A bit about me!
Expert help from a true plantsman...
I have years of professional gardening experience and a wide range of relevant qualifications to provide skilled theoretical knowledge with hands on horticultural craft.
I have held employed positions of Head Gardener (Grade 2* properties), Garden Manager (Grade 2*) and Head of Horticulture.
I have written articles for several magazines and newspapers, been a guest several times on BBC Radio Solent 'Gardener's Question Time', provided garden tours and talks to garden societies and groups and been a village flower show judge!
I have designed and installed herb gardens at Chawton House and Houghton Lodge Gardens, designed an orchard for Lainston House Hotel, designed and built a show border for BBC Gardeners World Spring Fair (2023) - winning Platinum Award and best in show. I designed and built a show garden for Minstead Trust at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, 2024 (Not judged).
Qualifications include:
- FDSc in Wildlife management (Portsmouth University)
- Level 4 Cert. in Garden History (Oxford University)
- Level 4 Cert. in Surveying Vegetation (Oxford University)
- Level 4 Cert. in Contemporary Science (Open University)
- Level 2 City and Guilds in Organic Gardening (Sparsholt)
Practical Tickets:
- City & Guilds: Chainsaw maintenance & crosscutting
- City & Guilds: Felling & processing trees up to 380mm
- City & Guilds: PA1 & PA6 spraying awards
- Lantra: Tree surveying
- Lantra: Brush cutters and strimmer use
- Lantra: Rabbit and mole control
- Various ecology awards for specific species from the Chartered Institute of Ecolgy and Environmental Management and the Bat Conservation Trust
Contact me....
If you think I may be of assistance, please use the contact form giving brief details.
Useful information....I hope!
Invoicing
I use Quickbooks Online, and invoices are sent through this system.
I send invoices weekly on Fridays by email.
Fast payment is appreciated and can be made by bank transfer only, giving clients and myself peace of mind that they are settled.
- Garden waste: I'm afraid I don't remove waste from gardens....I use your garden waste bins, compost facilities or put the waste in a designated place for you....
- Biosecurity: I regularly clean and disinfect my equipment to reduce the likelihood of spreading pests and disease between client's gardens....
Do I cover your area?
I am based in Winchester, Hampshire.
My general rule of thumb is to keep my clients within 5 miles of Winchester city centre.
I will travel further for one off, interesting jobs, especially if bribed with ginger cake and tea!