ARTICLE

The City Gardener

When we think of gardens we tend to think of rural spaces and rose-filled stately homes, but Matt James' heart has always belonged to the city and he reveals an underground network of green urban spaces simply crying out for a makeover - and a little of the Matt magic.

The City Gardener

Fun fact

  • In an interview with BBC Essex, Matt was asked what keeps him awake at night. He said: "Knowing my lilies will ultimately get desecrated by lily beetle! Every year the damn things have a field day, ultimately chomping my plants to death!"

As a self-proclaimed city boy, Matt James knows only too well the difficulties of maintaining an urban garden - limited space and limited time can all lead to serious neglect.

"You don't need to be an expert, you don't need to know the Latin names for all the plants, but put in a little work and the rewards are priceless," says Matt about urban gardening. "Even with limited light and poor soil, it's possible to turn the tiniest balcony, the scrappiest backyard, the noisiest, shadiest, pokiest piece of gray space into an oasis of green calm or a stylish area to entertain in."

A trained horticulturist, lecturer and garden designer, Matt can't help but inspire you. In The City Gardener series, he seeks out neglected, dark and dank outdoor spaces to show that, with a new approach and some inspirational, easy-to-adopt guidance, it's possible to create a haven in the most unlikely of urban spots.

From Southampton to London, from weeding to creating a secret hideaway, Matt presents an indispensable guide for anyone who lives in the big, bad city, serving up a show full of new ideas for maximising space and choosing the best plants to thrive in city conditions.

Related sections: The City Gardener

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