Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

My guest this week is Ben Raskin, the Soil Association's Head of Horticulture and Agroforestry. Ben is the author of several books on gardening, including Zero-Waste Garden and The Community Gardening Handbook. His latest book is 'The Woodchip Handbook', which I was very excited to read and even more excited to speak with Ben about, because I've long been a fan of using wood chip in the garden. In the interview, we cover the many uses for woodchip in the garden, how it can help with plant and soil health, what sort of wood makes good chip and the do's and don'ts of using it. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: The Syrphids What We Talk About Sourcing woodchip Making your own Different species of tree woodchip Runoff when storing woodchip Do we need to store or compost woodchip before we use it? The uses for woodchip in the garden What is ramial chipped wood and what can it be used for? The benefits of using woodchip as a mulch Avoiding suppressing self-seeders Woodchip and carbon retention What happens to woodchip if treated as 'waste'? About Ben Raskin Ben Raskin has worked in horticulture for more than 25 years, developing a wide range of experience both in practical commercial growing and wider policy and advocacy work. As the Soil Association's Head of Horticulture and Agroforestry, he provides growers at all levels of production with technical, marketing, policy, supply chain and networking support. He is currently implementing a 200-acre silvopastural agroforestry planting in Wiltshire. Ben is the author of several previous books on gardening, including Zero-Waste Gardening (2021), The Community Gardening Handbook (2017) and three volumes of the Grow Together Guides aimed at families with young children: Compost, Grow, and Bees, Bugs, and Butterflies. Additionally, Ben co-chairs the Defra Edibles Horticulture Roundtable and sits on the boards of the Organic Growers Alliance and Community Supported Agriculture Network UK. Links The Woodchip Handbook by Ben Raskin www.benraskin.uk Innovative Farmers Field Lab - willow woodchip for apple scab (with Glynn Percival) Innovative Farmers Field Lab - peat free woodchip propagation substrate (with Iain Tolhurst) Other episodes if you liked this one: Dr Glynn Percival's episode where he talks about tree health and the various uses of different mulches in terms of suppressing diseases A recording of Iain Tolhurst, where he talks about his use of ramial woodchip Patreon

This week's episode, I'm speaking to holistic funeral director, Holly Lyon-Hawk. It's not easy for most of us to talk about end of life, death and funeral arrangements and yet it's such an important thing to prepare for, it's unavoidable, it needn't be frightening or taboo, and it is something we can make easier for ourselves and our loved ones if we start a conversation around it whilst we still can. In the interview, Holly talks about her approach and about what options are open to those of us who love nature and gardens and I expect you'll find what we talk about sometimes surprising and also reassuring to know that there are alternative options. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Choices for pest control What We Talk About Holly's background and how she became a holistic funeral director How Holly approaches funerals differently Some common misconceptions around funerals Can I be composted? Can I be buried in my garden? Eco-friendly ways to be buried How a garden or love of gardening can be incorporated into a funeral Talking about your funeral wishes and how we can prepare for dying How to make sure your last wishes are followed About Holly Lyon-Hawk I originally trained as a veterinary nurse before working as a sculptor for many years. I set up my own business working as a holistic funeral director many years ago understanding that people needed not only more choice, but also more support than they had been, on the whole, from mainstream traditional funeral directors. I now work across the S/E England supporting many families as both as End of Life Practitioner and a Holistic Funeral Director. I am an author as well as a multi-award winning Holistic Funeral Director, Specialist in Ceremonial Care of the Body and End of Life Practitioner for People and Pets. Links www.hollylyonhawk.com Holly's Podcast - No One Gets Out of Here Alivehttps://noonegetsoutofherealive.buzzsprout.com Holly's Book - A Gentle Goodbye Other episodes if you liked this one: Caring for God's Acre with Harriet Carty Sacred Woodlands with Simon Leadbeater Patreon

This week's episode I'm speaking to horticulturist, journalist, host of the On the Ledge podcast and author of a new book 'Legends of the Leaf', Jane Perrone. Have you ever wondered why the leaves of the Swiss cheese plant have holes? How aloe vera came to be harnessed as a medicinal powerhouse? Or why – despite your best efforts – you can't keep your Venus flytrap alive? If you're familiar with the On the Ledge podcast, you'll know Jane takes deep dives into the background of houseplants; where they come from, how they behave and how we can best grow them. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: The Lepidoptera About Legends of the Leaf Have you ever wondered why the leaves of the Swiss cheese plant have holes? How aloe vera came to be harnessed as a medicinal powerhouse? Or why – despite your best efforts – you can't keep your Venus flytrap alive? You are not alone: houseplant expert Jane Perrone has asked herself those very questions, and in Legends of the Leaf she digs deep beneath the surface to reveal the answers. By exploring how they grow in the wild, and the ways they are understood and used by the people who live among them, we can learn almost everything we need to know about our cherished houseplants. Along the way, she unearths their hidden histories and the journeys they've taken to become prized possessions in our homes: from the Kentia palms which stood either side of Queen Victoria's coffin as she lay in state; to the dark history of the leopard lily, once exploited for its toxic properties; to English ivy, which provided fishermen with a source of bait. Each houseplant history in this beautifully illustrated collection is accompanied by a detailed care guide and hard-won practical advice, but it is only by understanding their roots that we can truly unlock the secrets to helping plants thrive. About Jane Perrone Jane Perrone is a horticultural expert, journalist and the host of On The Ledge, a podcast dedicated to houseplants and indoor gardening. She is a regular contributor to the Guardian, the Financial Times and Gardens Illustrated. She lives in Bedfordshire with her husband, two children, a dog called Wolfie and a home full of plants. Links www.janeperrone.com Order Legends of the Leaf Jane on Instagram On Twitter Other episodes if you liked this one: Plants as Art with Alyson Mowat Botanical Styling with Michelle Mason Patreon

My guest this week is Shawn Maestretti of Studio Petrichor, a design studio working out of California. Shawn's personal mission is to reconnect with the natural world, tread lightly on the land, nurture biodiversity, protect water, and bring people together. We speak about how Studio Petrichor designs with these values in mind and the systems and techniques that are used to achieve these goals. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Orange Tip Butterflies About Studio Petrichor & Shawn Maestretti Studio Petrichor is a group of compassionate individuals on a journey to manifest meaningful change in the world through transformational and environmentally-aligned landscaping practices. Our goal is to help individuals and communities cultivate stronger, richer relationships with their environment. Along the way, we educate and empower one another to support and protect Mother Nature's living systems. When we see and believe our actions and lives matter, it places us in a role of responsibility. It is this belief that will bring about a more beautiful, abundant, connected world. Shawn Maestretti is an Oracle and Alchemist, (aka plant daddy, licensed landscape architect, certified arborist, certified permaculture designer, biospheric caretaker, speaker, and educator). Shawn is a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corp, a Kiss the Ground Soil Advocate, and has co-founded the non-profit Poly/Ana to empower communities to honor and protect natural, living systems. He is also a Landscape Design Teacher at the Theodore Payne Foundation. Shawn has been presenting on Nature's intelligence and humanity's impact on climate change in his presentation series Regenerative Landscapes and the Climate Crisis, Reimagining Landscape and Lifestyle, and Landscape Architecture and The Death of the Ego. His personal mission is to reconnect with the natural world, tread lightly on the land, nurture biodiversity, protect water, and bring people together. Shawn always considers impacts on flora, fauna, fungi, soil, water, the environment, the interconnectedness of our actions, and of course, a changing climate. Links www.studio-petrichor.com Other episodes if you liked this one: A Post-Wild World with Thomas Rainer Water-wise Gardening with Janet Manning https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall

