My job as a gardener is to bring joy to my clients through plants and help maintain their outdoor spaces. This comes with a responsibility to care for the Earth and it’s wildlife, which I take seriously. Gardeners experience first hand the changes in our seasons, the loss of natural habitat and we know the role that gardens can play for biodiversity to succeed. They are of huge importance.

To ensure we continue to have beautiful outdoor spaces, we need to adapt and learn new approaches for our gardens to survive and thrive. 

  • Plants

    Plants are the most important part of a garden and one of the most exciting aspects for a gardener. I introduce a wide variety of plants that are appealing for my clients whilst both choosing the right position, soil type and climate. I enjoy stimulating conversations with clients about plants. Plants provide endless varieties of colours, textures, sounds, scent and form encouraging creativity with medicinal and cullinary use, all hugely beneficial for mental well being.

  • Habitat

    Wildlife is in our gardens, under the ground, in our trees and in our plant borders. It’s important to think of the small creatures who call our gardens their home. Although it doesn’t replace natural habitats, I can build shelters, log piles and ponds using recycled and raw materials to help host a range of birds, insects, amphibians and invertebrates. Knowing what time of year to cut a hedgerow or prune trees is vital for nesting birds. Leaving small bodies of water for insects and birds to drink from is particularly helpful during our warming summers.

  • Pollinators

    Pollinators in the UK have declined by more than 21% in the last 40 years. This is alarming, as all life depends on them. However, this can be reversed by injecting some pollen into your outdoor space. Including pollinator friendly plants with open, nectar rich flowers is something I encourage. Umbellifers such as verbena and fennel make a lovely combination as well as being a magnet for bees, hoverflies and butterflies. I try to encourage a reduction in mowing, although short grass has its benefits for wildlife too. Mowing pathways through long grass enables diversity whilst also adding some order.

  • Compost

    Composting is really fun and a genuine act to benefit the planet. Recycling garden and food waste to put back in to your garden improves the soil and stores carbon (there is more carbon stored in the soil than in the rainforests). It’s a win-win and satisfying closing of a loop. It’s easy to do once you apply some ground rules. For those wanting to put some goodness back into the earth, I can set up a compost system no matter the size of your garden. I collect leaves for mulches and use wood chip, as well as experiment with charcoal and manure mixes.