The Gardeners’ World presenter and seven times Chelsea Gold medallist on working with Geoff Hamilton, laver and bacon sandwiches and why he won’t be giving up coaching junior goalkeepers
Champagne problems. That’s what I’ve got,” says Adam Frost. The Gardeners’ World presenter, RHS Ambassador and Chelsea Gold medal-winning designer has a lot on his plate. It adds a little extra sparkle to the situation that his problems are, in the very best sense, of his own making.
Growing up in north London, home life wasn’t always easy for young Adam, and he spent a lot of time with his grandparents. “There was Tidy Nan, with a greenhouse that smelt of tomatoes, Scruffy Nan – who worked in the City and had a garden full of Belfast sinks and cats – and Granddad, who was an engineer and had the best shed in the world.”
When he wasn’t with his grandparents Adam was playing football, and showed such talent in goal that there was a real chance he would turn professional. Instead, when he was 15, his father uprooted him and moved to rural north Devon.
“It did knock me sideways a bit,” headmits. In quick succession, he left school, rented a room and signed up as an apprentice with the North Devon Parks Department. “I think the old boys were sorry for me. There was George, the foreman, who taught me a lot, and Jim who introduced me to the joy of laver and bacon sandwiches, and gave me a couple of canaries that I kept at the end of my bed. The first time I appeared on Gardeners’ World, George emailed to say how proud he was.”
Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
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Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?
Giving your free time to volunteer in the community or as a mentor can have a big impact, and also benefit you in ways you can't imagine, says John Wyer
EARTHLY CONCERN
Weeds, slugs, birds and mice - all are welcome on Birch Farm in Devon, where Joshua Sparkes seeks to respect the local ecosystem and mimic nature in his innovative approach to growing
Gardening is good for you
In the first of his new factual column on the benefits of gardening, Dr Richard Claxton uncovers all the evidence-based ways it can help your physical health.
TANGERINE DREAM
On the edge of one of London's busiest roundabouts, Nigel Dunnett has created exciting combinations of drought-tolerant plants for a roof garden that is as unexpected as it is joyful
GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
Growing your own edible plants is a great way to boost your gut microbiome. Discover expert picks of edimentals that are both beautiful and beneficial
Waste not, nice plot
Designer Miria Harris gave herself the challenge of a no-skip, zero-waste project, giving away, recycling or reusing everything in this back garden before transforming it into a space her client could love
One for all
A new community garden designed by Sarah Price around an old library turned arts centre in southeast London is a treasured space for local residents and garden lovers alike
Meet our horticultural HEROES
Discover the stories of the extraordinary garden champions who are making a difference to places, people, plants and the planet
SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE
In the culinary world, chefs and food writers sometimes closely guard their recipes, says Nigel Slater. Among gardeners, however, there is a refreshing spirit of generosity
Autumn at Sissinghurst
As the garden slips into a new season, head gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team are busy with tasks from hedge cutting and lawn work to bulb planting and sowing seeds.