Dr Kim B Ashton | The Urban Potager

I have always had a deep connection with nature, having spent my childhood climbing trees, making dens, and persuading my family to eat foraged plants of varying palatability.

I spent hours of my youth practising the oboe, which led to my first career as a composer and lecturer in music at Cambridge University. To balance out the academic life, I started an allotment, and one thing led to another... Eventually my interest in plants and sustainability took over, leading to my shift into garden design and landscape regeneration. I trained at the British Academy of Garden Design, achieving distinction on the Postgrad Diploma nearly 10 years ago now. 

From my former career as a composer I bring a curiosity for how things fit together, which meshes remarkably well with the intricacies of planting and space design. A strong eye for detail and the ability to think laterally  are also essential for a composer; it's a real pleasure to apply these skills to designing vibrant, wildlife-friendly garden spaces for clients.