Profile of a Gardener

When I was a gardener in my twenties, few of my peers shared my passion. I gleaned inspiration from older women in their prime, who seemed to know everything about gardening. Now that I am one of those older gardeners, it turns out that what I don’t know still far outweighs what I do know! And that’s the joy of it - there is always something new to discover.

While I’m proud to be among the greying-lady-gardeners, it’s good to see a shift away from that stereotype. Globally there is a rise in the number of mad-keen gardeners in their twenties and thirties.

In the UK, a Royal Horticultural Society survey found 89 per cent of 16 to 24 year-olds said they have a garden or grow plants. In New Zealand we’re seeing more and more schools getting into gardening. There’s a resurgence of horticulture students at tertiary level too, though still not enough graduates to meet industry demand.

Today’s young gardeners are finding inspiration online and through social media, where they see other hip young people doing interesting things with plants. They’re not waiting until they own their own plot. They’re gardening on windowsills, on balconies and up walls. In particular, young people are keen to grow their own food, but there’s a swell of interest in all kinds of plants.

This spring in Go Gardening we celebrate two of New Zealand’s most inspirational young horticulturists. Tom Ferguson (page 50) says he never has a day when he isn’t excited to go to work. Karl Noldan (page 15) is also following his passion for plants. Both men have earned a place in the NZ Young Horticulturist of the Year competition in November. We wish them well.

Of course for most of us, gardening isn’t a career. It’s more of an escape, and a great way to get creative on a budget. A love of gardening lasts a lifetime. We can start at any age, on any income. What better time to start than the beginning of a fresh new spring?