Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

This week I'm speaking to Doug Bierend, journalist and author of In Search of Mycoptopia, a book which documents Doug's journey of discovery as it pertains to the world of mushrooms. We talk about what sparked this journey, about what, as he puts it in the interview, was his Come to Mushroom moment and how his interest in fungi continues to develop with each new step he takes along the way. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Hoverflies 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. Order HERE. What we talk about: How Doug's relationship with mushrooms began and what led to the birth of the book The future of mycology in terms of research and education Citizen science and its relevance to the progression of mycology Mushroom farming as an industry Why Doug thinks those in the mycological community are so non-competitive and community-minded How mycelial networks can be used as potential blueprints for societal organisation How mushrooms help improve soil About Doug Bierend "Hi, my name is Doug. I'm a freelance writer and recent first-time author based in the Hudson Valley. Over the last decade or so, I've written with a special interest in science, technology, visual and interactive media, food, sustainability and general subversiveness. My first book, In Search of Mycotopia, is due out in March of 2021 with Chelsea Green Books." https://dougbierend.com/About-Me Links In Search of Mycotopia by Doug Bierend - Chelsea Green Publishing, 2021 www.dougbierend.com

This episode features Luke Taylor, co-founder of So and Mo, talking about a new type of liquid lawn feed that's formulated to work in different ways at different times of the year, depending on the growing needs of your lawn. When you buy the box, you receive 6 formulas that you apply to your lawn between February and December. They've been developed using the decades of experience and knowledge Luke and his business partner have gleaned working with lawns on a commercial scale - basically, it's a professional standard of lawn care simplified and delivered so you can get professional results in a really easy way. Luke talks about the product, about lawn care, what you should be doing with your lawn right now and how to get the best out of those pesky sprayers - plus if you listen to the end there's a discount code just for you. So and Mo Performance Liquid Lawn Feed Background on So and Mo

This week's guest is Laura Erickson, talking about her brilliant book the Love Lives of Birds. Find out why some birds mate for life whilst others play the field, why some value age and experience, which birds lay their eggs in other bird's nests and which stash their young in riverbanks and why there's so much dancing involved! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Bee Flies This episode is brought to you The Seed Sistas, who have been community herbalists for over 20 years. Their work took a turn last March and they converted their passion for plants, people and the planet into an online course called the Pathway to Peace. It is an engaging Seven-day immersive journey with lots of wonderful content. If you suffer from stress or anxiety this course may well be able to offer you connection to herbs and tools for stress management, better sleep and nourishment for your nervous system. The next course starts again on April 28th. What we talk about: Why bird courtships so varied and whether there's any correlation between courtship patterns and life span/size/habitat Why there's so much dancing involved The issue of age and its relevance when finding a partner Nest parasites and why they steal other birds' nests Kingfishers and where they nest The need for privacy when mating Why some birds mate for life whilst others can have multiple mates in a breeding season About Laura Erickson "Laura Erickson, 2014 recipient of the American Birding Association's prestigious Roger Tory Peterson Award and the 2020 Minnesota Ornithologists' Union's Thomas Sadler Roberts Memorial Award, has been a scientist, teacher, writer, wildlife rehabilitator, professional blogger, public speaker, photographer, American Robin and Whooping Crane Expert for the popular Journey North educational website, and Science Editor at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. She's written twelve books about birds including, in 2020, The Love Lives of Birds. (also the ABA Field Guide to the Birds of Minnesota, National Geographic Pocket Guide to Birds of North America, the best-selling Into the Nest: Intimate Views of the Courting, Parenting, and Family Lives of Familiar Birds (co-authored by photographer Marie Read); the National Outdoor Book Award-winning Sharing the Wonder of Birds with Kids; 101 Ways to Help Birds; and The Bird Watching Answer Book for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. She's currently a columnist and contributing editor for BirdWatching magazine. Since 1986 she has been producing the long-running "For the Birds" radio program for many public radio stations; the program is podcast on iTunes. She lives in Duluth, Minnesota." - https://www.lauraerickson.com/about-laura/ Links www.lauraerickson.com The Love Lives of Birds: Courtship and Mating Rituals by Laura Erickson - Storey Publishing, 2020 Pathway to Peace course - starts 28th April - more details. Episode 67 with Karen Lawton of Sensory Solutions

