Good Garden Folk is a local, independent garden maintenance business based in Ely, Cambridgeshire, offering friendly garden care across Ely and the surrounding villages..
Doug & Gem are both currently studying a City & Guilds horticulture course, building knowledge and practical skills while growing Good Garden Folk.
Doug brings a hands-on approach to garden maintenance, with a focus on reliable, practical work that helps keep outdoor spaces tidy, cared for and manageable. His previous experience working as a chef has given him a strong eye for detail, organisation and presentation, while his work as a local bird breeder reflects a long-standing interest in nature, animals and outdoor spaces.
Gem has worked for many years as a qualified art teacher, artist & photographer. Her love of colour, nature, and passion for all things creative brings a thoughtful, design-led touch to the work we do.
Gem loves planting, shaping garden spaces and helping introduce more life and character into outdoor areas. She also hopes to combine her teaching skills with art and nature-inspired workshops.
Together, we offer a friendly, reliable and down-to-earth garden service for people who like to enjoy their garden space.
Over the last five years, we’ve gradually transformed our own garden at home from what was once a basic lawn into a unique outdoor space with different zones and plenty to look at. It’s an ever-evolving project really, and a place where we’ve been able to experiment, learn and bring ideas to life.
Along the way, we’ve created a large bespoke bird aviary at the bottom of the garden, a fish pond, a decked seating area, a patio area, raised beds and a potting shed/greenhouse. The majority of this has been built using reclaimed wood and materials, most of which were sourced for free from places like Facebook Marketplace, local recycling centres, or simply saved and given a new life instead of being thrown away.
Our potting shed/greenhouse, for example, was built almost entirely from old window panels that we found abandoned by the side of the road. We took them home, restored them and turned them into a useful growing space, which we now use for seedlings and propagation.
It’s a good example of the kind of thing we love: taking something that might otherwise be thrown away and giving it a new purpose in the garden.
We’ve always loved the idea of repurposing materials where possible. It brings character, creativity and a bit of story into a garden. Our own garden is not designed to be a perfect show garden. It’s more about wildlife, personality, practical spaces and making the most of what’s available.
That said, when working for customers, we always aim to deliver exactly what they want. If you have a slightly unusual or creative idea you’d like to try in your garden, we’re always happy to talk it through and see what’s possible. Equally, if you’re simply looking for a neat, tidy and well-maintained outdoor space, we can work to that vision too.
Whether it’s a full garden tidy-up, regular maintenance, or something a little more individual, the aim is always to create a space that suits you and how you want to use your garden.
Call or message us for a free, no-obligation quote. Whether you need lawn mowing, hedge trimming, weeding, pruning or a general tidy-up, feel free to get in touch.
Call or WhatsApp: 07814 018172
Email: goodgardenfolk@gmail.com