Gardening enthusiast Manoj Malde admits to his personal gardening shy: neglecting composting.
Manoj Malde, an acclaimed garden designer, television presenter, and RHS Ambassador for inclusivity, has penned a book that empowers readers to design their own gardens without the need for a garden designer. Titled "Your Outdoor Room: How To Design A Garden You Can Live In", the book is published by Frances Lincoln and is available for £20 with the ISBN 978-0711282247.
Malde's connection with nature began during his childhood in Mombasa, Kenya, where a large balcony adorned with jasmine, roses, and birds of paradise sparked his love for gardening. This passion was further fuelled by his brother Nish, who created a vegetable plot, and his interest in exploring the richness, traditions, and culture of India and other Greek Islands.
In his book, Malde shares valuable insights about garden design, including the importance of planning a garden on paper and avoiding working on each area in isolation. He emphasises the need for a well-thought-out colour palette, sustainability, biodiversity, and budgeting. The book aims to equip readers with tools to create a garden that meets their needs.
One special location that holds a significant place in Malde's heart is Octopus Bay in Crete, where he proposed to his husband Clive. This picturesque bay is adorned with Euphorbia dendroides, Phlomis lanata, Cyclamen graecum, and Cyclamen creticum.
Currently, Malde's nightstand is graced by Marchelle Farrell's book "Uprooting" and Debra Luker's book "The Pigment Trail". Malde enjoys reading books about other cultures, wildlife, and nature.
At present, Malde is working on exciting projects in Edinburgh and Cambridge, awaiting approval for a project abroad, and in discussions about a sensory garden for a medical clinic. Unfortunately, there is no publicly available detailed information about his current projects outside Edinburgh, Cambridge, or abroad.
However, Malde's current garden in the UK is in its infancy, featuring a wide patio, a pergola, a shed, a weeping willow, and plans for a wildlife-friendly planting scheme, more trees, evergreen shrubs, borders, and areas for outdoor dining and lounging. The garden will also include a hidden space for a compost bin and a screened-off shed.
Despite his success, Malde has had his share of gardening failures. One of his biggest failures was leaving two mature Aloe polyphylla outside during heavy snow, resulting in their loss.
Through his book and his ongoing projects, Manoj Malde continues to deepen our respect for the editorial craft and inspire us to create beautiful, sustainable, and personal gardens.
