From picking up a spade for the first time in lockdown to tens of thousands following his wise words on all things gardening – our resident green-fingered expert Adam Kirtlamd recounts his unlikely story…

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

Well, I came to gardening quite late to be honest – when we were all stuck at home about four years ago, I picked up a spade, put on some gardening gloves and never looked back! Over the last four years, I’ve gone from turning our humble little garden into a floral paradise to now sharing with others online, how to do the same. Never in a million years did I think I’d be talking on some of the biggest gardening stages in the world too!

IT’S WHAT I DO

Essentially, I’m a writer, podcaster, gardener and I’m also very busy on social media. My aim is to share, in whatever way possible, just how simple gardening can be and how anyone (literally anyone!) can do it. Now more than 60,000 people follow me over Instagram and many of those will have taken up gardening too.

WHAT I’D LIKE TO SEE

Personally, my aim is to reach as many people as possible and continue doing what I’m doing. It makes me so incredibly happy to know that some people will have picked up gardening off the back of one of my videos, or by listening to my podcast, or seeing me talk at a show.

BIGGEST SUCCESS

Gosh, that’s a difficult one – so tough to answer! I’m not sure I can pick just one, but having sat down and interviewed THE Alan Titchmarsh has got to be up there for sure. I remember my parents watching Ground Force and Gardener’s World when I was a lad, and going from just seeing him on the television to now talking to him – that blows my mind a wee bit.

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED

I’d have started earlier! Why oh, why did I wait until I was 32 to start gardening properly?! You can pick up gardening at any age, and I think some people still think it’s something that the older generations do – but no, get gardening everyone!

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT BRUM

Birmingham is such an underrated city. As far as city centres go, it’s so accessible and most things are within easy walking distance – but I’ve got to go with a garden haven’t I? It would be mad not to! We’re blessed with some fantastic gardens and one hidden gem, just out of the centre itself is Winterbourne – in the grounds of Birmingham University. Beautiful flowers and a cracking afternoon tea too – what could be better?