It's not just about facts, information and technical know how... Gardens are about time, observation and intuition.

Gardening is about communication, relationships, routines and life-enrichment. Gardens are places that connect us to the seasons and the life cycle. They're a vehicle for talking about esoteric and - as far as TV goes - alien topics such as beauty and fulfilment.

But we have to look after mother nature so she can look after us - the water, the soil, the air and all the life within it.

Get growing. Back yourself and make mistakes. It's your mistakes and observations that are your greatest tutors.

I believe in gardening the soil as well as the soul.

In gardens it's not just plants and insects and microbes that grow. People grow too, and the best bit is that they don't realise it's happening. It just happens.

National Permaculture Day is a chance to share thoughts, visions and lots of common sense ways that we can all make a positive difference to the world we live in. Its all about combining age old truths and skills with new and innovative thinking and technologies….people, plants and landscapes growing together, designing and nurturing a healthy community along the way.