Hello and welcome to this week's episode of Roots and All where I'm speaking to both of the Seeds Sistas, Fiona Heckels and Kazzla Goodweather about their latest book 'Poison Prescriptions'. The book takes a look at three key plants; datura, henbane and belladonna aka the power plants. Steeped in political history, the mysterious past of our native power plants calls to us somewhere deep within. The book urges the resurrection of the ancient tradition of using of these plants in medicine, as well as being a practical guide to plant magic, medicine and ritual. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Ectoparasites What We Talk About Witching herbs How long have they been used by humans and what have they been used for? The chemicals they contain and how they can affect the body Developing a deeper connection with plants Henbane Datura Belladonna Links www.seedsistas.co.uk Poison Prescriptions by The Seed Sistas - Watkins Media Limited, November 2022 Other episodes if you liked this one: Sensory Herbalism Nicole Rose of Solidarity Apothecary Patreon Membership

Hello and welcome to this week's episode, where in recognition of World Autism Acceptance Week, I'm speaking about Sensory Gardens, with a focus on design for people with autism. I have three guests; Camellia Taylor who's designed The Natural Affinity Garden, which will be at the Chelsea Flower Show in May, after which time it will be relocated to Kent, to the charity Aspens where it will be used by residents of and visitors to the site. Next, I speak with Meraud Davis who's overseeing the project at Aspens and finally, to Alexis Selby a foraging obsessed, nature-loving, all-round amazing person who's giving us her take on using outdoor spaces with her son, Jared. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Narcissus Root Fly What We Talk About Why do we need to distinguish between men and women when it comes to environmentalism? Isn't it fair to say some women are interested in improving and caring for their environment and some aren't, and this is the case too with men? The feminisation of responsibility as it relates to climate change Why women are more affected by climate change than men Women and the control of the means of polluting production Why women lack the opportunity to generate a larger climate footprint Women who are making a difference About The Natural Affinity Garden Aspens will partner with garden designer Camellia Taylor to create a show garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (23 – 27 May 2023), supported by Project Giving Back. Aspens is a social care charity that provides high quality care and support topeople on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities, and their families in the South-East. The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens, is one of six All About Plants gardens being supported by Project Giving Back in 2023. It will encourage a connection with nature and maximise the benefits to a visitor's wellbeing by engaging with the seven senses (touch, taste, scent, sight, sound, movement and temperature). Each planting zone of the design targets specific senses and every aspect of the planting has been included for sensory stimulation. The dominant use of green in the garden provides an overall feeling of calm for those with hyper-sensitivity (sensory avoidant) and subtle additions of purple and yellow provide stimulation and interaction for those with hypo-sensitivity (sensory seeking). After the show, the garden will be relocated to the heart of Aspens' Kent site, where it will provide a rich, therapeutic haven for the charity's community. The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens' designer Camellia Taylor has a background in psychology and health care and has worked on previous projects with Aspens. She has a strong connection with the charity's core values of empowerment, inclusivity and integrity and is passionate about supporting their vision for an inclusive society where people with disabilities can thrive. Links www.aspens.org.uk World Autism Awareness Week - The National Autistic Society Social Stories Autism Training Other episodes if you liked this one: Making Gardening Accessible with Mark Lane Gardening for Your Senses Patreon Membership

This week I'm speaking to Dr Anne Karpf. Anne is Professor of Life Writing and Culture at London Metropolitan University and is a writer, sociologist and award-winning journalist. In 2021 she released the book 'How Women Can Save the Planet', where she looks at how there is gender inequality across the board from how we experience the climate crisis to our ability to effect change. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Queen Bumblebees What We Talk About Why do we need to distinguish between men and women when it comes to environmentalism? Isn't it fair to say some women are interested in improving and caring for their environment and some aren't, and this is the case too with men? The feminisation of responsibility as it relates to climate change Why women are more affected by climate change than men Women and the control of the means of polluting production Why women lack the opportunity to generate a larger climate footprint Women who are making a difference Links How Women Can Save the Planet by Anne Karpf - C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd, May 2021 Other episodes if you liked this one: Gardening in a Changing World Wildfires with Saul Elbein Patreon Membership

This week my guest is Tim Richardson, who, amongst many other things, is a garden writer, historian and founder of the Chelsea Fringe. The Fringe is an annual event which is a collection of all things horticultural, the quirkier the better, and it runs concurrent to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show each May. Events are held around the world and are an opportunity to celebrate horticulture in an alternative way. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Cabbage Bomb Aphids About the Chelsea Fringe The Chelsea Fringe – the alternative garden festival and established highlight of the horticultural calendar – will take place for a 12th year with nine days of festivities confirmed from 20 - 28 May 2023. After two years in which participants responded creatively to the restrictions of the pandemic, the festival returned to the real world with a bang in 2022. A programme brimming with stimulating and diverse events took place with contributions from Cranbrook to Perth, and from Naples to Seattle. Fringe organisers are now encouraging everyone to start thinking about the imaginative, quirky, and unusual ideas they might bring to the 2023 Fringe to help create another bumper celebration of horticulture and grassroots gardening. Fringe founder and director Tim Richardson said: "We are a 'true Fringe' in that we don't commission or curate. We accept everything that our participants suggest – if an event is on-topic, legal and interesting, it's in! That means everything from community-garden events, art projects and performances to walks and talks, craft demos, and workshops – just a few of the categories we end up with. We are always surprised – and delighted – by what pops up each year, fresh from the imagination of our horticultural comrades in the UK and around the world." Thousands of events have taken place in more than 20 different countries since the first Fringe was held in 2012. What started as a back-of-a-postcard idea has grown over a decade into an international event which is an established — if unorthodox — fixture of the gardening calendar. It remains an unfunded, unsponsored and volunteer-run Community Interest Company (CIC), powered by a small but dedicated group, with many events in the festival free to attend. Contributors and venues over the years have included community gardening groups, public parks, artists, poets, chefs, galleries, schools, and major institutions such as Kew, the Inner Temple, the Natural History Museum, and Covent Garden Flower Market, among many others. Despite its name, the festival reaches well beyond Chelsea; not just to every quarter of London, but also to the far corners of the UK and around the world. Events have taken place on the Isle of Mull, in Monmouth, Margate, Leeds, Bristol and Henley-on-Thames, and the Fringe's global appeal has been underlined by enthusiastic participants signing up in Canada, Sweden, Poland, Italy, Australia, and Japan. Events usually begin to appear on the Fringe website from February, while registration remains open right up until the very last day of the festival. Potential event organisers are encouraged to make contact as soon as possible in order to make the most of the promotional potential that taking part brings. Anyone with an idea – however unformed – is encouraged to get in touch now. Our team of volunteers will do everything we can to turn germs of ideas into flourishing blooms by May 2023. The Chelsea Fringe is now inviting individuals and organisations, first-timers and Fringe veterans, to contact us at [email protected] outlining what they propose to do as part of the 2023 festival programme. Links https://chelseafringe.com www.chelseafringe.com On Instagram On Twitter On Facebook Other episodes if you liked this one: Show Gardens Public Green Spaces Patreon Membership

My guest this week is Dr Ana Attlee, co-founder of the company Seedball. The idea for Seedball started to germinate in 2010 when Ana and her fellow PhD student Emily Lambert were looking into ways to successful start wildflowers from seed in order to encourage pollinators. 13 years later, Seedballs are stocked in respectable horticultural establishments all over the country and their range continues to grow with new and exciting seed packages being added all the time. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Preparing for Spring What We Talk About What is a Seedball? What different types can you get? How many seeds are in a ball and what's the germination rate like? How many seedballs do you need? Can you throw them anywhere? Do you need to water them? How long are they viable? How might you reuse the tins? Links www.seedball.co.uk Other episodes if you liked this one: Creating Wildlife Habitats The Garden Jungle with Dave Goulson Patreon Membership

