Alan Toogood (Editor-in-Chief) is an experienced horticulturist. Having trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, he went on to study at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden at Wisley, Surrey. He works as a freelance writer and journalist, writing for such magazines as Gardener's Chronicle, Amateur Gardening, RHS's own magazine The Garden, and Greenhouse, of which he was the Editor for many years.
With a wealth of expertise behind them, other contributors to this book include the herb expert Jekka McVicar, Vice President of the RHS and President of the Herb Society, known for her organic herb garden in Gloucestershire and renowned orchid expert Wilma Rittershausen.