Steven Porter, Head Gardener

Steven Porter

Head Gardener – Glendurgan Garden, Cornwall

"I guess I was always going to be a gardener. I grew up on a farm in Cambridgeshire in a green fingered family, spending Sundays planting, potting, and weeding. It came as no surprise to anyone when at 16 I decided to study horticulture at the local College. I was absolutely gutted when the course fell through. It left me in a difficult position: I couldn't get the qualifications I wanted locally, and at 16, I didn't want to study away from home full time.

Then I heard about Careership. It was fantastic when I was accepted - everything was perfect. My placement was at Ickworth House and Gardens (opens in a new window) only 30 miles away from my home. It suited me (and my parents) right down to the ground.

It was a bit nerve-wracking joining the team at Ickworth. Everyone really seemed to know what they were doing. But everyone was very friendly and with the Head Gardener's help, it wasn't long 'til I did too. Memorising plant names replaced school homework and I soon soaked up knowledge of specialist techniques and tools. Going off to college was great as well. I was one of the youngest there, but I felt really included. I made friends with other trainees and learnt techniques to manage different types of gardens. The change from home was brilliant, but I really enjoyed coming back to Ickworth each time - I'd missed my team and the familiar landscape that I was really beginning to feel a part of.

As the three years passed, I started to think about the bigger picture. It'd been great to stay close to home at first, but after graduating I was interested to see how history had affected a different landscape. Amazingly, my luck was in for the second time. I was offered the post of Gardener at Glendurgan Garden near Falmouth in Cornwall.

I'd grown up on the Fens so I'd never been to Cornwall. When I arrived the change of landscape was amazing: the steep wooded valley garden and exotic plants that I was going to be spending my days tending were exquisitely beautiful. Most people are still working out what they want to do at 19, and here I was doing it. It was a huge experience, moving away from where I grew up and setting up my own home, but definitely worth it.

After just two years the post of Senior Gardener came up. I thought I'd give it a go. Everyone was thrilled for me when I got it. That was when I really started to put down roots. Two more years passed, and I became the youngest Head Gardener in the country… and the first Careership trainee to progress so far. I'd say that was my proudest moment.

If you're wondering what I'm doing now, well gardening will always be my first love, but recently I took on more responsibility. As Head Gardener and Assistant Property Manager at Glendurgan (opens in a new window), I now help to oversee the whole property including the reception, shop and tea room… and every single day is as rewarding as the very first."