Roots to Shoots: Propagation Skills for Life
A successful cutting patch starts in the autumn & winter
Join us on your journey creating new plants for free!
I’m Roz Chandler, a flower farmer of 15+ years, growing sustainably on a 5 acre plot in South Central England. I’m passionate about British cut flowers and want to help anyone who’d also like to grow, whether in a window box, back garden, allotment or commercial space.
Are you ready to transform your garden, save money, and grow your plant collection, all while learning new skills in a warm and supportive community? If so, you've come to the right place.
If you find yourself constantly spending a small fortune on new plants to fill your patch or garden, you're not alone. Not many of us can resist trips to the garden centre.
But wouldn't it be wonderful to unlock the secrets of plant propagation and watch your garden flourish without breaking the bank? Here in the UK, winter's cold embrace is the perfect time to hunker down, immerse yourself in learning, and prepare for a thriving garden come spring.
Our propagation course has you covered. We'll guide you through the exciting world of plant propagation, teaching you techniques such as semi-ripe, basal and hardwood cuttings, division, and seed propagation. You'll soon be creating new plants for free, watching your garden thrive, and feeling the satisfaction of growing your own cut flowers.
But our programme isn't just about nurturing your garden; it's about nurturing your skills and well-being too. You'll join a friendly and supportive community of fellow plant enthusiasts who are just as passionate as you are. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, you'll have the chance to learn from experienced experts, ask questions, and share your successes.
Of course gardening is about growing plants – but it’s also about growing your own happiness. Studies show that getting your hands dirty in the garden has a positive impact on mental well-being, making it the perfect way to beat those winter blues. Starting out new plants in the autumn and nurturing them through winter gives us hope for the spring and summer to come.
So, if you're ready to get more out of your patch, enhance your gardening skills, and make the most of your winter, this propagation course is your ticket to a green, cost-effective, and joyful journey. Don't miss this opportunity to thrive, learn, and bloom this winter!
You’ll love this course if you’re looking:
For a flourishing, cost-effective, cut-flower patch.
To never have to buy a plant again (unless you want to!)
To develop propagation skills that you can put to use for years to come (and which will become second nature)
To create a legacy garden – fill your garden with memories, with cuttings and seeds taken from the plants of loved ones.
How do I create this?
In just 6 months, my course “Roots to Shoots”
will provide you with the knowledge to make your dreams into reality - without costing the earth.
Receive a FREE floristy course when joining Roots to Shoots
Those who sign up before Thursday evening at midnight will also receive access to our online course Fundamentals of Eco-Floristry. This five-part course has previously been available for £297 and has received some fantastic feedback from our floristry students. In this free bonus course you’ll learn:
Materials and methods that will enable you to ditch floral foam and single-use plastics
How to create a hand-tied spiral bouquet
How to create an elegant foam-free compote bowl table arrangement
Techniques behind a versatile meadow-box design
Creating a funeral casket topper using sustainable materials
Whether you’re a professional florist who wants to switch to foam-free methods or someone who enjoys arranging flowers and would like to add sustainable skills to your repertoire, this course will teach you some core skills to take forward alongside your growing and propagation knowledge.
In effect this is your BUY ONE get one free offer. Be quick
Roz Chandler and her team of horticulturalists will show you how you really can create new plants on next-to-no budget.
Who is delivering the course?
Roz has been a flower farmer for over 15 years and is passionate about helping growers create sustainable cut flower patches.
Sarah is an RHS Chelsea Gold Medal winning horticulturalist and tutor on the RHS Practical Course (Levels 1-3) with over 30 years experience.
Alison is an RHS qualified horticulturalist with over 30 years of practical experience.
Roz and her team can't wait to work with you
Join us on “Roots to Shoots” to receive:
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Structured, in depth, practical teaching on the many and diverse methods of plant propagation
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Simple steps to take each month to ensure your patch is as cost effective as possible
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Explanations and demonstration on more sustainable practices
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Money saving techniques so you never have to buy a plant again
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Your course fees back in the savings you'll make at the garden centre - we want everyone on the course to save at least £400 over the winter!
FAQs about Roots to Shoots
Q. When does “Roots to Shoots” start and finish?
The course will start on 6th October and runs for six months.
Q. How much can I expect to save?
If, like us, you can't go into a garden centre without filling a trolley, you will save A LOT. The more you propagate, the more you will save. We want everyone who completes the course and propagates from their stock - and the stock of friends and family - to save at least £400 by the end of the course. But this means you have to do the work and work in partnership with Mother Nature.
As an example, if you had one of each of the following plants, you could save £484 per year. Multiply that to 5 starter plants and the savings would be £2,356.00 per year. Ten plants... £4,840.00.