This week's guest is Stephen Hackett, head gardener at Horatio's Garden South West. We talk about this amazing garden which was designed by Cleve West and is managed by Stephen, with the help of and for the benefit of the staff and patients at the adjacent spinal injuries unit. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Brimstone Butterflies This episode is brought to you The Seed Sistas, who have been community herbalists for over 20 years. Their work took a turn last March and they converted their passion for plants, people and the planet into an online course called the Pathway to Peace. It is an engaging Seven-day immersive journey with lots of wonderful content. If you suffer from stress or anxiety this course may well be able to offer you connection to herbs and tools for stress management, better sleep and nourishment for your nervous system. The next course starts again on April 28th. What we talk about: About the charity Horatio's Garden and the South West How the gardens help people with spinal injuries Managing a garden from a therapy as well as a horticultural perspective The features of the garden which make it useful to patients and staff The most rewarding part of the job Visiting the Horatio's Garden sites About Stephen Hackett Stephen Hackett grew up in Lancashire, before studying at Oxford and Nottingham. He spent several years teaching Cultural Studies in Southampton before joining the Arts Council in 2000. Subsequently he worked in in adult education, and was Principal of a residential adult college in Oxfordshire. Always a keen gardener, Stephen trained in Horticulture at Sparsholt College in 2010 and established a gardening business in the Salisbury area. Stephen joined Horatio's Garden South West in 2016 as Head Gardener. He lives in Salisbury with his family, and has written gardening columns for magazines including Wiltshire Life and The English Garden. Links horatiosgarden.org.uk Online Spring Raffle running from 29th March - 3rd May Horatio's Garden Summer Art Auction which opens on 15th May for two weeks until 30th. Pathway to Peace Course - starts 28th April. Sign up now. Episode 67 with Karen Lawton of Sensory Solutions

This week's guest is Carolyn Mullet. Carolyn is an author and garden tour organiser. She recently released a book about some of the most beautiful gardens she's visited in Europe, called Adventures in Eden. In the interview, I speak to Carolyn about the book and (with barely concealed envy) I ask her about the trips she undertakes and the gardens she sees with her company Carex Tours. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Bay Sucker Psyllid This episode is brought to you by our friends at Natural Grower. Launched in 2019, their award winning liquid fertiliser and plant feed and soil conditioner is made entirely from maize. Naturally rich in nitrogen, potash, phosphate and other trace elements that plants and vegetables love, it is approved by the Soil Association, Vegan Society and Organic Farmers and Growers. Their concentrated natural fertiliser can be poured around the base of plants, whilst the plant feed and soil conditioner can be mixed into the soil or compost and used as a mulch on the surface as a long-term slow-release fertiliser. The fertiliser can be used for all outdoor and indoor plants. As a special offer for listeners, Natural Grower are offering 15% off all of their range. Simply go to naturalgrower.co.uk and enter ROOTS15 on checkout. What we talk about: How Carolyn chooses gardens to visit How does a garden make the grade for the book or to be included in a tour? Whether there is any correlation between an owner's personalities and the type of garden they have The ways Carolyn has noticed private gardens changing over the past decade or so The recipe for a successful garden The most exciting place for garden design and innovation right now About Carolyn Mullet Carolyn Mullet is a retired award-winning garden designer who practiced in the Washington, DC metro area for over 30 years. She received her formal training in residential landscape design from George Washington University. She is also the owner and creative director of CarexTours offering international garden tours each year for the discerning garden traveler. Her book "Adventures in Eden: An Intimate Tour of Private European Gardens" was published by Timber Press in 2020. In addition, she produces popular social media posts daily showcasing gardens from around the world on both Instagram and Facebook for a large international community of garden and plant enthusiasts. Links CarexTours Facebook Instagram

This is the first episode in the series and it features Rik Sellwood who along with his business partner Chris Tanner, has launched a company called Harvst. They build greenhouses for home gardeners, which can be controlled via an app. During the episode we talk about Harvst's products of course, but we also talk about managing crops in greenhouses and how technology can be applied in a garden setting to make our lives easier. Listen to the end for the 15% discount code! Shop Harvst Information on the technology App information and to register for the app go to app.harvest.co.uk

Hello. This is a short introduction to a new episode that's being released on Thursday called Roots and All: Dig In. Dig In is a new series which came about because I've been contacted by various companies who would like to come on the podcast and talk about the wonderful products they have to sell. So do drop by on Thursday when I'll be speaking to Rik Sellwood of Harvst about, that amongst other things, a greenhouse you can water and ventilate via an app. Clever stuff!

