The Questions - Sara Venn

Sara Venn makes people who are described as a human dynamo look a bit laid back.  Sara is a horticulturist and plantswoman.  She is the founder of Edible Bristol, a keen allotmenteer and campaigner for the protection of allotments.  Sara has been known on a Friday evening during the growing months, between 8.30 and 9.00pm, to get a little shouty.
Sara also kindly agreed to pause momentarily to answer the Questions.

The Questions

1.
In which garden do you feel happiest?
The garden at Common Farm Flowers always makes me feel cossetted.
2.
If you could only have five gardening tools, which would they be?
Felco No 2 secateurs, the border fork bought and sent to me by a sweet Twitter pal when mine was pinched, Japanese onion hoe, a good, heavy hand trowel and a trug.
3.
If you could only have five garden-related books, which would they be?
The Well Tempered Garden-Christopher Lloyd, The Organic Garden Book-Geoff Hamilton, The Dynamic Landscape-Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough, The Origin of Plants-Maggie Campbell Culver, Radical Gardening-George McKay
4.
What was the most defining moment of your life so far?
Without wanting to sound dramatic, the death of my mum-made me determined to really shout about what I believe in.
5.
What are you most proud of?
Incredible Edible Bristol
6.
If you won the lottery, what would you do?
Buy some land and create an urban farm, training people to grow food so that they could begin their own enterprises.
7.
Who are your garden heroes (no more than three)
Christopher Lloyd, Ron Finley,
8.
What skill would you like to learn and why (does not have to be gardening related)
Willow weaving, and only partly for an excuse to grow loads of willow varieties. I’d love to make baskets and trugs.
9.
If you could visit any garden right this minute, which one would it be?
Great Dixter. Every time.
10.
What is your current plant obsession?
Lime balm-it’s extraordinary!
11.
Which garden tool is never far from your hand?
Japanese onion hoe
12.
What is your favourite gardening/plant related word?
Mulch……..
13.
What do you wish you could do better?
Fight my own corner!!
14.
What is the most important lesson you have learned so far?
That you must just keep on keeping on
15.
What makes a perfect day for you?
Knowing that someone has been touched by what I do.
16.
If you had one piece of advice to offer to someone what would it be?
Be the change you want to see.
17.
Gnome or no-gnome?
Gnome-in fact an entire army of them;))

Next Time: Michael Perry

(photo taken from Linkedin)

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