Interviews
Kitchen Gardener Stephanie Hafferty On The Best Plants To Start With No-Dig
Stephanie Hafferty is an Organic, No-Dig Kitchen Gardener who has been growing her own vegetables in this way for over 30 years. As an established expert in the field, she has published several books including The Creative Kitchen and No Dig Organic Home and Garden – whilst also appearing on TV programmes such as BBC Gardeners’ World. I spoke to Stephanie about her career and why she began practising no-dig gardening in the first place. Imagery in this article has been provided with permission by Stephanie Hafferty. How Did You First Get Into Gardening? “I have always enjoyed being outside in the garden,” says Stephanie. “When I was a very little child, I was forever ‘grubbing in the mud’, as my Mum put it, and I grew plants on my windowsill. “I first got into growing edibles at around 17 years old, when I found an old-fashioned home-brew book in a charity shop and discovered that it was possible to grow things to make wine!” What Does Gardening Mean To You? “Gardening has certainly shaped my life and unexpectedly was the catalyst for a career change in my 40s,” she explains. “I love being able to garden and recognise that I am really fortunate to have lived in rural areas for most of my adult life, with access to growing spaces. “Gardening is not just my job, it’s a hobby, the source of much of the nutrition for my family and an endless learning journey. I grow to feed us and to create a self-sufficient lifestyle. “I don’t want to be entirely self-sufficient, as a community is important and if we don’t support local businesses, we’ll lose them. “Gardening has shaped my outlook on life by teaching me daily that there is always hope and the chance of new beginnings.” When Did You First Start To Practise No-Dig Gardening? “I first found out about no-dig gardening after attending permaculture and eco-festivals when my three children were small,” shares Stephanie. “These were great events for a young family and always had inspirational gardens to explore. “I started using no-dig methods on my allotment when I started working on a no-dig market garden about 15 years ago. “I could see how well it worked, so I stopped digging altogether.” What Are Some Good Plants To Start Out With? “No-dig works with all plants, although you do need to dig a hole to plant a tree! “I’d say just stop digging and give it a try. It is such a great way to grow.” Do You Have Any Standout Moments? “I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I have had in horticulture,” Stephanie shares. “It’s amazing to think that an old book about home brew could lead to a career in veg! “Getting my first book published was a huge thrill, made even more special by it winning Practical Gardening Book of the Year at the Garden Media Guild Awards. “Also, project managing and co-designing the RHS No-Dig Allotment Demonstration Garden at Hampton Court Garden Festival was a wonderful experience. Due to the covid lockdowns the garden, which was due to be at the show in July 2020, it actually featured in July 2021. “This expanded my knowledge of garden design and meant that I was able to work with some amazing people. These wonderful shows that we all enjoy so much are mostly there due to the skill and expertise of the people behind the scenes, rather than the designers.” What’s Next For You? “I was recently appointed as one of the three Vice Chairs of the Garden Media Guild and am looking forward to working as part of the team. “This year, I started hosting no-dig gardening courses at my home in Wales and I am adding new dates and courses, including Homesteading Skills and Wildlife Gardening, both in person in my garden and also online. “Another project I am currently working on is helping to organise the Welsh Permaculture Gathering in September. This lovely event features a wide range of inspiring talks and workshops, great food and activities for children, on a beautiful organic dairy farm.” What Advice Would You Give To Amateur Gardeners? “My advice is to give it a go in whatever space you have, even if it is just a windowsill,” Stephanie says. “My first ‘garden’ consisted of potted plants on my windowsill. “Try not to feel overwhelmed by the perfect gardens you see on social media. These are wonderful to look at, but in real life, most of us are juggling work, home life and gardens. “Most of us have weedy areas, projects that aren’t quite finished yet or plants that have been munched to death by slugs. “So, enjoy the perfect gardens for inspiration, but don’t let it stop you from enjoying your own garden. “Finally, always keep learning. There is so much to enjoy and explore. The more I learn about gardening, the more I realise that there is so much more to learn.”
