The Practical Journalist of the Year Award was won by Helen Riches at the Garden Media Guild's prestigious ceremony in London in Nov '08. The judges said of her entry, 'Baskets by Design' for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, 'All the entries in this category were of such high quality that the award could have gone to any one. But, the winner has taken a subject that has been covered many times, and produced within it so many innovative ideas'.

Articles and features

Helen is happy to work with magazine editors and art directors to produce horticultural features. Once a concept is agreed, an illustrative sketch will be digitally created to show how the project could develop. If required, plants can be purchased, planted and grown on for photographic shoots. Helen's own garden makes a versatile outdoor studio (to see garden, follow link from Home page). Helen can write creatively to complete the project.

Features have appeared in: BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, The English Garden, Essex Life, Style Magazine

To commission an article, phone: 07532 323944 or email

Helen's colourful, inspiring garden talks, covering a range of horticultural subjects can be booked by gardening clubs, see the next page for ideas.