Following an apprenticeship and work stint at Waterperry Gardens in Oxford, Sabrina tends a walled garden and grows vegetables for a private estate in Somerset. Portrait by Justin Foulkes
Earliest gardening memory Choosing a pack of pansies in the garden centre for a tiny corner in my mum’s garden. I was so excited to plant them up, but they were all eaten by slugs. A good first lesson in the challenges of horticulture!
First plant love Cacti. I was always intrigued by their various shapes and sizes, and how and why they grew that way.
Who inspired your career the most? My grandad. When I was growing up I would visit him on Friday evenings, and he would tell me stories about his time as a forester. I always knew I wanted to work outside with plants.
Most valuable training I began my career in horticulture as an apprentice at Waterperry Gardens. It was an invaluable experience as I learned many of the basic skills of horticulture, as well as the high standards needed for a public garden. The combination of practical work in the ornamental gardens, orchards, nursery and garden shop alongside the theory and written work of the NVQ diploma has really set me up for the rest of my career.
Horticultural hero Beatrix Havergal, who founded the Waterperry School of Horticulture (for women) in 1932 and ran it with her partner, Avice Sanders, until 1971. She was by all accounts a formidable woman and her work in creating Waterperry Gardens is a credit to her strength and skills.
Three most worthwhile tips for every gardener First, observe your garden; notice any changes and why they have occurred. Second, keep going; there are always failures, but there’s always another growing season. Finally, to quote my nan – just chuck it in the ground and see what happens.
Favourite planting style I love prairie-style planting. So much work goes into it, but it looks so effortless and creates a real sense of place. It also has huge ecological benefits for insects and wildlife, which is more important than ever.
Favourite gardening book Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden by Mary Keen. It’s fascinating to read about the traditional methods of horticulture used to create the private gardens at Eythrope. It motivates me to learn more.
How do you remind yourself what needs doing next? I keep notes on my phone about what I’m doing in any given week, so I can check back on things the following year. I also work in a great team and we often discuss what needs doing.
A future aim in your gardening career I’d love to work with a chef and grow vegetable varieties that would be used to create amazing dishes for a restaurant or hotel. I like the idea of visitors being able to enjoy produce both in the garden and on the plate.
Instagram @sabrina.inthegarden