This week's guest is forest gardener Anni Kelsey. Anni is an experienced grower of edibles and she follows the principles of forest gardening - if you're not sure what that means, all will be revealed. Her latest book The Garden of Equal Delights sets out principles for managing a garden in order to maximise its productive yield but it's much more than that, it's about gardening sustainably and using techniques that many conventional gardeners might find unusual but which work. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Signalling This episode is brought to you by our friends at Natural Grower. Launched in 2019, their award winning liquid fertiliser and plant feed and soil conditioner is made entirely from maize. Naturally rich in nitrogen, potash, phosphate and other trace elements that plants and vegetables love, it is approved by the Soil Association, Vegan Society and Organic Farmers and Growers. Their concentrated natural fertiliser can be poured around the base of plants, whilst the plant feed and soil conditioner can be mixed into the soil or compost and used as a mulch on the surface as a long-term slow-release fertiliser. The fertiliser can be used for all outdoor and indoor plants. As a special offer for listeners, Natural Grower are offering 15% off all of their range. Listen now for details. What we talk about: What is a forest garden? Anni writes in her book "how would I describe or explain what I do in the garden to someone else?". Given her gardening style is very intuitive and site specific, find out how she manages to communicate her principles to others The practice of bringing nothing in and taking nothing out of the garden How Anni brings uncultivated areas into production Dealing with weeds Why she doesn't compost Why all plants are special About Anni Kelsey "Anni Kelsey has been passionate about gardening and the natural world for as long as she can remember. As her concerns about the unsustainability of our present food system grew she began to 'edibilise' her garden aiming to find a way of growing food that required as little time, effort and skill as possible. She based her experiments on forest gardening but adapted this to fit in an average sized back garden. This led her to focus on experimenting with perennial vegetables, obtaining and growing as many as she possibly could. As she gained experience and enthusiasm for this style of gardening she wanted to convey what she had learned to others which in turn led her to write Edible Perennial Gardening or the book she would have liked to have been able to read years ago, if it had already been written! She hopes that it will inspire and enable others to grow perennial vegetables which are little known but tasty and rewarding crops. Anni's garden is in a challenging situation high on a hill facing Wales in one direction and England in the other. When she is not in the garden she loves nothing more than exploring the local countryside and coffee shops" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anni-Kelsey/e/B00N8XJMPK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1 Links Anni's Veggies Blog The Garden of Equal Delights by Anni Kelsey - Permanent Publications, 2020

Podcast 101 - GrowVeg with Benedict Vanheems This week I'm talking to Benedict Vanheems, gardener, author, editor and face of the popular GrowVeg.com YouTube channel. If you're thinking about growing veg this year, whether you're an old hand or new to it, you're bound to hear something of value from Benedict, who's innovative approach to growing food takes the hard work out of things. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Black Garden Ants This episode is brought to you by Natural Grower. Launched in 2019, their award winning liquid fertiliser and plant feed and soil conditioner is made entirely from maize. Naturally rich in nitrogen, potash, phosphate and other trace elements that plants and vegetables love, it is approved by the Soil Association, Vegan Society and Organic Farmers and Growers. Their concentrated natural fertiliser can be poured around the base of plants, whilst the plant feed and soil conditioner can be mixed into the soil or compost and used as a mulch on the surface as a long-term slow-release fertiliser. The fertiliser can be used for all outdoor and indoor plants. As a special offer for listeners, Natural Grower are offering 15% off all of their range. Listen to the episode now to access the discount code. What we talk about: Is growing edibles right for everyone? And is it worth it? Tips for getting seeds started in open ground Moving seeds from indoors to outdoors What should we be doing in our veg gardens right now? Upcycling and repurposing household items as containers for growing in Labour intensive jobs in the veg garden and ways to make them easier/quicker Keep things low maintenance Growing mushrooms Sprouting seeds About Benedict Vanheems Benedict Vanheems is a passionate home gardener specialising in delicious, organically grown fruit, vegetables and herbs. No stranger to dirt under his nails, Benedict's fascination with plants started at an early age. As a young boy he could often be found digging holes, experimenting with sowings, or helping his granddad plant leeks or pick climbing beans on his veg patch. As a teenager, Benedict worked during his school holidays at a nursery supplying plants to many of the UK's top garden designers. After completing a degree in Horticulture he went on to edit gardening publications, including Garden Design Journal and Grow it!. He has written for Grow Your Own magazine and is an ongoing contributor to Kitchen Garden, Britain's longest established edible gardening title. In 2014 Benedict joined the team at GrowVeg.com where he has become the face of their YouTube channel, growing it from 20,000 subscribers to more than 280,000. A firm advocate of growing in tune with nature, he continues to produce compelling gardening content for the respected GrowVeg.com website, inspiring both new and seasoned gardeners to get more from their space. Benedict lives in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire and has recently moved house, taking on a third-of-an-acre garden where he is creating two kitchen garden areas to indulge his horticultural hunger. Links growveg.co.uk GrowVeg: The Beginner's Guide to Easy Vegetable Gardening by Benedict Vanheems - Storey Publishing, 2021

