Q&A

SOIL: It’s clay – it’s dreadful – so I use seaweed. It seems to break down the soil and nourish the plants; it acts like a mulch. It’s basically all I use and it’s free.

FAVOURITE GARDENING TOOLS: I do a lot with hedge clippers and secateurs. The secateurs would be my favourite for cutting things back. Just wandering along and snipping – it’s that sort of garden.

HOURS SPENT IN THE GARDEN: Maybe five hours a week, but some weeks I won’t do anything. It is very quick to clean up. Do the paths, trim the hedges, mow the lawns and it starts to look really lovely.

IN THE SUMMER: I’ll go for two or three swims on a nice day. To me, it’s pure luxury being able to do that.

BEST TIP FOR OTHER GARDENERS: Keep experimenting. Keep enjoying it. Don’t take it too seriously.