Gardening is more than a profession for me, it has become my life. My favourite aspect of gardening is nurturing life from its earliest stages. Witnessing how the beginnings of life, whether through a simple cutting or seed, with just my care and attention, can flourish into something extraordinary. I find immense joy in growing edibles, knowing that understanding soil science and applying sustainable practices can yield produce with superior nutrition and taste to anything in a supermarket. I love seeing the delight on others’ faces as they enjoy the vibrant flavours of homegrown produce. 

For the past two years, I’ve been self-employed as a gardener, working in five uniquely diverse gardens. From a 5-acre smallholding with a lake and three orchards, to a 1/2 acre more traditional garden of herbaceous borders and raised veg beds, each space has given me the opportunity to refine my skills and adapt to different challenges. These experiences have honed my ability to handle everything from wooded sites to equestrian properties and have deepened my appreciation for the nuances of various soil types, planting styles and garden needs. 

Sustainability is at the heart of my gardening ethos. I strive to maintain a closed loop system, where every resource – plant waste, chicken compost, or hedging wood – contributes to a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem. I repurpose hedge-wood poles into bentwood trellises, harvest willow for weaving log baskets, and even process nettle fibres into garden string. My chickens play a vital role in pest management and compost improvement, as do my wormeries and cold compost heaps. My preferred approach is no-dig gardening for its efficiency and excellent results, but I am equally adept with traditional methods when required.