About Kate

I am a skilled horticulturist with over 7 years' experience. My business is called Wild About Horticulture because I get very excited about plants and gardening and because I believe wildlife should be allowed to thrive around and about us and our gardens. I offer organic maintenance gardening, mentoring (so you can learn to manage your garden yourself) , consultancy and smallscale planting design in and around the TW postcodes.

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My Philosophy

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I think gardens should be beautiful and functional spaces for both people and wildlife. They should be for fun, relaxing, mindfulness, foraging, socialising, enjoying nature, supporting wildlife and growing food. Gardens are a wonderful and very important opportunity to support biodiversity, community, beauty and healthy living, all of which can be compromised in our modern society. I'd rather focus on these values than get caught up in perfection, over-the-top neatness and design trends. My research and experience has convinced me that the use of chemicals and (in many cases) synthetic fertilisers is misguided and counter-productive.

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My approach is informed  by my interest in nature and wildlife, organic gardening, restorative and regenerative agriculture, soil health, no-dig gardening, rewilding, ecosystem restoration, conservation and planting design. I think it's really important to have access to naturally beautiful spaces where we can be quiet, calm and peaceful. I aim to work with and within nature and natural cycles and systems as much as I practically can. I don't use chemicals at work at all and I strive to put wildlife and soil health first. There is always something you can do to help nature, even with very small space or budget. I work in gardens of all sizes and I welcome enquiries from people with small gardens and small projects, as much as from those with bigger spaces and ideas. 

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How did I become a Horticulturist? 

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I took a roundabout route, which included an English Literature degree, being a teaching assistant in France and working for charities. 

 I am a former WFGA (Working for Gardeners Association) WRAGS Trainee and I have the RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture, passing with Commendation. I have a Level 1 Garden Design qualification from Capel Manor College, which equips me to design beds and borders, and a Level 2  Certificate in Organic Horticultural Practice. I have designed and built two Beautiful Borders gardens for BBC Gardeners' World Live, achieving Platinum in 2022 and Silver in 2019. I was awarded Silver-Gilt for my entries in Richmond in Bloom 2018 and 2019 . 

 

 Contact me if you love your garden and you want an organic gardener who proritises wildlife, natural beauty and wellbeing in your garden. 

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