Six questions on gardening: David Phelps

Earliest memories of gardening:

My father coming home from work and getting out into the garden as soon as he had had his tea. He was a countryman at heart and, living in suburbia, that was his way of being true to himself.

Why start?

The first house my ex-wife and I bought was in a very concrete suburb of Croydon, so we felt the need for some colour and nature.

Why do you keep gardening?

One way of keeping in touch with the triumphs and disasters of the natural world and its cycles. Also, increasingly as an outdoor gym as fitness is something I need to work on after various health issues.

How long have you been gardening?

Probably in excess of 35 years, which is quite scary.

What do you love and what dislike?

The main positive is being in touch with the change of seasons. The main dislikes are pigeons and slugs, which can overthrow a lot of work in an instant.

Has your attitude changed?

I do not have the naïve view I once had, that it is possible to plant some seed and a crop will result. I am more inclined to take triumphs and disasters more in my stride, which is probably character building.