For the last twenty five years Ann- Marie Powell has run a highly successful, award winning Landscape Design business, and is an accomplished author and garden writer. But there is something that you might not know, so I thought I would like to talk to Ann- Marie about something very new and exciting. Please read on .

For the first one hundred days of lockdown she shared her practical gardening and design ideas through her Instagram account (@myrealgarden) and thousands of gardeners throughout the world joined in. Everyone shared ideas, laughed and gained strength in working together as an online community, and our gardens became so much more joyful because of this.

After watching an early Instagram video, Ann-Marie inspired me to get my wormery back into action, after it had languished at the end of my garden for over ten years.

This virtual community gardening, led to Ann- Marie, having a stupendous idea, she wanted to create a book that would be full of glorious images of gardeners advice, projects ,tips and successes over this year. She asked her Instagram readers to provide all this information, and was inundated. With pre-ordered sales reaching the necessary target of 1,000 the book is now becoming a reality.

Placing an order for this book, will provide support for Greenfingers charity, of which Ann-Marie is a patron. http://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk is dedicated to supporting children with life limiting conditions who spend time in hospices around the UK, through financing, designing and creating inspiring gardens for these children and their families to relax and benefit from. I thought you might like to see their logo also !

Why not check out www.myrealgarden.co.uk which provides all the necessary information about how you to can support the great work being undertaken by Greenfingers through considering purchasing a copy of the “My Real Garden” book.

Ann Marie , with her zest for a practical garden design project, has guided the nation through the entire renovation of her garden in full view of her Instagram account ( @myrealgarden) it has been fascinating, informative, and provided an inspirational daily dose of learning something new that is entirely achievable, no matter what your level of gardening knowledge was prior to lockdown. I have also found it downright hilarious to watch on many occasions !

I thought it would be great to talk to Ann-Marie, about her lockdown gardening adventure. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

” Ann-Marie, what has been your greatest floral and edible success this year ?”

“Well, Sally, though its a close run thing, I think that Daucus carota Dara, has been my absolute favourite plant grown from seed this year. It’s so magical to think that a tiny speck of seed can grow to such a lofty elegant plant that gives joy for months on end. Real magic. As for veg – its got to be my Japanese cucumbers, I wouldn’t say they were a roaring success, but they were something a little different, with an unusual texture and flavour and spiky skin – lovely to see my children’s reaction when offered up on their plates !”

” Ann Marie, I have truly laughed so much during your instagram videos, they are so much fun to watch, and I always come away with something new to have a think about , what was actually running through your mind as you made your first instagram video this year ?”

“To be super honest Sally, Absolute fear ! – I honestly didn’t know what I was doing really – a friend suggested I do it, and I just thought why not ? My garden was in such a mess after having the builders in, that I actually wondered if it would be professional suicide, but as the world closed down on us all so quickly , I wanted to reach out to people, and very soon the to and fro, friendship, sharing of experience, fun and camaraderie became addictive. Each day I looked forward to 12.30 pm knowing that when I hit that button, like – minded people would be there for a chat, laughs and conversations. It was a lifeline. I honestly don’t know what state I’d have been in, If I hadn’t taken that leap into the unknown, I will always be grateful that I did ”

“Well, Ann- Marie, we are all so glad that you did. Thousands of people have been part of your lockdown life, it really does feel like one huge happy group of gardeners having a great deal of fun, so thankyou for setting it going, and most importantly keeping it going !”

“I am sure all of the My Real Gardeners have their favourite Instagram video – as you know Ann Marie, I told you how much I just laughed and laughed out loud when it was the recent aerobic workout, all that Lycra, and headbands, in preparation for the crocus heart planting, but what was yours ?

” Well, Sally… now you should mention it , goodness …. I think it has to be the one, where I trimmed Jules (box) balls – it was HILARIOUS ! I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, there were so many opportunities for double entendre. It really was just so funny making my way through “trimming his bush” and “clipping his balls tight !!!”

” Anyway Ann- Marie, lets get off the subject of ball clipping…. What has been the best piece of practical gardening information you have learnt this year ?

