Lucy Howard swaps the office for a life in the garden
For Lucy Howard, the decision to change careers wasn’t about walking away from a job she disliked. It was about walking towards something she had discovered she truly loved.
The 41-year-old from Ipswich made the transition from wealth management to horticulture and garden design, working behind the scenes at some of the UK’s most prestigious flower shows.
After studying horticulture as a mature student (at the Suffolk New College Suffolk Rural campus), working with established garden designers and gaining experience at Chelsea, Sandringham and the Suffolk Show, Lucy has launched her own business, Lucy Howard Horticulture.
Lucy spent years working in Wealth Management in both London and Ipswich, but life took a different direction when she had premature twins in 2019.
She said: “I struggled with Post Natal Depression and PTSD after my twins were born prematurely. I was anxious all the time. I kept finding myself in the vegetable patch at 4 am, after the babies had been fed, and those two hours before the rest of the house woke were magical. It was just me, the robins and the sunrise, and I realised it had the power to change my mindset for the rest of the day.”
Then came Covid, and with it, even more time in the garden. For Lucy, that time became a catalyst.
She continued: “Covid hit, and we were lucky enough to have a big garden to enjoy; my girls learnt to walk barefoot in amongst the flowers and my son, and I would spend hours in the greenhouse planning our veg patch and sowing seeds.”
What began as a love of gardening gradually became something bigger – the realisation that she wanted to build her working life around plants, gardens and the outdoors.
In 2021, after a 16-year break from education, Lucy returned to the classroom and enrolled on an RHS Level 2 Practical course at Suffolk New College’s Suffolk Rural campus. Going back into education as a mature student was daunting — but she quickly found herself surrounded by people who shared her enthusiasm.
On college, she said: “It was a different experience doing a course as a mature student compared with university.
It was a lot more relaxed, and we all really wanted to be there. Suffolk Rural was a time in the week that we all looked forward to — like-minded people doing something they all enjoyed together”
The practical side of the course confirmed that Lucy had found her calling. She helped design a garden at the Suffolk Show which went on to win a gold medal, as well as helping create a garden in Felixstowe that was featured on the BBC.
For Lucy, the course was about far more than gaining a qualification.
She explains: “Looking back, I’m glad I took the leap. I had three young children and really questioned whether I was doing the right thing, but my husband has been incredibly supportive, and I’m honestly so glad that I followed my heart. My children know that I worked hard for something I was passionate about, and I think that’s such a vital lesson to teach. It’s also so important that we raise awareness of career paths that aren’t seen as traditionally ‘academic’; if you love something, you’ll always thrive. The industry needs a new generation of people to discover the possibilities of a career in horticulture.”
After college, Lucy set up her own gardening service, quickly building a loyal client base. There was no big advertising campaign. Much of her early work came through word of mouth.
She said: “There is a real shortage of gardeners and people seemed very keen to have a qualified female gardener. I didn’t advertise and was lucky enough to rely on recommendations.”
Lucy then began to build on her practical experience, securing a role at Katie’s Garden in Newbourne, Suffolk.
The opportunity opened the door to some extraordinary experiences. She worked on plants for the Sandringham Flower Show, gained experience at the Chelsea Flower Show, and helped create another garden at the Suffolk Show with Katie’s Garden — which also won a gold medal.
For someone who had only recently begun her horticultural career, it was a remarkable introduction to the industry. Chelsea was a particular highlight.
She said: “I saw a glimpse of Monty Don and Jamie Butterworth, and it was incredible to see the designs come to life. It was such a fantastic atmosphere.”
Having gained experience in these areas, Lucy decided it was time to take another leap, this time into the Level 3 Diploma in Garden Design at Suffolk Rural, designing gardens for family and friends along the way.
Today, Lucy Howard Horticulture offers garden design, with a particular focus on border design and soft landscaping, but Lucy’s ambitions extend beyond simply creating beautiful outdoor spaces.
She said: “I’m passionate about sustainability and biodiversity and am keen to use my business to promote awareness and encourage others to do the same. I’ve been lucky enough to work with Felixstowe Academy on several gardening projects, introducing the children to the benefits of green spaces and developing them together”
For Lucy, the move into horticulture has been about much more than changing jobs. It has been about creating a career that reflects what she truly cares about.
Her long-term ambitions include creating her own show garden and working further with the next generation to encourage them into horticulture. And while changing direction wasn’t always easy, Lucy believes taking the risk was worth it.
She said: “The transition has been hard — being a homeowner and a mother, going back to college and a lower wage, it’s been challenging, but there hasn’t been a day when I’ve regretted it, not even when the rain has been torrential, or we’ve been in the middle of a drought; being outside brings such a sense of peace and purpose.”
Today, the former wealth-management professional has swapped spreadsheets and screens for planting plans, gardens and growing.
And she has one simple message for anyone considering their own change of direction: “Just do it — you can always go back. But if you don’t give it a go, you’ll always wonder. I’m so glad I made this decision. Sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side.”
For more information about Lucy and her business, follow @lucy_howard_horticulture on Instagram.
For more details about horticulture and garden design courses at Suffolk Rural, you can visit www.suffolk.ac.uk