Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

This week I'm speaking to Bonsai expert John Hanby. John has decades of experience studying and creating bonsai trees and has just released an incredibly comprehensive guide called the Practical Art of Bonsai. We talk about selecting a plant, how to train it, and artistic methods and we finish with John's thoughts on how bonsai techniques relate to and inform wider gardening practices. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Large bulb flies What we cover What is a bonsai tree? What can you bonsai? Indoor and outdoor trees Overall aims of bonsai Starting a tree from seed or a cutting Wiring and directional pruning Dead wood as an artistic addition to a tree Watering bonsai trees Specialist bonsai equipment About John Hanby John has been teaching bonsai for over thirty years and is owner of one of the biggest bonsai schools in Europe. He's a long-serving member of the Yorkshire Bonsai Association committee and has previously been the secretary of the Federation of British Bonsai Societies, in addition to being a member of the Belgian Kawabe School. He gives talks and demonstrations in the UK and internationally, and has won multiple awards for his fabulous trees. He provides advice, articles and photographs for podcasts, books and magazines, and has produced a successful DVD. Links Practical Art of Bonsai by John Hanby - The Crowood Press, 2022 www.johnhanbybonsai.co.uk Patreon Membership

This week's guest is Frank Hyman, a certified mushroom forager who teaches mushroom identification to chefs, arborists, organic farmers and the general public. Frank's latest book is called 'How to Forage for Mushrooms Without Dying' and contains guidance on mushroom identification, on your suitability for becoming a mushroom forager on which subject he writes "if you have a reputation among your friends and family for exercising poor judgement…you may not be a very good candidate", about the sniffy attitude of the English to mushrooms versus that of mainland Europeans and a whole host of other myco-related topics that should help you in your quest to survive foraging. Despite dealing with a potentially lethal topic, both book and author are laugh out loud funny and I was delighted that Frank agreed to an interview. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Viruses What we cover Can you take a mushroom guide from one country or continent and use it in another? Frank's three different types of mushrooms Mycophobia Should you be careful of the soil mushrooms are growing in? Nutritional and medicinal values Cleaning and cooking mushrooms About Frank Hyman Frank is a certified mushroom forager who teaches mushroom identification to chefs, arborists, organic farmers and the general public. His writing on foraging has appeared in Forbes, Paleo Magazine and Hobby Farms. He lives in Durham, North Carolina. Links How to Forage for Mushrooms Without Dying: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Identifying 29 Wild, Edible Mushrooms by Frank Hyman Other episodes you might like: Edible Mushrooms with Geoff Dann In Search of Mycotopia with Doug Bierend Patreon Membership

Hello and welcome to this week's episode, where I'm speaking to plant expert and forest garden creator Alan Carter. Alan's latest book, 'A Food Forest in your Garden' teaches you how to grow your own seasonal food in a low maintenance, nature friendly garden that feels like a woodland glade. We talk about starting a forest garden, how to manage it, key plants and some unusual plants and growing techniques. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Common fruit flies What we cover What is a forest garden? Is our UK climate suited to hosting forest gardens? Turkish rocket Can it be difficult and or expensive to start a forest garden given the unusual plants involved? Sourcing plants Acclimating your taste buds to the flavours of some of the plants in the forest garden What plants are essential in a forest garden? How Alan treats kale and radish plants Links A Food Forest in your Garden: Plan It, Grow It, Cook It by Alan Carter www.foodforest.garden Patreon Membership

This week I'm speaking to April Windle. April is a naturalist with a particular interest in lichens, especially those occupying our rainforest habitats along the western seaboard of the British Isles. April works on a variety of lichen education and conservation projects and co-chairs the Education & Promotions Committee of the British Lichen Society. April talks to me about what lichen actually is, where you can find it and why it's interesting and worth studying. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Brimstone butterflies What we cover What is a lichen? Might they be confused with algae, moss or fungi? The provenance of lichens UK species Where you can find them Lichen propagation Lichens as species or material specific What is life like for lichen given things like development, air pollution and climate change? Edible and medicinal uses Where you can find out more about lichens About April Windle April Windle is a naturalist with a particular interest in lichens, especially those occupying our rainforest habitats along the western seaboard of the British Isles. She is currently self-employed and involved in a variety of lichen education and conservation projects, whilst co-chairing the Education & Promotions Committee of the British Lichen Society. Her employment history includes Plantlife International, the Natural History Museum, Exmoor National Park Authority and the RSPB. Links www.britishlichensociety.org.uk April on Twitter: @aprilwindle Patreon Membership

This week I'm chatting with New England-based horticultural therapist and master gardener, Erik Keller, who is also the author of the book A Therapist's Garden: Using Plants to Revitalise Your Spirit. Over 20 years, Erik has worked with thousands of people of all ages and types, using horticulture and therapeutic techniques to help them deal with physical, emotional and mental challenges. Erik talks about using an outdoor space as a place for therapy and learning and about the downs and ups of bringing horticulture into peoples' lives as a way to heal. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Home grown bugs What we cover Erik's background in therapeutic gardening The most therapeutic and stimulating plant scents for people to work with How plants spark memories Establishing a connection between growing and eating plants Techniques to stop attention wandering whilst completing a task Techniques you use if people are exhibiting undesirable behaviour Lesson planning and being flexible during gardening sessions Using your garden year round How seasonal changes can help garden users deal with their personal issues and relate to the garden About A Therapist's Garden: Using Plants to Revitalise Your Spirit The Zen of mixing mud with seniors; crafting surprising salads out of weeds; and a hidden rabbit bringing joy to girls in a juvenile detention center. These are a few of the nearly 100 stories that Erik Keller takes readers on through a journey of how interacting with plants and nature can help heal mental, emotional, and physical trauma. Through the lens of January to December in a New England landscape, discover how horticultural therapy improves the lives of those in pain including special-needs children, cancer patients, and disabled seniors. A Therapist's Garden is unique in portraying how gardening, nature-based arts, plants and horticulture can revitalize the spirit of people. It encompasses over 20 years of experiences seeing the healing power of horticultural therapy. Its themes and subject material are universal in interest as different portions of this book apply to nearly anyone who likes plants or to garden, both booming activities today, as well as therapists who will find the approach interesting and of use to their client bases. About Erik Keller Over the last 20 years, Erik Keller has worked with thousands of people of all ages and types using horticulture and therapeutic techniques to help them deal with physical, cognitive, social and emotional challenges. Venues have ranged from special-needs schools, to prisons, to nursing facilities to private homes. Certifications from the University of Connecticut as a Master Gardener in 2000 and the New York Botanical Garden in Horticultural Therapy in 2009 has given Keller a strong base of knowledge from which he has been able to help his clients. He is a member of the American Horticultural Therapy Association, the Northeast Horticultural Therapy Network as well as the Connecticut Master Gardeners Association. He writes extensively about the healing power of horticultural therapy on a variety of social media platforms and on his website www.grohappy.com. For over a decade, Keller has been running a twice-monthly horticultural therapy (HT) program at Ann's Place, a not-for-profit facility helping those with cancer located in Danbury, CT. Since the emergence of COVID-19, Keller has developed a wide variety of virtual and hybrid HT sessions for clients. He also manages and maintains the grounds at Ann's Place, which he designed over a decade ago to accommodate therapeutic needs of the client base. Keller is also a commissioner for the Ridgefield Conservation Commission, which manages and maintains over 5,800 acres of open space in Ridgefield, CT. In the past, he has run horticultural therapy programs at senior living and nursing facilities as well as run programs at Green Chimneys, a school for special-needs children in Brewster, NY. Earlier in Keller's career, he spent a decade as a journalist and editor for a variety of technology- focused trade publications, a decade as a Research Fellow at Gartner, Stamford, CT (the leading technology advisory firm in the world), and another decade as a management consultant with his own firm. During that time he received many awards for editorial, writing and analytical excellence. He also wrote a well-received book for the technology community called Technology Paradise Lost (Manning Publications) in 2004. Keller graduated from State University of New York at Stony Brook with a Bachelor's of Engineering degree as well as minored in English and Journalism. While at Stony Brook, he won the University's Martin Buskin Memorial Scholarship for Journalism. Links Black Rose Publishing - A Therapist's Garden: Using Plants to Revitalise Your Spirit www.grohappy.com Patreon Membership

This week I'm talking with Jack Willgoss, who along with wife Laura, runs Wildegoose Nursery in Shropshire where they hold the Bouts collection of violas. The collection comprises over 160 varieties and includes some favourite varieties which date back to the 1800s. Jack talks about his collection, the different types of violas you might come across and how you can best grow them in your garden either in the ground or in containers. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Biodiversity Decline What we cover Jack's collection of violas How many species of viola there are The history of violas in cultivation Violettas Pruning violas Viola growing conditions and feeding Hardiness Violas and scent Viola colours Propagation Edible flowers Links www.wildegoosenursery.co.uk Patreon Membership

This week's guest is Dr Si Poole, founder of Mintopia, a website dedicated to mint featuring its own online reference library for the different types, the mintopaedia. Si holds one of the National Collections of mint and holds getting on for 200 different cultivars. From his plastic-free, organic nursery, he sells themed collections of mints and he's passionate and knowledgable about every aspect of the Mentha genera, impressive given that there's much more to this plant than mint sauce and mojitos. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Locusts What we cover How Si became interested in mint The different species and cultivars of mint The Mintopia Mint Collections How is mint propagated? The cultivation of mint in the garden Is it true that you shouldn't allow mints of different varieties grow in the same container otherwise they all end up tasting the same? Mint pests and diseases Links Mintopia Patreon Membership

