Adam Tatton-Reid/Hay FestivalDame Mary Berry attributes her lifelong passion for gardening to her childhood experiences during wartime, when confinement indoors often led her to seek solace and activity in the garden.
The celebrated television chef and former judge of *The Great British Bake Off* has recently unveiled her debut book on horticulture, titled *My Gardening Life*. The publication delves into her personal journey with plants and cultivation.
During a conversation at the Hay Festival with comedian and fellow former *Bake Off* host Mel Giedroyc, Dame Mary reminisced about cherished childhood moments, including picking strawberries with her father and exploring the family garden. She also candidly shared that she struggled academically, having “failed every subject at school,” and collaborated with a writer for her new book.
The 91-year-old culinary icon recalled how, during the austerity of World War II, her father diligently cultivated essential crops like potatoes, sweet peas, and celery to sustain the family, embodying the spirit of “dig for victory.”
She established her own small plot, growing radishes and lettuce, learning early on the virtues of patience inherent in gardening.
“When I was little it was wartime,” she explained, “you didn’t have theme parks and we couldn’t actually go to the park in parts of the war because we weren’t allowed out of the garden.”
“We enjoyed the garden and since then I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors.
“To me the garden is a sanctuary. The first thing I do when I get home is open the back door, the dogs follow me out and I check whether my husband has done the watering and if not, I’ll do it.”
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Getty ImagesHer first garden as a married woman was at a property in Notting Hill, west London. Despite her fondness for the house, she described the garden as diminutive and perpetually in shade.
“I planted all my favourite plants and nothing happened,” she recounted.
Later, relocating with her husband and two sons to Penn, Buckinghamshire, Dame Mary found an environment where her gardening aspirations could truly flourish.
“We thoroughly enjoyed it and I really started to learn about gardening,” she noted.
Their residence, Watercroft, boasted a 3.5-acre garden that was open to the public for a decade as part of the National Garden Scheme.
Following their children’s departure, the couple downsized to their present home in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, to be closer to family. Their current garden features a greenhouse, a pond, meticulously kept hedges, raised beds, and an abundance of roses, with design elements inspired by horticulturalist and author Alan Titchmarsh.
“It’s sensible to grow what you eat,” Dame Mary advised, mentioning their current cultivation of red onions, lettuce, and carrots.
Adam Tatton-Reid/Hay FestivalDame Mary views gardening as a continuous learning process, emphasizing the importance of meticulous planning. She also revealed that she has had weekly assistance from a gardener for the past 32 years.
For aspiring gardeners, she offers advice on testing soil quality, observing sunlight patterns, understanding optimal plant placement, and thoroughly researching desired plants.
Dame Mary also shared that her two spaniels have been trained to avoid the lawn and flower beds, humourously noting, “I love my dogs, but I get very angry if they go on the flower beds.”
She highlighted the synergistic relationship between gardening and cooking, and emphasized the profound positive impact of spending time outdoors on mental well-being.
When asked about the key to a happy life, she simply stated: “To be kind.”
Her counsel to younger generations is to “follow your dreams, work hard and take every opportunity you can,” particularly leveraging school holidays for gaining experience to enhance their resumes.
“I love what I do, so why would I retire?” she concluded.
Business Style Takeaway: Dame Mary Berry’s journey underscores how personal passions, even those rooted in childhood necessity, can evolve into lifelong pursuits and successful careers. For businesses and executives, this illustrates the enduring power of authenticity and leveraging personal narratives to connect with consumers and build a brand that resonates across generations.
Information compiled from materials : www.bbc.com