“Now, that is a good sensible question Sally ! I would say it has been my foray into the broader world of vegetable growing, as up to now, I really have grown the standard stuff, runner beans a few peas and a bit of salad. But combining my experience working with the curatorial team as we worked up designs for the Royal Horticultural Society Wisley World food garden( opening in 2021 ) a whole new world of growing veg has opened up for me. I honestly did not realize how much of a buzz it would be – purple carrots, striped beetroot, Pakchoi – it is so EXCITING. So thinking practically , I think I’ve learnt to research harder in to the wealth of unusual veg out there, be patient, don’t sow everything in a packet ( successional sowing is key !) and to actually be tough enough to thin out your sowings to ensure a better crop. Fabulous “

“This all makes my purple podded mange tout peas , sound a bit dull. Ann- Marie “

” Ah but Sally, I bet they tasted great. You really ought to check out the striped beetroot for next year – it looked and tasted amazing !”

“Thanks Ann- Marie, I will. Can you tell me what does your garden mean to you ?”

” Do you know what Sally, it truly means everything to me now, and without the pandemic and my Real Garden Experience, I can honestly say I don’t think I would be saying that as I sit here today with you. My garden gives me hope as I plan and plant for next year. Joy as I enjoy its bounty. Pride as I see how much I have achieved, and calm as I enjoy my hammock, and has reinstated my original desire in enjoying a constant connection with the natural world in wanting to be a garden designer in the first place. This whole experience has reignited my relationship with the world around me and enabled me to revel in the detail of life’s simple pleasures.

“Do you know what Ann- Marie, I agree entirely with everything you have just said , well apart from the hammock bit, as I don’t have one. I do have a sofa in the greenhouse, which provides a pretty similar calming affect – well apart from when Fiona – our gorgeous greyhound like to stretch out on it at the same time !”

“Okay Ann- Marie, we both know, how fantastic gardening is, and how beneficial it can be for physical and mental health well-being , but apart from gardening, what has helped you through the last six months ?”

” This is a really easy one Sally to answer, apart from my boys (Jules included ) it has been my work and my garden COMPLETELY. I usually listen to music at ALL TIMES – ( and all kinds of genres ) and suddenly I found this gave me no pleasure at all – indeed , much of it made me really sad ! When lockdown began, I honestly thought all the work of building my practice over the last 25 years, might crumble around me. The last six months has taught me that I am prepared to fight hard for my garden, gardening and fellow gardeners too. I think working in the garden has helped me immensely, and though I’ve known I’ve always had a ridiculous amount of energy, I don’t think I realised I had such stamina and strength to just keep on going. I have learnt so much about myself through all of this, and surprised myself too. Does that answer your question ? I’m not sure if it does – so lets just say fizzy wine “

” I think Fizzy wine is a perfect answer !”

“This year Ann- Marie , I have missed seeing my family and school friends so much. However to get round this , we have the funniest Whatsapp groups, where we support each other, and laugh outrageously about friendship, gardening adventures and our DIY mishaps, what about you, what have you really missed ?”

Like you Sally, its people who I have missed, but its more than that, It HUGS from your FAVOURITE people. So many of my friends are scattered across the country, as a very tactile person I miss that physical touch to those I love. I think that’s why My Real Garden has meant so much to me. It may well be virtual, but its so real. Its positive, its visceral and physical in a different way. Honestly Sally when I am gardening now , I imagine the whole of our wonderful community side by side, in it together , and achieving so much more”

“Do you know what Ann- Marie, I couldn’t agree more, and I raise my hori hori and a fizzy wine to that !

“Ann-Marie it has been great talking to you, Cheers to you and every one who loves to garden, I consider you a true champion of gardening through lockdown “

“Likewise Sally, its been great to talk, but on one final note, I think everyone who gardens, is a champion of lockdown to”

I really hope you enjoyed listening in to our conversation. Why not follow Ann- Marie on Instagram, to find out about My Real Garden, and the Greenfingers charity.

  • On occasion Ann-Marie likes to garden in her party shoes !
  • Don’t be like me, and leave your muddy work boots out in the rain… I think its gardening in my best party shoes today.