This week's guest is Nigel Palmer, an experimental gardener who brings to bear his experience as an aerospace engineer to analyse, identify and organise the various components that make plants grow well. From his research, he's compiled a recipe book of garden amendments, some easy to make and some involving more complex methods, but all of which you can recreate at home and use on your garden for better plant health and resilience. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Darwin's Worms This episode is sponsored by gardencourses.com What we talk about: The book 'Natural Farming Agriculture Materials' by Cho Ju-Young and how it influenced Nigel's work When making soil amendments and fertilisers and having them analysed in a laboratory, how does Nigel know the results will be consistent for future batches? Why is local biological material important for a garden? The theory behind feeding a plant with its own 'ancestors' The ability of a plant to change the soil pH in the immediate vicinity of its roots How plants need different nutrients and minerals at different stages of their development Using a refractometer Fermented plant juice and its uses What difference can these amendments make to a garden? About Nigel Palmer "Nigel Palmer has been a lifelong gardener in New England relying on the amazing complexity of nature to inspire his gardening philosophy, as well as working as an aerospace engineer sorting, organizing, and resolving complex technical issues. He is the instructor and curriculum developer of the Sustainable, Regenerative Gardening program at The Institute Of Sustainable Nutrition (TIOSN). " - https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/the-regenerative-growers-guide-to-garden-amendments/ Links The Regenerative Grower's Guide to Garden Amendments: Using Locally Sourced Materials to Make Mineral and Biological Extracts and Ferments by Nigel Palmer - Chelsea Green Publishing, 2020 www.tiosn.com Dr James Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases

This episode I'm speaking to Professor Jeff Ollerton, author of the brilliant new book 'Pollinators and Pollination', another must-have to add to your ever burgeoning reading pile I'm afraid! I loved the book and as you'll hear during the interview, it threw up all sorts of interesting questions about pollinators, their role in our lives and gardens and how much we need them. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Queen Bumblebees This episode is sponsored by gardencourses.com What we talk about: What is a pollinator? Apart from being nice to look at, why should gardeners want pollinators to visit? How pollinators navigate via linear features in a landscape and what this means for plants situated near these features Would it be fair to say the increase in pollinators since older times has gone hand in hand with that of humans? Did our populations increase in tandem? Now we seem to have the upper hand and are disregarding the pollinators, will we ultimately be damaging ourselves, at least from a food growing point of view? How useful is it to measure the number of species of pollinators that visit a garden? Are species over-represented in gardens due to the garden's value as a food source? Top tips for inviting pollinators into the garden About Jeff Ollerton "During a career spanning more than 30 years, Professor Jeff Ollerton has established himself as one of the world's leading experts on pollinators and pollination. The author of more than 120 articles and book chapters, his highly-cited, ground-breaking research has been used by national and international agencies to support efforts to conserve pollinators and their pollination services. Jeff is also in demand as an advisor and consultant to governments, local authorities, printed and broadcast media, and funding organisations. Although he is based in the UK, Jeff's field work in support of his research and advisory activities has been conducted across Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Australia. He received his PhD in pollination ecology in 1993 from Oxford Brookes University, and holds Visiting Professor positions at the University of Northampton in the UK and Kunming Institute of Botany in China. Jeff has previously held visiting researcher positions at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil and the University of New South Wales in Australia." - https://jeffollerton.co.uk/about/ Links www.jeffollerton.co.uk Order a copy of Jeff's book and get 30% off with the offer code ROOTS30 Episode 74: Wasps with Richard Jones

This week, I'm speaking to Danielle Draper, Manager of the Cats Protection National Cat Adoption Centre in Surrey and we're talking about that sometimes contentious issue of cats and gardens. Cats are part of gardeners' lives, particularly if you live in an urban area. Love them or hate them, you can't get away from them and Danielle's here to talk about learning to live harmoniously alongside the neighbourhood felines… Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Narcissus Bulb Fly This episode is brought to you by our friends at Natural Grower. Launched in 2019, their award winning liquid fertiliser and plant feed and soil conditioner is made entirely from maize. Naturally rich in nitrogen, potash, phosphate and other trace elements that plants and vegetables love, it is approved by the Soil Association, Vegan Society and Organic Farmers and Growers. Their concentrated natural fertiliser can be poured around the base of plants, whilst the plant feed and soil conditioner can be mixed into the soil or compost and used as a mulch on the surface as a long-term slow-release fertiliser. The fertiliser can be used for all outdoor and indoor plants. As a special offer for listeners, Natural Grower are offering 15% off all of their range. Simply go to naturalgrower.co.uk and enter ROOTS15 on checkout. What we talk about: How many cats there are in the UK - is cat ownership growing or declining in popularity? Where do cats factor in the big picture of wildlife decline? Can we exclude the neighbourhood cats from our gardens? Or deter them? Is it myth that cats don't use their own gardens to go to the loo? Can we deter them from doing it? What can we do if all the neighbourhood cats choose to use our garden as a battleground? What can we do if we want to feed the birds but keep them safe from cats? What about if we put food out for foxes, hedgehogs? Ways to avoid wildlife casualties Plants cats particularly like/don't like What benefits can cats bring to a garden? About Cats Protection Cats Protection is the UK's largest feline welfare charity in the UK and helps around 200,000 cats and kittens every year. Formed in 1927, when it was known as the Cats Protection League, Cats Protection (CP) has grown to become the UK's leading feline welfare charity. Its vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its need and it has simple and clear objectives to help cats: • Homing - finding good homes for cats in need • Neutering - supporting and encouraging the neutering of cats • Information - improving people's understanding of cats and their care More information about the work of the charity can be found at www.cats.org.uk. To make a donation, please visit https://www.cats.org.uk/donate Advice about cats and gardens: https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/garden-and-outdoors https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/keeping-cats-out https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/dangerous-plants