This week, I am delighted to welcome back champion of the soil food web, Jeff Lowenfels. Jeff is the author of the Teaming With series of books which look at what goes on at a micro level in the soil beneath our feet. His new title 'Teaming with Bacteria' lifts the lid on new findings about how plants use and interact with bacteria and he's here to give us the lowdown on this amazing relationship. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Solitary Bees What We Talk About Rhizophagy Bacteria and endophytic bacteria How bacteria helps make healthy soil What bacteria does for plants and vice versa How plants attract bacteria How plants know when to stop letting in bacteria Can bacteria still exist happily in the soil without a plant? Bacteria and monocrops Bacteria carried in seeds Bacteria and hydroponics Simple and practical things we can do to help the plant/bacteria relationship Bacteria research and the future of gardening and plant growing About Jeff Lowefels Jeff Lowenfels is the author several of award-winning books on plants and soil, and he is the longest running garden columnist in North America. Lowenfels is a national lecturer as well as a fellow, hall of fame member, and former president of the Garden Writers of America. Links The Teaming with series, written by Jeff Lowenfels Teaming with Bacteria Teaming with Nutrients Teaming with Fungi Teaming with Microbes Other episodes if you liked this one: Mycorrhizal Fungi with Jeff Lowenfels Mycorrhizal Fungi with Dr Petra Guy Patreon Membership

My guest this week is Hilary Collins who runs Hardy Eucalyptus at Grafton Nursery. Hilary researches the best way to grow Eucalyptus trees in the UK and also Europe. At the nursery, they run all manner of trials and Hilary writes papers and articles on Eucalyptus plus she has a book called Cut Foliage Eucalyptus – Fantastic Foliage and How to Farm it. She consults all over the world, and also works in the Garden Design and Construction Company advising on planting design. Hilary is here today talking all things eucalyptus and my first question was how she came to specialise in this group of plants. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Signals What We Talk About Different garden-worth eucalyptus varieties Eucalyptus selection Eucalyptus pruning Eucalyptus seed provenance How to plant them to ensure success The benefits of air-pot containers What is March 18th all about in the Horticultural Calendar and the life of any Eucalyptus tree owner? About Hilary Collins First and foremost in my career: I am a horticulturist…and also parent to 2 daughters Charlie and Victoria. Charlie is our landscape Architect for our garden design and build company Envisage Gardens. Victoria has escaped from professional horticulture and works in education. I started growing plants when I was about 3 or 4 with my father who was a very keen gardener and amateur tree-grower, but we grew all manner of bedding plants, fruit and vegetables, tomatoes, perennials. He was very into Bonsai too. And my mother was very keen that I should learn all about our native flora, from a very early age. I went to University of Bath to read Horticulture because I loved the subject, loved the city and the location and also partly in rebellion because it really appalled my headmistress who thought it was a really unsuitable career for a 'young lady'! The course is no longer on offer sadly. Whilst at Bath, I worked for Long Ashton Research Station running the Specific Apple Replant Disease Trials, following year I ran the Fireblight Trials for Showerings (Allied Lyons) and then just before my final year I worked at the National Fruit Trials – trees again, but this time working in Tissue Culture. So I would have liked to have gone into research, but all the Research Stations closed down. I am an escaped Lab Rat. So I went into commercial horticulture, growing plants and also garden design. When I graduated, I ran a tree seed business for a couple of years before selling it. We bought Grafton Nursery in 2008 and decided amongst other plants, to grow trees. This has evolved into almost exclusively growing Eucalyptus trees for a wide range of customers. I like to talk talk about the wide range of applications of Eucalyptus. There isn't just Eucalyptus gunnii. We grow over 70 species. They have a wide range of applications. · Carbon sequestration · Producing timber for firewood logs, biomass, hardwood lumber and silvo pasture · Cut Foliage for floral art and fodder for Zoo Animals · Screening trees – shade trees · Nectar and pollen for bees – all year round · Sustainable drainage systems – via the Swamp Gums · Tencel – Lycocell for clothing fabric and carpets etc · Oil – antimicrobial – used in cosmetics, medicinal products and rocket fuel · Gold prospected – ok may be not in the UK… I run Hardy Eucalyptus at Grafton Nursery, where I research the best way to grow Eucalyptus trees in the UK and also Europe. We run all manner of trials. I write papers and articles on Eucalyptus; Shrub-on-a-stick – how to prune them to keep them small Shrub-in-a-tub – how to grow them successful in containers Screening trees for privacy. How to grow them as a hedge Best way to grow Cut Foliage so we can support our Flower Farmers with the right advice in their Eucalyptus orchards/plantations We also have a small firewood plantation and we trial the trees for their use in sustainable drainage systems. I've written a book on how to grow Cut Foliage Eucalyptus – Fantastic Foliage and How to Farm it. Prior to Brexit we exported all over Europe – trying to make that happen again with our French Project. I consult all over the world, including America, Norway, New Zealand and Australia. I also work in our Garden Design and Construction Company – I do the planting plans. I have a particular interest in Wild Gardens and Kitchen/Fruit Gardens. Links www.hardy-eucalyptus.com Cut Foliage Eucalyptus: Fantastic Foliage and How to Farm It by Hilary Collins Other episodes if you liked this one: Exotic Plants with Graham Blunt of Plantbase Nursery Camellias with Fiona Edmond Patreon Membership

Hello and welcome to this week's episode of Roots and All, where my guest is garden designer, TV personality and Trustee of the Gardening with Disabilities Trust Mark Lane. Mark talks about the various types of challenges people can face that might impede their activity in the garden, and how gardens and gardening can be adapted to enable people to carry on with these activities. He gives some excellent, practical advice for anyone who may need to adapt horticulture to suit their own needs or those of others. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Stridulation What We Talk About Is gardening one of the more tricky hobbies to modify if you find yourself less able? Why is it a good thing to keep on gardening? How many people in the UK are gardening with disabilities? What are some of the most common types of disabilities facing gardeners? Some of the biggest challenges you see come up time and again Helpful solutions Where can people go to get help to garden/grants? Where can designers and pro gardeners go to get guidance? About Mark Lane Roger Hirons has been a horticultural speaker for over thirty years, presenting to garden clubs and societies as well as the University of the Third Age and the Women's Institute. Since studying horticulture at Pershore College, he has also run and co-run plant centres and worked in the landscaping industry for nearly twenty years. Links Mark Lane Designs Gardening with Disabilities Trust Other episodes if you liked this one: Gardening by Touch, Smell, Sound and Taste with Andrew Hesser Stephen Hackett of Horatio's Garden Patreon Membership

This week's guest is Roger Hirons, a horticultural expert and speaker, who's been in the industry for over 35 years. Roger has just released a really excellent book called the Gardener's Guide to Hedges and Living Boundaries, which covers preparation and design advice for establishing a new living boundary; advice on dealing with existing boundaries in need of restoration or extension; planting for both your human and wildlife neighbours and also a directory of some really interesting hedging plants, climbers and trees. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: The Swallowtail What We Talk About Why plant a hedge or living boundary instead of installing a fence? What is a living boundary? Which plants are well suited to creating a fedge? What plants are good for wildlife? Boundaries that are low maintenance Boundaries that are good for security Mounds aka bunds Wall shrubs Tips for staking newly planted plants Hedges that are good for wildlife When to cut a hedge if being considerate of bird nesting and feeding behaviours About Roger Hirons Roger Hirons has been a horticultural speaker for over thirty years, presenting to garden clubs and societies as well as the University of the Third Age and the Women's Institute. Since studying horticulture at Pershore College, he has also run and co-run plant centres and worked in the landscaping industry for nearly twenty years. Links Gardener's Guide to Hedges and Living Boundaries by Roger Hirons - The Crowood Press Ltd, October 2022 Other episodes if you liked this one: Low Allergen Planting with Olivia Kirk Ivy with Fibrex Nurseries Patreon Membership

