Much has been written about the benefits of gardening itself when dealing with grief — the physical activity, the time outdoors, the quiet focus of practical tasks. Less attention is given to the garden in it’s own right, and how difficult it can feel to re-engage with it following a bereavement.   I understand how easy it is for a garden to slip away after a loss. The person who did the lion’s share of the physical work, or who acted as the director; knowing which plant was

“Garden Maintenance” is such an over-used term, and I admit, I use it myself. But when I stop to think about it, it doesn’t really make any sense. Maintenance suggests keeping something as is, upholding the status quo. But rarely do gardens stay still. And neither should they in my opinion. They’re not museum exhibits, it’s their growth and evolution that makes them special. I suppose those achingly modern outdoor spaces with ice-white patios and plastic grass might be an exc

Before I became a gardener I worked for several charities and organisations for older people, including Age UK and Independent Age. A...

Most of my client’s are over 75. A fair few are over 80 and one is in her 90’s. They’re all still active to varying degrees, and employ...