Manoj Malde Unleashes Garden Design Secrets in Your Outdoor Room
Gardening Confession by Manoj Malde: "My Earth-harming gardening habit? Neglecting Composting"
Embrace your inner green thumb with Manoj Malde - a garden designer, TV presenter, and RHS Ambassador for inclusivity. His latest book, Your Outdoor Room: A Guide to Designing a Garden that Speaks to You, is what every budding gardener needs to create their dream outdoor sanctuary.
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A Word from the Author
For those who can't afford professional garden designers, this book is designed to empower creativity and trust in your own capabilities. With chapters on essential garden design elements, suiting your outdoor space to your personality and lifestyle, and incorporating color, sustainability, and biodiversity, this guide will have you on your way to a beautiful garden in no time.
Lessons Learned
Writing Your Outdoor Room allowed Manoj to share his expertise and solidified his admiration for the art of writing. This collaboration resulted in a book he is proud to call his own.
A Key Takeaway
Sketch out your garden plans on paper, keeping the overall design in mind rather than focusing on individual areas. This approach helps consider factors such as flow, balance, and aesthetics for a cohesive design that works harmoniously.
Reading Wishlist
A lifelong learner, Manoj is captivated by India's rich heritage, hidden treasures in Crete, and the mythology and culture of the Greek Islands. He finds solace in books that delve into these subjects and transport him to exciting destinations.
Current Reads
Uprooting* by Marchelle Farrell and The Pigment Trail* by Debra Luker - both books resonate deeply with Manoj's connection to his roots.
Gardening Beginnings
Manoj's love for gardening was sparked early in life, spending his childhood in Mombasa, Kenya, nurturing a beautiful balcony filled with lush flowers and birds. After moving to the UK, his brother Nish added a magical touch with a vegetable plot, reconnecting him to the natural beauty of Mombasa.
Quirks and Confessions
Manoj admits that he doesn't compost at home yet, but plans to transition to a large hot bin to minimize waste and create nutrient-rich compost for his garden.
The Garden of His Dreams
As a fledgling project, Manoj's current garden boasts a wide patio, pergola, and a hidden compost area. The garden is designed to maximize the afternoon and evening sun for outdoor dining, lounging, and.. you guessed it, gardening! The design aims to incorporate a wildlife-friendly planting scheme, cozy spaces around the seating area, tall ethereal plants, and more trees for structure and winter interest.
Failed Gardening Attempts
One of Manoj's biggest gardening mishaps was leaving two mature Aloe polyphylla outside during a heavy snowfall, resulting in their untimely demise. A hard-earned lesson learned: even plants adapted to cold climates may struggle in unfamiliar locations.
Favorite Landscape
Octopus Bay in Crete holds a special place in Manoj's heart. This picturesque location, where Manoj proposed to his husband, features stunning hillsides adorned with Euphorbia dendroides, Phlomis lanata, Cyclamen graecum, and Cyclamen creticum.
Latest Projects and Plans
Manoj is working on captivating projects in Edinburgh and Cambridge and eagerly awaits the next stage of an exciting project abroad. Moreover, he is in discussions about creating a sensory garden for a medical clinic and still has a honeymoon to plan!
Your Outdoor Room: A Guide to Designing a Garden that Speaks to You by Manoj Malde, published by Frances Lincoln, is a must-read for anyone looking to turn their outdoor space into a living, breathing extension of their home.
- For those interested in gardening, the book 'Your Outdoor Room: A Guide to Designing a Garden that Speaks to You' by Manoj Malde offers essential insights to transform your outdoor room into a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing sanctuary.
- As a budding gardener, you'll find vital information on garden design, sustainable living, and integrating color, biodiversity, and essential design elements to improve your garden.
- By embracing Manoj's garden design secrets, you can nurture a harmonious connection between your home, nature, and the environment in your own outdoor room.
- The latest release from Home-and-Garden follows Manoj's passion for supporting large-scale environmental change and promoting a garden that respects and enhances the surrounding landscape.
- As a lifelong learner with a deep interest in various cultures and natural wonders, Manoj continues to seek inspiration for his next gardening project, including Ancient Indian heritage, hidden treasures in Crete, and Greek Island mythology.
- As your garden design journey unfolds, remember that experimenting with plants, colors, and design can lead to beautiful outdoor spaces that reflect your unique personality and lifestyle, inspired by the rich tapestry of nature.