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Ben Raskin From The Soil Association: 'Don’t Be Afraid To Go Against Conventional Wisdom'
Ben Raskin is the Head of Horticulture & Agroforestry at the Soil Association, with an additional 20 years of experience working in commercial growing. He is particularly passionate about connecting commercial growers to the everyday gardener and is an advocate for organic gardening and planting for wildlife. I spoke to Ben about his career, initiatives at the Soil Association and his love of nature. Imagery in this article has been provided with permission by Ben and Ivan Raskin. What First Led You To A Career In Horticulture? “In my early 20s, I lived in Italy for a couple of years and made some friends with people who owned a vineyard and I ended up helping out,” shares Ben. “I loved it. I loved being outdoors and I loved the physical work, which was a surprise to me! I found it all very satisfying. Image provided by Ivan Raskin “My dad had always grown his own vegetables and I was the only one of the children that used to enjoy being out in the garden with him. My Grandma was also a very keen gardener. She wasn’t a particularly happy person, but she was always happy when she was outside in the garden. “All of those things contributed to where I was meant to be.” What Does Horticulture Mean To You? “I think it has informed everything for me, in the sense that once I started to be connected with the outdoor world, I then saw everything through that lens,” he explains. “I’ve always been very environmentally minded, but I don’t think I fully understood what that meant until I started growing. “Once you understand soil, how it works, what that means and how we are interconnected, it changes you, which has helped to form my view of the world.” Can You Explain More About Your Role At The Soil Association? “The Soil Association is a charity that was founded in 1946 to promote the link between soil, plant, human and planet health. We do also certify soil – so people may recognise us from that. “I work in the soil and land use team, so I have quite a varied role. Part of it is to provide technical and market support for our growers. There’s also a campaigning side, which I get involved in. Image provided by Ivan Raskin “I also get involved in policy work and write and provide reports for government and other institutional bodies. We do a fair amount of funded projects, so a lot of our works are for private trusts that want to support farmers and promote sustainable and organic growing. “One of the things I love about my job is providing a link between growers and horticulturists who don’t have commercial experience. “A lot of my work is on the commercial end, whereas most of my books are at the gardening end, which is by chance rather than design! “I was mainly a commercial grower for 20 years before I ended up in this role, but I have also been involved in gardening too.” How Important Are Trees To Our Outdoor Spaces? “This could be a whole interview in itself!” Ben jokes. “Firstly, they provide a sense of wellbeing. As humans, we love being around trees, and there is evidence that both people and animals are happier when there are trees around. “They also provide shade and shelter and temperature modulation – there is a huge range of biodiversity benefits. “From a home grower’s point of view, they are also a host for pollinators and wildlife and help with water infiltration.” Do You Have Any Standout Career Moments? “I’m always looking forward and tend not to look back very much. Image provided by Ivan Raskin “Obviously, I’m proud of the stuff I’ve done, particularly with some of the books. “I’m probably most proud of the Future Grower’s Apprenticeship Scheme that we ran at the Soil Association. It ran for about 12 years and we trained around 100 people, a lot of whom are still growing and are now head growers and have their own apprentices – so that is pretty special.” What’s Next For You? “I’ve got a new book that I’m working on which is very exciting,” he shares. “It’s a horticultural agroforestry book which is about integrating trees into growing systems. “I’m co-writing it with Andy Diddon and, although we are both more commercial growers, we want the principles to be accessible to home growers, so I’m hoping that we will be able to write it in such a way that it is also useful to gardeners.” What Advice Do You Have For New Gardeners? “Don’t be upset when things don’t grow or if you kill things. There’s always a tendency to blame yourself as a gardener, but there might be other factors. “I remember early on in my growing career my onions weren’t growing, but I went to a conference where everyone was complaining about how bad a year it was for onions! “Don’t be afraid to try things too, and definitely don’t believe everything you read in gardening books. Climate change is making a lot of these things out of date, so things that were true 50 years ago won’t be now, particularly in regard to sowing and harvesting dates. “Don’t be afraid to go against conventional wisdom.”
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Debi Holland's Advice For Aspiring Horticulturists: 'Get Your Hands In The Soil'
Debi Holland is the Owner of a garden maintenance and border design business based in North Somerset with a clear focus on organic and wildlife-friendly gardening. She has also spent time as a Harvester at Tyntesfield, a National Trust property in North Somerset – and as a Gardening Writer, having written for BBC Countryfile magazine and various other horticultural publications, gardening clubs and nurseries. In this interview, we explore Debi’s route into gardening and her advice for aspiring horticulturists. Imagery in this article has been provided with permission from Debi Holland. When Did You First Start Gardening? “Plants have always been very important to me,” Debi shares. “I spent my early years in Sussex walking country lanes with my mum who taught me to appreciate wildflowers. She introduced me to Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies and Edith Holden’s The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady which have always been a big influence on me. “My gardening roots are firmly planted with wildflowers and herbs and those carefree days of wandering woods and lanes with my mum; I think that is why I am hooked on plant hunting whilst out hiking. “My personal interest in gardening started whilst living in Bath when my son was born. It was the first time I’d seen narcissus, tulips and alliums planted in succession. “When we finally had our own garden, I spent a lot of time at home with a toddler and had an overwhelming desire to create and nest build. I became passionate about growing vegetables, sweet peas and dahlias. “There is something incredibly grounding about growing your own food and flowers.” What Led You To A Career In Horticulture? “My job of a decade abruptly ended and for a couple of years, I was absolutely lost, broke and not in a happy place. “Out of the blue, my name came up on the waiting list for an allotment and this changed the course of my life. I found hope and purpose in the soil and solace in having somewhere to go every day through the depths of winter. “The allotment was my sanctuary. “I had never thought of gardening as a job, only as my treasured hobby. Inspired and daunted, my husband suggested I retrained, so with his tireless support, I booked myself on the RHS Horticulture Diploma at Bristol Botanic Garden and Cannington, Bridgwater & Taunton College. “This was alongside volunteering at Tyntesfield National Trust Kitchen Garden and starting my own garden maintenance business, whilst trying to keep up with my nine-year-old