You could walk through the grounds of the All English Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club without ever spotting Martyn Falconer, but you likely will have admired his horticultural handiwork. He’s the man who keeps the place looking lush and green.

Falconer joined the team at Wimbledon in 1999 as a contractor. Now, over a quarter of a century later, he’s the head gardener, looking after everything from the ivy that climbs up the centre court walls to the hanging baskets in the viewing stands.

I interviewed Falconer for our Readers Ask series, where members of the Telegraph Recommended Community put their questions to industry experts. From a day in the life of the Wimbledon gardening team to his opinions on peat-free composting, here are his answers.

When did you start as head gardener and what’s your favourite moment so far?

Fakhrul, West Midlands

I’ve been head gardener since 2014. My favourite moment is the start of each championship, when the public comes through the gate at 10am and we’re ready for them. Every year, it’s worth waiting for.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Peter, London

The people that we work with. Everyone at Wimbledon, from the gardeners to the offices to the catering staff, is amazing, all ready and waiting to reach the same goal. Everyone works as one.

What’s a typical day for you and your team?

Colin, South East

Of course, it depends on the time of year. But at the start of each day, some of the team go out on site to make sure that the gardens are looking tip-top, for the members of the public or the staff or whoever we’ve got coming in.

From my side, it’s slightly different. I’ve got lots of meetings and organising to do for the year to come. When I can, I like to get out and get my hands dirty, but that doesn’t happen as much as I’d like.

What’s one gardening decision that we wouldn’t notice that has a big impact?

Mark, London

Now that peat is being banned in the UK, lots of places are having to go peat free. We’ve been trialling peat free for use in our petunias, and in 2027, we’re looking to go completely peat free in all of our hanging baskets.

Peat-free soil is good because it stops the peat from being taken from the ground, but there are challenges; it doesn’t hold nutrients and water as well. So we’re looking at how we can incorporate different growing mediums and techniques to make sure the plants can take what they need.

How do you get rid of bindweed?

Anonymous

It’s difficult. Keep digging and putting mulch down. You can put some cardboard down to block out sunlight and starve the weed of energy. Try and keep it as organic as possible.

What are your top tips for getting rid of weeds?

Lisa, South East

Just mulching if you can and constantly getting out there with a fork, hoeing off weeds. Once they’ve been hoed off, the weeds can be compressed and left to die.

Which year has been the most challenging to keep the plants in good condition?

Helen, South West

There have been many. Whether it’s raining or there are two weeks of full sunshine, those are both challenges in a different way. We’ve had to learn how to react to whatever comes our way.

Have you ever been hit by a tennis ball while working?

Eleanor, South East

No! It has been close, though – one’s gone overhead.

What measures are you taking to improve sustainability?

Mal, East Midlands

As well as our work on peat free, we’re looking into more climate-resilient plants. We still want that English garden feel, but we’d like to use less water. We’ve got an irrigation system so we can control how much water we’re putting on and reduce waste. So, there’s plenty that goes on behind the scenes.

Have you ever had any problems with the players?

Brian, London

No, not the players. More often with the public sitting on the plants! The players are normally good.

What’s your favourite flower?

Boris, North West

At Wimbledon, I would say the hydrangea. You get a lot for your buck, in the sense that you get lots of flower heads per plant so it gives you the impact we’re looking for. It’s probably not the most sustainable choice – it likes a lot of water – but it’s iconic to Wimbledon.

Do you plan and grow plants to follow a certain colour scheme?

Diane, South East

Well, Wimbledon’s green and purple, so that helps, but it’s more the English garden ethos we’re looking to fulfil. We focus on pastel colours, pinks, nothing too garish. There are no bright oranges anywhere.

What kind of weather gives you nightmares before a tournament?

David, London

Probably prolonged heat. Very hot days mean lots of work for the guys watering. But in the next breath, you might get a heavy downpour that can do as much damage. So we’re always looking up at the sky to see what’s coming.

Do you have stripes on your lawn at home?

Nigel, South West

Yes, definitely. It looks great.