On January 18 next year Great Dixter house and gardens in Northiam will begin running its new “Behind the Scenes” course led by Dixter’s Rachael Dodd.
Rachael has worked at Great Dixter for four years, initially as a trainee on the Christopher Lloyd Scholarship, and her warm, yet gentle intelligent manner makes her a fantastic teacher – an asset she has been fine-tuning over the past year while co-leading a course for Dixter’s 2015 education programme.
“Great Dixter is a rich source of knowledge about plants and gardening techniques. It’s a pleasure to share with others what I’ve learned whilst gardening here for over four years.” said Rachael.
“By leading this course I’d like to show people how we garden to create beautiful flower borders, and inspire them with new plants. Each month we will look at the plants that are looking good, how we are planning our gardening work that month, and consider the skills and techniques we are using.”
“Behind the Scenes 2016” will take place monthly on Mondays between 12:30 and 3:30pm. Sessions will consist of a guided walk around the garden with emphasis on the plants that are performing at that time, a break for refreshments and finish with an illustrated talk in the education room at Dixter Farm.
The course takes place on Mondays – January 18, February 15, March 14, April 18, May 23, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 26, October 17, November 14, and December 12. Places cost £45 which includes refreshments (not lunch, but attendees are welcome to bring a sandwich to eat beforehand).
Gift vouchers are also available for anyone wondering what to get their green fingered loved ones for Christmas!
Photo: Carol Casselden