I think to have a garden that you love and, importantly use, adds such a richness to life.

It connects you to the seasons, it changes every day, it can make you feel different just by walking into it.

It must be one of the greatest pleasures.

During my career managing the garden tool business Burgon & Ball, I found myself increasingly drawn to the design and development side of the business. Our focus on this aspect, combined with listening to the needs and frustrations of gardeners (as well as being one myself!) led to the launch of some of the industry’s most successful products. I loved this combination of designing for problem solving and opportunity exploitation, together with actually making things.

On moving on from that world, the call of the garden grew stronger and I spent time creating a new coastal garden from scratch - learning the hard way about salt tolerance and wind resistance. And then came the dawning of a realisation that designing and making gardens is where I want to stay. My study at The Inchbald School has been life changing in understanding the core design principles of what makes gardens work. And I’m a good listener…