First plant love<\/strong> Like many children, I fell in love with cacti and had a windowsill full of prickly friends. I have a few now, and thankfully I understand their watering requirements a little better, rather than giving them too much love.<\/p>\n

Who has inspired your career the most?<\/strong> This is 100 per cent my grandad. It was because I spent so much time in the garden with my grandparents as a child, that I developed an interest in gardening at a young age, which has always been with me and led to my career change.<\/p>\n

What did you do before?<\/strong> Prior to moving into horticulture, I was a secondary school music teacher. During school breaks I was taking part in more and more volunteering holidays with the National Trust for Scotland, my houseplant collection was multiplying, and it became apparent that I was a much happier person working with plants.<\/p>\n

Horticultural heroes<\/strong> Carol Klein has such an infectious enthusiasm and I share her love of propagation. I am also hugely inspired by the environmentalist Summer Rayne Oakes, who works to persuade people to reconnect with nature \u2013 and has filled her New York apartment with hundreds of houseplants. I was super lucky to be able to attend her book signing in London in 2019.<\/p>\n

Most valuable training<\/strong> My recent two years on the Historic and Botanic Gardens Training Programme at Audley End House and Gardens has been a great experience. The opportunity to work full time alongside an inspirational garden team, to experience the seasonal requirements of the role, and complete projects, which I have been able to see realised within the garden, gave me such confidence to move forward with my career.<\/p>\n

Dream plant destination<\/strong> Tropical glasshouses are my favourite part of any botanic garden and I have always wanted to travel to a rainforest. It would be amazing to experience these tropical plants in their natural habitat, so Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, and Columbia are all on my wish list.<\/p>\n

One easy thing every gardener can do to be more sustainable<\/strong> Peat-free compost is an easy change. It is slightly more expensive but readily available, and even if gardeners swap out just some of their peat-based media for a peat-free mix, it all adds up.<\/p>\n

Contact<\/strong> littlegreenjengardens@gmail.com Instagram @littlegreenjen<\/p>\n<\/div><\/body><\/html>\n

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