son’s schooling and social life! “It was a steep learning curve, to say the least, filled with joy and stress but it truly was life-changing. “I am immensely happy to say I balance gardening and border design in beautiful North Somerset country homes with garden writing and the occasional talk about Gardening for Well-being.” How Has Gardening Changed Your Outlook On Life? “It has made me more aware of the natural world, honing my senses to listen, smell and touch, observing the daily changes that occur in plants and wildlife,” Debi explains. “I was struck by the realisation of how everything is integrally interlinked. The more I learned, the more I wanted to study. “As life and technology get faster and faster, we can be in danger of forgetting where we came from and what is important in life. Plants are the origins of all life on Earth. “I do a lot of hiking and am drawn to explore where and how plants grow in different environments, from meadows and woods to exotic climes and mountainous peaks. “Plants and their ability to adapt and evolve to their surroundings fascinate me and I use these findings in the field to be a better gardener. “Once you understand where a plant grows naturally in the wild, you can decide where the right conditions in your garden are to plant it. “A switch flicked in my brain when I became a gardener and rather than thinking nature is simply something you look at or purchase in a garden centre, I realised we are nature, all intertwined and our actions can directly influence plants and the wildlife that depend on them. “We all have a responsibility to look after and cherish our planet and not take it for granted.” What Is Your Favourite Time Of Year To Be In The Garden And Why? “It’s a close call between spring, with the promise of life on the brink of unfurling, and autumn, with its metamorphosis of coppery hues as the garden prepares to take its foot off the throttle for winter,” says Debi. “Both inspire me in different ways and keep me motivated and busy.” What’s Next For You? “I have started making videos for Plantsmith, an award-winning, vegan-friendly, houseplant food and care company. “I’m a houseplant addict and editor for their website features but the new venture is turning my Houseplant of the Month features into short videos to demystify how to look after them, making gardening more accessible. “Being an avid photographer, I love my weekly slot with Garden News magazine offering advice for What To Do in the Garden This Week. Working as a professional gardener, it is great to put my photos and gardening projects to good use every week. “I am passionate about plants and love communicating my findings. Plants bring me such joy so I hope to encourage and inspire others.” What Would You Say To Aspiring Horticulturists? “Just do it,” Debi simply says. “Don’t be nervous, just get outside and enjoy it. Making mistakes is all part of the fun learning curve of gardening. “Get your hands in the soil, grow a plant from seed and eat your homegrown produce. “It is a game changer, for your all round well-being and you will make some fantastic friends along the way!”
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Interviewing Master Horticulturist Janice Shipp: 'Gardening Has Transformed My Life'
Janice Shipp is an experienced Garden Writer, having worked for 15 years as a Principal Researcher and Writer at Which? Gardening magazine. Janice sits on the Forum of the RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee, which oversees the Award of Garden Merit plant trials. This includes time as an RHS Forum Member for Red Rose, Oregano and Marjoram trials at RHS Wisley, Primrose trials at RHS Bridgewater and Mahonia trials at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. I spoke to Janice to see what we can learn from her time in the garden. Imagery in this article is provided with permission from Janice Shipp and Mark Winwood. When Did You First Start Gardening? “I had a small patch in my parents’ garden to grow things when I was very young, but then I lost interest in gardening until I’d had my children and we bought a house with a garden of our own,” shares Janice. “It’s funny to look back and remember how little I knew at the time, but I’d never really done any gardening at that point, so I understand that feeling of cluelessness when you’re just getting started for the first time. “There were very few plants in the garden and I started growing things from seed to fill it with flowers without spending too much money. “When I saw what could happen if you sowed a few seeds, I was completely hooked!” What Led You To A Career In Horticulture & Garden Writing? “Looking back, it seems to have been a string of chance and luck,” Janice jokes. “First, I started a basic RHS course at Capel Manor College which made a vague idea about working in horticulture seem more of a reality. I went on to do another course, then another and then I finally completed the RHS MHort about ten years later. “During that time, I accidentally got into garden maintenance and doing small-scale planting plans, then heard about an opening to cover someone’s maternity leave at the Which? Gardening magazine trial garden. “I got that job, initially for three months, and was kept on after someone else left. A couple of years later, Which? restructured the gardening roles and I got a new job writing articles as well as doing practical work on the plant trials, which I went on to do for 12 years. “I went freelance a few years ago and have written for other publications including The Garden, but much of my work is still for Which? Gardening magazine.” What Is Your Favourite Time Of Year To Be In The Garden? “Like most gardeners, I love spring when everything is fresh and new and you have the whole gardening year to look forward to. Image provided by Mark Winwood “Of course, it’s also the busiest time of year, but it’s so good to be outside more after the dark days of winter that I don’t usually mind the work.” How Has Gardening Changed Your Outlook On Life? “Gardening has transformed my life in many ways and given me a lot of opportunities to meet interesting people and go to beautiful places,” she says. “I love everything about it, there is always more to learn and I never get bored. “I have worked with the RHS as a forum member on their trials for some time and I recently joined the RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee. “Their knowledge and enthusiasm has been a fresh source of inspiration to keep exploring and thinking about plants – and to try to remember more names because, unfortunately, I’m very forgetful! “Gardening has also led me to a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife, especially the birds and the insects we share our gardens with.” What Would You Say To Those Thinking Of Giving Gardening A Go? “Just plunge in and get started by growing what you’re interested in, then figure it out as you go along rather than trying to read too much advice and getting confused,” Janice advises. “You will learn naturally as you go along and the more you try, the more you’ll learn. “Every year, some things will go well and some things will go wrong, as they do for everyone, so try to enjoy the successes and not be put off by the things that don’t work. “Next year, they might be your biggest triumphs!” What’s Next For You? “Next year, I’m going to cut back on the amount of regular work I do so I can have more time for other projects. “I would like to write a book, though I have to confess that at the moment I’m not sure what it would be about. “I’ve got a few ideas but haven’t had time to work them up into something I could pitch to a publisher, so I’m hoping to have time to do that.”
