Uncovering the guide to a gardener’s success

With the book now published and its launch at Heronswood just around the corner, we were keen to learn what inspired Clive to write it, who he hopes it will help and what he believes makes a successful gardener. 

Clive, you’ve already authored ten horticultural books. Why was it important to you to write and share Guide to a Gardener’s Success: Part 1? 

I believe some of the best gardeners in the world are self-taught. Not everyone can go to university to study horticulture and have that academic experience. And whilst there are many ways people learn these days, I have a love for the power of books. I hope this book will offer new gardeners a foundation of knowledge to go on and enjoy success. The more gardeners the better as far as I’m concerned.  

As you mentioned, this book was written for beginner gardeners. Deepening your horticultural knowledge can be an intimidating process. What one piece of advice would you give to a beginner gardener who is on that journey of learning and developing their practice? 

Visit as many open gardens and talk to as many gardeners as you can. Gardens have usually been designed to let you see plants at their optimum; what they’re planted with, their position and so on. Plants are often labelled too, so you can go home and do your own further reading. And gardeners tend to be very generous with their knowledge and time; don’t let one walk past you without asking a question.  

Indeed, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne felt like a classroom for me when I started my own learning journey. There were many family visits. 

You’ve dedicated the most pages in the book to the chapter ‘Grow your own heirloom vegetables’. Can you describe the satisfaction of growing, nurturing and harvesting your own produce?  

Well of course with heirloom varieties, you can collect the seed and grow the same plant the following year. That was certainly a big part of the joy for me, the seed collection and I know many Diggers members enjoy this practice and the associated cost saving. And the taste is far better with heirloom varieties than mass produced hybrid plants.  

When we lived at Heronswood House, as a family we’d head out into the garden and pick what we needed for dinner. And yes, even while the garden was open to visitors! 

We noticed the term ‘garden-worthy’ used in the book. What does that mean for you? 

Well, there are so many plants out there, so many varieties. You can’t put them all in your garden and nor would you want to. You have limited space, what are the plants that deserve some of that space? You want plants that flower for extended periods or perhaps the foliage is particularly attractive.  

This book is titled Guide to a Gardener’s Success: Part 1. Is the idea that Part 2 will complete the new gardener’s education and set them up as confident, knowledgeable gardeners? 

Exactly, Part 2 builds on the knowledge acquired in Part 1 and aims to develop the intermediate gardener into an advanced gardener. It introduces and discusses some of my favourite gardens from around the world. It also reinforces the link between organic gardening and gardeners, and the positive impact they can have environmentally.  

Your books provide a Diggers horticultural education. What makes a Diggers gardener different?  

Over the decades, I’ve found Diggers members and gardeners to care about our planet. This often leads them to garden organically and to care for their soil. They also favour rare, unusual and interesting seeds and plants. When a new Diggers seed is released, there’s often a clamour from our community to get a packet. And I think Diggers gardeners are quite playful and don’t mind breaking one or two gardening rules.  

And finally Clive, are you looking forward to the book launch at Heronswood?  

It’s always lovely to catch up with Diggers members, they’re such a passionate and knowledgeable bunch, I often find myself learning from them. I’m honoured that Tim, Andrew and Talei, all very important parts of the Diggers story, will be joining me to discuss the new book. And it’s always such a treat to see the Heronswood garden in spring.