I've just started work in a herbaceous perennial nursery, called Orchard Dene, so having spent the last year and a half focused on design, I am now honing my plant knowledge and planting design skills. Though the work there is incredibly hard, it will be invaluable experience for my future business. My first 2 weeks there, have left my body battered and bruised, despite only working part time! However after a year of office and desk oriented work, it's no wonder I've grown soft and weak, so this job will also clearly leave me looking like a gym bunny!
At orchard dean, work does not stop just because it's winter. We work 8 hours a day outside, pulling, lifting, sorting, collating, cleaning, checking plants in ALL weather. So far I've worked in snow, rain and also glorious sunshine. Dressed like a Michelin man now, I can't wait to shed the layers and watch as all the plants grow and blossom into spring and summer.
Also despite the time of year the nursery is already very busy. And as this place caters in particular to top designers, I had the pleasure of meeting with Anthony Paul (who is also using one of my pix in his webby), collating orders for Tom Stuart-Smith who I'll meet very soon, and also receiving the London College of Garden Design next week with Andrew Wilson.
So busy busy busy!!!
