A KINGSMEAD gardener has rubbed shoulders with some of the best in the world during a trip down under, bringing a host of tips and tricks back with him.

Rob Chisholm, mid Cheshire franchisee of nationwide firm Jim’s Mowing, was rewarded with a trip to Australia last month after winning an international award for his work in the area.

Working with experts in the famous Royal Botanic Gardens and sharing his expertise with budding gardeners, Rob says the three-week trip to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide will help him boost his own award-winning service.

He said: “I got to learn from the guys who work in the Royal Botanical Gardens – the head groundsman. It was absolutely marvellous.

“It was almost like Eden – it’s paradise. These guys are real experts. I’m a professional but they are the best in the world, really. To get advice from them was great.

“One used to work for the royal family and told me all about the value of pruning and things like that.

“I lectured some gardeners and some students about the work we do and taught some students as well.”

Jim’s Mowing is an international franchise, and saw a number of its members from across the globe involved in the trip.

Jim said: “I also met other gardeners in a similar position from all around the world.

“That was probably the best part – to meet people from different places like Argentina and Canada with the different challenges they face.”