This week I'm speaking to Harriet Gross, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Lincoln. She was part of a team that won a gold medal for the Digital Capabilities garden at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show and she is the author of The Psychology of Gardening. Harriet talks about our emotional connection to our gardens, what makes people connected to nature and the environment, why we can be territorial over our gardens and just what it is we get from gardening. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Stridulation This episode is sponsored by the London College of Garden Design Melbourne. Based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne the college brings together unique Australian design and horticultural expertise with the training experience of Europe's leading garden design college. The College delivers professional skills training for those aiming for a career in landscape design and from 2021 will offer a real-time online option for those who want to study from anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. To find out more visit lcgd.com.au What we talk about: What led Harriet to write the book Is the amount of research conducted into the psychology of gardening commensurate with its popularity in the UK? People who are more connected to natured and concerned with the environment and their personality type Personality traits that are generally common to gardeners Why people become so emotionally attached to their gardens Taking refuge in our gardens during the pandemic Emotional attachment to allotments Fractals and their significance in landscapes and to our appreciation of these landscapes About Professor Harriet Gross Harriet Gross is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at University of Lincoln. She was part of a team that won a gold medal for the Digital Capabilities garden at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show and she is the author of The Psychology of Gardening. Harriet Gross on Twitter @Harriet_Gross Links The Psychology of Gardening by Harriet Gross - Routledge, 2018

This episode is the last one before Valentine's Day. Of course, you may be thinking about buying some flowers to give on Sunday so I thought, what better person to interview than a British flower grower? So I'm talking to Ben Cross of Crosslands Flower Nursery, a family owned and run nursery specialising in cut Alstroemerias. Ben is an expert grower, public speaker, an ambassador for British flowers and founder of the British Flowers Rock Campaign. As you will find out, growing flowers isn't all roses but Ben loves what he does and he starts by giving some background on the nursery and his involvement… Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Tobacco Whitefly What we talk about: The history of Crosslands Flower Nursery and how Ben came to be involved Specialising in growing Alstroemerias - why them? The scale of the nursery operations Organic and sustainable flower farming Some of the biggest challenges facing British flower growers The British Flowers Rock campaign About Ben Cross Ben is a 4th generation grower at Crosslands Flower Nursery which was established in 1936 in West Sussex and is one of the last flower nurseries producing cut flowers in a full colour range all year-round. Ben's British Alstroemeria is a very sustainable crop. His flowers are not sprayed with any chemicals after being harvested and go into recyclable, reusable boxes and arrive with customers the next day. No soil cooling techniques are used to force production and some flower beds are over 20 years old, still producing premium quality stems. Under 5% of the crop is replanted a year so sterilizing the soil is kept to a minimum. The British Alstroemeria is known as a 'Cool Crop' and a 'Dry Crop' so doesn't take much heat input or watering. Optimum heat at night through the winter is just 13°C via a biomass boiler and the crop is watered for just 20 minutes once a month in the winter and just 20 minutes once every 10 days in the summer unlike flowers grown in warmer countries that use a lot more water resource. When Ben's flowers have been picked they don't go into big freezers, the cooling storage system at Crosslands is usually turned off between November and March. When the flowers need to be stored in warmer weather they're only chilled at about 6°C instead of 0.5°C like most imported flowers. They are only stored for a couple of days before they are with the customers. They are a lot fresher than flowers that go all around the world. Most importantly all the stems are harvested at a 'ripe' big fat bud stage giving a bigger more vibrant flower unlike the imports that are harvested too tight so more can be transported in boats and planes. Ben also only employs local people and more importantly does apprenticeship schemes with local horticultural colleges and goes into floristry colleges to give his British Flowers Rock Talks. Next to being a full time grower, Ben is an avid campaigner for British Flowers and takes any opportunity he can to spread the word that British Flowers Rock! Ben won the Grower Award in 2019 and won the Gold Sussex Environmental award in 2020. Links Crosslands Flower Nursery Barnham Lane Walberton Nr Arundel West Sussex BN18 0AX M: 07712332241 Email: [email protected] Follow on Twitter @AlstroemeriaBen Follow on Instagram @AlstroemeriaBen Find Us on Facebook at Crosslands Flower Nursery

