We chat to dad and local gardener Dom Ford, whose life and work are shaped by soil, seasons and the community.
Spring is a season of promise, and for Dom Ford, it’s where everything begins. Aged 34, Dom is a father of two, a soon-to-be newlywed, and co-owner of Ford and Kent Gardens – a growing Oxfordshire business that’s rooted by a deep love of plants, people and place.
Dom runs the company alongside his partner Kat, balancing garden maintenance and design with family life. “All things that bloom excite me,” he says, and it’s easy to see why.
Gardening isn’t just his work – it’s the rhythm of his year. Each season brings something new to look forward to, whether it’s fresh shoots in spring, summer borders at their peak, or planning future designs.
Now living in Wootton near Woodstock, Dom feels lucky to be surrounded by countryside. “Oxford’s history and architecture are incredible,” he says, “but it’s the landscape that really feeds the soul.”
Being on the edge of the Cotswolds and close to the Chilterns means walks are never dull, especially the winding National Trust hillside route down through hidden valleys, past Friar Park and on to Hambleden, a village with serious film-star credentials. As a gardener, Dom knows his local centres well, regularly visiting Bunkers Hill, Yarnton and Oxford Garden Centres for inspiration and supplies.
Yarnton’s antique shop and indoor play area make it a family favourite, while in Oxford he’s discovered a new ritual stop: The Golden Cup coffee shop by St Michael’s church.
Further afield, he recommends a detour to Nettlebed Creamery and a legendary cheese toastie.
Food and family go hand in hand, with The Old Shed in Charlbury a regular lunch stop, and The Killingworth in Wootton or The Greyhound near Cumnor saved for relaxed evenings out.
This year holds some particularly exciting milestones. Dom and Kat are set to marry atop a mountain in Austria at the end of this month, and professionally, he’s completing advanced garden design training at the English School of Gardening, based at the historic Chelsea Physic Garden. He’s also planning guided garden tours this summer, offering a horticultural eye on some of Oxfordshire’s finest green spaces.
Above all, Dom’s outlook is rooted in care. “Let’s value the outdoors and each other more,” he says – a simple wish, perfectly planted.
You can call Dom on 01865 688324 or visit fordandkent.co.uk for more information.
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