The gardener behind the guides

Paul spent years working in the City before deciding he'd rather spend his days outdoors doing something real. He packed it all in, enrolled at Writtle College to retrain, and has worked as a full-time gardener ever since — beds, borders, lawns, paths and patios, in all weathers, all year round.

Everything Paul writes here comes off the back of an actual job. When he tells you to order an extra roll of turf, it's because he's been the man ringing the supplier for one more. When he warns you a pallet of turf can't wait until Monday, it's because he's watched one yellow in the stack.