Hello and welcome to this episode of Roots and All. This week, I'm speaking to landscape architect Sally Bower. Sally has just been awarded the main RHS prize for her Bursary Report titled 'Nature Rising from the Rubble' which looks at gravel and recycled aggregate gardens in Essex and London. Specifically, Sally looked at John Little's Hilldrop garden, RHS Hyde Hall, Beth Chatto's gravel garden, the Langdon Nature Discovery Car Park and the Horniman Museum Grasslands garden and her findings were invaluable if you're interested in designing with or growing in these types of media, and Sally had some surprising findings of note too. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Harlequins What We Talk About The purposes of the study and the distinctions between the different growing media used by people creating gravel/rubble gardens Is this style of gardening be appropriate across the whole of the UK? Big Sky Meadow - is this style of planting is as labour intensive as a traditional flower border might be? In Beth Chatto's garden, when beds are newly installed or are refreshed, they are subject to double digging during which process mushroom compost is incorporated to improve soil fertility. How does this gel with the idea that plants grow really well in low fertility, well-drained gravel substrates? John Little's private garden and how it is built to encourage biodiversity How important is a site specific approach? One of the gardens is a success because once the plants grow through the aggregate and reach the clay below, they grow happily and healthily. Isn't this just a gravel mulched garden rather than a proper gravel garden? How gravel gardens make a positive environmental contribution Why does soil which contain demolition waste high in lime capture carbon more quickly? Sally's favourite example of this type of garden from the ones she wrote about About Sally Bower Based in Liverpool, I've been a landscape architect and garden design for over 20 years. My designs aim to develop attractive low impact schemes which reconnect people with nature, support wildlife and respond to the site and its setting. I am particularly interested in what it means to make a 'wild' garden and brownfield gardens for biodiversity and wildlife. Links www.sallybower.co.uk Link to Sally's Report - 'Nature rising from the rubble' Other episodes if you liked this one: John Little of the Grass Roof Company Beth Chatto with Catherine Horwood Patreon Membership

My guest this episode is the super-talented and creative gardener and designer Brent Purtell and we're talking about the Capitaspring Rooftop Garden in Singapore, which shares the '2nd highest' building ranking along with 3 other buildings, all the same height. There are 3 gardens on the building, covering an area of 10,000 square feet and containing a mixture of ornamentals and edibles, all growing at dizzying heights. Brent was involved on the build and design side before he became the Head Gardener, overseeing the maintenance of Capitaspring Rooftop Garden. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Stinky pigs What We Talk About What is the Capitaspring Rooftop Garden and where is it located? How much growing space is there in total? The kind of things which grow in the garden How productive a rooftop edible can forest be How the produce is used The challenges of growing edibles on a rooftop Who visits the garden? About the Capitaspring Building & Gardens The Capitaspring building was completed in early 2022. At 280m high, it shares the '2nd highest' building ranking along with 3 other buildings, all the same height. This is due to Singapore having a cap of 280m on any new building. It's owned by Capitaland, a major property developer in Singapore and the region. Designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, and Carlo Ratti, it is very much a flagship building for the company and Singapore in general, with the relatively unique use of planting throughout the building. Current tenants are the big investment house JPMorgan, for example. An article about the building Within the tower are three restaurants. These are: 'Sol and Luna' on level 17 - a casual latin inspired theme 'Kaarla' on level 51 - Fine dining coastal Australian 'Oumi' on level 51 - Fine dining Japanese Originally there was no concept of a 'food forest' or similar from the architects, and indeed, the chef's garden only takes up 50% of the overall rooftop space, with the other 50% planted in typical ornamental, low maintenance fashion. Rather, the addition of the edible section came from 1 Group, who reached out to a local company, Edible Garden City Pte Ltd to help with the design and installation. www.ediblegardencity.com Edible Garden City was started in 2012 with the aim of 'helping Singaporeans grow their own food'. It has 3 pillars to the business, one being food production at 2 'urban farms', which supplies produce to many restaurants through the city, including many Michelin starred. The second pillar is education, which runs workshops for the public at the aforementioned urban farm, along with onsite workshops for teachers in schools across the city. Thirdly, they design and build edible gardens, with over 260 built to date. The majority of these are gardens built within schools so that the students have access to a working garden, however many gardens have been built for commercial/hospitality venues, including the famous ParkRoyal Hotel, Marina Bay Sands etc. The remaining founder Bjorn Low, is a very recognised figure within Singapore for his environmental efforts. The garden was opened in Feb/march 2022 and so is still quite new and produces approx 70 - 80 kgs of produce a month. For example, here is a breakdown for October: Apple mint 200gm Brazilian Spinach 19.6kg Fame Flower 1kg Lemon Balm 800gm Lemon Myrtle 1.5kg Moringa leaves 10gm Kaarla Salad mix 12kg Purslane 3.1kg Rosemary 280gm Thyme 50gm Wasabina Mustard 1.5kg Wild Water Cress 15.5kg Mizuna Mustard 1.5kg Komatsuna 1kg Oyster Leaf 500gm Wild Pepper 500gm Pumpkin x 3 Edible flowers 2kg And here are a few of the ways the kitchen use them all: KAARLA CLOSED LOOP SALAD - ROOF TOP LEAVES AND FLOWERS, TIGER NUT CURD, DAIKON WESTERN PRAWNS, GERALDTON WAX, NATIVE TAMARIND ARDEN GROWN TIGER NUT ICE CREAM, TIGERNUT NOUGATINE, WHITE CHITOSE CORN, CALAMANSI JELLY, POACHED ORANGES AUSTRALIAN MARKET OYSTER, FIG LEAF AND OYSTER PLANT VINEGAR 8PP SESAME CRUST TUNA SERVED WITH WOOD-FIRED PADRON PEPPER, LEMON MYRTLE DRESSING LOBSTER DONABE - Garden Komatsuna, Tofu, Shungiku, Chestnut, Mitsuba, Seafood Dashi KOHITSUJI YAKI - Grilled Australian Lamb, Red Garlic Sauce, Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Balm, Calamansi, Satsumaimo UNI IKURA - Sea Urchin, Salmon Roe, Wasabina, Yuzu CHIRASHI Sashimi Of The Day, Daily Produce From Our Food Forest BUTA KAKUNI - Braised Australian Pork Belly, Fresh Yuzu, Fame Flower, Eringii, Egg Yolk, Mountain Caviar SHIO KOJI TEPPAN CHICKEN - Free-Range Chicken , Sansho Koji, Garlic Flower, Curry Leaf The 'Kaarla closed loop salad' in particular is popular as a signature dish. Links www.1-group.sg www.kaarla-oumi.sg/kaarla Other episodes if you liked this one: Food Forest in Your Garden Food Forests for Plant Lovers Patreon Membership

To book-end the winter break, I'm sort of picking up where we left off by talking about a way to mark the passing of the year and the seasons and to ground yourself and your gardening endeavours in the natural patterns that govern them. My guest is Lia Leendertz, author of the annual The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide and she starts by talking about the origins of her almanac. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Winter in the veg garden What We Talk About The history of Lia's Almanac How Lia intends for people to use the Almanac throughout the year The importance connecting with traditions, celebrations and rituals The monthly list of gardening jobs Gardening by the phases of the moon Underlying themes of the Almanac; the pond and the zodiac A discussion of Lia's line about the month of August, "Your ancestors would be proud to see how far you have come, sipping a glass of cold wine and laughing in the sun." About Lia Leendertz Lia is an award-winning garden and food writer based in Bristol. Her reinvention of the traditional rural almanac has become an annual must-have for readers eager to connect with the seasons, appreciate the outdoors and discover ways to mark and celebrate each month. Links The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 by Lia Leendertz - Octopus Publishing Group, September 2022 Lia's Website Lia on Instagram Lia on Twitter Other episodes if you liked this one: The Wheel of the Year with Dr Rebecca Beattie Garden Roots with Lulah Ellender Patreon Membership

