The First-Time Gardener - Frances Tophill

This fuss-free, practical guide shows you how to create a space outside your own back door that’s designed by you, built by you and enjoyed by you.

Beginning with advice on getting to know your garden – what type of soil you have, what the drainage and light is like – then on getting to know yourself as a gardener – do you want a vegetable patch, an abundance of flowers or simply an extension of your indoor living space? - and then moving on to the practical design, including hard and soft landscaping and building materials and guidance, Frances guides you through different types of plants and how to source and plant them. There is also a section on aftercare, telling you the best way to keep your garden well cared for and easy to maintain throughout the year.

Frances Tophill is a Horticulturalist and Botanist who trained at The Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburugh. She is a presenter on ITV’s Love Your Garden, with Alan Titchmarsh and on BBC Gardener’s World. Frances is an avid environmental campaigner and promoter of gardening for all. She has working with WWF, the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and is actively involved with a number of woodland regenerating charities including Moor Trees and the Thanet Urban Forst CIC.