Zia Allaway Interview: ‘People Often Think Gardening Is More Complicated Than It Really Is’

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Zia Allaway is a Horticultural Author and Writer with over 25 years of experience in publishing.

As a qualified Horticulturist, Zia has co-authored notable books like ‘How to Grow Practically Everything’, ‘The Complete Gardener’s Manual’ and ‘What Plant Where’ – which were published in collaboration with Dorling Kindersley and The Royal Horticultural Society.

Her expertise extends to writing for newspapers, garden journals and blogs, covering a wide range of topics in horticulture and garden design.

I spoke with Zia to discover what kickstarted her interest in gardening, how she has witnessed the evolution of the publishing industry and some of her upcoming writing.

Please note that imagery in this article has been provided with permission by Zia Allaway.

what initially sparked your interest in horticulture and how Did you pursue this interest professionally?

“My great uncle and mum were both keen and brilliant gardeners, so it was always in my DNA,” starts Zia.

“I worked on a variety of customer magazines when I left university and became Editorial Director of a small but successful publishing house. After I bought my first flat with its small patch of garden and started planting it up, I was hooked and thought it would be great to make my hobby into a career.

“So, I signed up for the RHS General Certificate as it was known then and dragged my husband, a professional photographer, around to people’s gardens looking for garden features that we could shoot for magazines.

“This resulted in us working for a range of gardening and women’s magazines – then I was on my way!”

How have your interests and focus within horticulture and publishing evolved since the early days of your career?

“I started my gardening journey writing mainly about design and was lucky enough to get a job at Dorling Kindersley, editing their gardening titles, which included on a number of design books with Diarmuid Gavin and the RHS. That further increased my knowledge and understanding of the subject.

“I have also worked on many ‘how to’ books for DK, the RHS and Frances Lincoln over the years, and love learning about new horticultural techniques and plants.

“More recently, I’ve written about soil science and ecology, exploring the ways plants and horticulture can help to mitigate the negative effects of pollution and climate change.

“I discovered a huge amount when writing my book Eco-Gardening in the DK Grow series, which was a fascinating learning experience.”

With over 25 years of experience in the publishing world, how have you seen the industry evolve, especially in the realm of gardening and horticulture?

“The number of people working in publishing has declined enormously as budgets have been cut and magazines have sadly closed,” shares Zia.

“I made the decision when my children were young to go freelance and, in a way, this has helped me, because I’ve always juggled a number of clients and managed to keep afloat.

“Budgets are very tight, though, and you have to work hard to make a living. It’s tough and perhaps not really sustainable for young people coming into garden journalism.”

As a qualified horticulturist, what are some common misconceptions or challenges you’ve encountered among beginners in your workshops, and how do you address them?

“People often think gardening is more complicated than it really is and getting a seed to germinate will be beyond them, whereas in many cases, those seeds are just primed to grow with very little effort from us.

“Another misconception is that a low-maintenance garden means a large patio with pots of plants, skinny borders and a lawn, all of which are actually high maintenance.

“Explaining that a border of site-appropriate shrubs and perennials is probably the easiest way to manage a garden is a revelation to many people. My own garden is stuffed full of plants and has no lawn, and people think it must be really time-consuming to maintain but, in fact, it’s the opposite.”

What inspires you in your garden writing or horticultural practice?

“A love of the natural world, the beauty of plants and a desire to communicate the joys of gardening and the way it can improve our lives,” she explains.

What is your favourite thing about your job?

“I love creating things and always have done, so writing and editing books, choosing gorgeous images, and seeing the end result in a bookshop or in a magazine rack is pure joy.”

What are some of the upcoming projects or publications you are excited about?

“My book, the RHS Garden Almanac 2024, which I wrote with Guy Barter, is a lovely title and includes all kinds of interesting facts about plant folklore and wildlife, as well as practical tips on what to do when,” Zia says.

“I am currently working on the 2025 edition, too. I also have a book coming out in the spring, ‘Shade Garden’, which will be my sixth in the Grow series for DK.

“I’m not sure what I will be doing next year, but it is always an adventure, whether I am writing or editing books, or putting together features.”

Lastly, as someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience, what advice would you give to aspiring horticulturists and garden writers?

“Just go for it. Find a subject that you think will inspire readers and taps into the zeitgeist and someone will probably be interested in running it. Images are key too, so working with a photographer can help you get a foot in the door.

“Magazines are always on the lookout for a package of beautiful pictures and an interesting story, especially those taken off-season from late autumn to early spring, which are more difficult to find.”