Thursday
The Hive
14:00
Sheila Das began her horticultural career in the early 2000s, gaining expertise at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and English Heritage, before becoming Garden Manager at RHS Garden Wisley in 2015. During her nine years at Wisley, she led the development of the Hilltop landscape focusing on wildlife, wellbeing and edible growing initiatives.
At Wisley, Sheila transformed 19 acres of edible landscapes, implementing innovative methods that emphasised holistic systems for sustainable food production. She also established Wisley’s ‘Planet-Friendly Gardening Campaign’, encouraging knowledge of sustainabile gardening and the importance of soil health. Known for her commitment to demystifying no-dig gardening, she stresses the importance of treating soil as a living ecosystem.
Recently appointed as Head of Gardens and Parks at the National Trust, Sheila aims to advance horticultural sustainability and climate resilience across the Trust gardens. Her mission is to connect people with nature, horticulture, and the origins of our food. Committed to sustainable growing practices, she believes in the gardener's role as a custodian of the environment, preserving the past whilst also preparing for the future. Through her experience and dedication, Sheila continues to inspire others to appreciate the beauty and significance of sustainable gardening.