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The Bearded Growers: 'Once The Gardening Bug Bites, It’s Such A Brilliant Hobby'
Chris and JJ have known each other since childhood, but it wasn’t until years later and an accidental meeting that the ‘Bearded Growers’ were born. Now, they host their own horticultural radio show every Monday at 7pm on Cotswold Radio, featuring guests such as Alan Titchmarsh and Adam Frost. I spoke with them both to explore their gardening ventures and love of allotment growing. Imagery featured in this article is provided with permission by The Bearded Growers. What Initially Attracted You To Gardening? “I was definitely forced into it by my other half, but once the gardening bug bites, it’s such a brilliant hobby for your physical and mental being,” shares Chris. “My route into the world of gardening was pretty standard,” JJ adds. “Once I had my own house, I wanted to make the garden look nice and it was something I really enjoyed and took great pride in.” How Long Have You Been Gardening? “I’m a relative newcomer to gardening, but for the last 5-6 years I’ve been working on the family allotment,” Chris explains. “My interest has grown and now I am turning myself into a DIY genius, making everything from a shed to cold frames on the allotment with recycled materials.” “I spent most of my summer holidays and weekends over my father’s allotment growing up, admittedly taking little to no interest in what was going on,” says JJ. “Something must have stuck though, as in my late twenties I started pottering about in the garden and trying to make it look nice each summer. “This grew into a passion which spread to growing vegetables at home and then taking the plunge and getting an allotment.” How Did You Both Meet? “We actually went to school together 25 years ago in the Black Country and unfortunately lost touch for 19 years as people do when they leave school,” shares Chris. “JJ moved to Worcester and I went off on my travels around Europe with work before settling in the Cotswolds. We had a chance meeting and reconnected when we saw each other at a 10k race for charity in Cheltenham about 5 years ago. “We kept in touch, got chatting and realised we both had allotments and loved getting our hands dirty!” “We already had connections to the now closed radio station NCCR, as Chris presented a sports show a few years back,” adds JJ. “When we realised that we both had a shared love of gardening and allotments, we decided to take it one step further and asked NCCR to consider us for a gardening show slot on the station. “From that, Bearded Growers was born! After 18 months at the station, it closed due to funding, but we were approached by Cotswolds Radio who had heard the show and thought it would be a good fit for them.” What Is Your Radio Show About? “We are the self-proclaimed number 1 horticultural radio show in the UK!” says Chris. “It’s a big statement, but one we say tongue in cheek. We have 2 hours to talk about our gardens, allotments and house plants, plus we get to play music in between. We are also proud ambassadors for Greenfingers Charity and we do challenges each year to raise money. “This year, we arranged the Bearded Growers hike, one across the Malvern hills and the other in Lincoln, which raised £2,800!” “Our main feature has to be the potting shed interview slot,” explains JJ. “We have had the pleasure of interviewing Alan Titchmarsh, Adam Frost, Frances Tophill, Diarmuid Gavin, Lee Burkhill, John Torode, Gregg Wallace, Nikki Chapman, Lee Connelly and Michael Perry to name a few.” Do You Have A Favourite Guest? “I’ve got a little man crush on Adam Frost, so having interviewed him 3 times on the show is an absolute honour,” says Chris. “He is a really nice guy and we could listen to him talk about gardening for hours. His passion and enthusiasm are infectious and we have a good laugh with him whenever we sit down for a chat.” “Mine was Adam Frost, but we recently got the chance to speak with Alan Titchmarsh and he is a total gentleman who is so engaging,” shares JJ. “We were both very happy with that interview and it’s definitely a highlight. He was with us for 40 minutes recording sound bites, doing the interview and signing some merchandise for charity. “He even recognised us at Chelsea and came to say hello and shook our hands!” What Lies Ahead For The Bearded Growers? We are hosting the Worcester Show in August, which is very exciting as we are going to be helping hand out the prizes in the craft, floral and veg growing competitions and we have judged the allotment competition this year,” says Chris. “Plans are also in motion for a beginner’s guide to allotmenting book and a murder mystery allotment-based thriller.” “We are hopefully going to be involved with more horticultural shows toward the end of the year and will be live every week on the radio show,” shares JJ. You can tune in to the Bearded Growers’ radio show online, via a smart device or via the Cotswolds Radio app at 7pm every Monday.
