The Reader launches 'Gardening for Everyone' course at Calderstones Park

Calderstones Park is one of Liverpool’s best-loved green spaces and The Reader, based in the Mansion House, uses its beautiful surroundings to bring people together through activities and events.

Gardening for Everyone is a 10-week daytime course which will equip you with all the green-fingered know-how you need to help your own garden flourish.

The course is perfect for anyone who enjoys spending time in their garden, whether you’re an enthusiast wanting expert tips or a total beginner looking to learn the basics.

The course, which starts from September 12, is being run by The Reader in partnership with Estuary Botanics.

The Reader - Calderstones Park Cherry Blossom - credit Andie Griffiths — The Reader – Calderstones Park Cherry Blossom – credit Andie Griffiths

Their experts will guide people through every aspect gardening including soil preparation, plant selection, cultivation techniques, garden maintenance, managing plant health and how to deal with weeds.

They’ll share lots of practical advice – and a few secrets! – and debunk some gardening myths, helping everyone to create a year-long plan of action for their garden.

Gardening for Everyone will take full advantage of The Reader’s park location, with demonstrations, talks and hands-on sessions using The Mansion House’s own garden area, greenhouses and indoor workshop space.

And, because it’s a group environment, it’s more of a fun experience. There’s no pressure, no right or wrong, just a chance to get out in nature and learn all about different aspects of gardening.

Leading the beginner-friendly sessions, on Thursday mornings between 10am and 1pm, will be experts Andy Lambie and Nif Wilkinson.

Giant Sequioa - credit Andie Griffiths — Giant Sequioa – credit Andie Griffiths

Andy, who has recently become an RHS Master of Horticulture, has more than 15 years of practical horticulture and teaching experience at institutes such as the Welsh College of Horticulture and Ness Botanic Gardens.

He’ll be joined by Nif who specialises in botany, horticulture and conservation and is currently a botany tutor for the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI).

Annie Bowden, The Reader’s Programme and Participation Manager, says the course is a great way for everyone to expand their gardening knowledge, whatever the size of their garden or level of experience.

“At The Reader, we’ve got a wonderful volunteer gardening group who maintain all of our gardens and we realised there was a real appetite for gardening so we decided to work with experts on some courses,” she says.

“Gardening for Everyone will suit anyone just getting started or people who’ve been enthused over the summer by the nice weather and feel like they want to increase their skills.”

Handkerchief tree - The Reader — Handkerchief tree – The Reader

Annie says with mental health awareness becoming more of a priority, gardening has seen a boom in popularity among all ages.

“I think during Covid people really developed a sense of ownership of their own green spaces and valued the slower pace and calm that gardening gives you.

“The Reader’s main focus is bringing people together to enhance wellbeing and hopefully this course will give people a combination of wellbeing and also learning new skills to apply to their own life and their own garden.”