Student Success Stories

When I moved into my London flat three years ago, I inherited a dreary concrete courtyard that felt more like a storage area than a garden. I'd always dreamed of having a green space but had no idea where to start.

The English Garden Design Fundamentals course changed everything. The AI garden planner helped me understand which plants would thrive in my shaded, urban environment. I learned about vertical gardening, container planting, and how to create layers of interest in a small space.

Within six months of completing the course, my courtyard was transformed. Climbing jasmine now covers the walls, filling the space with fragrance. I've created a small herb garden, installed window boxes bursting with seasonal colour, and even managed to grow rare hellebores that I learned about in the course.

"The AI garden planner was a game-changer. It suggested plants I'd never considered, and every single one has thrived. My neighbours now ask for gardening advice!"

What started as a hobby has become a passion. I've since taken the Rare Plant Cultivation course and now maintain a collection of over 50 unusual species. My courtyard has become a sanctuary where I spend every morning with my coffee, surrounded by the garden I created.

After 15 years in office work, I was desperate for a career change that would get me outdoors and working with my hands. I'd always enjoyed gardening as a hobby, but turning it into a profession seemed impossible without formal training.

I enrolled in the Pruning & Maintenance Mastery course, followed by the Seasonal Garden Planning course. The comprehensive video tutorials taught me professional techniques I'd never have learned on my own. The composting module alone revolutionised how I approach soil health.

Armed with my certificates and newfound expertise, I started offering gardening services to neighbours. Word spread quickly about my thorough, knowledgeable approach. Within a year, I had enough clients to leave my office job and launch Thompson Garden Services full-time.

"The courses gave me the confidence and credentials to charge professional rates. Clients trust my expertise because I can explain the 'why' behind every technique."

Two years later, I now employ three staff members and maintain over 40 regular clients across Edinburgh. The pruning techniques I learned are the foundation of my business. I've even started teaching workshops myself, passing on the knowledge that transformed my life.

Garden Design UK didn't just teach me gardening; it gave me a fulfilling career doing what I love every single day.

When I retired at 65, I finally had time to focus on my cottage garden. I'd been gardening for decades but wanted to take my skills to the next level. My grandchildren suggested I try online courses, and I'm so glad I listened.

I started with English Garden Design Fundamentals, which taught me the principles I'd been missing. The course on Climate-Specific Plant Selection helped me understand why some plants thrived while others struggled. I then completed the Seasonal Garden Planning course to ensure year-round interest.

The AI garden planner was surprisingly easy to use, even for someone who isn't particularly tech-savvy. It helped me redesign my borders for better colour combinations and seasonal succession. I learned about companion planting and created a wildlife-friendly garden that's now home to countless birds and beneficial insects.

"At 68, I won my first garden design award. The judges specifically praised my plant combinations and seasonal planning – skills I learned entirely through these courses."

Last summer, my garden was featured in our local garden society's open day. Over 200 people visited, and I spent the day sharing what I'd learned. Many were surprised to hear I'd done most of my learning online.

I'm now working through the Rare Plant Cultivation course, adding unusual specimens to my collection. Gardening has given me purpose in retirement, and these courses have made me a better gardener than I ever imagined possible.