About Me

Hi, I’m Helena and welcome to my little blog, a diary of reclaiming my garden and allotment from a year of building work and chaos. I’ve been gardening for more than 30 years now, but I still get the same buzz from sowing a seed or spotting the first signs of spring as I did when I first started.

I fell in love with gardening at an early age and on leaving school I went off to study at Askham Bryan College, where I buried myself (not literally!) in all things plants, soil, and gardens. I’ve done a bit of everything in the gardening world – from landscaping and working in nurseries, to being a private gardener, a garden centre buyer, and for almost 20 years, a lecturer. These days I’m enjoying freelance life, working with the RHS as a Garden Advisor and as an apprenticeship assessor, which keeps me on my toes.

Alongside that, I’m Vice Chair of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s Education Committee and Northern Branch, and I also have fun judging for Yorkshire in Bloom when I'm not working with my private clients.

One of my proudest moments this year was winning both a Gold medal for my garden ‘Food is our Common Ground’ and the President’s Choice Award for my show garden at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show, a proper “pinch me” moment!

But this blog isn’t really about my CV or my professional life, it’s about the day-to-day joys and challenges of gardening at home and on my allotment. Expect muddy boots, plant experiments that sometimes go brilliantly (and sometimes not so well), tales of battling the Yorkshire weather, and the occasional seasonal recipe. Gardening, for me, is about more than just plants – it’s about slowing down, feeling connected to nature, and getting that sense of peace and purpose that only a day spent outdoors can bring.

So that brings me round to why is this blog called Green Tea and Sunshine?

I decided to call it that as I'd like to get to a point with my garden when I can enjoy a cup of tea (green or Yorkshire for preference) in the sun looking out over the borders once again feeling the warm glow of satisfaction that everything is how it should be. I've a feeling it might be a long time, so grab a cuppa, have a wander around, and join me as I share the ups and downs of life in my little Yorkshire garden.