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Andrea Jones On Garden Photography: 'It Was Nature That Inspired Me Right From The Start'
Andrea Jones is an award-winning photographer who has been inspired by nature in art since her childhood, which led to her pursuing a career in garden and landscape photography. Having had experience working all over the world photographing plants and wildlife, Andrea now lives in Scotland and continues to exhibit her work both in the UK and abroad. I spoke with Andrea to discover more about her passion for photographing plants and wildlife. Please note all photographs in this feature have been provided with permission by Andrea Jones and Andrea’s portrait © Jonathan Buckley. How Did You Discover Your Passion For Garden Photography? “It was nature that inspired me right from the start,” says Andrea. “I remember winning an art competition at school for my pen and ink picture of a fir cone, so perhaps that gave me the initial boost I needed. “My mum loved our garden and I had a happy childhood playing amongst her carefully trimmed box hedges and watching her grow the plants she loved – especially roses. Red Borders in the Walled Garden including Ricinus communis (Castor oil plant), Solidago sp, Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’, Dahlia ‘Bishop of Oxford’, Dahlia ‘Surething’ and Crocosmia ‘Severn Sunrise’ “Dad enjoyed photography too, so I think the combination of their passions had a bigger effect than I could have dreamt at the time. “I spent my latter school years in the art room fascinated by naturally occurring art forms and then studied art in the late seventies at Bournemouth and photography in the early eighties at Salisbury. “I particularly enjoyed working in the darkroom printing in black and white and making photographs from leaves, feathers and anything suitable I could find.” What Is It About Plants & Gardens That Make You Want To Photograph Them? “I used to pore over photography books with images of microscopic plant details,” she explains. “At first, it was capturing the intimate botanical parts that attracted me, which is why I attended college – to focus on macro photography. “I went to live in Kew in the nineties so I could attend part-time classes at the Royal Botanic Gardens and visit as often as possible to learn about plants and the environment. “Over the years, I have learnt to enjoy the design of gardens as well as the plants themselves. Some landscape architects and garden designers are especially talented at composition and when I step within the boundaries of their space, each way I look seems to fit within the frame of my viewfinder. “As with almost all good design, natural or manmade, the formula of the golden ratio seems to pull the elements together into an art form.” How Do You Go About Capturing The ‘Perfect Image’? “I’m not sure there is such a thing as the perfect image, as there are so many variations within the subject. Winner of the Garden Section of the RHS photography Awards 2022 by Andrea Jones, capturing Tom Stuart-Smith’s design for Madresfield Court, Worcestershire, at dawn “However, for me, it always comes back to the light. “Whether it’s a close-up or a panoramic view I am working on, it’s that perfect moment of illumination that I am always trying to capture. I often photograph against the light for the most spectacular impact.” Do You Have Any Favourite Plants To Photograph? “Plants and gardens are so complex, so I think it depends hugely on the season and the location,” shares Andrea. “I love to photograph trees in autumn and winter. I enjoy the astonishing colours of the foliage and skeletal shapes against a darkened sky. “In spring, the leaves of a whitebeam unfurling always catch my eye. In summer, I love the simple roadside clouds of umbellifers and ox-eye daisies.” What Have Been Your Favourite Experiences During Your Career? “Meeting Dr Jane Goodall and subsequently working for her in Africa on wildlife projects,” she says. “Firstly, documenting a sanctuary for rescued and confiscated chimpanzees in Burundi, then travelling to the Gombe research station in Tanzania and watching the wild habituated chimpanzees and other wildlife in the area. “Later in the early nineties, I was asked to accompany Jane’s protégé, Rosalind Alp, for three months in her study of wild chimpanzees in the savannah areas of Sierra Leone, in West Africa. “My success at quietly photographing the fast-moving wild chimpanzees in the darkness of the forest was limited with the use of relatively slow ISO film, but I hugely enjoyed studying the plants the chimps ate and we lived amongst during that very special time of my life.” Can You Explain Some Of The Challenges With Garden Photography? “Planning a photo shoot is the hardest, especially when you have to travel a long distance,” says Andrea. Close-up frosted Heracleum sphondylium, hogweed seed heads in winter “Working with weather forecasts can be tricky when trying to get the best light and when booking a flight several weeks before.” How Do You Go About Photographing Gardens? What Is Unique About Your Process? “I try and look at each frame I capture as an individual artwork. I use a tripod whenever possible, not just for practical reasons but to discipline myself to compose images, just like an artist would set up an easel. “I also try and process my images in the most natural way too. For example, I never use filters that give skies an artificial colour. I’d rather capture the real drama in the skies even if more time and patience are required.” What Advice Would You Give To Those With An Interest In Photographing Plants & Gardens? “I think that anyone getting into a photographic career should consider a specialist subject they really feel passionate about,” advises Andrea. “Photography can cover such a broad area and photographing a subject you specifically enjoy will, in my opinion, reap more rewards. “Whether it’s plants and gardens, people, trains or food. It doesn’t matter – just specialise and do the very best you can. Photograph of Les Jardin Marqueyssac in the Dordongne France. Photographed in the evening light during the extreme heat of August 2022. “Also, you do need to keep up with technology and use the best quality equipment you can afford. Many photographers still enjoy using film as I do on occasion, but whether digital or analogue, the quality of the lens you use is so important.” What’s Next For You? “I am very excited about my trip to the Amazon River which I’ve got planned for late July and the start of August 2023. I will be accompanying a group of scientific illustrators documenting their adventure up the Amazon River, Rio Negro and some of its tributaries. “We will be looking at rare and unusual plant species as well as the wider landscape, following in the footsteps of the famous British Botanical Illustrator, Margaret Mee.”