I stumbled across a book called The Humanure Handbook: Shit in a Nutshell and of course, I had to buy a copy. I've long thought that if we're aiming towards a closed system within our gardens then our own waste needs to be factored into the equation so I was intrigued to find out what the book's author Joseph C Jenkins had to say on the matter. What I didn't expect was the book to be one of those that slaps you in the face with facts and makes you question the whole way you've lived your life, in this case in relation to loos and their contents. Not only does Joe comprehensively explain how you can take the contents of your loo and compost it along with your garden waste so that you have a clean and useful product that can be used on everything from vegetables to houseplants, he will make you wonder why you ever thought the alternative of flushing it away was a sensible, viable option. There is so much I wanted to cover with Joe and we only scratched the surface of the subject in this interview. I urge you to get the book and think about the issue of how we deal with waste, it's a vitally important environmental issue. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Eating insects What we cover The background to Joe's work on composting toilet waste and his book, The Humanure Handbook In order to put back what we take out of the soil, we need to be reusing our waste as well as all household and garden waste - how can this work in practice? Is a flushing toilet the holy grail of comfort and civilised living for all? Composting and pathogens Composting and drug residues Compost toilets vs dry composting systems Links Humanure Handbook can be downloaded here Humanure videos Humanure videos on Youtube Humanure research papers: 2018 2015 2013 2011 2009 Patreon Membership

The flora of Armenia is one of the most diverse and interesting in the world and includes many favourite garden plants and their relatives. This week's guest, Tamar Galstyan, has travelled the length and breadth of the country botanising and leading guided plant tours. She's recently published 'A Field Guide to the Plants of Armenia' which includes more than 1000 of the diverse range of plants found in the country and in the interview, we cover the range of habitats and climates found in Armenia, what it's like to travel there to find plants and how the native flora is threatened by things such as climate change and grazing animals. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: UV light What we cover How Tamar become interested in plants What makes Armenia so significant in terms of plants The sorts of climates experienced in Armenia The rarest plants you could find Armenian wild plants that are also garden cultivars The protection given to the native flora How to see the plants in Armenia and the best time to visit About Tamar Galstyan Tamar Galstyan graduated from the University of Art and Theatre in Yerevan, Armenia. After some years she studied ecology and worked with children as an ecology teacher. Tamar began travelling regularly in Armenia, taking numerous pictures of plants and identifying them. She created a website to help her students learn about the Armenian flora and this led to her popular Facebook page 'Plants of Armenia'. In 2012 Tamar was invited to guide a botany trip in Armenia. Gradually the geographical range of her trips expanded and some are managed through her own travel company, SkyGreen. Travels in Georgia, Iran and Central Asia deepened Tamar's love of nature as well as her plant knowledge. She learns by travelling and is passionate about sharing what she has learnt during the past nine years guiding botany trips. Links A Field Guide to The Plants of Armenia by Tamar Galstyan Patreon Membership

This week, I'm talking to Susan Young, author of the book 'Growing Beans'. As I've looked further into having a sustainable diet, into growing and storing crops and into sources of plant protein, beans just seemed to tick every box, but I needed to know more. So Susan's book 'Growing Beans' is exactly what I've been looking for, because it covers growing, harvesting and storing beans and it argues a very convincing case for a fact that many people the world over have known for centuries; that beans are good not only for you but for the planet, because they're such a resilient, easy to grow, low carbon footprint crop. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Tobacco whitefly What we cover What makes beans such a good crop to grow, in terms of their eco credentials? The beans we commonly grow here in the UK Beans to grow for their green pods, as fresh green beans, half dried and drying Bean nutritional needs Overwintering tubers of runner bean plants Drying beans in a UK climate Bean toxicity Storing different types of beans Easy beans to grow Beans for taste and aesthetics Preparing and cooking beans About 'Growing Beans: a diet for healthy people and planet' by Susan Young Susan's new book brings together 10 years of experimentation with multiple varieties of beans. She clearly explains how to sow, grow, harvest, dry, store and cook them, and shares her six 'must grow' varieties. Beans are easy to grow and cook, help build healthy soil in the garden, and also provide a nutrient-rich diet, helping to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer – they are good sources of protein, fibre, folate, iron and potassium. Plus, they can reduce your carbon footprint and food miles as well! Links 'Growing Beans: a diet for healthy people and planet' by Susan Young Beans and Herbs Publishers of the book, Permaculture Magazine, on Facebook Patreon Membership

This week's guest is Nick Macer, plant hunter, self-taught botanist, rare species expert and owner of Pan Global Plants, a nursery based in the Severn Valley, which, to quote the website, offers "a selection of the finest, most desirable and often rarest plants capable of growing on these isles". And that's key - Nick hand selects plants, in the past, directly from where they were growing in the wild and brings them into cultivation. He's renowned for choosing sublime varieties and for openly sharing his knowledge and experience. I did intend to talk to Nick a bit about his plant hunting trips, but as a stop has been put to these recently due to rules around the transportation of plant materials, the conversation went in other directions. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Mealybugs What we cover How Nick got into plant hunting How plants make the grade for inclusion into your nursery catalogue Rare plants - hardy or non hardy? Propagating rare plants Using rare plants in the garden About Nick Macer Coincidentally connected to last week's episode on Georgian gardens, Nick Macer rented land at Painswick Rococo Garden before moving to Frampton-on-Severn to set up Pan-Global Plants, which specialises in rare and unusual plants, many of which are well-suited to growing in a UK climate. Nick trained at Merrist Wood and went on to have placements at Westonbirt Arboretum and the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. He's travelled the globe to find the most beautiful specimens to bring into cultivation and continues to work at the nursery and to share his knowledge in person and in the media. Links www.panglobalplants.com Patreon Membership

I'm speaking to Dr Cathryn Spence this week, about Thomas Robins, a painter who documented the country estates of the Georgian gentry in all their Rococo splendour. Robins captured images of this flamboyant age of outdoor design where gardens were laden with symbolism and crammed full of Chinoiserie, follies ruins and the latest imports of exotic animals and plants. Follow the story of Robins as he moves from jobbing fan painter to star of his own paintings, the development of the floral borders around his canvases, for which he's famed, and the evolution of the Georgian garden and what remains of this style today. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Fig wasps What we cover The artist Thomas Robins and when and where he worked What gardens looked like at the time Robins was painting What is a Rococo garden? Why Robins painted floral borders around his paintings How exotic species came to be included in these frames In the book, Cathryn references "the Rococo's requirement of asymmetry". How did this manifest in Robins' artworks and in gardens? Political themes in Georgian gardens Robins' botanical art How contemporary painters painted entire estates on one canvas Remaining examples of rococo gardens About 'Nature's Favourite Child – Thomas Robins and the Art of the Georgian Garden' Thomas Robins the Elder (1716–1770) recorded the country estates of the Georgian gentry—their orchards, Rococo gardens, and potagers—like no other, with both topographical accuracy and delightful artistry, often bordering his gouaches with entrancing tendrils, shells, leaves, and birds. Robins's skill was honed by the delicacy required for his early career as a fan painter and is shown too in his exquisite paintings of butterflies, flowers, and birds. This ravishing and scholarly study emerges from many years' research by Dr Cathryn Spence, the curator and archivist at Bowood House who has also worked for the V&A, the Bath Preservation Trust, and the National Trust. This is the first full study of Thomas Robins since John Harris's Gardens of Delight, published in two volumes in 1978; Harris, in fact, made over all his research notes to Spence in 2005 when she embarked on her work. Chinoiserie is everywhere—a wooden bridge over the Thames, delicious kiosks in a garden, a view of Bath with sampans, and Chinese fishermen on the river. There are also fascinating views of Sudeley Castle and other great houses that incorporated more or less ruined monastic structures, destroyed in the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Spence has tracked down many previously unknown paintings by Robins and sets his elusive life and work in the framework of his patrons. More detective story than art historical monograph, this lavish study delights in Robins's astonishing proficiency as a topographical, botanical, entomological and naturalist artist. About Cathryn Spence Dr Cathryn Spence is a museum professional, lecturer and historic gardens and buildings consultant. After a career in London and Bath museums, including the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Building of Bath Museum, she is now Lord Lansdowne's consultant Archivist and Curator at Bowood House, Wiltshire. She has published several books on the architectural and social history of Bath, most recently The Story of Bath (2016). Her study of Thomas Robins is the culmination of over fifteen years research. Cathryn has worked with the team at Painswick Rococo Garden, a site restored using Robins's paintings from 1984, for the last 5 years advising on the continuing heritage and conservation of the garden. Links Nature's Favourite Child – Thomas Robins and the Art of the Georgian Garden by Cathryn Spence is available from John Sandoe Books or directly from the author. Email [email protected] (£45 to include p&p to a UK address, for RoW postage contact Cathryn on the above email for quote). Painswick Rococo Garden Patreon Membership

This week, I'm talking to Joyce Veheary about her fantastic Lend and Tend project, which aims to match garden owners who perhaps don't have the time, experience, desire or means to tend their garden with gardenless gardeners keen to employ their green fingers, pairing up people who are local to each other, then sending them on their merry way in the hopes they will have a long and happy garden sharing relationship. Joyce talks about why she felt the need to begin the project, how it works, what happens when it succeeds and why the idea is of benefit to whole communities, as well as the individuals involved. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Indoor houseplant bugs What we cover Lend and Tend and how it came about How likely are you to find someone on Lend and Tend who shares the same view of what a garden can and should be? Some of the keys to having a mutually beneficial relationship between lender and tender What about tools? Practical considerations such as insurance and references The social element of Lend and Tend and how it benefits the community Where to find out more and get involved About Joyce Veheary Joyce is the founder of Lend and Tend and is a self-taught gardener with a passion for sharing skills and experiences. She is particularly interested in growing her own produce to cook with and she's a keen forager too. Joyce is always looking for ways to look after the environment and to promote social justice. Her aim with Lend and Tend is to democratise access to growing space, which she rightly views as an act of horticultural rebellion. She's also a film and TV actor and her latest role is in Zack Snyder's Justice League where she plays a Gotham cop. Talk about multi-talented! Links www.lendandtend.com Lend and Tend on Facebook Twitter Instagram Patreon Membership