In this week's episode I'm speaking to Fiona Edmond of Green Island Gardens about one of the stars of the winter garden, the Hamamelis aka witch-hazel. Fiona is the holder of the National Collection of Hamamelis and she talks about their cultivation and goes through some of the fool-proof and some of the choicer varieties. I dare you not to buy one after listening! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Fig Wasps This episode is sponsored by gardencourses.com What we talk about: Fiona's background and that of Green Island Gardens How Fiona came to have the National Collection of Hamamelis Their preferred soil and aspect and their hardiness Pruning Propagation Potential pests and diseases (hint: this is short answer!) What can they be underplanted with? Do they look particularly good in one sport of setting/against a certain type of plant as a background? The flower colour spectrum Easy to grow cultivars and Fiona's favourites About Green Island Gardens Green Island Gardens are private gardens, open for the public. Professionally designed by its owner Fiona Edmond, they are laid out as a series of structured gardens displaying a huge range of unusual trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs - 'A Plantsman's Paradise'. Surely one of the best gardens open to visit in Essex. Recommended in Great British Gardens 2019 and Essex Days Out. 20 acres of Water Gardens, Seaside Garden, Japanese Garden, Gravel Garden, Woodland Gardens, Island beds and stunning colour everywhere. There is a tearoom serving light lunches, home-made teas and cream teas. The nursery offers plants all seen growing in the gardens. We now offer mail order service for the nursery during the lockdown period. We also run different courses and special events. Visitors will be able to enjoy flat and easy walking throughout the gardens. Links Green Island Gardens Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTfQ6Aq6evRmBZ0fjfqwdA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenislandgardens Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/greenislandgardensuk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/greenislandgdn

This week's episode features garden designer and horticulturist Jo McKerr, who runs Pratensis Gardens. Jo is particularly interested in designed spaces where soil health, biodiversity and wildlife are encouraged but which still look good to the human eye. I started with a list of questions for Jo but the interview became more of a fireside chat, so pull up a chair and join Jo and I as we wend our way through eco-gardening. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Winter Moths This episode is sponsored by the London College of Garden Design Melbourne. Based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne the college brings together unique Australian design and horticultural expertise with the training experience of Europe's leading garden design college. The College delivers professional skills training for those aiming for a career in landscape design and from 2021 will offer a real-time online option for those who want to study from anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. To find out more visit www.lcgd.com.au What we talk about: Jo's background and the type of projects she is currently working on. Rewilding has been a buzzword for a few years and is creeping over into gardening. Can we rewild our gardens? Jo wrote an article for Bloom magazine about creating natural gardens and stated that due to our lack of real knowledge about gardens and their wild inhabitants, "I've come to the conclusion that if we are to garden in a way that's kind to the planet, we need to be conscious protectors and regenerators, with good instincts." Jo explains what she means by this and talks about how it can be at odds with the way many currently garden. Younger generations or people new to gardening - are they are alienated by certain practices or traditional methods of thinking? The place of gardens in a climate crisis. The future of horticulture. About Jo McKerr "Horticulture and garden design is my second career. Before I had children and a mortgage I worked as a TV producer and director and dreamed about writing and performing in the theatre. Plants and garden-making snuck up on me. I initially just wanted to save some stag beetles and create bit of an oasis in London. I found life in London challenging, I was used to space and quiet and contact with the elements, and I ended up becoming homesick (what we now understand as "biophilia"). It was my little London garden with two trees and birds and insects and the feel of the soil that made me sane at the weekend. I have all the requisite qualifications that make me both a garden designer and trained gardener: a Garden Design Diploma from Merrist Wood and a RHS2 in Practical Horticultural Theory from Bristol University. However, it has been my fortunate ability to constantly fiddle in my own gardens that has allowed me the space to develop and grow. I am always looking to collaborate with fellow landscapers, soil scientists, entomologists, gardeners, architects, designers and artists. Please don't hesitate to get in touch – my gate is always open!" - https://jomckerr.com/about/ Links www.jomckerr.com www.lcgd.com.au

I'm kicking off the year on the podcast with an interview with conservationist and wild meadows expert Keith Datchler. We talk about the state of our wildflower meadows, their importance for biodiversity and where we, as humans, fit as part of the biodiversity that feels at home in meadows. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Winter Bumblebees What we talk about: The definition of a meadow How many ancient meadows are left in the UK. When they date from. How they were created. Do we need to protect them from a wildlife and a human perspective? How meadows are region and ecosystem specific Why we should consider the locale when choosing plant species to add to or to create a meadow Can meadows work on a small scale? How long do they take to establish? What are the major hurdles to implementing one? Whether it's desirable to encourage people to visit meadows and interact with them in terms of footfall and conservation What's being done to preserve ancient meadows and create new ones About Keith Datchler OBE Keith Datchler started his career as a dairy farmer, before moving into estate management, with his latest position being Estate Manager at the Beech Estate in Ashburnham, East Sussex. He is a Trustee of the Weald Landscape Trust and of People Need Nature and he works as a conservationist and wild meadows consultant. Links www.peopleneednature.org.uk www.highwealdlandscapetrust.org