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Interviewing Elaine, Caroline & Laura: Collectively Known As ‘The 3 Growbags’
The 3 Growbags is a group made up of three sisters, Caroline, Elaine and Laura, who each live in the UK, with Elaine spending some of her time at her second home in Normandy, France. They started their own blog in 2016 where they share regular content about gardening and even have their own online horticultural shop. I was lucky enough to chat with all three of them about their relationship with each other and gardening. Imagery featured in this article is provided with permission by The 3 Growbags. How Did You First Get Into Gardening? “Growing up in the countryside, we were always aware of the natural world,” explains Elaine. “Dad loved growing veg, Mum enjoyed growing flowers, though she never had enough time to tend to them as much as she would have wanted. “What actually started me off was having our own first tiny garden 50 years ago, buying a plant at Woolworths and watching it grow.” “I was a hobby gardener until a project at work led me to run a 10-year conservation project in Madeira, which really fired my interest in sub-tropical plants,” shares Laura. “I invested in a large glasshouse on the back of the house and started experimenting with rare and tender plants and never stopped!” “I moved to the North-West Highlands when I left school where gardening wasn’t really a thing, so I’m a late adopter,” says Caroline. “As I got older, I realised if I wanted to spend time with my sisters again, I’d have to get to grips with their passion. I’ve learned a lot from them (don’t tell them I said that!), but I am still several leagues behind them, as they regularly point out.” What Does Gardening Mean To You All? All three sisters have had a completely different relationship with gardening, as Caroline explains: “It’s a fascinating hobby that you can enjoy in various ways. For me, so many of my plants remind me of friends and family, some of whom have passed away. A rose that was given to me, the Onopordum acanthium, was beloved by my late sister-in-law. “I think that the fact they disappear for a few months but come back is a particular comfort to me.” “As the only Scientist in the family, I treat gardening as a huge botany project and endlessly experiment with what will grow in Sussex,” shares Laura. “Gardening is an almost bottomless pit of learning and as well as tender plants, I love to try out different styles, from stumperies to prairie plantings. As a Conservationist by trade, it’s very important to me that my garden provides as wide a range of habitats as possible to support our native wildlife.” “I was a Teacher, which was a profession I loved, but gardening has provided me with an escape where I can lose myself in painting pictures with plants,” says Elaine. “Both occupations need persistence, resilience and above all – patience! All qualities are quite handy for life in general, as it happens.” How Did The Three Growbags Begin? “As well as our mutual love of gardening, we also all share a sense of humour and felt that a lot of the online gardening advice was a bit serious,” says Laura. “Knowing that we each had a different style of gardening, we knew there would be plenty of scope for some banter and disagreements, which can occur much easier between sisters than for other gardeners. “So, we saw a gap in the market and set out to entertain our readers as much as educate them.” “It’s very ambitious for three old girls who know nothing about technology, isn’t it? We’re quite close and this seemed like a good project we could do together despite the distance between us,” says Caroline. “Elaine is a gardening authority and Laura is a botanist, but they’re both pretty hopeless when it comes to computers, so they need me! Like every good team, we have a range of strengths. “It also occurred to us that our geographical locations give our blog site a much broader appeal than most – there can’t be many that range from the Scottish Highlands to the Home counties, the South coast and Normandy!” What Has Been Your Favourite Memory Of Working Together? “Doing the Chelsea Flower Show for the first time as The Three Growbags, attending a Garden Media Guild lunch at the Savoy and having a riot with other Garden Writers at the back of the room are just some of my favourites,” shares Elaine. “There really are too many to list.” “The first weeks of lockdown were unforgettable,” says Caroline. It was a frightening time for everyone, but we instantly realised that having set up our blog, we could communicate with large numbers of people, some of whom may be feeling isolated and all of whom could only go as far as their gardens. “For that first fortnight, we posted daily advice on how to grow your own. We gathered hundreds of new followers and got so many lovely messages back from people. It really felt as though we’d made a difference.” “Overall, it has been a lovely way for us to come together as a family after our busy years of raising families and careers to now work together on a new project,” says Laura. “Our Dad always brought us up with the motto of ‘try to learn something new every day’ and our challenges with getting to grips with modern technology and social media have certainly done this.” How Important Is The Online Gardening Community To You All? “It has been lovely to discover so many kindred spirits out there who enjoy our irreverent style,” shares Laura “We’re also learning a lot from the community we’ve established as they send comments and tips back to us.” “It has become hugely important to us,” adds Elaine. “It has certainly made us realise that there is a whole world of horticultural interaction out there and we have met so many wonderful people online, with a million stories to tell.” “Gardeners tend to be lovely people, and it turns out this applies online as well!” says Caroline. What’s Next For The Three