Hello and welcome to this episode of the podcast, where I'm speaking to Madeline McKeever, owner of Brown Envelope Seeds. Madeline's company produces organic, open-pollinated seeds, which are harvested from crops grown on site at the Brown Envelope Seeds' HQ, a farm in Skibbereen in County Cork. Madeline talks about why open-pollinated seeds are essential in the fight to feed people and for greater food biodiversity, the benefits of seed saving and sourcing seeds locally and how you can harvest your own seeds. P.s. for those expecting exotic plants and sunny climes as promised last week, apologies! The course of podcasting never did run smooth - hopefully next week! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Overwintering moths What we cover Brown Envelope Seeds and how Madeline started the company Why organic seeds? Why open-pollinated? On the Brown Envelope Seeds website, Madeline writes that open pollinated seeds "are naturally pollinated - by insects or wind; not enforced pollination or in-breeding". She expands on what she means by this. Food plant biodiversity Why you should try to buy seeds from a seed producer in your region or from one who has similar growing conditions Saving our own seeds If we save seeds each year, are the resulting plants are getting better and better? What to look for when saving seed Potential problems with seed crops that can affect the quality of the seed The situation globally with seed production and seed sellers? About Madeline McKeever Madeline began Brown Envelope Seeds in 2004 with 25 varieties. Since then, the company has grown, along with the amount of varieties offered (especially tomatoes!) to a family business supplying organic and open-pollinated vegetable seeds to Irish growers. Madeline's mission statement is to enable people to grow their own food and she believes producing and saving seeds is a vital part of that. She is doing her part to preserve and safeguard the future of food diversity in Ireland and by sharing her knowledge and expertise, is helping this happen on a global scale. Links www.brownenvelopeseeds.com www.seedie.ie Other episodes you might like: Episode 12 - Esiah Levy's SeedsShare Project Patreon Membership

This year's first guest is organic vegetable grower Anna Greenland. Anna has supplied produce to some of the UK's top chefs, including Raymond Blanc and Jamie Oliver, has created gardens at Soho Farmhouse, Kew Gardens and the Huntington Botanical Gardens in LA. She is currently establishing a market garden and gardening school in Suffolk and has just released a book called 'Grow Easy'. Anna talks about working with the best chefs in the best kitchens and catering to their clientele, about producing pristine veg organically, about growing food in different climates and the fundamentals of veg garden success. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Overwintering fruit & vegetable bugs What we cover Anna's background How Anna begins to plan a veg garden from scratch What makes a good site The chefs Anna has worked with Growing food for a professional kitchen Keeping a veg garden in a public space looking good all year round The biggest challenges for new veg gardeners and how they can be overcome About Anna Greenland Anna was working as a model when she moved to Cornwall and began working at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall. Bitten by the veg growing bug, she took on a job at The Lost Gardens of Heligan and began supplying produce to Jamie's restaurant. From there, she moved to LA to study Ecological Horticulture and set up a food growing garden at Huntington Botanical Gardens. After moving back to the UK, she worked at Soho Farmhouse, Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons for Raymond Blanc and has set up a productive area at Kew Gardens. She won gold and Best in Show for her 'Herbs and Preserves' garden at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show in 2018 and has just released a book, 'Grow Easy'. She now lives in Suffolk where she is setting up a market garden and gardening school. Links www.annagreenland.co.uk Anna on Instagram Grow Easy: Organic crops for pots and small plots - October 2021, Octopus Publishing Patreon Membership

Welcome to this pre-Christmas episode of the podcast, the final one of 2021. And what a year this has been! In this episode, I talk about what's been happening at Roots and All and look back over some of the favourite episodes from this year. Thank you for supporting the podcast this year and a Merry Christmas to you! What I cover The redesigned Roots and All website and the bookshop Episode 94 - Wild Gardens with Jo McKerr Episode 99 - Pollinators & Pollination with Prof Jeff Ollerton Episode 108 - Dr Glynn Percival of Bartlett Tree Research Episode 125 - Modern Plant Hunters with Dr Sandy Primrose Episode 136 - The View from Federal Twist with James Golden Patreon Membership

This week's guest is Dr Jude Piesse. Jude's book 'The Ghost in the Garden' is essentially about Charles Darwin's largely forgotten garden in Shrewsbury but the book turned out to be much more than a study of the garden, its history and the man himself. In fact, these aspects are almost incidental to the other characters in the book and this makes it an amazing narrative where many aspects are hung together on the framework of the garden. In the interview, Jude tells us about how the book developed, the characters that animated the garden and how it fed into Charles Darwin's work and life. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Winter Bumblebees Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover How Jude first came across Charles Darwin's garden and what was it about the garden that interested her Jude says the book is more a collective biography and memoir than just the story of Darwin and it incorporates a whole host of characters. She talks about whether this was intentional. When the garden was built and what the contemporary horticultural world was like How might the change from landscape gardens to the collectors' gardens with their array of exotic species have contributed to scientific discoveries at that time? Whilst he was on The Beagle, the correspondence between Darwin and his family seems to have been set against the backdrop of seasonal events in the garden. Was this merely a common topic of conversation or were these updates of a deeper significance? Who were the Darwins' gardeners and what role did they play in shaping the garden and Darwin's work? How much did the garden feed into his work? Did Darwin love the garden or was it a laboratory? What is the condition of the garden now? Whose ghost is it in the garden? About Dr Jude Piesse Jude Piesse is an academic and writer. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and a PhD in English Literature from the University of Exeter. She has published widely on nineteenth-century literature and culture, including her book about emigration literature, British Settler Emigration in Print, 1832–1877 (OUP, 2016). Though she grew up in Shropshire, she did not discover Darwin's childhood garden until she moved to Shrewsbury with her young family to take up her first lectureship. She now works as a lecturer in English Literature at Liverpool John Moores University. https://scribepublications.co.uk/books-authors/books/the-ghost-in-the-garden-9781913348052 Links The Ghost in the Garden by Jude Piesse - Scribe Publications, 2021

This episode features garden designer, grower, speaker and writer Andrew Sankey. Andrew specialises in English cottage gardens and has meticulously researched the subject for decades, becoming an expert on this style of gardening. He's recently released a book called The English Cottage Garden and in the interview, we talk about what defines a cottage garden, both in the past and now, the plants and features most commonly found in one and tips if you're looking to create your own. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Ivy Mining Bees Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover What was a cottage garden historically and what is it now? How big is a cottage garden? What hard landscaping elements characterise a cottage garden? Which planting techniques stand out as most cottage garden-like? Where does the winter interest come from in a cottage garden? Using plants as supports for other plants Cottage gardens and wildlife Andrew's 3 essential plants Edibles in a modern cottage garden About Andrew Sankey Andrew left teaching (Head of Graphics/Design) in 1989 to start a Garden Design & Landscaping business in Lincolnshire. He discovered it was very difficult to obtain plants required for designs so started a specialist nursery stocking plants for dry shade/ dry sun. He went on to organise Plant Fairs in Lincolnshire, Cambs and Norfolk & produced a booklet called the Plant Fair Guide for a number of years. Andrew moved to a cottage near Woodhall Spa, Lincs in 1992 and created a cottage garden which was opened twice a year for the NGS and other groups. He became Chairman of the Lincolnshire branch of the Cottage Garden Society and began lecturing on cottage gardens and related subjects (including lecture tours to Minnesota and Wisconsin in the USA). He's written booklets on Companion Planting, Cottage Favourites and Sayings and Superstitions and he continues to design gardens and lecture widely on a range of gardening topics. Links The English Cottage Garden by Andrew Sankey - The Crowood Press Ltd, 2021 Episode 62 - The Living Jigsaw with Val Bourne The Cottage Garden Society

Hello and thank you for joining me this week, as I talk to Wade Muggleton, permaculturist, tree expert and author of The Orchard Book, a book about incorporating fruit trees into your garden, however big or small your space. Wade is my favourite type of guest in that he's written a book based on 20 years of solid experience and he's busted a few myths along the way, not least the received wisdom around fruit tree pollination. So if you'd like to find out what makes an orchard, when to prune your trees, what types of tree to select, how to underplant your trees, creative tree training, what is a pitcher and what is a chequer, then listen on! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Ear wigglers Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover What is an orchard? What types of tree might one contain? Underplanting orchard trees Keeping the costs down when establishing an orchard Have you heard of chequers? Grafting and over grafting Pitchers Pollination and the need for multiple trees of the same pollination group Creating step overs and fruit tree arches Pruning in summer instead of winter Top types of tree About Wade Muggleton "Wade Muggleton lives in Shropshire with his partner and two children, where their plot, Station Road Permaculture Garden, is a demonstration site for permaculture and opens under the National Open Gardens Scheme. In 2013, he acquired a field and now has a collection of over 130 fruit trees and was featured on BBC Gardeners' World in 2018." https://www.chelseagreen.com/writer/wade-muggleton/ Links The Orchard Book: Plan, Plant and Maintain Fruit from Garden to Field by Wade Muggleton - 2021, Permanent Publications

