RHS Judge Tamsin Westhorpe On A Regular Day In The Working Life At Stockton Bury

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Tamsin Westhorpe is the Director of Stockton Bury Gardens, where her family have lived for five generations.

She is also an experienced Horticultural Journalist, Gardener and RHS Flower Show Judge – with her experience in the industry spanning over 25 years.

I spoke with Tamsin about Stockton Bury Gardens and her favourite garden memories.

How Did You First Get Into Gardening?

“As a child, I loved pottering in the garden and I’ve always grown little seedlings; I even had a greenhouse when I was about 10 where I used to grow tomatoes!” shares Tamsin.

“My uncle, who runs the family farm, has always had a passion for gardening. When I was a child he lived on our family farm with my grandparents so when my sisters and I visited we watched him create a beautiful, 4-acre garden that developed over our childhood.

“This garden was Stockton Bury, which I now run.

“I found the whole process fascinating. Watching him was how I got into gardening.”

From That, What Led You To A Career In Horticulture?

“Failure,” she laughs. “After leaving school, I wanted to be a sculptor, so I went to art school, but didn’t feel ready or fit in very well.

“I left and got sent to work at a family nursery in Worcestershire called Burford House Gardens and I absolutely loved it. Until that moment, I hadn’t considered gardening as a proper career.

“After that, I went on to study at Sparsholt College near Winchester to learn more practical skills and theory. I was there for 3 years and during that time, I spent a year working on placement at Bournemouth Parks Department.

“Working there and doing the practical, hands-on side of gardening whilst being able to see what I’d done at the end of the day was really rewarding.”

Has Gardening Shaped How You Go Through Life?

‘Definitely. I feel confident gardening. I was never that confident at school so it was amazing to find this career.

“I feel happy and safe in a garden. Being surrounded by nature and watching the seasons change blows my mind – I can’t understand how some people aren’t interested!

“I’m not an expert in one particular plant. I just love being outside, working with plants and having successes and failures. It’s quite artistic, which is what I always wanted to be.”

Can You Tell Us More About Stockton Bury Gardens & What You Grow There?

“We’ve been there as a family for 5 generations,” Tamsin says.

“About 10 years ago, I decided to give up my magazine editing role at The English Garden magazine to help my uncle run it and became a gardener there.

“The garden is 4 acres and is at the heart of our working farm where we have cattle, sheep and a cider orchard. My sister has now joined us and runs our café – it’s a proper family business!

“Plant-wise, we have a lot of really unusual plants. The gardens are great all throughout the year, but it very much comes into its own in the spring. Some of the plants were gifted by amazing gardeners such as Beth Chatto and Christopher Lloyd, who knew my uncle.

“It’s a real collection of unusual plants set out in a lovely way that isn’t too grand. There are sections to it, so it can be easily digested.”

What Does A Regular Day In The Working Life Look Like For You?

“It’s not very glamorous!

“First thing in the morning, I go to the butchers to pick up the meat for the café. I then spend a couple of hours in the garden to get it ‘show ready’. When we’re open for the season, it’s all about making it look great, so I do lots of tasks like deadheading, cleaning bird baths, edging – basically all of the light maintenance.

“I’ve also been picking fruit this week, which goes straight to the café.

“After this, I work on the front desk and welcome the customers in. It’s important for us that people can meet the family so we can answer any questions they might have and offer them advice if needed.

“It can be hard to fit everything in, which is why we don’t open on Mondays and Tuesdays – so we can catch up!”

What Is A Surprising Garden-Related Fact About You That People Might Not Know?

“I think the fact I used to do a lot of green-keeping really shocks people,” she shares.

“I love a neat lawn! At Stockton Bury, we have no-mow areas and some other areas that are mowed, as we like to think beyond No-Mow May.

“I was also an interior landscaper early on in my career, which involved repotting office plants and wiping any leaves that were stained.

“Although I was working with plants, it was a very different experience and was a real insight into what office life was like. I’d never experienced an indoor working environment.”

Do You Have A Particular Memorable Moment From Your Horticultural Career?

“The most memorable (and funny) memory is from when I first started to work in the parks,” Tamsin explains.

“I would get dropped in the woodlands with a broom and a huge leaf blower that had to be started by a pull cord. In those days, it was hard to get these machines going! I was completely on my own and sometimes, I just could not start it.

“When I’d get picked up for lunch, I’d pretend that I could get it working, but in reality, I’d been working extra hard with the broom to do the same amount of work as the leaf blower would have done.”

Do You Have Any Upcoming Projects You’d Like To Share?

“I’m an RHS judge so I judge at the Chelsea Flower Show and I’m also the Editor of the Horticulture Trade Association Magazine that is available to members of the HTA.

“I love that role because I get to speak to industry growers about sustainability, new growing techniques and consumer habits.

“I also do a lot of talks all over the country and my aim is to demystify gardening and make people feel more relaxed about it. I also do courses at Stockton Bury for beginners that are mainly available in April, May and June.

“My lectures and courses are my main priority for next year, as I love doing both of those.”

What Advice Would You Give To Aspiring Gardeners Who Are Looking To Give It A Go As A Career?

“If you’re not academic, don’t let that put you off,” Tamsin says. “When you find something that you love, you’ll learn it.

“Get some practical experience. Help at open gardens or offer to volunteer. If you fancy doing a qualification, the RHS courses are great, but try to do them in person at a college rather than online, as you’ll meet like-minded people and be able to get stuck in properly.

“If you work with plants, you’ll remember them. If you’re just looking at a book it will be harder to make the information stick.”