I wonder, if you followed the link from The Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) 2020 “virtual ” Tatton show to reach my blog ? If you did –

“Hello, my name is Sally Wicks and I really do have my dream career, as a professional gardener and blogger”

An element of this years RHS ” virtual” Tatton show, involved over 70 individuals making short films, we all expressed our enthusiasm and reasons as to how and why we chose a career within horticulture. It is a really diverse and interesting read. Why not check it out on http://www.rhs.org.uk if you havn’t already done so.

My film mentioned that an accompanying blog would be written. How fantastic if you were sufficiently inspired to consider start writing about your gardening life, after having read this. You never know, it might be the start of a career change.

MY WORKING LIFE – From housing officer to professional gardener .

After gaining a Degree in Housing in the 1980’s I started out as a Housing Officer. A few years down the line I studied for a Post Graduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture . It was at this point I considered a career change.

Since then I have been employed as a Horticultural Development Officer for a Local Authority, Project Manager of an allotment based community garden, and a lecturer in horticulture and design. For the last 15 years I have worked entirely as a self employed Professional Gardener and designer, with seasonal floristry work.

WHY DID I START GARDEN BLOGGING ?

I wanted to create a work diary, and share my knowledge and enthusiasm for all things horticultural with family and customers.

Additionally, friends frequently asked ” Sally, how do you earn your living in winter as a gardener, don’t you just get wet and cold – what is there to do ?

My none gardening friends needed informing , so with all these reasons, I started to blog.

For all us gardeners out there, we know winter is a crucial working season. We mulch, we prune , plant and plan for the coming growing seasons. As long as it is not chucking down, or below freezing, I am out there working. A small amount of winter diversification is sometimes required though. Winter income

Friends now say “lovely blog Sal, great gardening images, you are quite busy in the winter aren’t you. Don’t you still just get wet and cold though ?” I did write a blog about winter clothing , just to put them straight on that one.winter clothing

I consider, that is my duty as a blogger to enthusiastically inform others that there is definitely gardening work to be done, and gardens to visit right throughout the four seasons of the year. Believe me, there is always something to blog about !

MY FIRST BLOG

I really do remember writing my first blog, Work had been called off, it was a sub zero temperature day. I thought just do it Sal, start writing that blog, so I did, – February 13th 2013 and seven years and over 200 blogs later, I am still writing.

Blogging continues to be the perfect way to encapsulate my true joy of what it really means to be a professional gardener, and my life in horticulture. I cannot see a time when I won’t be writing.

Initially nobody followed my blog, rather than feeling down beat, this actually provided the opportunity to practice my blogging skills. I started to feel more confident in my writing, photography and editing.

If blogging was a number crunching excercise for amassing readers, I would have stopped years ago, it is something which has become a very enjoyable part of my life.

WHAT DO I BLOG ABOUT ?

My working life, garden and landscape design, floristry, developing my own garden, travel and propagation. You don’t necessarily need to cover a range as large as this ! Maybe you just want to write about your gorgeous garden, or allotment.

Looking back through earlier blogs, I only use to talk about my garden successes. I am now quite happy to share my not quite so successful projects – I always provide a solution though.

I really enjoy writing about my landscape design thoughts, its a great way to get ideas out in print.

THINGS TO PONDER ON

  • I would recommend keeping your blog quite short when you start – maybe 300 words or less. You can always increase your word count as you become more confident in your writing. Open Gardens is my shortest blog and Vlinderhof my longest. There is quite a difference in their word count !
  • Consider focusing on a single subject per blog. In effect a one chapter story. By my own choice this year, my regular blog, extended to at least seven chapters a blog. Obviously this takes an age to write and edit, to the point where there are generally fortnightly gaps between posting. I would quite like to write weekly, so will be reverting back to shorter , one subject blogs. Live and Learn.
  • Think of a writing style. I tend to write in a relatively informal manner, as if i’m writing a letter, or having a conversation with friends, who require some clear gardening advice.
  • It is really important to use the highest quality digital images you have. I have put my smart phone down, and reverted to my camera and tripod. Would you want to read a blog, that was full of blurred images ? My blog also contains a separate page for my favourite images, so that’s an idea to take on board. My two favourite images, couldn’t be any more diverse in their content.

  • A stunning Piet Oudolf landscape
  • A dinosaur with crocus in a customers garden.

  • Check out various blog hosting sites, before you choose, many are free.
  • Think about a good name for your blog. Most blog hosting sites, can offer a free name. If you want to register a specific name, this can and does cost. But it might provide you with a better identity.

SO YOU ARE BLOGGING AND ENJOYING IT, – HOW CAN YOU MOVE IT ON ?

After a couple of years, I started thinking if there was any way I could supplement my income as a professional gardener through my blog ? I would highly recommend The Garden Media Guild http://www.gardenmediaguild.co.uk I was a probationary member for three years, and am now a full member. The guild provide exceptional support, particularly as they provide you with a mentor. Vanessa Berridge an incredibly accomplished author, was my mentor. She was so helpful and kind with all her advice.

You could consider directly contacting editors of local magasines, journals, and newspapers. I would recommend writing with a specific editorial idea, rather than a general introduction letter.

I am presently at the pitching ideas time of my writing career. I am becoming far more confident, in following up emails with a phone call if there has been no reply. Previously I just use to leave it. Be confident in your writing skills !

And, finally. My top tip is, to consider telling your readers that if they have a gardening query , they can contact you. I think this might help your blog turn into a conversation, rather than a monologue.

Many thanks for reading to the end, I hope it has been a useful, and good luck with your blogging. You may have reached the end of this blog,and wondered why it is version 2 ? Well, I initially managed to publish an early edit, rather than this. Another live and learn blogging experience, keep on checking !

Sally x

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