This week's guest is Martyn Richards who is the Home & Garden Manager for Agriton UK, part of a large European group of companies who manufacture products to help commercial and domestic users deal with the 'soil, crop, animal waste cycle'. Martyn contacted me to see if I would be interested in speaking to him about their bokashi composting system and I thought, yes, I would, because I didn't really understand the process. So my first question to Martyn was, just what is bokashi? Listen now and all will be revealed… What We Talk About What is bokashi compost? How bokashi systems are different to traditional composting methods What can you compost? Is there anything you can't? Do you need to add anything for the process to work? What are Bokashi organisms? Where do they originate from? Is it expensive to set up? Does it work at any scale? Does what you put in affect what comes out in terms of nutrient value? What is Bokashi bran? Links Agriton's Bokashi Brochure www.agriton.co.uk Other episodes if you liked this one: The Composting Process Feeding Your Soil with Humanure Patreon Membership

This week, my guest is David O'Carroll. David runs an 11 acre agroforestry learning centre in Totnes, Devon where he teaches natural farming methods, based on the techniques around Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) and Korean Natural Farming (KNF). He focuses on building healthy soil to produce healthy plants and is both generous with his time and knowledge as he aims to share the details of his techniques to help other growers. What We Talk About What is Korean Natural Farming? What is IMO? How do you make it? Why do you need it? What is LAB? How does it help plants? Is KNF as useful for ornamental plants as it is for edibles? Do you need a lot of space to make the KNF preparations? Preparations for home gardeners to try Links www.ballaghbotanicals.co.uk www.zerosoap.info Other episodes if you liked this one: Mycorrhizal Fungi with Jeff Lowenfels Garden Amendments with Nigel Palmer Patreon Membership

This week, my guest is renowned horticulturist Andrew Bunting. Andrew is the Vice President of Horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, where he leads the utilization of planting and design to promote environmentally sound gardening practices across the organization. Andrew's extensive experience informs the work of PHS' Public Gardens and Landscapes team which maintains a network of public gardens and landscapes across the Pennsylvania region, contributes to creating vital greenspace and encourages all to see the impact of horticulture in their own lives and I must say, it sounds a really wonderful organisation. Andrew's expertise extends to many subjects but given his experience of gardening large landscapes in an area where deer are prevalent, and given that at this time of the year in the UK, our gardens are becoming tasty prospects when the wider landscape is offering slim pickings, I thought it would be very useful to get Andrew's take on managing deer. What We Talk About The species of deer Andrew deals with in the US Can you exclude deer from a garden? How can you do this? Deer deterrents Plants that can cope with predation Is it just eating plants that's the problem? Do deer trample on plants too? The times of the year are they most active Deer welfare About Andrew Bunting Andrew Bunting, Vice President of Horticulture at PHS, leads the utilization of planting and design to promote environmentally sound gardening practices across the organization. As a renowned horticultural expert, Andrew's extensive experience informs the work of PHS' Public Gardens and Landscapes team which maintains a network of public gardens and landscapes across the Philadelphia region, contributes to creating vital greenspace and encourages all to see the impact of horticulture in their own lives. Links Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Other episodes if you liked this one: Foxes in Your Garden with Terry Woods Cats and Gardens Patreon Membership

This week's guest is permaculture designer and author of 'The Plant Lover's Backyard Forest Garden', Pippa Chapman. Growing our own food is becoming more and more important, and Pippa has tips on creating a year-round food forest that is low-maintenance and good for wildlife, that can work in a variety of aspects and that is an enjoyable and beautiful space for people too. What We Talk About What is a forest garden? Can forest gardens can be a bit limited in their plant palettes? Does a forest garden have to be a decent size in order to work? Food forest design techniques such as keyhole beds and lasagne beds The random assembly design technique Pippa's essential perennial food plants Good examples of forest gardens About Pippa Chapman RHS-trained and garden designer, Pippa Chapman, is the author of 'The Plant Lover's Backyard Forest Garden', where she shares how she turned her grassy and paved back garden into an abundant, biodiverse, edible and beautiful forest garden that provides for her family and the local wildlife. Pippa also includes flowers into her garden design, so the garden is both beautiful and productive, and gives advice on using perennials for structure and food, as well as info on guilds, polycultures and growing in containers. Pippa's real-life examples and years of experience will help anyone create their own multilayered, edible paradise that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Growing our own food is only going to become more important, and a food forest of any size can offer: year-round food that is low-maintenance; wildlife habitat; beautiful gardens for people to enjoy; carbon sequestration; shady microclimates; and more. Links 'The Plant Lover's Backyard Forest Garden' by Pippa Chapman - Permanent Publications www.thoseplantpeople.com Other episodes if you liked this one: Introduction to Forest Gardening with Jake Rayson Food Forest in Your Garden Patreon Membership

This week, my guest is Julian Ives, founder of Dragonfli Limited, a company specialising in taking biological controls which have been more commonly used in professional growing environments and bringing them to home gardeners. We talk about why these controls might be suitable for helping you manage your own garden, how and when you can apply them and why they might provide a useful long-term solution for those looking to avoid chemical deterrents. About Julian Ives Julian Ives is a Director of Dragonfli Ltd, a company he founded in 2010 with the aim of bringing biological pest control to the gardener. Julian spent his early career advising professional growers on how to use biological pest control whilst working for Koppert Biological Systems, and now advises a number of leading botanical gardens in how to manage insects using biological controls. Links Gardener's Guide to Biological Pest Control: Using natural predators in the garden by Julian Ives - The Crowood Press Ltd, August 2022 Other episodes if you liked this one: Probiotics for your Garden Patreon Membership

Hello and welcome to this week's episode where I'm speaking with Marianne and Camilla, joint founders of Wolves Lane Flower Company. Marianne and Camilla are on a mission to inspire everyone to have a go at growing flowers and are part of a new wave of "farmer florists" putting the environment first. Their new book 'How to Grow the Flowers' charts a year at Wolves Lane Flower Company and in easy to understand and digest fashion, shows you what to do and when to do it in order to create your own flower farm at any scale. About Wolves Lane Flower Company Camila Romain and Marianne Mogendorff are the founders of Wolves Lane Flower Company, a micro flower farm in north London. The duo is on a mission to inspire everyone to have a go at growing flowers and were earmarked as one of British Vogue's "most talented female gardeners" in 2020. They are part of a new wave of "farmer florists" putting the environment first. Flowers are something we are irresistibly drawn to and turn to at the milestone moments of our lives, at births, marriages and deaths, to connect with an estranged friend, to send love or say we're sorry. They colour our most formative experiences and are our gateway to finding our own personal relationship with the planet we inhabit. No matter the size of your garden, 'How to Grow the Flowers' is a practical, but approachable guide that will instill the confidence in you to grow flowers to bring into your home and enjoy all year round. Links 'How to Grow the Flowers' by Camila Romain and Marianne Mogendorff - HarperCollins, Sep 2022 Other episodes if you liked this one: Growing Cut Flowers with Georgie Newbery of Common Farm Flowers Alstroemerias with Ben Cross Patreon Membership

