden plus welcome coffee and biscuits. Unless stated, materials are provided and you will leave each workshop with plenty of reference information.

Please note that workshop fees cannot be refunded if cancelled less than 7 days prior to date of workshop.

To reserve your place/s please click on the event and use the Book Now buttons beside each workshop. Alternatively complete and return the downloadable booking form. 

Learning about gardening

We would recommend early booking as many courses sell out quickly.

Gardening Courses in 2024

Growing Cut Flowers

Growing cut flowers with Elizabeth Jackson
March 20 at 10:00 - 12:00

Growing cut flowers in your own garden or allotment is an excellent way to make the most of your garden – and to bring the best of the garden into…

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How to be Cheerful about Shade in the Garden

Hellebore - one of our shade plants
April 17 at 10:00 - 12:00

On this popular course led by garden owner, Vanessa Cook, you will learn plenty of tips for making the most of shade in your garden. Find out which plants to…

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Selby Residents’ Festival

pink tulips
April 21 at 10:00 - 12:00

We are delighted to be opening again in 2024 as part of the Selby Residents’ Festival. This year we are opening for Selby Resident’s on the morning of the 21st…

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Garden Walk with Vanessa in May

Malus
May 1 at 14:00 - 15:00

Join Vanessa for a garden walk when she will show you the highlights of the garden in May. This will be an informal tour with the garden owner, Vanessa who…

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How to Create a Planting Plan for your Garden

A garden design
May 17 at 10:00 - 12:00

We are delighted that renowned garden designer, Tracy Foster, is returning to Stillingfleet Lodge to lead this workshop where you will learn how to create a planting plan for your…

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How to extend the vegetable growing season

variety of vegetables in the garden
May 18 at 10:00 - 12:00

Tony Chalcraft is back for vegetable growing workshop, where he will show you how to get the most from your vegetable garden, whatever the size, and have fresh vegetables throughout…

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Garden Walk in June

geranium wallicianum
June 5 at 14:00 - 15:00

Join Vanessa for a garden walk when she will show you the highlights of the garden in June. This will be an informal tour with the garden owner, Vanessa who…

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Wine and Nibbles in the Garden

wine and nibbles on a table in the garden
June 19 at 18:00 - 20:00

Join us for a summer evening in the tearoom and courtyard garden where you can enjoy a glass of wine accompanied by savoury nibbles, followed by a wander around the…

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Garden Walk in July

Rose Gertrude Jekyll
July 3 at 14:00 - 15:00

Join Vanessa for a garden walk when she will show you the highlights of the garden in July. This will be an informal tour with the garden owner, Vanessa who…

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Garden Walk in August

phlox 'Otley Choice'
August 7 at 14:00 - 15:00

Join Vanessa for a garden walk when she will show you the highlights of the garden in August. This will be an informal tour with the garden owner, Vanessa who…

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Garden walk in September

Autumn flowering cosmos with red admiral butterfly
September 4 at 14:00 - 15:00

Join Vanessa for a garden walk when she will show you the highlights of the garden in September. This will be an informal tour with the garden owner, Vanessa who…

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Previous Gardening Workshops

Magnolia stellata on the spring garden walk

Spring Garden Walk

April 13, 2022 at 10:00 - 12:00

Join garden-owner Vanessa Cook on this spring garden walk, taking you on a tour of the garden where you will see the plants that look good in the garden in…

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tomatoes

Growing Vegetables Under Cover

May 7, 2022 at 10:00 - 12:00

This workshop looks at how to get the best from a greenhouse or polytunnel. It is aimed at those with, or considering acquiring, a greenhouse or polytunnel and covers all…

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peacock butterfly on inulas

Design a Wildlife Garden

May 16, 2022 at 10:00 - 16:00

Design a wildlife garden is a new course for 2022 and we are delighted to introduce a new workshop tutor, Richard Easton. This will be a full day workshop where…

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Foxgloves "Digitalis"

Using Colour and Foliage in the Garden

July 6, 2022 at 10:00 - 12:00

Join Vanessa for this workshop that celebrates the role of foliage in the garden and particularly how it works with colour. Learn how to keep colour and structure in your…

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planning a vegetable garden

Better Vegetables Next Year?

September 3, 2022 at 10:00 - 12:00

September is an excellent time for planning a vegetable garden and this workshop is for all those who’ve had some vegetable growing experience but have had a few ups and downs.…

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Aster Monch, a flower on the autumn garden walk

Autumn Garden Walk

September 28, 2022 at 10:00 - 12:00

Join garden-owner Vanessa Cook for an autumn garden walk before the garden closes for winter. Come and see the plants that flower later in the year, the foliage as it…

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The snowdrop walk at Stillingfleet Lodge

Snowdrop Walk – Exclusive Event for Season Ticket Holders

February 1, 2023 at 13:00 - 16:00

We are delighted to be opening the garden exclusively for our Season Ticket holders to enjoy a Snowdrop Walk. This is the first time that we have opened the garden…

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willow obelisk workshop

Make a Willow Obelisk – Morning

April 17, 2023 at 10:00 - 12:30

Leilah Vyner from Dragon Willow near Tadcaster will be leading this 1/2 day workshop to make a willow obelisk. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a 6ft obelisk using…

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Photographs of previous gardening courses.

Testimonials

Today I have had a thoroughly enjoyable morning on Vanessa’s Apple Pruning Course.    As very much an “amateur” I confess to feeling a little apprehensive but I soon felt  relaxed   in the lovely friendly atmosphere and feel I have gained so much from the hands  on experience. Much better doing it rather than simply reading how to do it!"

Sue Dalton

"Thank you so much for your time and expertise on Tuesday morning. The workshop was not only informative, but also enjoyable – not least because of the beautiful early spring-like weather. The hands-on experience certainly gave me much more confidence to attack my ageing trees. I was surprised to find very few buds when I got home, but my garden is much more exposed so I suppose I should wait patiently before I get the secateurs out."

Derek Jones

“I can highly recommend this course about growing vegetables organically, it answered all the queries I had thought of, including those I hadn’t! I came away knowing exactly to how set out my garden and with specific advice about what would grow at its latitude and elevation. After the course I spent a happy couple of hours looking around Stillingfleet Lodge gardens and came away with three plants from the nursery.”