Tom Petherick: The Organic Path

Prideaux Place, Padstow, Cornwall

I have been working with the Prideaux-Brune family to restore the ancient landscape at Prideaux for eight years. This is a house and garden that have tremendous history and is open to the public from Easter to October. We have gradually incorporated a new planting scheme to enliven a garden that faces challenging environmental conditions, exposed as it is to the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west and the Camel estuary to the east. www.prideauxplace.co.uk


The Prince’s Trust Foundation for the Built Environment

With my two associates Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt we have been involved with the Foundation in a horticultural advisory role. We assisted in a setting up and judging a garden design competition for horticultural students at the Ideal Homes Exhibition at Earl’s Court in the spring of 2011. www.princes-foundation.org

The National Trust

I produced a business plan for the walled garden at Knightshayes Court in Devon. It is now the jewel in the crown of the Trust’s drive to encourage productive gardening from these treasured spaces. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Duchy of Cornwall Nursery

After the fire of 2006 that destroyed the nursery buildings, the nursery carried on bravely until the completion of the new building that opened in July 2011. Lulu, Adam and I have just completed Phase 1 of the re-design and landscaping of the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery. Working in conjunction with Annabel Elliot (www.annabelelliotlimited.com), who has designed and fitted the new shop, we have further work to do in trying to aid the nursery in becoming more of the 'public face' of the Duchy of Cornwall. The next period will see the continuation of the theme of sustainability that runs through the site in terms of composting and forging closer links with the local community for example. www.duchyofcornwallnursery.org