“Nursery men or women make the best gardeners”
Commercial Hort. tutor at Merrist Wood College
My time in commercial horticulture has given me many skills, which I have translated into professional gardening.
My previous experience in nurseries involved growing plants solely in containers so my time at Merrist Wood college was valuable in that it taught me about soil – which I believe is possibly the most important part of growing.
The high level of mechanization and irrigation systems in the nurseries has enabled me to take on the installation of smaller cost effective systems in domestic gardens. This applies especially to drip pipes, which irrigate from under the plant, reducing water loss and fungal disease problems. I have successfully installed and used these in ornamental and vegetable gardens to great effect.
My involvement with pest monitoring and biological pest control has led me to use these agents in greenhouses for clients very effectively, there for helping to minimize the use of toxic chemicals.
My considerable experience has lead me to become very good at meeting deadlines, and working with commercial pressures. I undertake tasks using the most efficient methods in the most cost effective time and to the highest standard.
As well as these technical skills I also became familiar with all the most common, and some not so common plants, used in gardens today, from bedding plants to herbaceous and perennial shrubs.
