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 <\/p>
Earliest gardening memory<\/strong> Choosing a pack of pansies in the garden centre for a tiny corner in my mum\u2019s garden. I was so excited to plant them up, but they were all eaten by slugs<\/a>. A good first lesson in the challenges of horticulture!<\/p>\n First plant love<\/strong> Cacti. I was always intrigued by their various shapes and sizes, and how and why they grew that way.<\/p>\n Who inspired your career the most?<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Most valuable training<\/strong> I began my career in horticulture<\/a> 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<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n Horticultural hero<\/strong> 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<\/a> and her work in creating Waterperry Gardens is a credit to her strength and skills.<\/p>\n Three most worthwhile tips for every gardener<\/strong> First, observe your garden; notice any changes and why they have occurred. Second, keep going; there are always failures, but there\u2019s always another growing season. Finally, to quote my nan \u2013 just chuck it in the ground and see what happens.<\/p>\n Favourite planting style<\/strong> I love prairie-style planting<\/a>. 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<\/a> and wildlife<\/a>, which is more important than ever.<\/p>\n Favourite gardening book<\/strong> Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden<\/em> by Mary Keen<\/a>. It\u2019s fascinating to read about the traditional methods of horticulture used to create the private gardens at Eythrope. It motivates me to learn more.<\/p>\n How do you remind yourself what needs doing next?<\/strong> I keep notes on my phone about what I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n A future aim in your gardening career<\/strong> I\u2019d love to work with a chef and grow vegetable varieties<\/a> that would be used to create amazing dishes for a restaurant or hotel<\/a>. I like the idea of visitors being able to enjoy produce both in the garden and on the plate.<\/p>\n