In recent years there has been a dramatic shift in the briefs we often get when designing a garden large or small, namely to include provision for growing your own.

This might be vegetables, fruit or cut flowers but making that connection with where your food and flowers come from is striking a cord with so many. But in designing such features we strive to make sure that they are attractive, easy and not over whelming. Raised beds often hence feature and frankly many lessons learnt in my own garden are applied.

Nothing is more satisfying that sharing surplus plants, flowers and produce. Strong relationships and friendships inevitably emerge and much time is spent chatting about the ups and downs of growing with nature.

And with luck our carbon footprint is reduced whilst healthy food brings a smile and helps educate everyone on the benefits of growing your own.