With a wealthiness of experience spanning several ten , Sue Fisher works professionally as a Garden Designer , Writer and Speaker .
Sue has author many books on horticulture ( including ones in collaboration with the BBC ) put up insight into creating beautiful yet virtual outdoor spaces that agree with the natural world .
I spoke to Sue about her work with the BBC , the common challenges face gardener today and how she learn the exchange climate affecting gardening in the future tense .
What Initially Piqued Your Interest In Horticulture?
“ My mother , ” Sue only states .
“ She was and still is , at the age of 94 , a very sharp gardener . When I was small , I was given my very own maculation of garden which I bang . It was something I did out of choice .
“ I ’ve always sleep with being outdoors , so it ’s just one of those things that appealed to me in a path that other things did n’t . I prove agriculture first , then went into gardening and realised it was where I want to be , and here I am , 40 years by and by . ”
What Motivated The Transition From A Role In The Trade To Becoming A Self-Employed Garden Writer And Designer?
“ The unspoilt you get at it , the more you get promoted and move away from the factual vocation ! ” she jest .
“ It was one of those thing where I have intercourse what I was doing but the affair I really loved was enthuse about plants , so one of my responsibility was advance the flora across garden Centre .
“ I was doing lots of talks and have mass excited about gardening , so it made sensory faculty to give freelancing a go . I opine if it did n’t work out , I ’d go back into the barter .
“ Luckily , it just took off and I ’ve not take care back – I ’m very golden . ”
How Did Your First Book Project With The BBC Come About, And What Impact Did It Have On Your Career Trajectory?
“ That was a very serendipitous meeting and one affair I would say to aspiring gardeners is to make the most of those meeting if they ever happen to you !
“ I ’d been invited to give a local horticulture public lecture near where I live with other unbelievable experts , including the previous Geoff Hamilton from Gardeners ’ populace .
“ The talking I did was on planting a minor garden and a duet of week later , I aim a call rent me sleep together that the BBC were looking for someone to [ drop a line ] a book on the subject .
“ Once I pick myself up off the floor , I say yes – and that really open up the doorway to so many things for me . I ended up doing several books with the BBC after that . ”
Among The Ten Solo Books You Have Published, Which One Holds A Special Place For You And Why?
“ ‘ Essential plant For Small Gardens’was one of my ducky , even though it is out of print now , ” share Sue .
“ It combined a mickle of the planting advice with advice for farm the plants themselves . It was about pull in garden less scary and making it user - friendly .
“ Although mass might only have a tiny space , it was about showing them how to make the most of it .
“ I ’ve done several books on containers that are always very close to my heart because you could have so much playfulness with them ! ”
Horticulture Is Ever-Evolving. How Do You Keep Up With New Developments And Continue Learning?
“ I ’m really delighted to see the change that has derive about in horticulture because gardening sustainably is something that has always been snug to my sum , ” she says .
“ I ’ve been an organic gardener throughout my career . To keep up with the learning , I do a pot of reading and belong to various professional organisations , include those that particularize in the climate and wildlife .
“ I do several time of day of reading a week to keep up with everything ! ”
Are There Any Common Mistakes Beginner Gardeners Make That Can Be Easily Avoided?
“ It ’s very easy to get tempted into purchasing industrial plant because they look gorgeous .
“ The often - used mantra of urinate certain you have the correct plant for the right place is crucial because plants are like the great unwashed – they all have their own like and disapproval . ”
How Do You See Gardening Evolving With The Increasing Emphasis On Sustainability And Eco-Friendliness?
“ With gardening , I ’m affirmative , ” Sue ploughshare .
“ There is a magnanimous move now towards sustainability on many levels , so there ’s a lot of research going on into production that make a plus impact on the environs .
“ Yes , there ’s a little bit of greenwashing become on , and I do wear a cynical hat , so there are matter out there that look good but are not so good .
“ Despite that , it is head in a very convinced direction . Anyone with a garden has the exponent to make a very prescribed impact in so many different manner . ”
What’s Next For You?
“ I ’ve got some fabulous projects coming up , ” unwrap Sue .
‘ I do secret garden design and consultation as plants are my effectiveness and I make out them ! I ’ve baffle some endearing secret garden and sites down on the Cornwall coast which I am about to start on .
“ I continue to write a monthly feature on ‘ Must Have Plants ’ for Gardens Answers magazine , as well as a lot of veritable writing for Gardeners ’ World . I eff doing these as it really puts hoi polloi in touch with plants and horticulture .
“ I ’ve also got some garden tours come up next year which is always nice , as I can work directly with gardener and spread the joy of plant . The great matter about being freelance is that no two weeks are ever the same . ”