Growbags? “We are always plotting new ideas for our blog and website,” says Elaine. “Collaborations, competitions, merchandise offers, reviews, promotions, talks, all sorts! We will carry on and are enjoying the ride.” “We all still love The Three Growbags and our subscribers feel like an ever-extending family,” Caroline adds. “Sharing information about gardens and plants is very reassuring and comforting in what is becoming an increasingly uncertain world and there is no end point in horticulture.” What Advice Would You Give To Those Thinking Of Giving Gardening A Go? “Don’t be put off by all the rules – just try growing something,” says Elaine. “If you enjoy the process, keep going.” “You’re going to go on a journey of discovery, with a mixture of disappointment and achievements that will keep drawing you on to learn more,” Laura shares. “You’re going to learn what style of garden you enjoy most and get huge satisfaction when you realise how much the diversity of plants, even if it’s just a window box, can do to support our native wildlife.”
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Making Urban Areas Beautiful With Jinny Blom, Author Of ‘The Thoughtful Gardener’
Jinny Blom is an award-winning, London-based Landscape Architect who owns and runs her own garden design studio. Jinny’s first book, ‘The Thoughtful Gardener’, made the best seller’s list and her next publication is set for release later this year. We spoke about her storied career and unique approach to designing outdoor spaces. The imagery featured in this article is courtesy of Andrew Montgomery, Britt Willoughby and Annie Schlechter. How Did You First Get Into Gardening? “Gardening is something that everyone in my family has done, so I’ve always been around it,” Jinny says. “My mother was a very keen gardener. “She had got an allotment which we used to visit after school every day. I’ve got a real respect for anyone who grows their own food that I developed from this. “I don’t remember a time when we weren’t doing something or other outside. I used to make mud pies when I was a child – my nickname was Mrs Mud! I started pruning a winter jasmine with a pair of secateurs when I was around 12 and I had no idea what I was doing! “I just got into gardening by osmosis really. Until I made the career change, which was a lot later, I don’t even think I knew that I was into gardening, I just was. It’s just in you.” From That, What Led You To A Career In Landscape Design? “A very unorthodox path,” she says. “I’m completely untrained. Gardening is in me and part of the language of my life, so I never trained or saw it as a career path. “I worked with a mental health charity and was making gardens for the people who lived at the residential place. That’s when I started to think about a change in career. “Around 12 years into that job, I began to prefer the gardens over anything else and had a chance to give it a go, so I did. I jumped ship.” Has Gardening Shaped Your Outlook On Life In Any Way? “Yes, in quite a big way I would say. I’m really driven by the fact that the environment that we build for ourselves is the environment that affects who we are. “We go on holiday to places that are beautiful but we don’t always live in beautiful places, so I think that somehow we should be pushier and garden the spaces around us. “There’s a younger generation of gardeners who are trying to take direct action by making urban areas more beautiful, which I love. “Gardening means massively changing our shared environment. I think we’ve got to come out of our houses and share our spaces.” Do You Have A Golden Rule For Designing Gardens? “Think before you act and think beyond the boundaries of what you’ve been asked to look at,” says Jinny. “The more you think about what you’re going to do, the better the result is going to be and the more energy and money you’ll save.” Do You Have Any Standout Career Moments? “Making my first big garden,” she says. “I went very quickly from gardening myself to doing that job – I was probably only a few months in. “I’ve always been confident that I know what I’m doing, but the day I rolled a load of diggers into a grade 1 listed space and started moving the earth around was a standout for me. “At that moment I thought this is it – this is me – and I haven’t looked back.” What’s Next For You? “I’ve got a lot of very interesting projects on the go that I’m not allowed to share!” laughs Jinny. “Having said that, I’m very excited for my book to come out. I can’t really talk about the actual projects I do, but the book is my way of sharing my work. I think gardening is for sharing, so hopefully it is helpful for people. “My previous book surpassed all possible expectations of mine and became a best seller. I don’t consider myself a writer, so I was so pleased with that. “This one doesn’t have to be a best-seller, but I hope people like it!” Could You Tell Us A Little About Your Upcoming Book? “It’s how I think about making gardens so it covers a lot,” explains Jinny. “It covers art, culture, architecture, perfume, landscape, fashion, dye, science, all sorts of things. It’s everything I think about when constructing a garden space. “I want people to enjoy the breadth of horticulture, as it means so much more than just the flowers. It’s a fascinating subject. My book is a constellation – that’s how I’d describe it.” What Would You Say To Aspiring Gardeners? “Just do it – it will change your life forever. “I could never have expected that I would have ended up doing what I’m doing. “I’ve just finished building a big garden for someone who had no interest in gardening whatsoever, and she rang the other day and said she couldn’t stop and that she was now out in her garden every day. “I think that says it all. Give it a go as it definitely changes your life for the better.” Jinny’s new book ‘What Makes A Garden’ is out on the 19th of October 2023 and is available for preorder here.
