Land and Food Resources

Short Courses 2008

National School in Park Management

The Twelfth annual National School of Park Management.

Horticulture Short Courses

Other Short Courses at Burnley

More information

Horticulture Short Courses
Burnley Gardens Campus

Burnley, with its historic gardens, has an international reputation for leadership in horticultural education and training for well over 100 years. As a campus of the University of Melbourne, Burnley offers a range of study options both for those keen to develop a career in horticulture and landscape management and for those seeking to pursue their interests in plants and gardens. Alongside our higher education programs, we offer an extensive short course program. Our courses are led by engaging and knowledgeable presenters, many of whom are internationally renowned in their field. Most courses require no previous experience, the only pre-requisite being an infectious enthusiasm for gardening. Other courses are designed to advance the skills and knowledge of people working in a variety of fields. I am pleased to present this short course program and strongly encourage you join us at Burnley in 2008.

Professor Nigel Stork
Head of School of Resource Management,
Burnley Gardens Campus
University of Melbourne

General Interest Courses

Discovering Horticulture

A perennial favourite that has been running at Burnley for over a decade, Discovering Horticulture (fondly known in-house as “Disco Hort”), is an excellent introductory course in horticulture for those wishing to learn more. Over 12 weeks, a new topic is covered in each session, including plant identification, plant form and function, plant propagation, garden history, landscaping, soils and fertilizers, plants for dry gardens and tree care. In addition to the horticultural staff at Burnley there are specialist guest lecturers including landscape architect and media personality John Patrick, radio gardener Michéle Adler and Divisional Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Richard Barley. This is our longest running short course and a must for all budding horticulturists and garden lovers. The course runs four times a year so can be taken on Tuesday evenings or on Wednesday mornings in either semester one or two.

Cost: $500 (12 x 3hr sessions)
Course 1 Beginning: Tuesday evening, March 11 6.15pm - 9.15pm
Course 2 Beginning: Wednesday morning, March 12, 9.30am - 12.30pm
Course 3 Beginning: Tuesday evening, August 12, 6.15pm - 9.15pm
Course 4 Beginning: Wednesday morning, August 13, 9.30am - 12.30pm

 
Gardening with Australian Plants

Learn more about Australian Plants for the garden in this six-week short course. Plant identification, combining native and exotic species, soil preparation, planting, mulching, fertilisers, pests and diseases, pruning and propagation are just some of the areas covered. Find out about special plants for special purposes, such as difficult sites, bird attraction, fragrance and bush food plants. In a new extended format for 2008, this course will be presented by a number of Australian Plant specialists.

Cost: $480 (6 x 2.5 hour sessions)
Beginning: Wednesday, October 15, 6.00pm - 8.30pm

 

Landscape Design

Conducted by award-winning designer and ABC radio personality Andrew Laidlaw, this 28-week program links design to landscape practice. Spread over two semesters, the course is for those wishing to explore and develop skills in landscape design, graphics and presentation. As with all short courses, classes are not conducted on public holidays or over school holidays. Topics such as design principles, garden history and designers, planting design and the design process are covered in semester one. In semester two you will complete a site assessment and develop skills in design, drawing and graphics, through instruction and practice; finally producing design plans and more detailed documentation. This course always fills very quickly, so make sure you book as soon as possible if you want a place. (Note that this course is limited to 22 participants).

Cost: $1,300 (28 x 3hr sessions)
Beginning: Wednesday, April 9, 6.00pm - 9.00pm

 
Plants for Designed Landscapes

Which plant where? This is a professional short course for people wishing to expand their knowledge of plants and their uses in the landscape. This course was developed several years ago following requests from landscape architects, designers and contractors wishing to improve their understanding of plant selection and use in South Eastern Australia. In 2008 this course is offered as twelve three-hour, evening sessions commencing in August. In each session a new design theme is introduced that outlines selection criteria, suitable plants and studies of use in garden and landscape settings. The sessions will cover both aesthetic and functional themes including ground cover, hedging and screening, climbing plants, form and foliage, small residential trees, coastal landscapes, shade and interior landscapes, low water use plantings, roof gardens and elevated plantings, hostile urban soils and more. This has been a popular course in recent years with landscape professionals, but also with keen gardeners and ‘plant-a-holics’!

Cost: $580 (12 x 3hr sessions)
Beginning: Thursday, August 14, 6.00pm to 9.00pm

Burnley Mini Saturday Seminar Series

New in 2008!

