ABOUT CATHIE WELCH
My Education
My qualifications took 7 years to complete and I have been working in the industry for 40 years. I trained at Oxford Botanic Gardens, Waterperry, Kew Gardens and as well as teaching at Merrist Wood and Wisley.
My horticultural history
I have worked with the RHS for many years, beginning my career with them as the horticultural adviser at Wisley back in the 1980’s. Since then I have been an examiner marking papers and involved in the restructuring of their qualifications.
Expert Advice
THe creation of my school
My roots
For many years I have been running my own gardening school at Secretts in Milford. I have left there now as Squire’s have bought the garden centre and set up the gardening school in my garden surrounded by exquisite plants, cats and chickens!
Learning horticulture
I believe this is the best route into horticulture and the way I run the modules from my own property ensures that the syllabus is covered and integrated with practical experience.
Professional Service
Skilled Service
We offer a skilled professional service not to be confused with unqualified and unskilled ‘gardeners’ out there who we value greatly for cutting large expanses of lawn and raking up leaves!
Long term clients
I am mostly called upon for my pruning and plant knowledge and once hired tend to stay with clients indefinitely.
A cut above the rest
Teaching at home
Best practice
These days I prefer to teach you in your own garden as I find that is much more realistic, rewarding and beneficial.
Methods of learning
Most people with my expertise are running public and private gardens so I enjoy sharing my knowledge with people who want to learn, both in the classroom and how to do things properly in their own gardens.