This week my guest is garden and landscape designer and writer, Darryl Moore. Darryl is one of the most, if not in my opinion, the most informed voice on gardens and design in the UK and his new book Gardening in A Changing World: People, Plants and the Climate Crisis presents an overarching perspective of the complexity of plant life, and the ways that we can begin to appreciate and work together with plants, rather than against them, in addressing the rapidly changing conditions affecting the planet. About Darryl Moore Darryl Moore is an award-winning garden and landscape designer and writer. He is Director and co-founder of the innovative urban landscape organisation Cityscapes, realising creative approaches to greening city spaces through novel design ideas that ensure ecological, economic and social sustainability. He is co-curator of thehub.earth. He sits on the Society of Garden Designers Council, and is a fellow of the RSA. His most recent award was for the St Mungo's Putting Down Roots Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022, showcasing sustainability and ecology in public places. Links Gardening in A Changing World: People, Plants and the Climate Crisis by Darryl Moore - Pimpernel Press Ltd, Oct 2022 Other episodes if you liked this one: Wild Gardens with Jo McKerr James Basson of Scape Design Patreon Membership

This week I'm speaking to Dr Mike Edwards, Chief Listening Officer at Sound Matters, a company focussed on using sound and listening to create more sustainable and resilient futures. Sound Matters provided the soundtrack to the Rewilding Britain garden that one best in show at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. Mike recently spoke passionately about climate change, soundscapes and landscapes at the Beth Chatto Symposium and wowed a lecture theatre full of rapt listeners with his prowess on the didgeridoo. End music included with the kind permission of Sound Matters. Links The Soundtrack from the Rewilding Britain Garden at the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show The Sound Matters Soil Composer Listening project www.sound-matters.com Other episodes if you liked this one: Gardening by Touch, Taste, Sound & Smell Gardening for Your Senses Patreon Membership

This week, I'm speaking to co-founder of Roots Allotments Ed Morrison. Along with Christian, Will & Josh, Ed set up Roots Allotments on a site in Bath as an alternative to traditional allotments with their long waiting lists, large and often difficult to manage plots and set up a low carbon footprint, no dig and wildlife-friendly site where people could lease some space and join the grow your own food movement. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Harvestmen What We Talk About How Roots Allotments came about How they are different to conventional allotments The costs of a plot, waiting lists, term of lease, facilities and support offered What can be grown on a Roots Allotment? Why no dig? Links Roots Allotments Other episodes if you liked this one: No Dig with Charles Dowding Sharing & Borrowing Gardens with Joyce Veheary of Lend and Tend Patreon Membership

This week, my guest is Nikki Barker. Nikki's long career in horticulture has seen her work across many sectors of the industry and she is now the Senior Horticultural Advisor at the RHS. She's just had a book published called 'A Gardener's Guide to Propagation Techniques' and I spoke to Nikki to get some general tips on propagation and to find out what we can be propagating at this time of year. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Allium leaf miners What We Talk About With peat being phased out, what are good alternative proprietary growing media for propagation? Some common seeds that require light to germinate Seeds that can be particularly tricky to germinate Good ways of propagating plants at this time of the year Dahlias - good ways to propagate them The easiest methods and plants to try propagating if you don't have a lot of space or equipment Links Gardener's Guide to Propagation Techniques: The essential guide to producing plants by Nikki Barker - The Crowood Press Ltd, September 2022 Other episodes if you liked this one: Young Propagators' Society Growing Under Protection with Guy Deakins Patreon Membership

This week's guest is Carol Smith, garden designer, lecturer and author of the book 'Gardening on a Gradient: Designing and Establishing Sloping Gardens'. Interestingly, the book is relevant to home gardeners and professional designers and covers everything from the initial garden site assessment and survey, right through the design process to the final stages of planting, as well as inspiration and ideas from sloping gardens around the UK. If you've ever faced the challenge of a sloping site, you'll know how tricky they can be but fear not, Carol is here to help you tackle them. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Large hairy house spiders What We Talk About Main drawbacks to gardening on a gradient and any advantages Is it more expensive than gardening on the flat? Gardens that slope back towards the house and drainage issues Making changes to levels and water run off Soil moisture and temperature ranges across a slope Surveying a sloping site Retaining soil More naturalistic ways to deal with a sloping site About Carol Smith Carol Smith is a professional garden designer and freelance lecturer. She has worked on several award-winning show gardens and teaches on all aspects of garden and planting design. Links Gardener's Guide to Gardening on a Gradient: Designing and Establishing Sloping Gardens by Carol Smith Other episodes if you liked this one: I Want to Like My Garden with Rachel McCartain Natural Stone with Giles Heap of CED Patreon Membership

This week, making his second appearance on the podcast, is my guest Charles Dowding. Charles is the leading proponent worldwide of No Dig gardening. He's authored and co-authored many books and articles on the subject, including his latest book No Dig which is the result of 40 years experience and looks set to become the definitive text on the subject. He produces enough food to sell to local restaurants and inhabitants, to feed all his course attendees and visitors and also his own household from his plot which until recently has only been a quarter of an acre in size, proving categorically that no-dig equals maximum productivity. He is a prolific generator of media content, his YouTube channel has over 55 million views and he's bought the no-dig technique to a worldwide audience. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Spider silk What We Talk About How Charles got started out in gardening Why do we need compost for no-dig and is it essential to create our own? No dig techniques on different types of soils Giving the beds a year off (or not) and crop rotation No-dig and plant pests and diseases Why every last gardener in the UK hasn't adopted no-dig! About Charles Dowding Charles Dowding is the leading proponent of no-dig gardening. Not only does he have a huge following, but his advice is born out of more than 40 years of growing, analysing, comparing, and recommending. He has been growing veg since 1981, having gardened in four different locations and grown hundreds of thousands of crops. Charles currently gardens his modestly sized plot Homeacres, in Somerset, from which he produces enough food to sell to local restaurants and inhabitants, to feed all his course attendees and visitors and also his own household. He is a prolific generator of media content and has bought the no-dig technique to a worldwide audience. Links No Dig: Nurture Your Soil to Grow Better Veg with Less Effort by Charles Dowding - Dorling Kindersley, September 2022 www.charlesdowding.co.uk Other episodes if you liked this one: Feeding your Soil with Humanure with Joseph Jenkins Growing Food with Stephanie Hafferty Patreon Membership

This week I'm chatting with writer Kendra Wilson. Kendra has written a vast amount about gardening but I was particularly interested in speaking to her about her book Garden for the Senses. Engaging all your senses can lead to a deeper connection with the landscape and it can be an unusual and transformative experience. I wanted to find out how we can all learn to better use our senses and firstly, what prompted Kendra to write the book. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: The blue butterflies What We Talk About How catering to the senses can lend another dimension to the garden How many senses should we aim to stimulate in a garden? One good plant that will engage with each of our five senses How you can learn to engage your senses more when in the garden About Kendra Wilson Kendra has contributed to The Sunday Times, Gardens Illustrated, Guardian Weekend, Garden Design Journal, RHS The Garden, and Vogue. She is a longstanding correspondent for Gardenista online and contributed a chapter 'The Gardenista 100' to the 2016 book, Gardenista: The Definitive Guide to Stylish Outdoor Spaces. Kendra has worked on numerous projects including a limited-edition book for Mulberry and other books including My Garden is a Car Park and The Book of the Flower. Links Garden for the Senses by Kendra Wilson - Dorling Kindersley, February 2022 www.kendrapagewilson.com

This week's guest is ecologist and author Julian Doberski. If you think about compost heaps, how much do you really think about the living micro and macro organisms that dwell within them, how they contribute to the composting process and how what you do to your heap can increase or decrease their chances of survival? Julian has written about the science of what goes on in a compost heap and about the living organisms who provide the 'hard graft' of transforming waste organic matter in his latest publication The Science of Compost. I spoke to Julian to find out more. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Fuchsia Gall Mite What We Talk About What is compost? Does what go in also come out? Eg if we want a high nitrogen compost product should we use raw materials that are also high in nitrogen? How do you know what you'll be getting as an end product? How do you get the right balance of the organisms that break down the heap? The correct ratio of woody versus green materials in a compost heap What makes a compost heap break down, apart from the organisms in it? About Julian Doberski Julian Doberski has degrees in Zoology (BSc Southampton), Forestry (MSc Oxford) and a PhD in biological control of insects using fungi (Cambridge). He has thirty years of teaching experience at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge (and its predecessor institutions) where he was a Principal Lecturer in Ecology. He has jointly published a resource pack for A level ecology students and a range of scientific research and science in education papers. He is currently retired and lives in Cambridgeshire. Links The Science of Compost: Life, Death and Decay in the Garden by Dr. Julian Doberski Other episodes if you liked this one: The Regenerative Grower's Guide to Garden Amendments with Nigel Palmer Mycorrhizal Fungi with Jeff Lowenfels Patreon Membership

