Derek Smith

(61)

Derek has real-world tested 61 products for DIY Garden, and is one of our most experienced testers.

Professional Landscape Gardener

61 Products Tested
5 Articles Written
2021 Year Joined

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Derek's Backstory & Experience

Nature has always been a big part of my life. I was born and raised on a rural farm in North East Scotland. Milking cows, caring for sheep, herding reindeer, working the land – farming is in my blood, and my love of the great outdoors has influenced many of the decisions that I’ve made in my life.

22 years ago, this led me to landscape gardening, where I discovered a new passion. Being able to work in so many different environments, and with so many fascinating people, means that every job is an exciting one.

The only downside? I was spending all of my time in gardens and farms that belonged to other people, with nowhere to call my own. But all of that hard work paid off, allowing me to buy a 25-acre farm in a beautiful corner of Aberdeenshire. My focus now is on creating a landscape that can feed and support me. A life where I’m self-sufficient in meat, dairy, and vegetables, but in a way that works with nature, rather than against it. This is the point at which everything that I’ve learnt over the years comes together, enabling me to build a better future than I ever imagined possible.