Welcome to this week's episode, where I'm talking water-wise gardening with Janet Manning. Janet undertook a three year project with the RHS and Cranfield University where she looked at strategies and techniques currently available to gardeners to help them both conserve and manage water in a way that reduces waste and protects the environment. We talk about why there's a need to be water-wise in wet countries like the UK, what we can do to help and why gardens are an important part of the bigger environmental picture. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Harvestmen Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover Janet's work with Cranfield University and the RHS How we gardeners can conserve water in our gardens How we can contribute towards rainwater management Drought tolerant plants The fabled moist, well-drained soil! Using swales and hugelkultur beds Long term meteorological predictions About Janet Manning Janet has just completed a three year water management knowledge transfer partnership between Cranfield University and the RHS. As a graduate of Cranfield with an MSc in process engineering, and after a 17 year career as a scientist in the water industry, she followed her passion for the natural environment into horticulture where she worked on a production nursery producing hardy ornamentals. Having worked 'both ends of the hose' she was well placed to take up the role at the RHS as the first garden water scientist. She has contributed to the water neutral targets set within the RHS's new sustainability strategy and has written the first water road map for Wisley as a plan implement the strategy. A gardener since she was big enough to pick up a trowel, the combination of practical gardening experience and scientific knowledge, she has recently left the Environmental Horticulture Team at Wisley but with a legacy that will continue through the sustainability strategy. Links www.mains2rains.co.uk RHS advice for water management RHS Neutral Water Targets

This week's episode features James Golden, talking about the naturalistic garden he's built around his home in New Jersey. James's garden has been created intuitively over time and sits perfectly within the landscape, in fact is a landscape in its own right. Sometimes baffling, sometimes threatening and without utilitarian purpose, the garden is nonetheless life-affirming, vital and dramatically beautiful in different ways from one moment to the next. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Harlequins Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover About the garden at Federal Twist Would the garden be as successful from a horticultural and aesthetic standpoint if James had plotted the garden on paper, particularly the planting? Visitors often seem to get lost in the space and can't find a route through it - so who did James design the garden for, himself or was it always meant to be shared with visitors? James's stone circle, which serves no purpose other than an aesthetic one James on being a fearless and philosophical gardener How long is long enough to make a garden? How do you create a garden which varies so dramatically from one season to the next? What inspired the garden About James Golden "James Golden's garden design has been featured in national and international magazines, in The New York Times, and in several books on garden design. He has been the recipient of national awards and is widely known in the gardening world through his garden blog View from Federal Twist (www.federaltwist.com). James' Federal Twist garden regularly appears on tours of the Garden Conservancy, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Hardy Plant Society, and on numerous private tours. Recently retired, he has started a garden design practice." https://federaltwistdesign.org/about Links The View from Federal Twist: A New Way of Thinking About Gardens, Nature and Ourselves by James Golden - Filbert Press, 2021 The View From Federal Twist Federal Twist on Instagram

This week's guest in Simon Morley, a British artist and art historian. Simon is the author of several books on modern and contemporary art and is a keen rose gardener. Simon's latest book was released a few weeks ago and is called 'By Any Other Name: A Cultural History of the Rose'. During the interview I ask Simon about the cultural significance of roses throughout history, their symbolism, their origins and what how we use roses in gardens today says about us as a society. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Cluster flies Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover Why the rose is a meme Why the rose has been so enduringly beloved by humans The origins of Valentine's Day and why roses are intrinsically linked to it Why roses in religious symbology fell out of favour during protestantism Of all the concepts or beliefs that the rose signifies, which most resonates with Simon Which nations were the most important players in the development of the rose varieties we know today? Simon writes "aesthetic horticultural considerations were often coupled with a theoretical component, and the selection and arrangement of plants were determined by the botanical theory of the period, which in its turn reflected the way the world was perceived to be ordered". What does Simon think the way we use roses today tell us about how we perceive the world to be ordered? The lack of a role for roses in movements such as rewilding and the new perennial movement About Simon Morley Simon Morley is a British artist and art historian. He is the author of several books on modern and contemporary art, and has contributed reviews and essays to a number of publications. His artworks have been exhibited internationally. He is currently writing a new history of modern painting, to be published in 2023. Simon lives in France and South Korea, where he teaches at Dankook University. He is also a keen rose gardener. Links By Any Other Name: A Cultural History of the Rose by Simon Morley - Oneworld Publications, 2021 Simon's website Simon on Instagram

This week's guest is my second ever returning guest, Fiona Edmond of Green Island Gardens a garden and nursery in Essex. Fiona holds National Plant Collection status for her range of camellias, which includes winter/spring flowering varieties, but also the sometimes overlooked autumn flowering varieties, unjustly so as they offer colour in the garden when little else is happening. This episode tells you everything you need to know about successfully growing camellias. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Spanish slugs Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover Autumn and spring flowering varieties The need for acidic soil when growing camellias Cultivation Feeding Some of Fiona's favourite varieties for the garden Pests and diseases About Fiona Edmond Links wwwgreenislandgardens.co.uk The Green Island Nursery On Instagram On Twitter On Facebook

This week's guest is Harriet Carty. Harriet is the Charity Director & Beautiful Burial Ground Project Manager at Caring for God's Acre, an organisation which works nationally to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy burial grounds and graveyards. These sites are refuges for wildlife, veteran trees and plants. They're community assets which need protecting and preserving for us and for future generations and I was fascinated to find out more about what's being done to look after these local treasures. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Overwintering butterflies Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover About Caring For God's Acre Why it's so important to protect burial grounds and the wildlife and plants that call then home Burial grounds as important historical sites and as a link to the past Veteran trees and ancient yews in burial grounds Biodiversity in burial sites How you can get involved with recording wildlife How to check if your local church is involved About Caring for God's Acre "Caring for God's Acre works nationally to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy burial grounds and graveyards. There are over 20,000 burial grounds in England and Wales, ranging from small rural medieval churchyards to large Victorian city cemeteries, spanning different cultures, religions and centuries. Appealing to many who are interested in local history and the natural world, burial grounds encapsulate the history of communities whilst offering refuge for our native wildlife." https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk Links www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk On Twitter On Facebook

This week's guest is Philip Oostenbrink, Head Gardener at Walmer Castle and Gardens, Collections Coordinator for Plant Heritage in Kent, Plant Trials committee member for the RHS and self-confessed jungle plant nut. Philip has just published a new book titled 'The Jungle Garden' and in this interview, I talk to him about what a jungle garden is, whether they can work in shady and sunny aspects, easy jungle plants, rarer ones, plant hardiness, seasonal and winter interest and where to get plants. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Black vine weevil Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover What sparked Philip's interest in jungle plants How the jungle influences his design aesthetic The importance of seasonal changes and how do you can highlight these in a jungle garden scheme How much did writing the book make Philip examine what is an instinctual talent for grouping plants? Can jungle plants mix with more traditional cottage style plants? Mixing exotic plants from different continents or eco regions Winter interest in a jungle garden Jungle gardens in full sunshine Good jungle garden climbers Trees for a small space but big impact Easy to look after starter plants Rarer plants to wow your friends About Philip Oostenbrink "My name is Philip Oostenbrink and I am Head Gardener at Walmer Castle and Gardens in East Kent. Apart from my full-time job I am Collections Coordinator for Plant Heritage in Kent and Plant Trials committee member for the RHS. I am also a horticultural speaker for any groups who are interested in gardening and/or history. I have been a plant collector all my life. I have a passion for jungle gardening and I have four National Plant Collections: Aspidistra elatior & sichuanensis, Variegated and Yellow-leaved Convallaria, Hakonechloa macra and Ophiopogon japonicus. I have a love for variegated plants." https://myplants.me Links The Jungle Garden by Philip Oostenbrink - Filbert Press, October 2021 Philip's Blog - 'Thoughts of a plant nut." Philip on Instagram - mr.plantaholic

This week I'm speaking to gardener, TV presenter, author, government adviser and wildlife and environment advocate, Chris Baines. Chris designed the first ever wildlife garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1985, which was swiftly followed by his bestselling book 'How to Make a Wildlife Garden' so I thought it would be a perfect time to speak to Chris, given the continuing interest in wild gardens that we witnessed again at this year's Chelsea. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Carrot root flies Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover How Chris thinks things have changed since the 1980s with regard to the plight of wildlife Why a wildlife garden which mimics a woodland edge is desirable Planting a wildflower strip next to a mixed native hedge, how could you go about starting this type of strip and what plants you might use How you can identify the wildlife in your garden Is Chris hopeful for the future and are things changing quickly enough? Documenting your garden wildlife, in order to help protect habitats threatened by developments About Chris Baines "Chris Baines is one of the UK's leading environmental campaigners, an award-winning writer and broadcaster and an experienced speaker at national and international conferences. His particular garden-related expertise lies in wildlife gardening, community participation and trees in towns. Specilaist subjects: industry and environment, wildlife gardening, community participation, habitat creation, sustainable water management." https://www.gardenmediaguild.co.uk/guild-members/directory/profile/Chris-Baines/15

My guest this week is Jonathan Sheppard, a political lobbyist who somehow fell into becoming the holder of 2 national plant collections; hollyhocks and cosmos. Jonathan talks about how to grow hollyhocks and cosmos, what you can, or can't do about rust, good varieties to try and what to look out for in the coming year in terms of new varieties and colours. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Dragonflies Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover Hollyhocks and rust When to sow hollyhocks Are they biennial or perennial? The best places to grow hollyhocks Some of the best varieties New colours The cultivation of Cosmos Links British Hollyhocks Jonathan Sheppard on Twitter

