Introducing Janet Manning
Janet Manning knows a thing or two about plants and water, having built her career as a scientist in horticulture, the water industry and government. From 2018-2021 she was the UK’s first garden water scientist at the Royal Horticultural Society. Now she’s sharing her expertise with Water’s Worth Saving. Whether you’ve just got your first pot plant or you’re a veteran gardener, Janet’s blogs, videos, and tips have heaps of information and insight that you’ll be able to use straight away.
“I’ve worked at both ends of the garden hose, in the water industry maintaining supplies and in production horticulture growing plants. So I know how important it is to make the best use of the resources we have. Through my work as a water scientist, I want to fill the gap in understanding about how to make the best use of water in our gardens.”
A lifelong passion for gardening and protecting the environment
With an interest in science since primary school and a passion for gardening since she was big enough to pick up a spade, Janet began her scientific career working in laboratories at the Ministry of Agriculture. She then gained a master’s degree in Water Pollution Control Technology at Cranfield University while spending 17 years working as a Scientist at Wessex Water. After a career break to look after her three children, she returned to work in a production nursery, gaining practical experience growing ornamental plants for her local garden centre and studying for an RHS Level 3 qualification.
“The RHS course was the biggest step forward in my gardening knowledge. It made me realise that we need people to know more about the basic functions of how plants work so that we can all grow better plants more easily.”
In 2018 Janet was awarded a three-year contract as the UK’s first garden water scientist at Cranfield University and the Royal Horticultural Society. She is now working as a consultant, helping organisations and individuals to create more water efficient and sustainable gardens, mitigating the impact of climate change and striving to protect the planet.
Through Water’s Worth Saving, Janet is delighted to share some of her wealth of knowledge on how to grow better plants more easily while saving water.
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