Welcome to Plant People, A professional Garden Design and Consultancy Service, working in a sustainable and organic way, wherever possible.

I am based in Shoreham-by-Sea, and currently work in Brighton and Hove. I prefer to work within a 10 mile radius of my home but I am happy to go beyond if you require my services.

News

CoronaVirus:
For safe working practice I would like to suggest the following:

I can still do consult meetings via Zoom or skype.

I can create planting plans, do gardening advice & information sessions, plant identification and pruning advice, gardening lessons and garden design.

I may need to do site visits at some point, see following information:

For site visits:

For those with side access to the garden:
If you can leave any gate unlocked for when I am coming, I can just come in and get on with what needs doing in the garden.
If you have any specific jobs or information you would like me to share, you can either email or text them too me. Leave a note for me, perhaps in a shed or weighted down on a table, so that it is easy to see or find.
We can also talk on the phone when I am outside and you can remain inside.

If you choose to meet me and allow me to come through your home:

We can keep a safe 2m distance and do similar to the above.
I also have access to a good quality respirator face masks and can wear one should you prefer when coming through your home.

To state the obvious: I can wipe down any surfaces I touch/ handles/gates etc with a bleach solution.
I have always regularly washed my hands or used alcohol gel if no access to water.
I have always used anti bacterial wipes on my tools, to stop the spread of any plant or soil based disease.

If you are interested in any of my services,
please get in touch- M:07881992762 .

Collaboration
I am welcoming working with other Designers, Architects and Landscapers etc that would require my expertise on planting schemes, plant & soil health, disease issues and possible remedies.

Optimum Plant & Soil Health
I am continuing to do biodynamic studies that look at improving the soil condition /biome for the long term.
I am working with plant & soil tonics that will enable you to get the optimum plant growth and nutritional improvement for any edible plants for those wanting to grow their own fruit, veg, salads and herbs. This can all add to improving your own gut biome.

Phytoremediation
I am also looking into phytoremediation, to use plants to help clean toxins from the soil and water in our gardens.
For more information please see Biodynamics page

Gardening Monthly To Do's

AUGUST:

Deadhead dahlias and other perennials to encourage a constant display of blooms
Keep camellias and rhododendrons well watered through late summer while their flower buds are forming
Trim lavender once flowering is over to maintain a compact, bushy shape, but avoid cutting into old wood
Prune rambling roses, removing up to a third of stems that have flowered, and tie the rest to supports
Be vigilant for signs of tomato and potato blight, removing affected plants immediately to prevent spread. Remove the lower leaves of cordon tomatoes up to the lowest truss, to let more light and air reach the fruits
Summer prune both free-standing and trained apple trees, to encourage good fruiting in future years
Plant well-rooted strawberry runners into new beds
Pinch out the tops of outdoor tomatoes, as further flowers are unlikely to produce fruits that have time to ripen
Set up a capillary matting system to ensure plants have enough water if you're going away on holiday
Summer prune wisteria by shortening all long sideshoots to about 20cm

THE GREENHOUSE:

Plant cold-stored potato tubers in large tubs in a greenhouse or cool porch, for harvesting at Christmas
Pour water over the greenhouse floor every morning during hot weather to increase humidity
Cut laurel hedges with secateurs rather than a hedgetrimmer, to avoid half-cut leaves that turn brown
Clear weeds from cracks in paving and driveways before they get established
Tackle problem lawn weeds, digging them out or applying a lawn weedkiller
Sow green manure to fill any bare ground

SEPTEMBER

1 Divide herbaceous perennials
2 Pick autumn raspberries
3 Collect and sow seed from perennials and hardy annuals
4 Dig up remaining potatoes before slug damage spoils them
5 Net ponds before leaf fall gets underway
6 Keep up with watering of new plants, using rain or grey water if possible
7 Start to reduce the frequency of houseplant watering
8 Clean out cold frames and greenhouses so that they are ready for use in the autumn
9 Cover leafy vegetable crops with bird-proof netting
10 Plant spring flowering bulbs

OCTOBER

1 Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants
2 Cut back perennials that have died down
3 Divide herbaceous perennials
4 Move tender plants, including aquatic ones, into a greenhouse or conservatory
5 Plant out spring cabbages
6 Harvest apples, pears, grapes and nuts
7 Prune climbing roses
8 Finish collecting seeds from the garden to sow next year
9 Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges in mild areas
10 Renovate old lawns or create new grass areas by laying turf

Gifts available

Birthday, Anniversary or Festive Gifts:
Gardening 1:1 lessons, Garden Design or Consultancy vouchers available
Please contact me for more info

Art Work News:
I have added Organic Ceramics to give you a glimpse of the garden sculptures & pots I create.

I have been creating a selection of new pots & sculptures and have Raku fired them with my friend & Sensei Ember Vincent.