This week I'm speaking to social media sensation and veg grower Gerald Stratford about growing big veg - do they taste better, how do you avoid pests and diseases, what growing media is best and what you can do with your big veg once you've grown it? Gerald's new book Big Veg has recently been published and his star continues to ascend. Gerald spoke to me from his shed, with his wonderful wife Liz and cat Jet in attendance. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Woodlice This episode is brought to you by Horti:couture, a conference exploring the influence of plants and gardens on the fashion world and featuring some of the industry's leading academics and influencers. For more information visit the LCGD website LCGD.org.uk or their Eventbrite page. The conference will take place on the 9th October and tickets start at just £59 and the day will be streamed online as well as in person at Kew Gardens. Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover How Gerald got started on social media Why would you want to grow big veg and is big always best for taste? What type of soil you need to grow big veg Avoiding blight on tomatoes and potatoes And rust on onions Using the trench system for runner beans What Gerald is doing on his plot right now About Gerald Stratford Gerald's book of tips and tricks, 'BIG VEG', is accessible for beginners and those interested in grow-your-own veg. This gentle guide distils years of knowledge, including the top 10 vegetables to begin with, how to 'supersize' them and a month-by-month breakdown to sowing, planting and harvesting. Aged 72, Gerald rose to fame later in life, gaining over 308k followers after sharing pictures of his potatoes at the height of lockdown in May 2020. He has been hailed the 'Veg King' by the press and is passionate about sharing the benefits of mindful gardening at any age and cultivating your own food. After becoming a social media sensation, he continues to go viral with his wholesome allotment content. Illustrated with photos throughout, Big Veg is encouraging, full of wisdom and dry humour, much like lovely Gerald himself. In the spirit of bringing joy, please enjoy Gerald as the star of GUCCI's latest campaign! Links Gerald Stratford on Twitter 'Big Veg' by Gerald Stratford Get your tickets for Horti:couture from Eventbrite

In this episode, I'm speaking to award-winning writer Catherine Mack about getting a gardening book published. Catherine talks about why you might want to write a book, the process of getting your ideas onto paper and how to get published. Plus, she addresses the most important issue of whether or not you'll make your fortune! If you've ever harboured dreams of writing a book, listen on and be inspired by Catherine's advice and encouragement. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Red Admirals This episode is brought to you by Horti:couture, a conference exploring the influence of plants and gardens on the fashion world and featuring some of the industry's leading academics and influencers. For more information visit the LCGD website LCGD.org.uk or their Eventbrite page. The conference will take place on the 9th October and tickets start at just £59 and the day will be streamed online as well as in person at Kew Gardens. Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover Good reasons for writing a book How do you know if it will be of interest to readers? How to check someone hasn't already written something similar and does it matter if they have? Your options if you're looking to get published Getting published in a magazine What you need in order to approach potential publishers or crowdfunders Traditional publisher vs. alternatives Are you likely to make any money?! About Catherine Mack Catherine is an award-winning travel writer specialising in sustainable and ethical tourism. Storytelling and sustainability go hand in hand for Catherine, who engages with people just as much as place on her travels. As Covid clipped her wings she started to focus on journeys that people took closer to home. In other words, to their allotments. She is delighted that The Allotmenteers, Profiles of a Growing Community - has now been commissioned by Unbound, an award-winning crowdfunding publisher. Catherine has always sought to understand why people journey and is keen to capture what people gain from travelling this short distance from urban to rural, from home to allotment, as well as the growing and personal journeys they take while being allotmenteers. Catherine doesn't have an allotment and, as it is considered such a private world by those who maintain them, she is able to offer an objective eye in her interviews and subsequent essays, helping the reader feel as if they too are privileged to enter this private world. Read more about The Allotmenteers, and do please pledge to help have this book hit its crowdfunding target. You can also follow Catherine on Twitter and Instagram. Links The Allotmenteers on Unbound Catherine Mack on Twitter Catherine Mack on Instagram Get your tickets for Horti:couture from Eventbrite

This week, I'm speaking to Gwendolyn van Paaschen about the legendary garden designer John Brookes. Gwendolyn is the owner of Denmans Garden and chairman of the John Brookes-Denmans Foundation. Gwendolyn's new book 'How to Design a Garden' brings together a collection of John's works from across his lengthy career, disseminating the fundamental principles which underpinned his design work, in a way that is useful to both professionals and home gardeners. Gwendolyn is carrying on John's work at Denmans by opening the garden to the public and as she puts in at the end of the interview, keeping his conversation going. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: House Spiders Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover Who was John Brookes and what are some of the highlights he accomplished during his long career? The importance of designing in the vernacular and John expressed this through his designs How John's design style and interests evolved during his career Garden designers today who particularly embody the work of John Brookes His influence on garden design over the past 50 years The long term effect of John's design in the realms of amateur gardening About Gwendolyn van Paasschen Gwendolyn van Paasschen, a garden designer and writer, worked with landscape designer John Brookes MBE and helped write his memoir, A Landscape Legacy (Pimpernel Press, 2018). Chairman of the John Brookes-Denmans Foundation, she owns Denmans Garden. Currently writing a book about Denmans, she also writes about garden design. Links How to Design a Garden By John Brookes MBE. Edited and introduction by Gwendolyn van Paasschen. Preface by Andrew Duff Released 7th October www.denmans.org

This week's guest, Marlow Renton, is the co-founder of Wild Food UK. Marlow talks about why we should all go out foraging, especially children, about how we can overcome our fear of wild food (particularly mushrooms!), what to look out for, when to do it and where to do it responsibly and how to get help if, like me, you're a bit of a wild food wuss. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Cabbage Root Flies Please don't forget to rate, review and share the podcast! What we cover How Marlow learnt to forage How easy is it to forage? Why it's important to take children foraging What to be careful of when foraging Foraging responsibly How scared should we be of mushrooms? Helpful resources if you're unsure where to start About Wild Food UK "Wild Food UK was formed a few years ago by Marlow and Eric driven by a desire to expand peoples experience of nature into a practical source of enjoyment. Since then the company has grown in course leaders and course locations, covering most of the UK. Our aim is to educate people about tasty edible wild plants, mushrooms, fruits, roots and flowers that we think everyone should be able to identify, pick and eat with confidence. We're extremely lucky in Britain to have a climate that provides us plenty of food all year round, all you need to know is how to find it. We teach these "skills for life"; and we believe that with the skills we teach, every life will be enhanced. Not only is foraging fun and interesting; you never know when being able to pick your own food might come in genuinely useful or even life saving!" https://www.wildfooduk.com/about-us/ Links www.wildfooduk.com

This week, I'm speaking with Dr Sandy Primrose about his brilliant book Modern Plant Hunters, which tells the stories of plant hunting in more recent times; who's doing it, why and what are they looking for. Find out about the challenges plant hunters past and present have faced, whether you can do it in somewhere like the UK and the kind of qualities and personal traits you might need if you want to start - spoiler, it's not for the faint-hearted! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Mosquitoes Thanks to Betakut for sponsoring this episode - visit https://www.betakut.co.uk/shop to find out more - enter the code ROOTS20 to get 20% off until the end of August. What we cover Why do people go on plant hunting expeditions in this day and age? Some of the difficulties they face The prominent plant hunters today The CITES treaty and the Nagoya protocol The extent to which politics, funding issues, international relations etc have interfered with the work of plant hunters Plant hunting in the UK Advice for anyone interested in plant hunting About Dr Sandy Primrose Dr Sandy Primrose MBE PhD has spent his professional life as a biologist in academia and industry, as well as working with various government agencies on food fraud and related topics. He is a keen gardener and passionate teacher and lectures extensively on plant-related topics. - https://olympiapublishers.com/authors/sandy-primrose/ Links Modern Plant Hunters by Dr Sandy Primrose - Pimpernel Press Ltd.

This week, I visited Golden Hill Nurseries to interview Roger Butler, Find out about the different species in cultivation, the best way to prune hydrangeas, what and when to feed them and of course, the all important information about whether your flowers will be pink or blue and what, if anything, you can do about it! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Horse Chestnut moth Thanks to Betakut for sponsoring this episode - visit https://www.betakut.co.uk/shop to find out more - enter the code ROOTS20 to get 20% off until the end of August. What we cover Where hydrangeas originate from Their preferred growing conditions The main species in cultivation Why are some hydrangeas blue and some pink? Can blue hydrangeas turn pink and what can we do if we want blue hydrangeas but can only seem to grow pink ones? The colour range of hydrangea flowers How and when should to prune hydrangeas How many months off the year can we expect hydrangeas to bloom? Particularly good species Pests and diseases, or lack thereof! About Roger Butler Roger is the owner of Golden Hill Nurseries, a plant centre based in Kent, specialising in hydrangeas, hedging plants, Japanese maples and larger shrubs. Roger has made many appearances in the media sharing his expertise about hydrangeas and regularly gives talks on the subject. The nursery has won multiple medals at RHS shows for their plant displays and you can catch up with them at one of the RHS shows this year, or order from them online. Links www.goldenhillplants.com Signature Hydrangeas Signature Plants Signature Shrubs

This week's guest is Annika Zetterman, a Swedish garden designer teacher and author of New Nordic Gardens. Annika works internationally designing visually beautiful gardens which encompass sustainability, respect for the local environment and aesthetic and which exemplify all the best aspects of Scandinavian design. In this episode, Annika talks about the ethos behind Scandinavian design as it's expressed in a landscape setting and decodes why the gardens featured in her book are so downright stunning. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Grasshoppers Thanks to Betakut for sponsoring this episode - visit https://www.betakut.co.uk/shop to find out more. What we cover When talking about Nordic gardens, which countries Annika includes in her book The importance of light in Nordic gardens and what effect this has on the colours and materials designers choose Nordic design can be thought of as pared back, uncluttered, clean - where does this aesthetic come from? Sustainability and how it underlies outdoor design in Nordic countries Attention to detail and the meticulous selection of hard landscaping materials The weather and how this is coped with in gardens Trends emerging in contemporary Nordic gardens About Annika Zetterman "Annika Zetterman is the founder and designer at Zetterman Garden Design, creating gardens with Scandinavian ethos throughout the Nordics and beyond, with projects in Sweden, Spain, France, Switzerland and in the UK. She arrived back to her homeland, Stockholm, Sweden 2010, after living abroad, in Hawaii, USA and 10 years in London, UK. Annika is the author of the book 'New Nordic Garden, Scandinavian Landscape Design' published in 2017 and in 2021 (Thames & Hudson), with a Danish translation 2018. Her projects have been featured in books and publications, nationally as well as internationally. Annika was teaching garden design in Stockholm for seven years and lectures on the subject both in Sweden and abroad. Annika is driven by creating aesthetically pleasing and sustainable expressions, with respect to surrounding landscapes and architecture, while maintaining a positive contribution to future generations and to the Scandinavian design heritage." http://www.annikazetterman.com/indexENG.html Links New Nordic Gardens by Annika Zetterman www.annikazetterman.com Annika on Instagram

