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Val has been gardening since she could hold a trowel, but only began her career in horticulture after working for three years in a civil service office. The discovery that it was possible to follow a career in gardening was a revelation.
Her pre-college year was spent in a local authority parks department, working on the nursery, on the floral display team and in the botanic garden before going on to complete an OND course in Amenity Horticulture at Askham Bryan College, York. This involved a working middle year, which was spent at a nursery producing hardy plants, houseplants and potted bulbs for DIY stores and large shops.
After moving to Essex when Steve changed jobs, Val worked for Cramphorn's at their flagship garden centre on the outdoor plants area - and, ironically, met Peter Seabrook, although only in passing. This was followed by working at Wisley Gardens and on both hardy plant and bedding plant nurseries, to fit in around two young sons.
Val has taught gardening at night school, answered live phone-in questions on local BBC radio, written for various magazines and written (or co-written) 12 books. She also acts as editor for Steve.
She and Steve have worked for The Sun newspaper for over 20 years, writing the Gardening page with Peter Seabrook and answering hundreds of readers' letters every year.
The cost of a new plant can range from very little, for a seasonal bedding plant, to the exorbitant, for a large tree for inst... (00/00/0000)
Trees make a valuable contribution to any garden, but if you are short of space, you need to choose one that will earn its keep by... (00/00/0000)
When out and about answering gardening questions, people often tell you their plant looks sickly. Like a GP tracking down an ill... (00/00/0000)
Plants that do not exceed 45cm (18in) in height are often referred to as "ground cover", especially if they have a spreading gro... (00/00/0000)
Wind, especially if it is salt-laden near the coast, can cause serious damage to the leaves of plants and the thinner the leave... (00/00/0000)
As the earliest flowering bulbs and corms begin to fade, the next batch will be coming up to take over. Tulips and all forms o... (00/00/0000)
As the last autumn leaves blow away and the world looks grey and dark, a sprinkling of early flowers works wonders to lift the ... (00/00/0000)
The advantage of using summer-flowering bulbs and corms is that they need very little space at a time when there is fierce compe... (00/00/0000)
Containers are as personal as the plants that go in them. Whether you opt for ceramic, terracotta, metal, plastic, bamboo or ri... (00/00/0000)
There are a number of plants that flower during the chilly winter months, some regardless of the weather, others only... (05/01/2024)
Keen gardeners may already know the name Blooms, famous for The Bressingham Gardens and Nursery. This stunning collection of over ... (26/01/2024)
The Easter weekend signals the start of the gardening season. No matter what the weather is throwing at us, our plants know the st... (29/03/2024)
Having a reduced growing space might make you feel that your plant choices are limited, but there’s a world of options if yo... (05/04/2024)
Like orchids, citrus plants were once the status plants for the rich and famous. There are few really large houses that have no cl... (12/04/2024)
For any gardener wishing to reduce the number of manufactured chemicals they use in the garden, even if they are organic ones, nem... (18/04/2024)
Many years ago, in the early days of the plant nursery as we know it, there was no such thing as a printed colour catalogue. If ... (03/05/2024)
Two words that are guaranteed to strike fear into a gardener’s heart: honey fungus. There is a widespread myth that this is ... (03/05/2024)
We're very pleased to announce that Garden.Help has a new sponsor, Grazers. The team at Grazers are long term friends of Garden.He... (03/05/2024)
As you stand in the garden centre or nursery and gaze at the huge choice of petunias on offer for your summer bedding scheme, spar... (10/05/2024)
The back of this book promises that it is “A unique sourcebook for keen collagists.” and they’re not kidding. It... (21/06/2024)
What could be better than a really good flower show? How about a really good flower show where the entry ticket also gives you t... (21/06/2024)
Gardens by the coast are subject to a completely different set of conditions to those inland. Both may be affected by strong w... (28/06/2024)
Unless you have a large garden, chances are it’s either smaller than you would like or a shape that needs careful plan... (04/07/2024)
I’ve been a fan of alpines for decades, ever since I discovered how they made it possible to have a wide range of interest... (05/07/2024)
Hedges can serve multiple purposes around the garden. They mark the edge of the property, stop people straying across your garden,... (12/07/2024)
Scent plays a crucial part in any garden and is the sense that evokes the most memories. It is used by plants to attract pollinati... (19/07/2024)
The driest part of the garden is usually the sunniest, although other areas can be dry too. The base of a wall is often dry, eithe... (02/08/2024)
Plants with spines, thorns and prickles can be very useful as a deterrent to unwanted visitors, whether they have two legs or ... (08/08/2024)
Do you use packets of seeds each year? Have you ever wondered what went on before they reached your hands? Every year, thousand... (09/08/2024)
The top-seller lists in the houseplant section of larger garden centres now include citrus plants. From the odd one or two a few y... (16/08/2024)
We tend to think of grapes as needing a warm climate, but they have been cultivated in the UK for hundreds of years. Thought t... (16/08/2024)
Naomi Slade is an accomplished author who has produced a series of books on specific plant groups. Here, she delves in great depth... (24/08/2024)
A north-facing border gets the least light of any position in the garden so it can seem challenging, but there are plenty of c... (30/08/2024)
It’s not often a book comes along that offers real information, beautiful artworks and stunning photography, yet is far remo... (06/09/2024)
Many garden centres have reported slow sales this summer after the cold, wet spring, but there was no sign of slowing down at the... (13/09/2024)
When used correctly, herbs can make the difference between a good meal and a great one. Choose the right flavours to accompany w... (20/09/2024)
At this time of year, there is a list of suggested gifts for gardeners in every newspaper and on every website. It’s likel... (01/12/2024)
Humble Administrator's Garden
Suzhou, China
Gardens of Versailles
Versailles, France
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Melbourne, Australia
Villa d'Este Gardens
Tivoli, Italy
Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Vallarta Botanical Garden
Vallarta, Mexico
