Hi, I’m Steve Cook — and you could say horticulture runs in my veins. I was born and raised on a market garden and plant nursery, learning from a young age how plants grow, how the seasons shape the land, and how a well-designed outdoor space can lift the spirit.
I built my first small garden when I was just 12 years old, and from that moment I knew I’d found my path. I went on to gain hands-on experience with a local landscaping company before taking a three-year horticultural course at Plumpton Agricultural College. My passion for plants took me to the Royal Botanic Gardens, where I spent another three years deepening my knowledge, surrounded by some of the world’s most remarkable plant collections. I then broadened my practical skills even further by working with a local tree surgery company.
In 1996 I launched S J Cook Landscaping — and I’ve never looked back. Nearly 30 years on, I’ve designed and landscaped hundreds of gardens across the region and travelled the world gathering ideas, inspiration, and techniques that continue to shape my work today. Every project adds to a lifetime of learning about nature, materials, and how people want to live in their outdoor spaces.
My focus has always been simple:
To create beautiful, inviting gardens that grow and flourish for many years to come.
Spaces with character. Spaces that make life better. Spaces where memories are made.
The journey of understanding horticulture is never finished — and that’s exactly what keeps me excited about what I do. Whether it’s a small planting refresh, a complete garden transformation, or a stunning outdoor living space, I bring passion, care, and decades of expertise to every stage of the process.
Let’s build a garden you’ll love spending time in.
What I get up to in my spare time...
Like many people, when I was young I dreamt of flying. It was my mum who spotted the hang gliders at Devil’s Dyke on the South Downs and suggested it might be something I’d enjoy. So off I went to Devil’s Dyke (she may have been trying to get shot of me!).
I was immediately hooked and arranged to do a course straight away. Little did I know at the time where it would take me. Thirty-six years later and closing in on 8,000 hours of airtime, I’ve travelled the world, become British Champion back in the day, spent ten years on the British Team, reached number three in the world rankings, won the National Cross Country League, and I’m the current holder of the British out-and-return cross-country record.
But what really makes flying amazing are the memories — the scenery, the places and the people you meet along the way. Flying across the Southern Alps and climbing to 12,500 feet; crossing the vast flatlands of Australia; or gliding over the seemingly endless green landscapes of Brazil. I’ve been very lucky to have so many great experiences — probably enough to fill a book.
Some of the most memorable moments, though, would have to be closer to home: flying above the South Downs in summer, soaring with red-tailed kites and buzzards; experiencing the awe-inspiring sea breeze convergence, surfing a giant white wave at 5,000 feet; or that early October day I was fortunate enough to fly in the migration, cruising alongside clouds among tens of thousands of swifts, swallows and martins heading for Africa.
Experiencing the full force of nature is a very humbling thing.
Thanks, Mum.