Step into a beautiful private garden and learn to garden with confidence.
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Growing in the Border offers small, hands-on courses set within the private gardens of Blackbrook Estate in Monmouthshire.
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Created over 30 years by Boo Vaughan and cared for alongside gardener Kathryn Owen, this is a space shaped by experience, creativity, and a deep understanding of the land.
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With small groups and practical, down-to-earth teaching, you’ll leave with the skills, confidence, and inspiration to grow and care for your own garden.
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Small groups of just 8 people.
​This course is designed for you if you:
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Want to learn to garden but don’t know where to start
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Feel unsure or lack confidence in your gardening skills
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Want to grow your own food or create a more natural, seasonal garden
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Love the idea of learning in a beautiful, real garden setting
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Enjoy hands-on, practical learning rather than classroom teaching
Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to build on existing knowledge, you’ll be guided in a relaxed, supportive environment.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my day with the Growing Borders team. We were a small group and everyone was warmly welcomed by both Boo and Katherine. It was a very informative, friendly session where we could ask questions and apply what we've learned to our own garden settings. I feel more confident now to make decisions about my own garden design. Thank you Boo and Kathrine for a great day! Wonderful lunch too!"
Nicky Stallwood
"Excellent soil and compost course. Kathryn is extremely knowledgeable, excellent tutor who answers an array of questions with ease. A hands on course with an excellent lunch. I learned so much and would thoroughly recommend it."
TESTIMONIALS
"Another really great day with Growing in the Border. The subject was Resourceful Gardening. It was cleverly structured and extremely well taught. It has certainly given me food for thought and a list of things on which to take action in my own garden.
The company was brilliant, the lunch amazing and the gardens totally inspiring. I’m booked in for the day course on Container Gardening and am already looking forward to it."
"The Fruit Tree Care course that I have recently attended was well thought out, covered all aspects of pruning fruit trees and some shrubs, emphasising the '3-ds' and ensuring that you take out more than a 1/3rd in one go. Easy to follow, good sound advice and ps the lunch was good too ! Many thanks."
Elena Dickinson
"A lovely day at Growing in the Border learning lots of top tips about vegetable gardening from the extremely knowledgeable Kathryn whilst being quietly and carefully looked after by our hostess Boo. Skenfrith is the perfect hidden valley and little paradise."
Jill Howell-Williams
Dawn Davies
Small, personal courses
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Each course is limited to just 8 people, allowing for plenty of individual guidance and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
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Places are limited and often fill quickly - early booking is recommended.
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Join us in the garden
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Step away from the everyday and spend time learning, creating, and connecting with nature in a truly special setting.
