Why I decided to become a garden designer

Hello, I’m Zoe.

On January 1st 2021 I was a Social Researcher working in the Civil Service. I’ve now decided to make a career change into horticulture to be a garden designer.  I got some “covid clarity” last December and decided to pack in my desk job for a life more unknown but in the outdoors. Here is my journey so far.

A growing passion for horticulture

In 2019,  after a decade of renting, I got my own little garden. This, for me, was revolutionary. I’d always loved growing things but had never had my own space to express it. (I did try though: growing tomatoes inside on the kitchen worktops, having indoor herb trays and turning any outdoor rental space into something more pleasing.) 

Getting my own space however was a game changer.

The garden was a bit of a wasteland to begin with.  It had been neglected for around a decade and was full of overgrown shrubs, blighted trees and some weeds up to the waist. Yet, within weeks I was out in the garden all day every weekend. 

I was also in a difficult place in my personal life at this time. Two close relations of mine had passed away quite suddenly within a few weeks of each other. So pulling out the weeds, chopping back overgrown shrubs and digging up the earth was cathartic and a good way to process and make sense of those difficult events. Furthermore, watching new hedges, shrubs, and (above all) the food I had planted grow, gave me a sense of hope for the future. 

A few months went by and I soon realised that this ‘gardening malarky’ was something that I was hooked on. I had my first thoughts about making a switch to horticulture and I started volunteering at Ham House (one of my local gardens). Here I met a fantastic group of professional and amateur gardeners, who were (and are) generous with their time and knowledge. Volunteering is something I continue to do and I learn something new every week.

Over the months I reflected about what it was about gardening and gardens which engaged me. I realised it is how nature can renew us and grow us which fascinates me. I also realised it was the creative and social aspects of my research job which I found the most fulfilling. Such as: designing research for clients, interviewing and interacting with a wide number of people on meaningful topics, problem solving, and engaging with work that helps to make people’s lives better.

I looked around at horticulture job websites and came across Landscape Architecture.  I spoke to a few people in the profession and realised that designing municipal outdoor spaces would perhaps not give me the level of direct client focus that I would be after.  Garden design was then suggested. I looked into it and it looked amazing. However, I was nervous about leaving a well-paid secure job for something less certain. Is it ok to earn less money? Would it be fair on my husband to go back to study? I’ve worked so hard on this career track, could it really not be what I want? There were questions that buzzed around my head. After a ponder, I parked the idea for a while. I’d recently got a promotion at work and wanted to give it my all to see how things panned out.

Growing through the pandemic 

A few months later the pandemic hit. Being outside and connecting with nature took on an even more significant meaning for me. Growing things went from a passion to bordering on an obsession.

Developing my garden helped to centre and calm me to all the noise on the news. Planting and watching things come and go helped me accept that change is inevitable and that life is fleeting by nature. Growing my own produce and flowers enabled me to connect with nature, to feel part of it, and through it to feel part of something bigger than myself. In short, gardening and developing spaces helped me grow positively, bringing me much needed solace.

Deciding to take the plunge

In September of 2020 I took a much needed break from work. It was the first time I’d had two weeks off in around two years. During that time my husband and I were lucky enough to go to Scotland. We stayed in a cabin by a loch, hiking, canoeing and generally escaping from the pandemic pressure. 

On one day I went for a walk alone. It is hard to go for a walk in London and truly be alone, there is always someone around or you can hear the noise of the traffic. Being in Scotland amongst the rustling trees, hearing the loch lapping and being completely by myself I had the first of what would be a succession of little epiphanies. I decided that I really did need to make a move away into a different sort of life.

Throughout the autumn, these realisations kept coming and after a lot of soul searching, I took the plunge. I handed in my notice in January.  At the same time I secured a place at Inchbald School of Design for September 2021.

Chasing the dream

A fortnight before I handed my notice in, I was searching the web to learn more about RHS shows. I came across a page on the RHS website telling you how to get involved. One section stood out. It was designing a community allotment for Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. Hampton Court is local to me, and as such felt more accessible than the other shows. I also loved the fact that the allotments were about celebrating growing together and connection. I read the blurb and it mentioned that amateur and aspiring garden designers could apply. “Right” I thought, “Why not? If you don’t ask you don’t get. Let’s have a go.” So I put my thinking hat on, picked up my pen and over the next fortnight I designed the show bed you now see here.

For me, this bed expresses what I have learnt through gardening, which COVID-19 brought to a fore.  I have realised that life is fleeting and unpredictable, which is why the design is all about movement, from curved planting to the flowers chosen. I have learnt that life is also vibrant, exciting and can be beautiful - shown through the colours. 

One bursting green garden a fortnight before the show.

I also chose to challenge myself to grow nearly everything you see before you from either seeds or very small plugs in my own 50sqm garden. At the end of it my poor garden was bursting at the seams. This reflects the final lesson gardening has taught me, which is that gardening - be it on our balconies, gardens, allotments, community gardens or historic houses - gives us a chance to connect with the natural world. From this connection we have a chance to renew ourselves and connect with one another, which for me is what the RHS community allotment area is all about. 

What’s next

After I finish my course my plan is to steadily grow my practice over the coming years, learning from others and giving back. I’ve also loved this RHS experience and hope to come back one day (in the not too distant future) to do a full show garden. Chelsea 2023?

Thank you so much for reading and if you are interested in working with me, have any questions or would like me to design you a garden please do get in touch!