Offered for the first time in 2008 this is a series of Saturday morning lecture-style seminars presented by a range of well-known horticultural professionals. For those whose commitments preclude participation in an extended course, these mini bites promise to be a delightful opportunity to spend a Saturday morning learning about a specialist area. Cost includes morning tea, allowing time to meet with your fellow enthusiasts.

Cost: $65 (per seminar) or $240 (for all four seminars)
When: Saturday's, 9.30am – 12.30pm

 
Seminar 1: Trees of Melbourne

Saturday, September 6, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Dr Greg Moore, well known and recently retired head of Burnley Campus, presents a morning introducing some of the more famous and interesting trees of Melbourne, as well as providing insight into selection and maintenance of trees for the Australian urban environment. Riveting listening for tree lovers.

Seminar 2: History & Philosophy of Australian Gardens

Saturday, October 18, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Richard Aitken, garden historian, author, curator and editor of the Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens introduces his field of specialist study outlining the theoretical framework and practical application of researching the history of gardens in Australia. A must for garden history enthusiasts!

Seminar 3: Indestructible Australian Plants

Saturday, November 8, 9.30am – 12.30pm
James Will, senior Plant Science and Urban Flora lecturer at Burnley provides a glimpse of his favourite indestructible plants. A look at some new and some old species, all with the characteristics to make them survivors of tough conditions and drought.

Seminar 4: Exotica – New Plants for Old Gardens

Saturday, December 6, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Stephen Ryan, celebrated nurseryman and the passionate personality behind Dicksonia Rare Plants in Mt Macedon, introduces a selection of rare and interesting plants as new options for Melbourne gardeners.

Planting Design workshops – exploring sustainability
New in 2008!

New for 2008 is a series of workshops that focus on planting design and sustainability. Featuring a cast of leading landscape designers this will be a series not to miss for those interested in residential landscape design. During each session a guest landscape designer will discuss key principles and influences on their work and explore examples of landscape and garden projects that demonstrate aspects of sustainability. Based over a series of six 2½ hour Thursday evening sessions from 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm - you are welcome to enrol in one session or, for a discount, enrol in all six.

Cost: $90 (for individual workshops) or $500 (for all six)
When: Thurday's , 6.30 pm – 9.00pm

 
Workshop 1: Paul Thompson

Thursday, April 17, 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Paul Thompson is a well-known landscape designer and author of Australian Planting Design (Lothian Books, 2002). Paul has been involved in many leading landscape projects, most notably the Australia Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.

 
Workshop 2: William Martin

Thursday, May 1, 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm
William Martin’s award-winning garden ‘Wigandia’ at Noorat in Western Victoria is a masterpiece. Full of creativity, spirit and invention it also demonstrates skilful planting design and selection. Visit William’s website to see more of his work and garden.

 
Workshop 3: Robert Boyle

Thursday, May 15, 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Robert has been a successful landscape designer for more than 35 years. His work embodies strong environmental principles and has a rich heritage in innovative planting and design solutions. Robert’s website provides more information.

 
Workshop 4: Scott Watson

Thursday, May 29, 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Scott is a Senior Landscape Architect (Landscape Management) with Vic Roads. Responsible for approving the design of many roadside vegetation projects across Victoria, Scott is required to consider issues of sustainability in what are frequently hostile landscapes.

 
Workshop 5: Andrew Laidlaw

Thursday, June 12, 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Andrew is a Landscape Architect with the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. In recent years Andrew has been responsible for the design of some iconic landscape projects within the gardens, including the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and shortly the Volcano Project.

 
Workshop 6: Georgina Martyn

Thursday, June 26, 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Georgina is an award-winning landscape designer who seeks sustainability through her work. She incorporates a range of interests and materials including Feng Shui, bold foliage and colour materials, sculpture and children’s play with the practicalities of planting design. Visit her website to find out more.

Enrolment Details

Download a copy of the Horticulture Short Courses brochure. Complete the registration form on page 19 indicating the course/s you wish to enrol in and send it to Admissions Office, Burnley Campus. For more information on each course contact student administration on 9250 6800 to be connected to the course coordinator. You will be sent a letter to confirm your enrolment one week prior to the subject commencing. This letter will contain details about class location and subject specific requirements. Please note that enrolments are only accepted with full payment. Some courses fill quickly so to avoid disappointment please enrol early.

Contact Us

Burnley Campus
500 Yarra Boulevard
Richmond VIC 3121
Telephone: +61 3 9250 6800
Fax: +61 3 9250 6885
Online enquiries

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