Leaf & Seed was founded by Heidi Hurwood in 2014 to provide RHS Qualified professional horticulture & garden maintenance services.

Heidi’s Profile

I have been gardening for most of my life and have had my own business since 2014.

I have always had an interest in wildlife and the natural world - in making things grow and flourish. Beyond gardening as a career I tended several allotments where I’ve produce fruit, vegetables, cutting garden flowers and pollinator-friendly plants.

My gardening passions are for wildlife, herbaceous perennials and an organic approach to every aspect of plant care. Alongside gaining practical experience I have also studied and passed multiple RHS and other gardening qualifications.

I take pride in all the gardens I work in and get great satisfaction working alongside and liaising with my clients so they get the very best from their gardens.I have been praised for my plant knowledge, reliability and enthusiasm. I am happiest when I am planting up an area, caring for it afterwards and watching the plants grow and thrive under my care.

Every client has their own ideas about how they would like me to care for their garden and I enjoy working with them to translate this into horticultural success.

Leaf & Seed have cared for a number of publically accessible gardens including:

• Haglands Lane, West Chiltington
• The Roundabout Hotel, West Chiltington
• Foxmead Court Retirement Homes, Storrington
• Stag Cottage Bed & Breakfast, Balls Cross

I am extremely proud to have had mys home garden recently photographed for a forthcoming feature in the RSPB magazine entitled: “Nature’s Choice: showcasing what can be achieved in a very small space”; see the Gallery page for photos from this.

Horticulture Qualifcations

Since 2010 I have been studying professional qualifications in order to improve my gardening skills and knowledge, and hold:

• RHS Level Three The Management of Plant Health (2017)
• RHS Level Two Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance (2014)
• RHS Level Two Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development (2013)
• City and Guilds Certificate in Gardening (Distinction) (2010)

I have also taken the following courses and workshops, introducing them into my range of gardening skills:

• Gardening for Wildlife (Michael & Jane Joseph)
• Meadows: creation, management & enjoyment (Michael & Jane Joseph)
• Fruit tree pruning (Alan Sargent)

Professional Membership

I am a member of the following trade organisations:

• The Gardener’s Guild
• Chartered Institute of Horticulture, associate member
• Professional Gardener’s Guild

Society Membership

• Crowborough Horticultural Society
• St Denys’ and St Mark’s Flower Guild

Volunteer Work

I have volunteered at the following places and organisations:

• Caring for the planters and roadside beds at Crowborough Railway Station
• Friends of Station Road Gardens, Billingshurst
• Garden Organic, Ryton
• Parham House and Gardens
• Artisan Plant nurseries
• Britain in Bloom
• Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Crackley Wood Conservation

Charities Supported

I am a proud supporter of:

• The RHS
• Plantlife
• Butterfly Conservation
• British Hedgehog Preservation Society
• The Cottage Garden Society
• The Bumblebee Conservation Trust
• The RSPB
• Buglife

Media & Podcasts

I am an avid listener of Garden Radio programmes and podcasts and recommends the following:

• Gardener’s Question Time
• The Plant-based podcast
• Wild Flower Half-Hour
• The Organic Gardening Podcast
• Dig it
• Garden Weeds and Words

Gardening Heroes

There are lots of other gardeners whose work or philosophy I appreciate, including:

• Jack Wallington
• Kate Bradbury
• Dean Croucher
• Charles Dowding
• Christopher Lloyd
• Fergus Garett

I also get lots of inspiration from visiting beautiful gardens such as Nymans and Wisley and from walks in Sussex.