This episode I'm speaking to permaculture designer, teacher, author Anna Locke. Anna is my favourite type of gardener, in that she walks the walk and has a wealth of experience in growing edible plants. Anna has recently published a book called The Forager's Garden, and in the interview, we talk about how to create an easy to look after yet productive space. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Crab spiders Thanks to Betakut for sponsoring this episode - visit https://www.betakut.co.uk/shop to find out more. What we cover A forest garden is "a project to dip into and out of as time, money and opportunity comes along" (The Forager's Garden). Can a garden really be that little work? Guild planting Grafting fruit trees onto wild hawthorns and blackthorn The theory behind Anna's 'keep it for now' policy Hugelkultur beds Ollas Advice for anyone starting a forager's garden from scratch How to ID the plants you have About Anna Locke Anna is a permaculture designer and teacher based in Hastings. She is also a community development project manger. With a solid background as a gardener, specialising in forager's gardens, she offers a bespoke design service or consultancy. She has planted over 50 forager's gardens of varying sizes, including a large ongoing project in Hornshurt Wood and in her own small-scale permaculture farm, both in East Sussex. She regularly holds workshops to empower people to plant their own, look out for- 'How to Plant a Forager's Garden' on her instant courses website. Links www.annalockepermaculture.co.uk The Forager's Garden by Anna Locke

This week, I'm talking Head Gardeners with Ambra Edwards; why she chose the ones she did to feature in her book of that name, the diverse range of tasks they undertake and what makes a good one. I ask Ambra what prompted her to write a book about some of the legendary and some of the unsung heroes of the horticultural world and if she could swap places with one, whose boots would she choose to fill. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Gooseberry sawfly This episode is sponsored by gardencourses.com. gardencourses.com offers online horticultural training for those looking to develop their own, home gardens. The lasted course to be added is Create Your Garden Sanctuary - you can go to gardencourses.com to find out more. What we cover How Ambra chose the head gardeners included in the book Is there any such thing as a typical head gardener? Some of the unexpected roles the gardeners in the book have to perform How much gardens are expressions of the personality of the head gardener Is it stifling for a head gardener to stick to historical plans/designs and not inject their own creativity into a space? What makes a great head gardener? Gardening as a profession About Ambra Edwards Ambra Edwards is a journalist with a special interest in garden history, and the people, passions and often surprising stories that lie behind our gardens. Three times voted the Garden Media Guild's Garden Journalist of the Year (2006, 2009 and 2015), she is a regular contributor to the Guardian, the Telegraph, Gardens Illustrated, Hortus and Country Living. Her most recent book is The Story of the English Garden (Pavilion, 2018). She lives in Dorset. https://www.pimpernelpress.com/ambra-edwards Links www.ambra-edwards.com https://www.pimpernelpress.com/head-gardeners-2 www.gardencourses.com

In this episode, I'm talking to Dr Elizabeth Westaway and Matthew Adams, founders of Growing Real Food for Nutrition, or Grffn for short. Grffn's vision is for a world where all food is grown for its nutritional qualities using regenerative practices, and made accessible to all. We talk about how the way food is grown can affect its nutritional value and how this can support environmentally sound growing practices. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Conopid flies This episode is sponsored by gardencourses.com. gardencourses.com offers online horticultural training for those looking to develop their own, home gardens. The lasted course to be added is Create Your Garden Sanctuary - you can go to gardencourses.com to find out more. What we cover How Elizabeth and Matthew came to start Growing Real Food for Nutrition Why not all carrots are made equal How you measure the nutrient content of food Why it can vary How we can make sure we're growing nutrient dense food How citizen science helps Brix testing Is organically grown food generally higher in nutrients than non-organically grown? About Growing Real Food for Nutrition Grffn's vision is for a world where all food is grown for its nutritional qualities using regenerative practices, and made accessible to all, creating an abundance of health and harmony, reconnecting humans with Mother Earth. Grffn's mission is to deepen citizens' understanding of how we derive nutrition from natural processes and to realise its impact on human development. Links www.grffn.org

This week I'm speaking to Michelle Mason, stylist, designer, author and co-founder of Mason & Painter a shop located next to Columbia Road which specialises in furniture, homewares and plants. Michelle's latest book Flower Market: Botanical Style at Home, is a mouth-wateringly beautiful and inspirational guide to styling your home using plants and cut flowers. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Noctuid moths This episode is sponsored by gardencourses.com. gardencourses.com offers online horticultural training for those looking to develop their own, home gardens. The lasted course to be added is Create Your Garden Sanctuary - you can go to gardencourses.com to find out more. What we cover Can you learn an eye for design? The importance of taking the time to arrange a small corner or table top with a collection of beautiful things The creative process and the end result Starting the habit of creating botanical displays How a theme or narrative can underpin a creation The accessories Michelle wouldn't be without when styling The importance of sourcing sustainably grown and seasonal plants and flowers Arranging plants and flowers on a budget? About Michelle Mason Michelle Mason is a designer, shopkeeper and stylist and has worked for a number of clients including Sir John Soane's Museum shop, the British Library, the National Gallery and the Southbank Centre. She is also co-founder of east London vintage shop Mason & Painter in Columbia Road, home to the weekly Sunday Flower Market. Her first book was Flower Market (Pimpernel, 2019). https://www.pimpernelpress.com/michelle-mason Links Mason & Painter Flower Market: Botanical Style at Home by Michelle Mason Vintage Shops London by Michelle Mason www.gardencourses.com

This week I'm speaking to Mark Laurence. For decades, Mark has been at the vanguard of sustainable and ecologically sensitive landscape and garden design. He currently specialises in coastal plants and gardens and in this interview we cover what makes a coastal garden, which types of plants fare well on the coast and whether these gardens can be havens for wildlife. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Flatworms This episode is sponsored by gardencourses.com. gardencourses.com offers online horticultural training for those looking to develop their own, home gardens. The lasted course to be added is Create Your Garden Sanctuary - you can go to gardencourses.com to find out more. What we cover Mark's background and work What is a coastal garden? How far can a garden be from the sea and still be classified as coastal? Some of the challenges facing plants in a coastal garden Plants that do well by the coast and plants don't fare well Coastal gardens and wildlife Trees for coastal gardens Further resources (or not!) About Mark Laurence Since 1987 Mark has worked as a designer, specialising in sustainable and adaptive landscapes, natural "drift" planting, coastal, water & rain gardens, living walls and vertical green infrastructure for urban environments. He is a current committee member (Technical & Sustainability) and has been a keynote speaker at SDG and other conferences. He works locally and internationally, creating water gardens in USA, living walls in London, Trondheim, Chicago and Dubai. Mark is a chartered horticulturalist and consults on horticulture and arboriculture in the Middle East. He has a passion for creating nurturing and relaxed gardens and landscapes which connect people to nature and place. https://www.sgd.org.uk/find_a_designer/search_for_a_designer/designers/f4775253-4f5d-4eaf-8fc1-cdb3b3755524/ Links www.marklaurence.com Mark Laurence on Facebook www.gardencourses.com

Today's guest is Mairi MacKenzie, fashion historian, writer and curator, whose research looks at the relationship between the clothes that we wear and our culture. Her latest research is into the world of scent and what flower could be more intrinsically linked with perfume than the rose? In the interview, we discuss famous rose-based perfumes, the symbolism behind its use, whether its historically been perceived as a feminine scent, the mysterious workings of the Osmotheque and why that rose perfume you made as a child never worked! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Hummingbird Hawk Moths This episode is brought to you by the team at LECHUZA, suppliers of self-watering pots and planters. www.lechuza.co.uk What we cover Mairi's career and her interest in the role of the rose in perfume When roses were first used in fragrance The Osmotheque Roses for symbolism as well as scent Has rose always been perceived as a feminine scent? What does rose scent connote? Scents that are heavily rose based The role of the rose as an ingredient in contemporary perfumes About Mairi MacKenzie Mairi MacKenzie is Research Fellow in Fashion and Textiles at Glasgow School of Art. She is a fashion historian, writer and curator, and her research seeks to understand not just what was worn and by whom, but why it was worn and what the relationship is between the clothes that we wear and our culture. - https://www.gsa.ac.uk/research/design-profiles/m/mackenzie,-mairi/ The London College of Garden Design's Horti-couture conference takes place in October. The Conference will explore the influence of plants and gardens on the fashion world and features some of the industry's leading academics and influencers. For more information visit the LCGD website LCGD.org.uk or their Eventbrite page. Tickets start at just £59 and the day will be streamed online as well as in person at Kew Gardens.