This week I'm talking to Dr Jack Hunter, anthropologist and author of the book Greening the Paranormal: Exploring the Ecology of Extraordinary. The book isn't about fairies at the bottom of the garden, although they do get a mention in the episode, but looks more at ways of studying and engaging with the super-natural and considers how these might be useful when approaching the environmental crisis. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Holly Leafminer About Dr Jack Hunter Dr. Jack Hunter is an anthropologist exploring the borderlands of ecology, religion and the paranormal. He lives in the hills of Mid-Wales with his family. He is an Honorary Research Fellow with the Alister Hardy Religious Experience Research Centre, University of Wales Trinity Saint David and a Research Fellow with the Parapsychology Foundation, New York. He is a tutor on the MA in Ecology and Spirituality and the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology with the Sophia Centre, University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He is the founder and editor of Paranthropology: Journal of Anthropological Approaches to the Paranormal, the author of Spirits, Gods and Magic: An Introduction to the Anthropology of the Supernatural (2019) and Engaging the Anomalous (2018). He is the editor of Strange Dimensions: A Paranthropology Anthology (2015), Damned Facts: Fortean Essays on Religion, Folklore and the Paranormal (2016), Greening the Paranormal: Exploring the Ecology of Extraordinary Experience (2019) and is co-editor with Dr. David Luke of Talking With the Spirits: Ethnographies from Between the Worlds (2014). Links Dr Jack Hunter's website Greening the Paranormal: Exploring the Ecology of Extraordinary Experience by Dr Jack Hunter, August Night Press, 2019

This week, I'm talking to Anna Soper, a Canadian artist, writer, podcaster and master of too many things to mention really about Kate Crooks, a largely forgotten Canadian botanist whose work Anna uncovered for a project she undertook in 2018. Anna's research into Kate Crooks has unearthed pieces of a historical jigsaw puzzle which leave us wondering how many other botanists and specimens are out there just waiting to be discovered and how many of these important pieces of the botanical record have been lost forever. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Fleas About Anna Soper "Anna Soper has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from OCAD University, where she won the OCAD University Medal in 2011. She has studied abroad at the Glasgow School of Art, and has a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Western University. Soper has exhibited her work in Toronto, New York, and London, UK. She lives and works in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, where she has created two public art works for the City of Kingston." https://www.annasoper.ca/about Links Anna Soper's Article on Kate Crooks in Atlas Obscura www.annasoper.ca Flora150Project on Twitter Teen People Podcast on Twitter Teen People Podcast on Instagram Botanical Society of Canada - Biodiversity Library https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/kate-crooks-botany-collection-lost-1.5249427 https://news.westernu.ca/2019/08/alumna-searches-for-botanists-trailblazing-work/

This week, I'm delighted to speak to Robert Galster, one of the co-founders of Safe Soil UK, about soil testing. There are many companies offering soil testing but the whole process is incredibly opaque. Companies offering the testing don't often tell you what to test for, or offer to explain the results they'll be sending and the process can be very costly. Enter Soil Safe UK, who offer soil tests for gardeners, that make sense and that don't cost a small fortune! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Indoor Plant Pests What we talk about: What does a soil test involve? Are all soil tests the same? When might we need one? Is it a legal requirement in some cases? What does it measure? What might it reveal about your soil? What are some typical results we might see? What are some common problems that might be revealed? About Robert Galster & Safe Soil UK "At Safe Soil UK, our aim is to make the testing and analysis of soil easy. Whether it's to check that soil has all the nutrients it needs to grow great veg or to investigate for potential serious contamination (the UK's industrial heritage has left behind much that can have a negative impact on our health), we offer a straightforward approach to soil testing. Because while growing and eating local, even homegrown, should ideally be what we do as often as possible, it definitely shouldn't be dangerous. Britain's proud industrial and farming history left behind a legacy of contamination, with countless substances and waste products that have the potential to harm human health being discharged into the ground. Our testing packages can give you peace of mind that your growing space is safe - so why chance it? We're big fans of gardening in general and growing vegetables in particular. Have been for as long as we can remember. Robert, one of our cofounders, tells of his early childhood memories annoying his mum by "planting" exotic fruit in various plant pots around the family home. This involved making a little hole in the soil using a toothpick and dropping orange, grapefruit and lemon seeds into the holes. Not a great deal came of these early efforts - Robert blames the climate - but he got better with time. And lots of practice. Since then his interest in gardening has remained with him and flourished as it expanded to include growing his own fruit and veg. And that interest played a part in launching Safe Soil UK. That and curiosity. A few years ago we came across a local rumour that a site near our urban house was once a battery factory. At this point, our interest started to extend beyond soil basics like pH and texture and on to toxic elements that may have been lurking beneath our feet. So we started to root around (pardon the pun) for a way to check the soil. What if our little annual harvests of veg and flowers were actually serving up a cocktail of lead, arsenic, chromium and other unsavoury (to say the least) elements while our time tending the fledgling crops was exposing us to airborne samples of dioxins, hydrocarbons and even asbestos? Posing that question marked the germination (again, sorry!) of Safe Soil UK, which aims to make the testing of urban soils easy, affordable (the scientific analysis involved in the testing is never going to be cheap but we're doing our best) and also help interpret the results using UK government standards where they're available and relying on international guidelines to fill in any blanks. There's no disputing that the UK's industrial heritage has left behind a legacy of contaminated land. We are descendants of a people who were at the sharp end of the industrial revolution and while this played an important part in establishing the living standards we now enjoy, there was a darker downside as the very industrial processes and activities that made Britain one of the wealthiest nations on earth also released substances and waste products into the environment that have the potential to have a detrimental impact on our health. When we started our journey in search of peace of mind that our little patch of land was not slowly killing us, we hit a roadblock. There is no shortage of laboratories capable of testing soil but many of these charged a fortune. Then there was the problem of what we actually wanted to test for. The list of harmful chemicals and elements that a lab could test for is a long one. Which ones should we be testing for? And finally, how much of something is too much? The answers to these questions required extensive research but we got there in the end. And while no health authority can make a definitive call on the precise level at which something becomes harmful or even lethal, most agree on ranges. We use these to interpret results and where conflicts exist, we point them out to allow our customers to make informed decisions and, hopefully, provide peace of mind. When that's not possible, we are happy to share recommendations on potential remediation approaches. We're happy to report that we're now i

