As a qualified Horticulturist , Zia hasco - authored far-famed bookslike ‘ How to Grow much Everything ’ , ‘ The Complete Gardener ’s Manual ’ and ‘ What Plant Where ’ – which were issue in collaboration with Dorling Kindersley and The Royal Horticultural Society .
Her expertise extends to writing for newspapers , garden journals and blogs , covering a blanket range of theme in horticulture and garden design .
I spoke with Zia to discover what kickstarted her interest in horticulture , how she has witnessed the evolution of the publishing diligence and some of her approaching composition .
what initially sparked your interest in horticulture and how Did you pursue this interest professionally?
“ My great uncle and mum were both penetrating and magnificent nurseryman , so it was always in my DNA , ” start Zia .
“ So , I signed up for the RHS General Certificate as it was known then and dragged my married man , a professional photographer , around to people ’s gardens looking for garden features that we could shoot for magazines .
“ This resulted in us work for a range of gardening and women ’s magazines – then I was on my fashion ! ”
How have your interests and focus within horticulture and publishing evolved since the early days of your career?
“ I started my gardening journey write mainly about design and was lucky enough to get a job at Dorling Kindersley , cut their gardening titles , which included on a number of intention books with Diarmuid Gavin and the RHS . That further increase my cognition and understanding of the subject .
“ I have also work on many ‘ how to ’ books for DK , the RHS and Frances Lincoln over the years , and love learning about new horticultural technique and plants .
“ More lately , I ’ve write about grime science and ecology , exploring the ways plant and horticulture can serve to palliate the minus effects of pollution and climate change .
“ I find a huge amount when publish my book Eco - Gardening in the DK Grow series , which was a fascinating learning experience . ”
With over 25 years of experience in the publishing world, how have you seen the industry evolve, especially in the realm of gardening and horticulture?
“ The number of masses run in publishing has worsen tremendously as budgets have been cut and magazines have sadly close , ” share Zia .
“ I made the decision when my children were young to go freelance and , in a way , this has helped me , because I ’ve always juggled a figure of clients and superintend to keep afloat .
“ Budgets are very tight , though , and you have to work hard to make a living . It ’s elusive and perhaps not really sustainable for untried citizenry coming into garden journalism . ”
As a qualified horticulturist, what are some common misconceptions or challenges you’ve encountered among beginners in your workshops, and how do you address them?
“ citizenry often retrieve gardening is more complicated than it really is and getting a come to burgeon forth will be beyond them , whereas in many cases , those germ are just prim to grow with very piffling effort from us .
“ Another misconception is that a humble - maintenance garden intend a large terrace with pots of industrial plant , skinny borders and a lawn , all of which are actually high upkeep .
“ Explaining that a border of site - appropriate shrubs and perennial is belike the easy way to grapple a garden is a revelation to many the great unwashed . My own garden is stuffed full of industrial plant and has no lawn , and people remember it must be really clock time - consuming to maintain but , in fact , it ’s the opposite . ”
What inspires you in your garden writing or horticultural practice?
“ A love of the innate macrocosm , the peach of works and a desire to pass along the joyfulness of gardening and the way it can ameliorate our lives , ” she explain .
What is your favourite thing about your job?
“ I sleep with creating things and always have done , so piece of writing and editing books , choosing gorgeous images , and check the close result in a bookshop or in a magazine stand is virgin joy . ”
What are some of the upcoming projects or publications you are excited about?
“ My Holy Writ , the RHS Garden Almanac 2024 , which I wrote with Guy Barter , is a lovely title and includes all kinds of interesting fact about industrial plant folklore and wildlife , as well as practical tips on what to do when , ” Zia says .
“ I am currently working on the 2025 version , too . I also have a Holy Scripture coming out in the natural spring , ‘ Shade Garden ’ , which will be my sixth in the Grow serial for DK .
“ I ’m not certain what I will be doing next year , but it is always an risky venture , whether I am writing or redaction books , or putting together features . ”
Lastly, as someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience, what advice would you give to aspiring horticulturists and garden writers?
“ Just go for it . Find a subject that you guess will inspire readers and water tap into the zeitgeist and someone will probably be concerned in hunt it . Images are fundamental too , so working with a photographer can assist you get a foot in the doorway .
“ Magazines are always on the lookout for a package of beautiful pictures and an interesting story , especially those study off - time of year from late autumn to other springtime , which are more difficult to rule . ”
