Before you get too excited (what is it about gardeners?), we were on our best, pesticide-free behaviour when we met up with quintessential English gentleman and Ibiza landscape gardener extraordinaire Jason Watson Todd – co-owner of the successful Terravita group, proud father to four girls and all-round good egg. Based here on the island, Terravita comprises four businesses – renewable energies, bioclimatic construction, maintenance and, of course, landscape gardening, which is Jason’s proud domain.

So Jason, pardon the pun, but you have deep roots in Ibiza don’t you?
Yes, I was born here. My parents [founders of the famous Las Dalias Hippy Market] came in 1969 and just never left! The market was mum’s idea, and those early days were great. It was a real community… authentic… and wild! The children hung out with the parents so we’d just play in the garden, climbing trees – my upbringing was so different, I think I was considered a bit of an odd fish by my friends in England [blushes]. I tried to fit in there for a while but then you realise it’s just not worth it.

From climbing trees to planting trees! Is that when you first realised you had a green thumb?
I’ve always loved nature. I wanted to be a farmer, a gardener or a carpenter. I grew a tomato plant from seed when I was 18, on a rooftop garden. I think that was the start.