In this episode I'm speaking to horticultural therapist Carol Sales. Carol headed up a therapy garden in a prison, before moving over to lead the Therapy Garden at Headley Court, a rehabilitation centre for injured military veterans. Carol was a pioneer in the use of horticultural therapy and is one of the most well-respected professionals in the field. Carol is featured in many books and media articles, including Head Gardeners by Ambra Edwards and Sue Stuart-Smith's The Well Gardened Mind and she was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2019. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Vapourer Moths This episode is brought to you by the team at LECHUZA, suppliers of self-watering pots and planters. LECHUZA brings decades of experience in state-of-the-art, precision manufacturing to bear on its stylish high-functionality range of planters. All LECHUZA products are designed in-house and manufactured in the same factory as the iconic Playmobil toys. The complete collection comes in a wide variety of traditional and trend-led colours and shapes and are highly reliable for use both indoors and outdoors. The integrated soil irrigation system ensures that the plant receives the perfect amount of water for optimal growth. Thanks to a reservoir that always holds enough water and is controlled by a water level indicator, dried out or overwatered root bales are a thing of the past. Find out more by visiting www.lechuza.co.uk About Carol Sales Carol is a gardener and designer who started working in horticultural therapy for the prison service. She was recruited by High Ground who worked out of Headley Court, a military hospital providing horticultural therapy to military veterans. Carol ran the therapy garden there for almost a decade, during which time she pioneered treatment methods and set the gold standard for therapeutic horticulture as it pertains to those with both physical and mental health issues. Links www.veteransgrowth.org www.highground-uk.org

This week I thought it would be good to get an overview of the horticultural industry - so I'm speaking to the person with their finger on the pulse, Matthew Appleby, Editor of Horticulture Week and host of the Horticulture Week podcast. We cover the effect of Brexit, plant passports and the pandemic on plant supplies and how this has affected consumers. Find out how the industry is faring given supply issues and the uptick in interest in gardening. Matthew talks about whether consumers need to adjust their expectations and their way of gardening and we end on how has the push to go peat-free is affecting gardeners and the trade too. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Aphids and Ecosystems This episode is brought to you by the team at LECHUZA, suppliers of self-watering pots and planters. LECHUZA brings decades of experience in state-of-the-art, precision manufacturing to bear on its stylish high-functionality range of planters. All LECHUZA products are designed in-house and manufactured in the same factory as the iconic Playmobil toys. The complete collection comes in a wide variety of traditional and trend-led colours and shapes and are highly reliable for use both indoors and outdoors. The integrated soil irrigation system ensures that the plant receives the perfect amount of water for optimal growth. Thanks to a reservoir that always holds enough water and is controlled by a water level indicator, dried out or overwatered root bales are a thing of the past. Find out more by visiting www.lechuza.co.uk Whether a gardener or working in the horticultural trade, this episode is relevant, covering Brexit, the pandemic, plant supplies, the popularity of gardening and how the push to go peat-free is affecting gardeners and the trade too. Matthew, Editor of Horticulture Week & host of the Horticulture Week podcast, gives an overview. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Aphids and Ecosystems This episode is brought to you by the team at LECHUZA, suppliers of self-watering pots and planters. www.lechuza.co.uk Links www.hortweek.com Horticulture Week Podcast

This week I'm speaking to smallholder and YouTuber Liz Zorab. Liz has been documenting her growing efforts, firstly via a blog and then via her hugely popular YouTube channel. She's recently written Grounded: A Gardener's Journey to Abundance and Self-Sufficiency in which she talks about setting up at a new site in Wales and how her gardening journey went hand in hand with her journey from ill-health to relative wellness. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Black Garden Ants This episode is brought to you by the team at LECHUZA, suppliers of self-watering pots and planters. LECHUZA brings decades of experience in state-of-the-art, precision manufacturing to bear on its stylish high-functionality range of planters. All LECHUZA products are designed in-house and manufactured in the same factory as the iconic Playmobil toys. The complete collection comes in a wide variety of traditional and trend-led colours and shapes and are highly reliable for use both indoors and outdoors. The integrated soil irrigation system ensures that the plant receives the perfect amount of water for optimal growth. Thanks to a reservoir that always holds enough water and is controlled by a water level indicator, dried out or overwatered root bales are a thing of the past. Find out more by visiting www.lechuza.co.uk About Liz Zorab "Liz works full time on the homestead and as a content creator in various media. Her love of gardening started as a small child, but blossomed when she left home. In her own garden, she found joy in propagating plants and growing food for her family. At her happiest when pottering in the garden, Liz now manages the half acre fruit and vegetable gardens and food forest at Byther Farm. Liz is available for talks and presentations about gardening, growing for food security and self-sufficiency." http://bytherfarm.com/about/ Links Byther Farm YouTube channel www.bytherfarm.com

This episode, I'm speaking to Canadian gardening superstar Niki Jabbour. Niki is a gardener and author of 3 books, including 'Growing Under Cover', which is the most comprehensive guide to using crop covers in your vegetable garden. It's based on Niki's first-hand, decades long research into successfully growing food 365 days a year in the challenging climate of Nova Scotia and what she doesn't know about using covers to protect crops, prolong the season and cheat the weather, you could write on the back of a stamp and still have room to lick it. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Doodlebugs and Billy Witches This episode is brought to you by new green-tech company Harvst. The company's recently launched smart web-connected 'mini greenhouses' are designed to help people grow more at home, with less effort and minimal space. Choose between The Yard and The Terrace; both are simply popped directly on the ground or patio, they're self-watering, climate controlled, space efficient and enable you to grow your own produce without the need to tend every day. So whether you're a budding beginner or a seasoned pro, visit www.harvst.co.uk and take advantage of a 5% discount on all 4 seasons and eco Mini Greenhouse orders from now until the end of July. Simply enter the code mentioned in the episode at the checkout. About Nikki Jabbour Niki Jabbour is the award-winning author of four books – The Year Round Vegetable Gardener (2012 American Horticultural Society Book Award), Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden, Veggie Garden Remix: 224 New Plants to Shake Up Your Garden and Add Variety, Flavor, and Fun (Winner of the 2019 American Horticultural Society Book Award, Winner of the Gold Book Award from GardenComm, and winner of the 2019 Silver Award from Taste Canada), and Growing Under Cover: Techniques for a More Productive, Weather-Resistant, Pest-Free Vegetable Garden. She also writes for magazines like Fine Gardening, Horticulture, and Birds & Blooms. Niki is an in-demand speaker, offering seminars and keynotes at events, shows, societies, and greenhouses across North America such as the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, The Dow Gardens, The Philadelphia Flower Show, The Boston Flower Show, and Canada Blooms. Since 2006, Niki has hosted and executive produced her popular radio show, The Weekend Gardener which airs on News 95.7 FM in Halifax as well as online. For her broadcasting work, Niki won the 2015 Gold Award from GardenComm as 'Best On-Air Talent'. Niki is very active on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and you can find her gardening videos on Youtube. When she's not writing, speaking, or broadcasting about food gardening Niki is harvesting year-round from her twenty raised bed vegetable garden in Halifax, Nova Scotia which is filled with an eclectic mixture of popular vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans, as well as unique heirloom varieties, and crops from around the world like cucamelons, snake gourds, and za'atar. https://savvygardening.com/about-us/ Links www.savvygardening.com Growing Under Cover by Niki Jabbour - Storey Publishing, 2021

This week's episode is a little bit different as it's a recording of me chatting to Daniel Fuller on the brilliant Plants Grow Here podcast. Although we may be geographically antipodean, there are a lot of similarities between Roots and All and Plants Grow Here, as Daniel and I both cover a wide range of horticultural topics, including those on the fringe and we both love a bit of geeking out! Join us as we dive into the world of podcasting and gardening. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Garden snails This episode is brought to you by new green-tech company Harvst. The company's recently launched smart web-connected 'mini greenhouses' are designed to help people grow more at home, with less effort and minimal space. Choose between The Yard and The Terrace; both are simply popped directly on the ground or patio, they're self-watering, climate controlled, space efficient and enable you to grow your own produce without the need to tend every day. So whether you're a budding beginner or a seasoned pro, visit www.harvst.co.uk and take advantage of a 5% discount on all 4 seasons and eco Mini Greenhouse orders from now until the end of July. Simply use the code mentioned in the episode. About Daniel Fuller Daniel is the primary host on the Plants Grow Here Podcast and content writer. Currently based in St. Kilda, Melbourne, he has been working in the horticultural maintenance field for 8 years, leading crews for most of this time. The idea of Plants Grow Here was born from his desire to learn more from people who have specialised knowledge and a passion for what they do. Links www.plantsgrowhere.com Plants Grow Here Podcast

Today's intro comes to you from by back garden, courtesy of the local birds! This week I'm speaking to Jessica Walliser, author of 'Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden' which as it says, is a scientific look at companion plant to find out if it works, and if it does, in what way and why. Jessica's unique book is essential reading if you like to uncover some of the secrets behind the received horticultural wisdom that's passed down from one gardener to the next. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Red lily beetle This episode is brought to you by So & Mo. Launched this year, So & Mo is a new lawn care brand bringing the right products and expertise to give everyone the confidence to be a lawn expert. They have developed the perfect 12 month plan, through 6 liquid feeds to give your lawn all the nutrients needed for complete plant health and professional results. Packaged into a one size fits all box lasting 6, 12 or 24 months based on the lawn size, ensures the ability to cater for all lawns with no waste. As a special offer for listeners, So & Mo is offering 15% off your first box. Simply visit soandmo.com and enter the code mentioned in the episode at checkout. What we talk about: What we know now about companion planting that wasn't known previously Why companion planting works Why we should be interested in nitrogen fixing plants Cover crops How companion plants help with weed control Busting the myth that it's the scent of the companion plants that deters pests Beetle bumps Companion planting and plant diseases About Jessica Walliser Jessica is the co-founder of SavvyGardening.com and was co-host of the award winning radio show 'The Organic Gardeners' for 15 years. Jessica is a journalist, editor and Acquisitions Editor for Cool Springs Press. Jessica takes an organic and wildlife-friendly approach to gardening and is the former owner of a 25 acre market farm. She also teaches horticulture and has a degree in ornamental horticulture from the Pennsylvania State University. She's the author of 'Good Bug, Bad Bug: Who's Who, What They Do, and How to Manage Them Organically', 'Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden: A Natural Approach to Pest Control, 'Container Gardening Complete: Creative Projects for Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Small Spaces', 'A Gardener's Journal: Life With My Garden' as well as 'Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden'. Links jessicawalliser.com Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden