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Podcaster Shannon Keary: 'It's A Collection Of Conversations About Life In The Garden'
From being gifted an allotment as a Christmas present with no experience of gardening, to now running her own horticulture podcast, Shannon Keary has had quite the journey. Shannon also runs beginner gardening workshops up and down the UK and is in the process of developing The Mini Gardener’s Club, an organisation that aims to get young children immersed in the world of horticulture. I spoke to Shannon about how her love of gardening has changed her whole life. Imagery in this article has been provided with permission from Shannon Keary. How Did You Get Into Allotment Growing? Did You Have Any Prior Gardening Experience? “I was given an allotment for Christmas in 2018 and I had no idea what I was doing,” says Shannon. “I’d joked about how wholesome it would be to grow our own vegetables a few months prior, but when I was given the plot with a couple of books, I honestly had no idea where to start. “I’d always had a gorgeous garden as a child, but was never really into gardening as such, and at the time I took it on we were living in a house with an astroturfed garden – which fills me with horror now!” You Now Have Your Own Podcast – Diary Of A Lady Gardener. Can You Give Us An Idea Of What It’s About? “My podcast is a collection of conversations about life in the garden,” she explains. “It features most of the people I’ve met through the Instagram gardening community and they have such amazing stories to tell, be it hobby allotmenteers, successful plant-based business people or garden TV personalities. “There’s such a range of incredible people featured on the podcast and we talk about all different kinds of growing. “I think gardening is often perceived as something that isn’t for everyone, but you can grow microgreens or mushrooms on your windowsill, herbs in window boxes or an entire market garden full of veg. “It doesn’t matter at what scale you’re growing, there is always something that you can adapt to any lifestyle or growing space.” Who Has Been Your Favourite Guest On The Podcast? “It’s so hard to pick just one person. Every single guest has inspired me so much. “A few that really stand out for me include The Wolves Lane Flower Company, an amazing business growing cut flowers in urban London. Their story is just incredible and I’ve taken so many learnings from them. “I also loved chatting with the Land Gardeners about soil science, as I think it’s something we all still undervalue somewhat and I’m on my way to becoming a complete soil geek. “Then there are people like Emma Jo Real-Davies and Izzy (@justizzybee) who are such down-to-earth, passionate plant people and are also hilarious and lovely. A lot of our listeners fed back on those episodes saying how they felt like we’d all been there drinking coffee and chatting about plants like old friends. “Lots of plant people don’t know other people in their local area with a similar interest in plants, I certainly didn’t when I started the podcast, so that’s exactly what I’d wanted to create in the digital world.” How Important Is The Online Gardening Community To You? “The online gardening community is so incredibly important to me,” Shannon shares. “I’ve made quite a few true friends for life through Instagram – I even attended my first wedding of an Instagram pal this year! “Everyone is so open, friendly and willing to do everything they can to help you succeed. I feel like we all find so much joy in celebrating each other’s successes and laughing when things go wrong on the most epic scale. “It’s been amazing to see such a movement online of creating a positive environment for young people who just love plants.” What Advice Would You Give To Aspiring Gardeners? “Get growing as soon as possible! “I wish I’d found gardening sooner because it has totally transformed my life. It’s been a year since I quit my corporate job in marketing, an industry I’ve been in for the last 10 years, and the last year has bought me more happiness than I could’ve ever imagined. “The benefits a hobby (or career) in gardening can bring are immeasurable – there’s no joy quite like harvesting your very own crops that you’ve nurtured from seed right to the plate on your dinner table.” What’s Next For You? “This year is all about growing The Mini Gardeners Club, a project which started as a 6-week gardening program in summer 2022 and has turned into an absolute beast,” she says. “Our aim is to inspire people of all ages to get outside and get growing, with our current focus on families with primary-aged children. “It’s been such a rewarding project and we’ve had the privilege of working on so many amazing projects in schools and at various locations across the UK. “We’re now on the hunt for a permanent space where we can host growing workshops for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in North Devon, so there is a lot of excitement still to come!”
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