As a teenager my favourite hangout was Betty’s Tea Rooms so it should have come as no surprise to find my vocation was in the middle aged Mecca of gardening.
Sadly this discovery was late in coming so first I spent seven years pretending to be young in the world of PR where I picked up a husband who is far too good for me and a taste for champagne I can’t afford.
In the last decade I have gained a Chelsea Flower Show Medal (no, it wasn’t gold and yes, I am bitter) as well as three children (no, that’s quite enough thank you and yes, I am knackered).
Now I’m trying my best to combine both these things. I design family gardens, occasionally cover garden design issues for the Guardian, talk and demo on family gardening, serve as gardening consultant on the Cbeebies show, Mr Bloom’s Nursery (it features a singing aubergine – what’s not to love?) and my first book on kids' garden crafts is due out next year.
And through it all I try to pass on my love of gardening to my three children - Ava (7), Oscar (6) and Archie (3).
It doesn't always go well...
