Chris Wiley is a man in touch with his mentors. Both his parents were agriculturalists, but he speaks of time spent with his grandparents as a child as the driving influence on his interest in flowers and vegetables. Suffolk is a place not short on green fingers, and he even shared his grandfather’s allotment as a schoolchild, which he describes as his ‘happy place’. Could one be more immersed in the greenery? Later, he was apprenticed to a local nursery specialising in rare and unusual plants and had his first taste of exhibitions, including the Chelsea Flower Show. The firm’s owner encouraged him to reach out to other organisations, which led to plant trials with a major seed firm, and finally to branching out on his own. He now runs the independent plant and product trials and grows his own plants for flower shows and seed production. The latest in his series of mentors was world-renowned gardening writer and broadcaster Peter Seabrook (of Gardener’s World fame). Such was his impact that upon Peter’s death in March, Chris continued his legacy, handing a posy of specially-bred Sweet Peas called ‘Peter Seabrook’ to the Queen, as Peter had done for many years prior. As Chris says, “it was only right to continue his tradition for one last time, in his memory and to say thank you.” The lesson here is to look for teachers wherever you can find them.
Garden therapy is real, just ask Chloe Winters. She jumped head first into the world of gardening after her beloved dog passed, and hasn’t looked back since.
Chris Wiley comes from a long line of gardeners and has every intention of keeping the tradition alive. He grows his plants for flower shows and seed production!
Whether you're growing indoors or out, in containers or the ground, topdressing your garden with mycelium will up your growing game! Xavi Kief explains.
Hannah Reid, AKA Ginger Grows, is all about growing organic produce and working with the environment. She hopes to inspire others to follow suit.
Thomas Skinner loves growing carnivorous plants. He specialises in Sarracenia, an interesting species that snacks on hundreds of bugs a week. Bon appetit!
It’s peak harvest season; time to talk food preservation! Dr. Callie Seaman discusses a technique that has revolutionized food safety.
Maple syrup in the garden? For centuries, natural farming techniques have incorporated natural sugar sources into growing. But why? Av Singh explains.
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Garden Reflections: Words Of Wisdom To Help Plan Your Next Outdoor Grow
As many gardeners focus on their long-awaited harvest, Jennifer Cole writes about urban foraging and food that grows without human intervention.
Mushrooms appear in the blink of an eye, and they can disappear just as fast! Martin Osis writes there’s nothing to fret; mushrooms are environmental wonders.
