Garden Events and Courses
Garden Events, Talks and Courses - Scroll down for all events and bookings
For all events please be aware that Long Barn is a private garden and it is terraced. Many of the paths are original and narrow. If you have mobility restrictions we will do our absolute best to accommodate your requirements but please do email us in advance on lbgardenskent@gmail.com
For further details and to book events and courses please scroll down. Pre-booking is essential for all listings.
February
Rose Pruning in the Garden
Saturday 8 February 2025
10:00am-12:00pm
The rose pruning course will cover training roses and pruning a variety of types. Anna Ribo (www.annaribo.com) will be taking the course, together with Rebecca Lemonius.
There will be warm tea and coffee and homemade cake to keep the cold out.
Price: £45
March
Coffee morning in the Garden
Thursday 27 March 2025
10:00am-12noon
Come and see the garden in early spring and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a walk around the garden. There will be an optional brief history talk for those not familiar with the garden at 10:30am either on the terrace or under the loggia. The coffee morning will take place outside, so dress for the weather.
Price: £20
April
Coffee morning in the Garden
Friday 25 April 2025
10:00am-12noon
Come and see the garden in mid spring and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a walk around the garden. There will be an optional brief history talk for those not familiar with the garden at 10:30am either on the terrace or under the loggia. The coffee morning will take place outside, so dress for the weather.
Price: £20
May
A Spring Garden Discussion
Thursday 8 May 2025
9:30am-1:00pm
Join Edward Flint and Rebecca Lemonius for an in-depth discussion on the evolution and maintenance of the gardens at Long Barn with a particular focus on spring and all that it involves, including:
· Current seasonal jobs
· How to analyse a spring garden
· Critical appraisal of the borders and wilder areas
· Options for planting improvement/ enhancement
· Planting combinations and why they do (or don’t) work
· The process of seasonal planning
The morning will be walking and talking in the garden, so dress for the weather with sturdy, comfortable shoes and come armed with a notebook. The course will start at 10:00 am but you are welcome to arrive and wander at your leisure any time from 9:30am. Tea, Coffee and cake will be served midway through the morning.
Ed originally trained with Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter and has been Head Gardener of a private garden in East Sussex for 25 years. He also teaches ‘The Art and Craft of Gardening’ at Great Dixter and has been teaching for The English Gardening School at the Chelsea Physic Garden for 30 years.
Rebecca is Head Gardener at Long Barn and has lived there for 18 years.
Price: £55
June
Garden Observation Sketchbook
Wednesday 4 June 2025
9:15am-1:15pm
Come and draw in the gardens at Long Barn with expert guidance from Anna Ribo (https://www.annaribo.com):
increase your observation skills through sketching. Taking time to 'stop and stare' is an invaluable part of gardening and observing plants in groups and close up increases our understanding and appreciation of them.
take time to connect with nature, capture a moment in the garden and enjoy the process of observing and documenting the world around you.
suitable for anyone, beginners through to experienced artists. All that is needed is a sketchbook and 2B pencil.
tea/coffee and cake
Price: £60
June
History Talk: Vita, Harold and Long Barn
Wednesday 4 June 2025
6:00pm-8:00pm
A talk on Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson's seventeen years at Long Barn and their fascinating lives during this period, 1915-1932.
The talk will start at 7:00pm in the Big Room - the room Vita and Harold tried to recreate in the library at Sissinghurst. Guests are welcome to arrive from 6:00pm to enjoy the garden in the evening light.
Non-alcoholic refreshments will be available.
Price: £25
September
Garden Observation Sketchbook
Friday 5 September 2025
9:15am-1:15pm
Come and draw in the gardens at Long Barn with expert guidance from Anna Ribo (https://www.annaribo.com):
increase your observation skills through sketching. Taking time to 'stop and stare' is an invaluable part of gardening and observing plants in groups and close up increases our understanding and appreciation of them.
take time to connect with nature, capture a moment in the garden and enjoy the process of observing and documenting the world around you.
suitable for anyone, beginners through to experienced artists. All that is needed is a sketchbook and 2B pencil.
tea/coffee and cake
Price: £60
September
An Autumn Garden Discussion
Thursday 18 September 2025
9:30am-1:00pm
Join Edward Flint and Rebecca Lemonius for an in-depth discussion on the evolution and maintenance of the gardens at Long Barn with a particular focus on autumn and all that it involves, including:
· Current seasonal jobs
· How to analyse an autumn garden
· Critical appraisal of the borders and wilder areas
· Options for planting improvement/ enhancement
· Planting combinations and why they do (or don’t) work
· The process of seasonal planning
The morning will be walking and talking in the garden, so dress for the weather with sturdy, comfortable shoes and come armed with a notebook. The course will start at 10:00am but you are welcome to arrive and wander at your leisure any time from 9:30am. Tea, Coffee and cake will be served midway through the morning.
Ed originally trained with Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter and has been Head Gardener of a private garden in East Sussex for 25 years. He also teaches ‘The Art and Craft of Gardening’ at Great Dixter and has been teaching for The English Gardening School at the Chelsea Physic Garden for 30 years.
Rebecca is Head Gardener at Long Barn and has lived there for 18 years.
Price: £55