Today's intro comes to you from by back garden, courtesy of the local birds! In this episode I'm joined by Greg Peterson, who started The Urban Farm nearly 30 years ago. His third of an acre site is covered in edible crops which feed his family and other families too. Gardening as he does in Phoenix, Arizona he has to make full use of rainwater harvesting systems, soil improvement techniques, plus he's heavy into recycling and reuse. We talk about how he's created a fully functioning and successful farm in an urban neighbourhood. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Leaf rollers This episode is brought to you by So & Mo. Launched this year, So & Mo is a new lawn care brand bringing the right products and expertise to give everyone the confidence to be a lawn expert. They have developed the perfect 12 month plan, through 6 liquid feeds to give your lawn all the nutrients needed for complete plant health and professional results. Packaged into a one size fits all box lasting 6, 12 or 24 months based on the lawn size, ensures the ability to cater for all lawns with no waste. As a special offer for listeners, So & Mo is offering 15% off your first box. Simply visit soandmo.com and enter the code ROOTS15 at checkout. What we talk about: Why Greg began The Urban Farm Gardening in a desert and managing water Greg's natural soil and how he fertilises it The importance of growing local Seed saving Neighbourhood rules and regulations One easy win that people could achieve if they're thinking of establishing their own urban farm About Greg Peterson Greg has lived at the Urban Farm for almost 30 years. His 1/3-acre yard features an entirely edible landscape, including over 70 fruit trees, rainwater and grey-water harvesting, solar applications, and extensive use of reclaimed and recycled building materials. Greg is a longtime permaculture advocate, flunked out of university in 1981 because he was bored, then went back twenty years later to get a bachelor's degree and a Masters in Urban and Environmental Planning in 2006 and is a lifelong continual learner. On his days off he hangs out in his garden with his sweetheart Heidi and their chickens, creating new projects and catching some rays. Links www.urbanfarm.org The Urban Farm Podcast Brad Lancaster - Rainwater Harvesting Ishmael by Daniel Quinn soandmo.com

In this episode, I'm interviewing Gina Buenfeld-Murley, exhibitons curator of the Camden Art Centre and co-curator of the online exhibition The Botanical Mind. In this episode, we go deep into the relation between art and the natural world and talk about sacred geometry, indigenous art, symbolism, Jung, the mysterious Voynich manuscript and why this exhibition is so pertinent given the current relationship humans have to the rest of nature. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Pollen beetles This episode is brought to you by the team at The Real Soil Company. Launched to the market in 2020 The Real Soil Company proudly offers new organic, peat-free SuperSoil. Packed full of organic nutrients for optimal plant health, SuperSoil's natural 'boosters' will stimulate quicker plant establishment and better resilience against pests and disease, whilst also enabling edible crops to benefit from nutritional enhancement and a higher crop yield. The enhanced soil also offers better water retention and release for optimum plant growth, whilst providing a more balanced and workable material for gardeners. What we talk about: Sacred geometry and that patterns that are found in nature and in entheogenic experiences and which occur at the micro and macro level Georgio Griffa's writing, which forms part of the exhibition, talks of art and science two being in extricably linked. How do seemingly pre-determined and logical patterns such as fractals influence art? Do the patterns stop being science when they are recreated by a human hand? How can we be inspired by indigenous art and nature appreciation, both past and present, whilst avoiding cultural appropriation or slipping into romanticism? The Voynich Manuscript The significance of Jung's archetypes in relation to botany About The Botanical Mind and Gina Buenfeld-Murley Humanity's place in the natural order is under scrutiny as never before, held in a precarious balance between visible and invisible forces: from the microscopic threat of a virus to the monumental power of climate change. Drawing on indigenous traditions from the Amazon rainforest; alternative perspectives on Western scientific rationalism; and new thinking around plant intelligence, philosophy and cultural theory, The Botanical Mind Online investigates the significance of the plant kingdom to human life, consciousness and spirituality across cultures and through time. It positions the plant as both a universal symbol found in almost every civilisation and religion across the globe, and the most fundamental but misunderstood form of life on our planet. Gina Buenfeld-Murley is Exhibitions Curator at Camden Art Centre, London where she has co-curated The Botanical Mind: Art, Mysticism and The Cosmic Tree (2020-21); A Tale of Mother's Bones: Grace Pailthorpe, Reuben Mednikoff and the Birth of Psychorealism (2019); Athanasios Argianas, Hollowed Water (2020); Wong Ping, Heart Digger (2019); Yuko Mohri, Voluta, (2018); Joachim Koester, In the Face of Overwhelming Forces (2017); João Maria Gusmão & Pedro Paiva, Papagaio (2015); Bonnie Camplin (2016) and Rose English (2016). Recent independent curatorial projects include Gäa: Holistic Science and Wisdom Tradition, at Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange, Cornwall, and Origin Story, at The Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art, Turku, Finland (both 2019). In 2017 she was curatorial resident at Helsinki International Curatorial Programme, Finland and has been researching the place of plants within indigenous cultures in Europe and South America, including in Finnish Lapland (Samí shamanism) and in the Colombian, Peruvian and Brazilian areas of the Amazon Rainforest where she researched the sacred geometries and music of the Yawanawa, Huni Kuin and Shipibo-Conibo peoples. In 2014-15 she was curator-in-residence with Arts Initiative Tokyo (AIT) and established Tokyo Correspondence, a series of exhibitions, residencies and research visits, facilitating cultural dialogue between artists in the UK and Japan and curated At the Still Point of the Turning World at Shibaura House Tokyo, featuring work by Manon de Boer; Joachim Koester; Simon Martin; Ursula Mayer; Jeremy Millar; Sriwhana Spong; Jesse Wine; and Caroline Achaintre. She was previously Director at Alison Jacques Gallery, London. Links The Botanical Mind Online Camden Art Centre on Facebook

This week, I'm speaking to Senior Arboricultural Research Manager Dr Glynn Percival, who works for Bartlett Tree Experts. I first heard Glynn speak about 7 years ago and I was blown away by his straight talking and the research he presented that day, which exploded many myths about tree planting. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that his eye-opening lecture was a pivotal moment in my understanding that I didn't have to swallow all the received wisdom surrounding horticulture. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Orange tip butterflies This episode is brought to you by the team at The Real Soil Company. Launched to the market in 2020 The Real Soil Company proudly offers new organic, peat-free SuperSoil. Packed full of organic nutrients for optimal plant health, SuperSoil's natural 'boosters' will stimulate quicker plant establishment and better resilience against pests and disease, whilst also enabling edible crops to benefit from nutritional enhancement and a higher crop yield. The enhanced soil also offers better water retention and release for optimum plant growth, whilst providing a more balanced and workable material for gardeners. What we talk about: Why tree pests and diseases are on the increase The benefits of feeding trees with sugar Chemicals and how they can switch on tree defences Mulching trees - why it matters Biochar applications Chitin and phosphites Issues affecting trees in the UK Scented plants and their effect on tree health About the Bartlett Tree Experts "Bartlett Tree Experts was founded by Francis A. Bartlett in 1907 and is the world's leading scientific tree and shrub care company. From its over 100 offices worldwide, Bartlett helps both residential and commercial customers maintain beautiful, healthy trees. Bartlett is dedicated to developing environmentally sound products and promoting their use on our clients' properties. With the Bartlett Legacy Tree Programme, Bartlett provides tree seedlings to help with reforestation efforts, and teaches people how to care for trees." https://www.bartlett.com/about-us.cfm Links www.bartlett.com Bartlett Tree Experts on Facebook

Today's episode is the first in another new series called the Roots and All Takeover, where I hand the microphone over to an individual or group of people and they produce the content for the episode. There are no rules, they have complete free rein, the idea being to give an audio platform to people that don't already have one. So this first takeover is by The Young Propagators Society and features a chat between Ellie and Sophie, the founding members of the society, Michal who's a dendrologist at Westonbirt Arboretum and Natasha, a builder and gardener and they talk about the challenges, successes and techniques they've discovered when propagating a very diverse range of plants. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Broad bean pests This episode is brought to you by the team at The Real Soil Company. Launched to the market in 2020 The Real Soil Company proudly offers new organic, peat-free SuperSoil. Packed full of organic nutrients for optimal plant health, SuperSoil's natural 'boosters' will stimulate quicker plant establishment and better resilience against pests and disease, whilst also enabling edible crops to benefit from nutritional enhancement and a higher crop yield. The enhanced soil also offers better water retention and release for optimum plant growth, whilst providing a more balanced and workable material for gardeners. About the Young Propagators Society The Young Propagators Society was founded to create a network of people interested in propagation to share their knowledge with one another. They produce a quarterly zine that members contribute to, which you can find on their website www.youngpropsoc.com and you can get involved by contributing written pieces or artwork to [email protected] Ellie and Sophie are co-creators of The Young Propagators Society, they met at Great Dixter when they were both students. They, at the same time, got their positions in their jobs as; propagator at Crug Farm and assistant nursery manager at Great Dixter. Respectively. Michal and Ellie worked together in the arboretum nursery at RBG Kew when Michal was botanical horticulturist and Ellie was a student, Michal is now the dendrologist at Westonbirt arboretum. Natasha and Ellie have been friends since teenagers and they have inspired each others' learning and understanding of plants and botany. Natasha is a gardener and builder. Links www.youngpropsoc.com