Hi, I’m George, I’m 20 and currently studying Environmental Science at the University of Stirling. I’m really into wildlife, gardening, conservation, and getting out hiking. Before moving up to Stirling, I lived at the foothills of the Pennines, where I spent loads of time walking on the moors and getting inspired by the landscape and its unique habitats.
Gardening back home
Most of my gardening experience comes from pottering around in my own garden with my Dad. The whole place is a bit higgledy‑piggledy because it’s built into a hill, but we’ve made it work with three raised beds where we grow our veggies and herbs. We’ve also got a couple of small ponds, some fruit trees and bushes, and a mix of shrubs and trees dotted about. There’s a front, back, and side yard with different little growing spots, plus a small greenhouse where we start some of our plants off from seed.
I’m a huge fan of Japanese Gardens and love how water can be used in landscaping. I get lots of inspiration from visiting show gardens and those belonging to country estates; though my best ideas come from the natural landscapes.
Wildlife
I’ve always loved wildlife, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, you name it. But if I had to choose, birds are definitely my biggest passion. Honestly, I’m pretty much obsessed. My ideal day is spending hours at a nature reserve, wandering along a coastal path, or exploring the countryside.
I still remember once when I was young, on the way to a reserve, I said, “If my heart had a face, it would be smiling right now.” And it was true, that’s exactly how excited I felt.
RHS Young School Gardener of the Year 2014
In 2014, when I was 8, I won the RHS Young School Gardener of the Year for my achievements in my Primary School Garden, at home and with the community group, Operation Farm. Here I am receiving my award from Frances Tophill at RHS Garden Wisley. It was the most incredible day.
It was a fantastic year. I met The Queen, went on The One Show and gave out an award at RHS Chelsea Flower Show .
RHS Ambassador 2015
In October 2015 I was announced as the first ever RHS Young Ambassador; my job is to inspire other children to share my passion for gardening and the natural world. Since then I have spoken at the Houses of Parliament about young people in horticulture, made several appearances on CBBC’s Blue Peter and Newsround, been a junior journalist at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower for First News and watched the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show build, which was filmed for Gardeners’ World.
British Dragonfly Society Youth Ambassador
Having a ‘passion for ponds’, I was humbled to be named the British Dragonfly Society’s first ever Youth Ambassador; my job is to advocate for gardening and wildlife and to support their work to promote ponds and dragonflies.
Nature Star for the RSPB
In December 2018 I was asked by the RSPB to help them with their 40th year Big Garden Birdwatch Campaign. It was an amazing experience and I met one of my wildlife heroes, Chris Packham.
I’ve since gone on to work on lots of RSPB campaigns from their annual Big Garden Birdwatch to Wildlife Weekenders. I’m a big fan of their work.
Presenting role on the first ever 8 Out Of 10 Bats!
After the axing of a certain autumn-based wildlife programme back in 2023, us nature lovers needed our fix, and here it was….. 8 Out Of 10 Bats! Two weeks of free, live broadcasts, celebrating UK wildlife. No license fee needed, just your device and WiFi ! We had important campaigns and controversy, nerdy nature & geeky science facts, a dash of comedy, music and a few cheeky dances. One of the best things about the show is that it gave young people a platform to share our passions for the natural world and I was honoured to be part of the team.
If you share my passion for gardening and wildlife, please get in touch. I’m always looking for guest bloggers too, especially from young people.
Email me at greenfingeredgeorge@gmail.com or leave a comment below
Green Fingered George 
Loving it already. Good luck George. X
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thanks Grandma x
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Oh George I will definitely enjoy your blog! Look forward to your words of wisdom , You are awesome! x
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Thanks Angie you are a tiny bit awesome too x
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love your blog George. we are really proud of you granma and granddad xxx
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thanks Grandad x
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Love the clip x look forward to lots more love S
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good job you like it cos you will be starring in some yourself !!!
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Congratulations on the blog George! I think reading this will be the highlight of every week 🙂 x
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Thank you Alana, glad you like the blog and hopefully it will be the highlight of every week love you see you soon hug
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George…
Your blog is awesome! (An American word which means terrific)
You’ve made a huge impact already and we look forward to following your future in gardening with great interest; best of luck to you in your horticultural adventure.
Kind regards
Craig & Lee (ex-neighbours of your mum… We have a medium sized garden, a greenhouse and an allotment at your disposal X)
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Thank you Craig and Lee my mum told me about you two. She said you are both bonkers! Maybe in spring I will get to see you, your garden and your dogs !!!!!
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granma and granddad are so proud of you George. looking forward to what it was like in london.
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Thanks Grandad I’m just writing it all up. There’s so much to write up tho and lots of pictures too !!!
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Haven’t seen you in a few years, but keep doing what you’re doing, seeing you on TV in 2014 made me very proud.
xx Bea
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Hello Beatrix, nice to hear from you. Last year was incredible and there’s some exciting things coming up.
Hope to see you soon George
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Really enjoyed reading George. I volunteer at HCGC so maybe I’ll see you there one weekend! 🙂
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Hi Liz, thanks for reading my blog – keep your eye out for the waxwings, they are beautiful birds and yes I’ll probably see you one day
George
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Congratulations George, your a little wonder xx brilliant blog
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Thanks Joan – it was a fantastic holiday – so much wildlife!
George
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Don’t forget to let us have a delivery address for your Remin volcanic rock dust sample
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Congratulations, George! You are doing some amazing things and I hope to learn from you. Keep up the good work! Take care. S. Radhakrishnan (Ranjit) – a young, passionate gardener at 64!
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Thanks a lot S.Radhakrishnan I am humbled that you might learn something from you.
I’m glad that your still going strong with gardening at 64.
George
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So much passion and youth! Keep it up kiddo!
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thanks so much – am a proper gardening geek and proud of it!
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very nice george, i love gardening
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cheers and nice to hear from you good luck with your garden
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