We have some of the most experienced gardeners, DIY experts and homesteaders around the world on our team. Learn more about the editorial staff behind Happy DIY Home here.
Elizabeth learnt to love gardening as a child in her grandparents backyard. Today, she is a trained horticulturist and has maintained a productive allotment for over 10 years. When not growing her own, Elizabeth enjoys helping other people with the plant problems. An experienced writer and editor, away from gardening Elizabeth is also a keen bird watcher, local historian and genealogist, meaning that she can often be found with her dogs exploring an overgrown graveyard.
Elizabeth Waddington is a smallholder, permaculture designer and environmental consultant. When not designing food producing systems or advising growers around the world, she is to be found in her own garden. On her 1/3 of an acre patch of land she has a walled forest garden orchard (home to rescue chickens), a polyculture vegetable plot, a polytunnel, wildlife pond, wild woodland garden and more and is working every day towards greater self-sufficiency. She is passionate about sustainability and loves to inspire others about the wonderful things home gardeners can do for people and planet.
Ashley is a seasoned horticulturist with a passion for all things green. She has a Master Gardener Certificate and cultivated her expertise through over 10 years of hands-on experience in a thriving greenhouse environment. Her days have been spent nurturing a vast array of plants, from delicate flowers to robust vegetables, and she has honed her skills in plant propagation, pest control, and sustainable gardening practices.
One of Ashley's favorite activities is canning the bountiful harvest from her garden. Preserving the flavors and nutrients of freshly harvested fruits and vegetables brings her immense satisfaction. Her pantry shelves are lined with jars of vibrant jams, pickles, and sauces, capturing the essence of each season.
In the kitchen, Ashley is known for her culinary prowess, making use of her garden's abundant herbs and vegetables. Cooking with fresh ingredients straight from the garden adds a depth of flavor that store-bought produce simply cannot match.
Beyond her green thumb and culinary skills, Ashley thrives on taking on DIY projects around the house. From painting walls to refurbishing furniture, she combines her creativity and practical skills to transform spaces into havens of beauty and functionality. Her determination and resourcefulness make her a capable and confident DIY enthusiast.
Kaila Krayewski is a DIY expert with a borderline obsessive passion for condiments and a keen knack for furniture restoration. When she's not standing over a boiling pot of tomatoes or sanding down her neighbour's dining table, she can be found wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles of a craft store. Kaila currently straddles Thailand and Edinburgh as her global homes, together with her handy and handsome husband and super adorable little boy, Hudson.
Peyton is an enthusiastic gardener and an activist for more sustainable and self-sufficient living. Along with being involved in several climate action and permaculture organizations, she’s actively working in her home garden to have more home grown food. Her love for healthy and wholesome cooking led her to use only fresh ingredients, and it doesn’t get fresher than straight from the garden. With a Bachelor’s degree in Political Economics, she’s focused on climate action in the form of organic gardening and self-sufficiency.