A new era: growing forward into 2026

A New Era: Growing Forward into 2026

As I look ahead to 2026, Solent Stems will also be Solent Stem & Soil; entering a new and exciting chapter — one rooted firmly in horticulture, learning, and a deeper connection to the landscape across Gosport, Fareham, and the surrounding areas.

This September, I’ll be heading back to college to undertake the RHS Level 3 in Horticulture at Sparsholt College. It feels like a natural next step and one I’m incredibly proud to be taking. I currently hold a Level 2 qualification in Horticulture through Hadlow College with my former employment as a manager of high trading garden centres, but my focus is now firmly on developing my skills further and moving forward with all things horticulture.

Sparsholt holds a special place in my journey. I studied there for two years while completing my floristry qualifications, and returning feels a little like coming home. The environment, the teaching, and the shared passion for plants make it the perfect place to continue growing.

Later this year, I’ll also be commencing garden maintenance services, in Gosport and Fareham allowing me to put this expanding knowledge into practice. This shift reflects something I’ve become even more aware of recently — just how beneficial being outdoors truly is. Working with plants, soil, and the changing seasons supports not only physical fitness, but mental wellbeing too, something I value deeply and aim to carry through all my work.

I’ve mentioned before, in a previous blog entry, the school careers room — an old wooden terrapin hut, slightly musty, filled with books, leaflets and posters. I remember sitting there, unsure of what I wanted to do, while many of my friends seemed to have it all figured out. One poster in particular caught my attention: a market garden. I remember thinking it would be a cool place to work, even though I didn’t really know why at the time.

Looking back now, it makes perfect sense.

My dad has always been instrumental in my love of gardens. Childhood trips to the allotment, watching seeds germinate in old butter tubs on the windowsill, learning patience and care without even realising it — these small moments quietly shaped everything that followed. The satisfaction of growth, the rhythm of the seasons, and the joy of nurturing something from seed remain at the heart of Solent Stem & Soil today.

This next phase is about honouring those early influences while building a knowledgeable, thoughtful, and professional horticultural service for the future. 2026 represents focus, growth, and intention — and I’m very much looking forward to what’s ahead.