California School of Garden Design

California School
of Garden Design

More Information

Accommodations

CSGD Blog

Contact

Directions

Want the School to come to you?

Click here to find out how we can bring our
new 2-week intensive course
to your area.

California School of Garden Design

Welcome to the California School of Garden Design

Our studio is in the Sierra Nevada foothills 30 miles east of Sacramento in the small town of Applegate, California. We are conveniently located and are able to refer our students to excellent lodging opportunities within easy travel distance. Please visit our Accommodations page for further details.

Our Certificate course provides the skills and knowledge necessary for our students to fulfill their design potential. Robert Littlepage, APLD, ASLA, RLA, is Founder of the School and the primary lecturer. He is a dynamic, enthusiastic instructor, bringing 30 years of experience as a Designer, Contractor and Landscape Architect to the program. Class size is limited to 10 students, to ensure that each student receives the personal attention necessary to assure their success.

About The Program

In our Beginning Design Course, you will learn both drafting and color rendering skills, site surveying and the foundations of design principles and theory – all of which are the building blocks of good, sound landscape design. Students work on actual properties in the community, gaining real-world skills in mapping, designing and presenting their ideas to the client.

Our Advanced Program offers classes focusing on the skills required to develop construction drawings necessary for a set of plans to be installed. Modules include Elevation Surveys, Irrigation Design, Planting Design and Lighting Design. Please visit the Curriculum Page for more detailed information and class dates. Modules are also offered as "Stand Alone" classes on selected dates throughout the year.

Our 4-week Beginning Landscape Design course is perfect for those with little or no experience in garden design. No previous drafting or drawing skills are required as these topics are covered completely in class. The Advanced Modules are tailored for the more experienced student or for those graduates of the Beginning Course looking to further improve their skills. Each of the Advanced classes run from 1 – 3 days emphasizing a specific topic or subject. This allows the student to select their area of interest without a large commitment of time or money.

Please view our short video presentation below for a brief overview of our Program.

Thank you for your interest and welcome to the beginning of a rewarding and inspiring career!

What Our Students Say About CSGD:

The Beginning and Advanced Courses at the California School of Garden Design were among the best garden design courses that I have taken. These courses solidified my knowledge of landscape and design to help make me one of the best professionals in Carracas.

Rob, I think you are great teacher and you have mastered the art in this field to Perfection. You have the passion and ability to convey to each student all your knowledge and experience. I was delighted to have received this knowledge through your school and now that I'm working again in my company in Venezuela, I realize how much I learned and apply it every day in my new designs.