Welcome to my newly updated website.  The website address and colours remain the same, but much else has changed to reflect a focus on Gardening for Wellbeing whether I am advising an individual in their own garden or creating a garden therapy programme for an organisation.

The photographs are all new too, many from a photoshoot with Jane Mucklow Photography at the lovely Riverhill Himalayan Gardens here in Kent.  We visited at the end of Spring to catch both the Rhododendrons for which Riverhill is renown and the first Roses blooming in early warmth from the south facing garden wall.  The great joy in working with Jane is that she combines business branding photography with stunning flower and landscape images.  What could be more perfect for a gardening advisor? And of course the session ended with coffee and cake at the Riverhill café!

As I see it, the primary reason for having a garden at all is because it provides somewhere to relax and socialise, or get away from the everyday stresses of the world, or feel the achievement of germinating seeds or the satisfaction of placing home grown flowers, fruit or veg on the table. Gardening is all about wellbeing and there is no wellbeing benefit from your garden if you do not like what you see, resent mowing the lawn or fear having to prune anything.  My overall aim is to empower people to get the most out of their gardens, to understand what they want, what is realistic to look after and be confident to get outside and enjoy gardening.  You will see details of how I can help gardeners near and far on the Advice page.

You will find all my upcoming talks, classes and workshops on the Events page along with details of the topics I offer and how to book.  I just love talking about gardening to gardeners and visit Horticultural Societies, WI, U3A and social clubs.

My Blog is a Knowledge Blog and you can pick from posts on Design, Grow your own, Practical gardening, Wildlife or Wellbeing.  If you want to read about a topic I haven’t covered, just drop me an email – I will do my best to include it.

I also have a YouTube channel with 2-3 minute video tips and I add something seasonal each month.  And if you would like to learn about a topic in more depth but cannot get to a talk, class or workshop take a look at the Box of Tricks on the Shop page.  You will find recorded videos with an hour of explanation and examples to watch any time.

Further along the gardening for wellbeing path, I also work with organisations promoting the wellbeing of people with particular support needs, for example through a residential care home, hospice, dementia support group or mental health charity. By choosing and adapting gardening activities many more people can connect with nature for all the same benefits.  Officially titled Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, you can find out more on the Wellbeing page.

However, wherever, and why ever you garden, it’s time to stop gardening by accident and start Gardening by Design.

Happy Gardening from Alison

With thanks to Jane Mucklow Photography  & Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

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