Howard was born in Lincolnshire, he started selling lettuces at 6 years old, worked on local nurseries before going home after school. He trained at local Agricultural colleges before going on to Edinburgh Botanic Garden as a Student. He then moved to Birmingham, working for 20 years as a Horticultural Training Officer and working as researcher and presenter on Central TV’s Gardening Time. For many years Howard has been closely associated with Ashwood Nurseries, giving him access to John Massey's garden which provides him with a wealth of horticultural excellence.