This week I'm speaking to Juliette Goggin, perfumery consultant to some of the most recognised brands in the world, upcycling and reusing champion, owner of the cosmetics company Hand Made by Juliette and author of the books Handmade Beauty and Handmade Spa. We talk about how you can use plants from your garden to create products that are natural, inexpensive, easy to make and that actually work. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Gooseberry Sawfly What We Talk About Juliette's background in perfumes and cosmetics The impetus behind the books Handmade Beauty & Handmade Spa Why should we try to make our own products? How are they better than what you can buy? Do you need a lot of equipment? Do you need to source fairly specialist ingredients? How you can incorporate items from your garden into your products Prepping ingredients About Juliette Goggin Juliette trained in perfumery evaluation, and worked for a Fragrance house in Grasse in the South of France to develop bespoke products for niche brands in the UK. Throughout this time Juliette was always keen to learn how everything was made and to expand her knowledge, combining this with a natural love of crafting which she developed as a child forever making things from cast off bits and pieces. Juliette teaches classes in Natural Skincare and Candle Making, based around her Handmade Beauty and Handmade Spa illustrated books. The books also acted as a springboard to creating her own Collection of natural skincare and home fragrance products in 2018, appropriately called Handmade by Juliette. Links www.handmadebyjuliette.com Instagram @handmadebyjuliette Other episodes if you liked this one: Sensory Herbalism with Karen Lawton The Rose in Perfume with Mairi MacKenzie Patreon Membership

This week's guest is Hawaii-based writer and grower Ja-Ne de Abreu. When the pandemic began, Ja-ne became an instant 24/7 caregiver for her hanai mother. To keep things positive, she started growing food and discovered it also grew peace and calm to their lives amid the ongoing chaos. Ja-ne had an intuition to write Sassy Food to share the inspiration that everyone can grow food at any time of year, anywhere in the world on any budget and harvest peace in the process. We talk about growing in small spaces, how growing food can foster positive connections in difficult times and what happens when the creative spark catches. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Butterfly decline What we cover The idea behind Sassy Food The climate in Hawaii and what you can grow Why it's important that we all grow food where we can Seeds that can be eaten as sprouts Grow tents to increase indoor growing space Easy and cheap/free ways to propagate edible plants Washing produce and some easy, natural products to use Why is food like music? About Ja-ne de Abreu When the pandemic began, Ja-ne de Abreu became an instant 24/7 caregiver for her hanai mother. To keep things positive, she started growing food and discovered it also grew peace and calm to their lives amid the ongoing chaos. Ja-ne had an intuition to write Sassy Food to share the inspiration that everyone can grow food at any time of year, anywhere in the world on any budget and harvest peace in the process. Sassy Food has won two first place book awards and was a finalist in two book contests for the book cover as well as interior design. De Abreu's other award-winning books are a memoir with her sister and brother-in-law, Chasing the Surge: Life as a Travel Nurse in a Global Pandemic, and her debut novel, The Energy Inside Valsin's Choices. In addition, de Abreu also published five books of the Richard Tregaskis Classics Collection under the JMFdeA Press imprint last year and will publish five more in the near future. Ja-ne's focus is exploring the energy inside our choices and the resulting responsibilities and freedoms by telling stories through various methods. Links Join Sassy Food Farms on Instagram Ja-Ne de Abreu's website www.jmfdeapress.com Ja-Ne on Facebook Ja-Ne on Twitter Ja-Ne on Instagram Other episodes if you liked this one: Abundance and Self-Sufficiency with Liz Zorab Patreon Membership

This week I'm speaking to Founder of Wildflower Turf Limited and author of the book 'How to make a wildflower meadow' James Hewetson-Brown. James has a vast amount of experience creating meadows at domestic and public scales, is passionate about creating species rich habitats which are attractive to people and wildlife and which have the added benefits of pollution mitigation and carbon sequestration. We talk about the nuts and bolts of meadow making but also about why meadows can be the solution to so many of our landscaping needs. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Tardegrades What we cover Why meadows can be a quick solution to bring biodiversity to previously relatively barren areas, particularly in urban environments If you build it, will they come? Or is biodiversity too depleted already? The best ways of establishing a meadow Convert an area of lawn to meadow Annual species, perennials, and mixtures of both Do you need grass species in a meadow? Unusual or interesting projects James has worked on Links www.wildflowerturf.co.uk How to make a wildflower meadow: Tried-And-Tested Techniques for New Garden Landscapes by James Hewetson-Brown - Filbert Press, 2016 Other episodes if you liked this one: Meadows with Keith Datchler Patreon Membership

My guest this week is naturalist, conservationist and writer Benedict Macdonald. Benedict has recently released a new book 'Cornerstones', which talks about how by restoring cornerstone species we can help turn around the current impoverished state of nature in the UK. His previous book 'Rebirding' was how I first came to know of his work and I've been a great admirer of his work ever since. We talk about the numbers of UK birds, how land management needs to change in order to stop the loss of species in this country and what we can do at a garden level to make changes. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Box tree moth What we cover - Do we waste money propping up untenably small populations of threatened species in isolated areas? - Bird species that are the 'walking dead' in Britain - Achieving cooperation between individual land owners to create the large scale and connected habitats that are needed to sustain populations - Adopting a build it and they will come approach - Are we wasting our time trying to make a difference at the garden scale? If not, what can we do to make a difference? - Some of the problems mentioned in Rebirding are directly related to the EUs common agricultural policy. How could this change given Brexit? - Ecotourism About Benedict Macdonald Benedict Macdonald is a conservation writer, field director in wildlife television, and a keen naturalist. He is passionate about restoring Britain's wildlife, pelicans included, in his lifetime. During his extensive global travel experience, Benedict has found inspiring examples of why desecrating our country's ecosystems is both entirely avoidable and against the national interest. This book is his attempt to ensure that this generation, for the first time in thousands of years, leaves Britain's wildlife better off, not worse, than the generation before – for wildlife and people alike. Benedict is a long-time writer for Birdwatching magazine, as well as a contributor to the RSPB Nature's Home and BBC Wildlife. He has been fortunate to work on TV series for the BBC and Netflix - most notably the grasslands and jungles programmes of Sir David Attenborough's conservation series Our Planet. Links Cornerstones: Wild forces that can change our world by Benedict Macdonald - Bloomsbury Publishing PLC , 2022 Orchard: A Year in England's Eden by Benedict Macdonald - HarperCollins, 2021 Rebirding: Restoring Britain's Wildlife by Benedict Macdonald - Pelagic Publishing, 2020 Other episodes if you liked this one: Irreplaceable with Julian Hoffman Patreon Membership