Rose - cost (approx.) for bare root £20.00 x 6 cuttings SAVE £120.00
Peony - cost £15.00 x 2 cuttings SAVE £30
Herbaceous Perennials £16.00 x 4 cuttings SAVE £ 64.00
Pelargonium £7.50 x 6 cuttings SAVE £45.00
Pentstemon £7.50 x 6 Cuttings SAVE £45.00
Physocarpus £10 x 8 cuttings SAVE £80.00
Cornus £20 x 3 cuttings SAVE £60.00
Phlox £6 x 6 cuttings SAVE £36.00
Propagation from a dahlia £5 x 4 cuttings SAVE £20.00
Q. How does it work if I don't live and grow in the UK?
This is definitely not an issue. All sessions will be recorded, some are accompanied by supporting written documentation. This course focuses on making propagation and saving money regardless of location.
Q. I am just starting out. Is it too early for me to take this course?
If you have taken Seed to Vase or have grown (or gardened) for a season or more, this course will be perfect for you.
If you are not sure if it's right for you, get in touch with me on roz@fieldgateflowers.co.uk. I'll be happy to chat to you.
Q. Is this course for flower farmers or those growing for themselves?
Both!
The course is great for those on their flower farming journey and anyone trying to make the most of their own patch. It will make your flower farm business more cost effective (increasing your profits).
If you are growing for pleasure, it will ensure that you can focus your investment in your cutting patch where it needs to be, rather than spending where you could save.
Q. What if I can’t make the live sessions?
All live sessions will be recorded and saved into the members area. There will be a students' Facebook group for you ask any questions in, so you will have plenty of support. Together we will build a fabulous community and resource.
All the pieces you need are right here, including guidance and feedback to increase success.
Ready for a peek inside?
Course Modules
We've run a season-spanning propagation course for several years but for 2025/6 we've gone back to the drawing board. We've reviewed course content, taken feedback from previous students and filmed lots of new tutorials. The refreshed course will take you right through to mid-spring in the UK, Europe and North America, meaning that you’ll be seeing the new shoots emerge from your propagated plants by the time the course draws to a close.
Our week-by-week course structure will build your propagation and plant care skills with techniques to build your plant collection through 2026 and beyond. What's more, you'll have access to all the course materials until the end of 2027, allowing you to revisit and recap at your convenience. We understand that there's so much to learn, and we want to give you the time and resources to do just that.
1. October
Introduction to propagation and the science behind it
Equipment needed for propagation
Lifting and dividing peonies
Seed saving and storage
Growing mediums
Spring bulbs and corms
Bulb propagation
Dividing herbaceous perennials
2. November
All about Hardy Annuals, including sowing, hygiene, temperature control and germination
Sowing Sweet Peas
Grow lights and lighting conditions
Hardwood cuttings
Root cuttings
Multiplying Pelargoniums
Basal Cuttings
3. December
Potting on
Layering
Breaking seed dormancy
Bare root vs container-grown plants
Frost protection
4. January
When to sow seed
Why some seeds don't germinate
Direct sowing of annuals (material to take forward)
Successional sowing (take forward)
Hardwood rose cuttings
Cuttings for water (take forward)
Dahlia cuttings - basal and stem (take forward)
5. February
Sowing seeds under cover
Half-hardy annuals
Handling and care of seedlings
Potting off / potting on...
Hardening off seedlings
Dahlia division
6. March
Softwood cuttings (material to take forward)
Semi-ripe cuttings (take forward)
Leaf cuttings (take forward)
Stock plants for cuttings
Raised beds
Understanding Biennials (take forward)
Plus…
Our Planting Plans, Seed Lists and Propagation Handbooks - The ‘money-can't-buy’ spreadsheets we use here on the flower farm.
"Roz is honest, has been there, done it and has the t-shirt. My advice is don't sign up just to learn. Sign up, show up and implement it straight away.
"I was hesitant about investing the course at first, but to be honest I needn't have been. I'd earned the cost back within 10 days."
Past Student
So, what does it cost me?
If you’ve read this far, this is what you really want to know now, right?
The Roots to Shoots Six Month Course in full:
Weekly Modules and Materials: Gain access to our comprehensive course content, ensuring you have all the tools you need to become a propagation pro.
Thriving Facebook Community: Join a vibrant community of like-minded enthusiasts and engage in lively discussions. Share your successes, ask questions, and connect with fellow learners on the same journey.
Suttons Discount Code: Code for 50% off all seeds and 15% off everything else at Suttons.
Expert Q&A Sessions: Have your questions answered by horticultural experts who are dedicated to helping you succeed in your propagation endeavours. You'll never be left in the dark!
The cost of this comprehensive package is only £298.80 (including VAT), and we offer convenient payment plans to suit your budget.
Your Investment
One-off payment: £298.80
3 installments of £110.00
6 monthly installments of £58.33
"Although not planning to be a flower farmer, I picked up lots of tips and ideas...
I enjoyed doing ‘a bit of this and that’, and particularly benefited from the hands-on demos from Sarah (covering some things I’d not ever done, or thought was easy). A great take away! "
Former propagation student
Your Investment
One-off payment: £298.80
3 installments of £110.00
6 monthly installments of £58.33
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