A regular on BBC Two's Gardeners' World, Adam Frost runs courses at the farmhouse he shares with wife Sulina, and children Abi-Jade, Jacob, Amber-Lily, and Oakley.
WHERE I LIVE
I had a dream of setting up a gardening school, and although our Lincolnshire farmhouse has a big garden, Sulina had to persuade me to go and have a look at it. It has five bedrooms and nearly three acres of land, but what sold it to me was the awesome wisteria climbing up the front. The scent was amazing!
We didn’t know how old the house was when we moved in two years ago, but I’ve unearthed a stone dated 1702. The property has been extended and added to over the years and the garden has been pared back. I want to return it to its former glory, and have already cleared out the original orchard and restored the yew hedge and robinia grove.
Moving here surpassed our expectations. The house had already had a lot of work done, and Sulina is doing up the children’s rooms. She also likes to restore furniture and we sometimes go to auctions together.
MY INSPIRATION
When I was 15, my family moved from Essex to Devon – it was hard to leave everything I’d known. My relationship with my father wasn’t great, I disengaged with education and by 16 I’d moved out, looking for a job.
My only choices were joining the army, becoming a chef or doing gardening work. I very nearly joined the army, but I’d always enjoyed helping on my grandparents’ allotment so I got a job working in the Devon parks, which is when I fell in love with gardening.
I was incredibly lucky to get a job with the legendary Gardeners’ World presenter Geoff Hamilton when I was 21. Working for him had a huge influence on me and cemented my passion for plants. When I first appeared on Gardeners’ World, I received a text from Geoff’s widow, Linda, saying how proud of me he’d have been. I sat watching the programme with tears rolling down my cheeks.
People often ask what my favourite flower is, but it’s like choosing a favourite child – it can change hourly depending on who’s being nice! I’ve got a soft spot for peonies at the moment, and species roses. A lot of my gardening is driven by memories. I planted a candy floss tree, which smells of burnt toffee when the leaves crunch in the autumn, and it reminds me of Geoff, too. Hardy geraniums, tomatoes and fresh cut grass remind me of my nan; and ferns and yukkas remind me of my other nan.
FAMILY LIFE
I’ve got four lovely children and I wanted them to have a better childhood than my own. We’re a tight-knit bunch and I can’t think of any better place to live than here. The girls have their own horses and the boys have space to play football. Weekends are spent watching from the sidelines at matches and taking the girls to pony club events.
For me, gardening isn’t about getting the perfect end result, it’s about the journey and those little moments you have along the way. It could be the sound of birdsong or a flower popping up somewhere unexpected. I find being outdoors both relaxing and invigorating at the same time. Some of the happiest times are when the whole family’s together in the garden, we’re cooking with the pizza oven and the sun’s shining. Life doesn’t get much better than that.
See Adam on Gardeners’ World on BBC Two. Find out more about Adam's garden school here.
This interview first appeared in the July 2018 issue of House Beautiful. Subscribe here.
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21 best gardening gifts under £35
These easy-to-use seedboms biodegrade into the environment leaving only plants behind. The ultimate stocking filler, each pack contains a mixture of native wildflower seeds.
Make a friend or family member smile with this lovely personalised state plant marker.
Choose two lines of personalised text when you buy a loved one this lovely tin for all of their essential gardening tools – this is a gift that's guaranteed to be used regularly.
Gardening is often tough on the hands, so it's important for regular gardeners to look after their skin. Trust us, this hand cream will go down a treat...
With a potting shed design inside and out, this gorgeous mug from Emma Bridgewater is a brilliant gift for every garden lover.
This stylish gold metal watering can from H&M Home is a must-have for avid gardeners – or even just for those who love their houseplants.
With an extra long leg, ankle support and a tog rating of 2.3 to keep your feet warm and toasty while gardening, these are the perfect accompaniment to welly boots, for gardening fans who still spend plenty of time outdoors in the winter.
Encourage bees into the garden with this affordable bee house. Designed to imitate honeycomb's hexagonal shapes, it's the perfect nesting site.
You can't go far wrong buying a gardening lover a beautiful pot for their favourite flowers and plants, and this large, two-tone option is as stylish as it gets. Plus, it works both indoors and outdoors.
Emma Bridgewater fans will love this shallow tin, perfect for neatly storing tools and accessories.
If your loved one can always be found in the garden, this personalised slate hanging sign can be hung in the said garden, or in the shed or greenhouse.
Gardening lovers are sure to appreciate a practical gardening tool, so why not make them a little more special for them to use by personalising them? In this set, which can accommodate your own inscription, they'll get a weeder, trowel and a cultivator.
For newbie gardeners or those who need a refresh of their knowledge, make sure they have this book to hand – which shares everything from how deep to plant certain bulbs, to when to prune leaves.
This practical canvas kneeler is a must-have for every gardening expert, especially those who struggle with knee pain. Its long handle makes it incredibly practical to hang in a shed or garage after use.
Get personal with your gift ideas and give something printed with your own message. These ceramic planters make excellent presents.
Every gardener needs a practical hand fork. Tidy up flower beds and borders with this three-pronged hand tool from Garden Trading.
Ensure that seeds are stored safely with this storage box. Available in three colours – black, yellow and light grey – each box contains twelve blank card dividers, ideal for keeping track of a year's worth of seeds.
Bring a smile to your friend's face with this peace lily in a gorgeous pot. With dark green foliage and long-lasting white flowers, it's a beautiful way to brighten any room.
Learning new skills is always exciting. This experience gift will give guests the chance to professionally learn how to grow their own chillis at home, and it's currently got a great discount.
Okay, so technically this is a little bit over £35 (only a little) but this gift box will give your gardening friends a step in the right direction to help care for any small garden birds.
This may also be a little over £35, but we couldn't resist including it in this round-up, as it will make for such a lovely gift, and is one of the most affordable garden mirrors out there. Garden mirrors are a brilliant way to create space, and will also allow your green-fingered friends and family members to enjoy their outdoor areas from a variety of different angles, too.
