My Blooming Journey

Changing career and becoming a fully qualified Garden Designer

Sabina Hegarty

From Cars to Capel Manor

After nearly 30 wonderful years of working in the automotive industry with fantastic people and gorgeous cars, I made a significant career shift. My decision was driven by a passion for the environment, a love of nature and my delight in all things horticultural. Corporate life was no longer calling me.

A Chance Encounter

My journey began following a chance encounter with a wonderful friend named Sarah (incidentally also from automotive), following Covid. She had enrolled in a garden design course at Capel Manor Horticultural College. Over the following months, she shared her experiences with me and told me how the course had inspired her to pursue further studies and change her career.

Part-Time

Having just purchased a house in rural Hertfordshire, and being inspired by Sarah’s story, I decided to explore garden design so I could transform our new garden. I reduced my working days to four per week and enrolled part-time on the same introductory course - a prerequisite for further learning. I was completely captivated and knew immediately that I had found my new path.

New Friends

One of the most exciting things about going back to study, was meeting like-minded people with whom I could happily chat all day about plants, flowers and biodiversity, without them glazing over!

RHS Exams

After passing the introductory stage, I advanced to the next levels, including RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) plant science qualifications, earning Commendations across the board.

I was studying in a college with acres of beautiful parkland, with every flower I could imagine and I could feel my new career beckoning. Wow! What a privilege and what a treat for a ‘petrol head’ like me to be a ‘petal head’ at the same time!

Garden Design & Plants

My passion for studying nature led me to spend an additional two years at the college. I specialised in Principles and Practice of Garden Design as well as Plants and Planting Design, gaining valuable and comprehensive knowledge and skills. 

Woo hoo I did it!!

After four years of hard work, study, training and exams, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve successfully switched careers and am now a fully qualified garden designer! 

Plus, I was really honoured to be named Student of the Year for two years in a row during my time at college.

New Pastures Await

Now, I am excited to begin the journey of launching my new garden design business. 23rd October 2024 sees the launch of this website. Keep an eye out for a blog on this.

As a garden designer, I am dedicated to creating beautiful, sustainable gardens that harmonise with the environment and maximise your garden and budget.

My focus will be to offer clients a unique blend of technical expertise and creative vision, transforming their outdoor space into thriving, happy retreats from the chaos of this world.

Meet the Team

  • Sabina Hegarty

    Head Designer

  • Rosie the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    YTS Garden Trainee

  • Ellie the Ridgeback

    Previous Garden Assistant

My Happy Place

In a field, surrounded by nature, Ridgeback by my side.

From Stilettos to Wellies

After years spent living and working in London, and once the kids had grown up, we moved to the country. Then Covid arrived and suddenly everyone was working from home. Like everyone else, our lives totally changed.

If you had told me when I was still in London, that I’d be living in Wellies, muddy jeans with random leaves and vegetation stuck in my hair from rummaging in bushes, I would never have believed you. But this is now me and I love it!

Stilettos and business suits are gathering dust with nowhere to go, and I couldn’t care less.

Meanwhile the Wellies are always muddy and by the back door ready for any opportunity to go outside into the fresh air.

Now my studies have finished, I have some spare time which I spend in my own garden with my dog following me around; dragging my husband to all manner of gardens and garden shows; country walks; making miniature dolls houses and watching cricket.

I enjoy growing my own fruit and veg which I like to share with my village neighbours. I also love getting involved in local community events like the litter picking, making cakes for the fairs etc. After all that, I sleep.

Very far removed from our London lives.

Howzat ??