This week's guest is Martin Harvey, an entomologist and biological recorder based at the UK CEH Biological Records Centre. His main areas of work include the iRecord online recording system, liaison with national recording schemes, and the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme. Martin enjoys watching and recording hoverflies and I was delighted he agreed to an interview as although I know next to nothing about them, I do love seeing them in the garden and I'm always keen to find out more. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Beewolf What we cover The UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme How hoverflies are distinct from bees or other flies How many species of hoverfly are in the UK More common species and the rarest Mimicry How to encourage more hoverflies into our gardens Where to find out more about hoverflies About Martin Harvey Martin Harvey is an entomologist and biological recorder based at the UK CEH Biological Records Centre. His main areas of work include the iRecord online recording system, liaison with national recording schemes, and the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme. He also teaches for Field Studies Council. Martin enjoys watching and recording hoverflies and other insects, and as a volunteer he runs the national Soldierflies and Allies Recording Scheme, and is County Moth Recorder for Berkshire. Links UKCEH Biological Records Centre Hoverfly Recording Scheme UK Hoverflies on Facebook Buzz Club hoverfly lagoons from Sussex University Dipterists Forum (the society for the study and conservation of flies) Other episodes if you liked this one: Butterflies with Peter Eeles Patreon Membership

This week, I'm speaking to Michael Marriott about historic roses. Micheal is an expert rosarian, Chairman of the Historic Roses Group and author of the recently published book RHS 'Roses'. We talk about what historic roses are, some of the myths surrounding them and why they're an excellent choice for your garden, particularly if you're looking for something a little different. I began by asking Michael about his background and how he became interested in historic roses. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Harebell Carpenters What we cover The Historic Roses Group and Michael's involvement with the group What is an historic rose? More common historic roses we might have come across Disease resistance Scent Do they repeat flower? Gardens in the UK where you can see historic roses Good old rose varieties if you're dipping your toe in the water of growing them Links Historic Roses Group RHS Roses: An inspirational Guide to Choosing and Growing the Best Roses by Michael Marriott Other episodes if you liked this one: Pruning Roses with Richard Stubbs of David Austin

This week I'm speaking to gardener and writer Lulah Ellender about her book Grounding: Finding Home in a Garden. Lulah's book is about tuning into the unceasing rhythms of nature in order to live with uncertainty and how they can help us become more connected to the places in which we live. We talk about how gardens can root us in time and place, even when those roots seem tenuous and liable to break. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Sentient bugs What we cover The premise behind the book and the circumstances in which Lulah came to write it How Lulah gardened differently when she thought she might lose her garden Why the potential loss of her garden seemed such a wrench Custodianship of gardens Advantages to being a temporary, more tenuous occupier of a space How do gardens help us cope with our emotions? How do they help us make sense of cycles of life, death, birth, aging? About Lulah Ellender Lulah lives in Lewes, East Sussex, with her husband, four children and assorted animals. She has written for the Guardian, the Mail on Sunday's YOU magazine, and Sussex Life among others. She was recently writer in residence at Charleston's Festival of the Garden. Her first book Elisabeth's Lists was published in 2018. Links Grounding: Finding Home in a Garden by Lulah Ellender - Granta Books, April 2022 Patreon Membership

Hello and welcome to this week's episode where I'm speaking to Marion Whitehead from the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in New South Wales, Australia, part of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. I talk with Marion about one of her areas of speciality; the intersection of plants and human feelings, particularly in the context of 3 books as recommended by Marion; Enid Blyton's 'The Magic Faraway Tree', Frances Hodgson Burnett's 'The Secret Garden' and 'The Overstory' by Richard Powers. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Venom What we cover Enid Blyton's 'The Magic Faraway Tree': the tree is the central character, but actually seems pretty inanimate. How does the magic faraway tree provoke emotion? Is there a suggestion in Blyton's book that wild plants are more emotionally provocative than cultivated plants? 'The Secret Garden': the garden heals but it seems to be healing physically as much as emotionally, is this the case? Is the garden responding to individuals' needs? Do people instinctively find or seek out what they need, emotionally, in a garden? Do we have the language to describe our relationship to plants? Richard Powers' 'The Overstory': are plants losing their power to connect with us emotionally, or vice versa, given our detachment from nature? About Marion Whitehead Marion is Senior Horticulturalist at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden. She has an extensive background in cool climate plant species, with a specific interest in ephemeral and heathland plants. Marion has many horticultural topics of interest from Australian plant history, to managing plant nurseries, to the emotional connection between human and fellow flowers. Links www.bluemountainsbotanicgarden.com The Overstory by Richard Powers The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Patreon Membership

This week's guests are Kenton Seth and Paul Spriggs, co-authors of a book that's just been released called 'The Crevice Garden: How to Make the Perfect Home for Plants from Rocky Places.' This book is immensely detailed and if you've ever had an interest in crevice aka rock gardens, or indeed have not but are curious, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the types of plants suited to growing in this style of garden (there are many), the different looks you can create, how to build and maintain them, famous and successful examples and why they are good from an environmental perspective. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Flower Crab Spiders What we cover What is a crevice garden? Advantages to putting plants in crevices The sort of plants suited to growing in crevices Installing a crevice garden Sourcing stone you might need? Planting into a crevice garden Are they a purely aesthetic addition to a garden or can they be useable too? Maintenance About Kenton & Paul Kenton J. Seth began his career in public horticulture and the nursery trade and is now a garden designer who specializes in crevice gardens, drought-tolerant natives, and meadows. He writes for a variety of local, national and international magazines and lectures to rock garden clubs at home in Colorado and overseas. Paul Spriggs has been rock gardening for 23 years and building crevice gardens for the last 16. He is a professional gardener and landscaper, and an avid plant explorer. He has a passion for all wild plants, especially miniatures, collecting and cultivating them at home in Victoria, British Columbia. Links The Crevice Garden: How to Make the Perfect Home for Plants from Rocky Places by Kenton Seth & Paul Spriggs - Filbert Press, April 2022 Huw on YouTube Huw on Facebook Huw on Instagram Patreon Membership

This week's guest is veg growing expert Huw Richards. Huw grows a vast range of plants in his garden in mid-West Wales and is always trialling and experimenting with new ways of growing. He has an enormously popular YouTube channel and has authored a number of books, the latest of which is 'The Vegetable Grower's Handbook' which draws on his experience as very much a thoughtful and philosophical gardener. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Flower Crab Spiders What we cover Gardening with a mission statement Being organised in the garden; keeping checklists, batching jobs, planning Some of the most surprising things Huw's discovered on his gardening journey Poly culture Intercropping Having an odds and ends bed Harvesting water in the garden The method of multisowing New veg Huw's trialling in 2022 On being a philosophical gardener Links The Veg Grower's Handbook by Huw Richards - Dorling Kindersley Ltd, March 2022 Huw on YouTube Huw on Facebook Huw on Instagram Patreon Membership

This week's guest is Clare Keller, a fashion designer and stylist who's previously work at Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Pringle, Chloe and Givenchy. Clare is currently a Trustee and spokesperson for the British Iris Society, a society dedicated to promoting and preserving UK irises and providing resources to iris growers. We talk about these picturesque, perpetually popular flowers. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Organic recyclers What we cover How Clare became involved with the British Iris Society and interested in irises Species of iris Ideal iris growing conditions Iris hardiness Propagation of irises Easy irises to grow Links The British Iris Society On Facebook Patreon Membership

Hello and welcome to this episode of the podcast where I'm speaking to journalist and host of the Climate Cuisine podcast, Clarissa Wei. On her podcast, Clarissa shares the stories of the crops grown sustainably around the world. The goal is to highlight climate-centric conversations about crops and the food we eat as they become increasingly important to the resiliency and survival of our food systems. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Bumbling bees What we cover Clarissa's background and the idea behind her Climate Cuisine podcast What's wrong with the way we currently farm and consume our food? How individuals can join the growing revolution The importance of growing food that is specific to your climate region How this can change the way we grow and use food How regional food independence helps local communities Government support (or not!) The future of the Climate Cuisine podcast About Clarissa Wei Clarissa Wei is an American Taiwanese freelance journalist and video producer based in Taipei. Bylines include the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, VICE, among others. She is currently working on her first cookbook, Made In Taiwan (Simon Element). Links Climate Cuisine Trailer Patreon Membership