Simply Gardening - Talks and Events

Free - Talks and Events

"John's talks on gardening will give you a unique insight into how a show garden is designed and built. All that he asks in return is for a couple of minutes of your time to talk to you about how you can save money on all your utility bills.

So not only do you get the chance to hear how a show garden is designed, but you'll learn how you can save money at the same time!"

John Pictured above teaching children at the ping Pig's food festival.

How would you like an insight to how a show garden at BBC Gardener's World Live is built?

To date John has designed and constructed two show gardens which are "The Labyrinth" in 2006 and "A World Outside the Classroom" in 2009.

John gives you unique behind the scenes presentations that will show you just what it takes to construct a show garden in front of the worlds audience.

He will show you things you don't normally see, short term fixes you didn't think would be used and an in depth look at the whole garden from the start to the finish.

He even spills the beans on things the celebrities wouldn't want you to see, which makes his talks even better!

A presentation can last from 30 mins to 1 hour 30 mins and is based on a slide show of projected images of which John Talks about.

If you are a gardening club, women's institute, or just a group of friends john would be happy to consider talking to you.

Price start at £25.

Call 01652 632745 now as John is already taking bookings for 2010 and beyond.

"A World Outside the Classroom" 2009

Royal Horticulture Society Silver Medal winning garden

Gardeners World peoples vote for the best show garden

This is a show garden that was built this year then re built at Leys Farm Junior School In Bottesford, Nth Lincolnshire. The size was 12m x 12m and it features outside growing and learning areas for children. Raised beds and an incredible edible fence around the outside, 6m shade sail, potting shed and a wildlife area are some of the features.

Joe Swift filmed the gardeners world program from the garden, Ainslie Herriot gave us an interview along with Jo Moxon who is the head of education in North Lincolnshire.

"The Labyrinth" 2006

Royal Horticulture Society Silver Medal winning garden

The Labyrinth was the largest show garden ever built in the UK at 1000m2 in total. This was a massive undertaking for our first ever show garden and even Diarmuid Gavin said we were bordering on insanity of genius, but he was swaying towards the side of genius! Monolith stones sunk the tarmac and 9 artic loads of plants, shrubs and more just disappeared into the borders.

Diarmuid Gavin filmed with BBC Look North in the Garden and interviews from Alan Titchmarsh, Michael Parkinson, Monty Don, Cherie Blair and Joe Swift make up a good collection of celebrities who visited the garden.