Interview
‘A broad bean experiment awakened my love of nature’
Celebrity gardener David Domoney talks about falling in love with nature, family life and what makes for perfect outdoor living.
You're Britain’s only chartered horticulturalist presenter on TV. How are there so few of you about? Not every gardener on TV has studied horticulture at college or university. I trained in horticulture from leaving school at three of the UK’s leading colleges and I was fortunate to be selected for one of the last of the ‘old school apprenticeships’ with one of the biggest growers in the country at that time. I loved it and I continue to support pre-graduates as ambassador for the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, as a fellow for Warwickshire College Group and as governor of the London Colleges of Horticulture at Capel Manor.
What’s your earliest memory of experiencing nature? As a child at school, we had a biology experiment where we took home a broad bean sandwiched between the inside of a glass jam-jar and some blotting paper. I watered it and experienced the sheer excitement of seeing it germinate; it was awesome, it was like an awakening to the power of nature... Seeing frogspawn, scrumping
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apples, using rose buds for itching powder, snapdragons snapping and picking mint for mum’s lamb roast on Sundays. To think you could have a job with all these amazing things was incredible to us kids.
What first inspired your interest in horticulture and gardening? At the church fair, I was put on the plant sales stall to help out and, at the end, there were a few plants leſt. Tey gave them to me and when I got home, my dad gave me a little plot in the garden to grow them, so it all started from there.
When did you realise you wanted to turn this interest into a career? I chose to go to college, but before term started, I got a seasonal job at a garden centre. I enjoyed the job so much and loved meeting the plant sales team and their knowledge on plants was mind-bending...I ended up spending 20 enjoyable years in garden retail, finally heading up a 250-superstore chain as buying controller, sourcing plants and products all over the world. I then set
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my eyes on television which accounts for the last 20 enjoyable years.
What makes you most passionate about what you do? Nothing special, it’s just my character. I try to see the good in everything; it doesn’t always work but starting from a positive generally creates a good environment for any journey. Plants, nature and family are important to me, so it’s easy to become passionate and enthusiastic.
Which elements are essential for a great garden? Please describe your perfect outdoor living area. As a father of three young children, my outdoor living area is busy, practical and full of life experiences. We have our family (and well used) barbecue, outdoor dining set for meals and soſt outdoor lounge set - this may sound swish and stylish, but there is also a shed load of toys all over the shop. We do have a hot tub, supposedly for mum and dad, but soon commandeered by three kids trying hard to empty it through splashing each other.
Photos by Heather Hayton
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