Gardening: Cuttings: Growing wise on gardening courses

THE new gardening courses that Mary-Anne Robb has arranged this spring at her home, Chisenbury Priory, near Pewsey in Wiltshire, cover the kinds of things she wishes she had known when she first started gardening. Monday 8 March is a spring pruning day, with a lecture in the morning and practical demonstrations (and practice) in the afternoon. Monday 15 March is seed day, with practice in mixing composts, sowing seed and thinning seedlings. There will be an afternoon lecture on plants to grow from seed.

Mrs Robb's own garden is a masterpiece of planning and planting, and the courses will be taken by Jamie Compton, writer, plant collector and former head gardener at the Chelsea Physic Garden.

The cost is pounds 40 for each day. For further details, contact Mary-Anne Robb (0980 70406).