Liz Pinfield-Wells

Why I chose to study

I wouldn’t hire anyone to work in my own garden who didn’t have good knowledge of plants and plant care, so for me it made sense to gain the RHS qualification if I was going to seek employment in horticulture.  I wanted to build on my existing knowledge and fill gaps in areas such as pests and diseases and plant selection.

Being able to get hands-on as I learn has been really helpful and definitely made a difference for me. South Staffordshire College has huge grounds with a fabulous array of plants from majestic, mature trees to tiny alpine specimens. Even in the theory class, we have had opportunities to go outside and look at the plants. This helps bring the subject to life. I had previously considered studying the theory course online, but I don’t think it would have been as stimulating or rewarding for me. Finding a college within a reasonable travelling distance was also important for me because I was still working alongside studying and regularly volunteering at my two community gardens.

The course tutor, Nicola Davies, is excellent and clearly very passionate about horticulture. Having done the RHS courses herself in the past, I feel she is really tuned in to the needs of all her students. She makes it a really enjoyable experience, even the exams, and although it’s a fairly large class, she ensures we have the support we need to individually achieve our best outcomes.

We have also had some great speakers come in and visit us, such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Head Rosarian from David Austin Roses, which gave lots of helpful information.

Perennials are plants that live for multiple years. They come in all shapes and sizes and fill our gardens with colourful flowers and ornamental foliage. Many are hardy and can survive outdoors all year round, while less hardy types need protection over winter. The term herbaceous perennial is used to describe long-lived plants without a permanent woody structure (they die back to ground level each autumn), distinguishing them from trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs.

perennials

Using my learning at work

Doing the RHS course has given me the confidence to assess each of my clients’ gardens and make an efficient plan for what is needed - how, where and when.

In speaking to clients when I initially visit their gardens, I find that the majority are very keen gardeners who have invested much time and energy in the past and are keen for someone to take as much care of their garden as they would their own. They often point out special plants or problem areas, and now I can use my knowledge to make sure I prune their favourite rose correctly or move plants that are in the wrong place.

There are many people out there offering general maintenance, such as cleaning patios and mowing grass, and those services are needed, but so is proper plant care. Having the RHS qualifications shows that I have put the time and effort into fine-tuning my skills for the benefit of those whose gardens I go to work in.

I also offer companion gardening, where I garden alongside my clients. This ties in with part of the theory course, which looks at how gardening is important for people’s wellbeing. Some people need a little support or encouragement to enable them to continue gardening and remain connected with nature and the outdoors, and this is extremely important for their physical and mental health. If you love gardening, you want to be able to continue to do it for as long as possible. My grandad still went out in – and mainly talked about – his garden until he was well into his 90s. It kept him going.

It’s also great fun to garden together and talk about plants, and I find we usually both end up learning something new. I have a background in journalism and in social care, and I have always found that gardening is a really powerful way to make connections with people. It has its own universal language.

A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year.

cuttings

Looking ahead

I am planning to do a garden design course and then possibly continue to RHS Level 3 but I am going to spend a year working in my clients’ gardens first to gain some more practical experience in different settings, to see where that takes me. I enjoy the flexibility of being freelance because I have other commitments besides my own garden and allotment. I lead activities at two community gardens, and I am secretary for a group setting up a new allotment site which will be opening within the next 12 months. It’s a really exciting time to be involved in horticulture and gardeners have a really important role to play, both now and in the future.

There has been such an awakening, especially at the local level, of the need to reconnect with nature and build resilience to protect the future of our precious outdoor spaces and ourselves. We can all do our bit by looking after our gardens, and I love helping people make the most of whatever space they have to create something beautiful for them and the wider environment.