Heather Cooke

On my days off I like nothing better than to be out in my own garden, tending to the seedlings in my greenhouse

I joined the Seed Team at RHS Garden Wisley just under 5 years ago, having worked previously for a large multinational company in London.  I have always been a keen gardener and once my children reached a more independent age I went back to college to study Horticulture at Merrist Wood where I studied part-time for my RHS Level 2 and then the RHS Level 3 qualifications. 

Having worked in an air-conditioned office for most of my career, with no natural light, I consider myself hugely fortunate to work in such beautiful surroundings, where I am very much in touch with the seasons and nature all around. 
Here in Seed we are a very small team of 2, helped by 12 volunteers. 

Our primary role is the running of the RHS Seed Scheme, which is a membership benefit.  We collect, dry, clean, pack and then dispatch seed to our members so that they can grow a little piece of the RHS at home in their gardens.  I am very keen to promote the Seed Scheme as much as possible as I get so much pleasure myself from growing from seed and want to pass this enjoyment on to other people.

On my days off I like nothing better than to be out in my own garden, tending to the seedlings in my greenhouse.  The only problem I have is finding space to squeeze them all in!