JB Gill My gardening world
Best known as a member of the boy band JLS, JB Gill has more recently been seen presenting for BBC programmes including the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Countryfile and Down on the Farm.
He lives with his family in Kent, where they have their own farm.
Describe your garden to us
It’s a family space and because we live on a farm, we have quite a few extra acres including orchards. We have a more formal garden around the house, which would look like a Chelsea show garden if completely up to my wife – we’re not quite there yet, but as we get nearer retirement age, we’ll be spending more time on it.
How did you first get into gardening?
I moved here when I was at the start of JLS. Life was crazy and I would only have a day off once every three or four months. On those days, I wouldn’t want to be around anybody and would just chill out. Being in a group you have to sacrifice pretty much everything else, and there is a time to do that, but as life goes on priorities change. For me it was definitely a conscious decision to spend more time outdoors and reconnect with what is important.
Is there anything spiritual for you about being outside?
Definitely. If people can be out in nature and not feel any spiritual connection of any sort, to me that beggars belief. Although it’s not a silence, it is relaxing and it recharges me. Even just a half an hour walk connects me to nature and the spiritual side of my life, it takes me back to the element of creation and my role within that.
What do you think about the accessibility of green spaces in this country?
My family always encouraged me to be outdoors. Coming from the black community, I’ve never not expected to enjoy those things. But of course there are people who might live in a more urban environment and not have anybody to take them to greener spaces – then there can be a disconnect between those people and those parts of the country. You moved from Brixton to your farm, which has rescued pigs and turkeys – what would your advice be to others wanting to do similar?
I’ve had many people say, “It’s my dream to move out of London and have a smallholding.” If it’s a passion of yours, follow your heart. It’s got to be done at the right time and you have to do your research, but then there is no reason you can’t do it at all.
K Watch JB Gill on the BBC pre-school series Down on the Farm on iPlayer at bit.ly/down-on-the-farm