In this episode, I am very pleased to have a double interview with Dan Pearson and Midori Shintani, the two key horticultural forces driving the Tokachi Millennium Forest project in Hokaido, Japan and co-authors of the book Tokachi Millennium Forest: Pioneering a New Way of Gardening with Nature. I speak to Midori first, then Dan, about this vast, 1000 year project, their hopes and intentions for now and the future and about their own places with the timeline of the forest. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Ivy Mining Bees What we talk about: The history of the site of the Tokachi Millennium Forest The idea behind the project The challenges on site, posed by flora and some big fauna! Influences on the design The future of the site About Dan Pearson & Midori Shintani Twenty years ago, Dan Pearson was invited to make a garden at the 240-hectare Tokachi Millennium Forest in Hokkaido, Japan. Part of the intention was to entice city dwellers to reconnect with nature and improve land that had been lost to intensive agriculture and this was achieved along with much more. By tuning into the physical and cultural essence of the place and applying a light touch in terms of cultivation, this world-class designer created a remarkable place which has its heart in Japan's long-held respect for nature and its head in contemporary ecological planting design. The bold, uplifting sweep of the Meadow Garden mixes garden plants with natives while the undulating landforms of the Earth Garden bring sculptural connection with the mountains beyond. Under the skilful custodianship of Midori Shintani, the garden has evolved beautifully to reflect principles that lie at the heart of Japanese culture: observation of seasonal changes, practical tasks carried out with care and an awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things. This beautiful, instructive book allows us all to experience something of the Tokachi effect, gain expert insights into how to plant gardens that feel right for their location, and reconnect with the land and wildlife that surround us. Links Tokachi Millennium Forest: Pioneering a New Way of Gardening by Dan Pearson & Midori Shintani - Filbert Press, 2020 www.danpearsonstudio.com

This interview features two guests instead of the usual one and those guests are Lottie and Connor, founders of Earthly Biochar. Maybe you already use Biochar in the garden, maybe you've heard of it but aren't quite sure what it does or how it works, or maybe you're completely new to it as a concept. In any case, I'm sure you'll learn such a lot from this interview. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Spiders and their Webs What we talk about: The origins of Earthly Biochar What is biochar Biochar in the home & garden The history of biochar and its uses around the world 'Charging' biochar About Earthly Biochar Website: www.earthlybiochar.com Biochar maker Organic biochar Free biochar guide + webinar Twitter: @earthlybiochar Instagram: @earthly.biochar Email: [email protected] and [email protected] "We'd love to offer the audience 10% off their order with the code ROOTSANDALL - simply place an order on our website and enter this code at checkout. All our orders come with free shipping! We're based in North Devon in Appledore and if anyone wants to meet up, talk biochar, have a go with our kiln, please reach out to us on Instagram or via email. We're currently offering a special price for our biochar makers for the first 10 orders, if anyone would like to be a raving fan and get one of our first kilns, then please email [email protected] ***The special price is not listed on our website so if you're interested please email us*** We sell only high quality, EBC certified, organic and professionally tested biochar which has been made in a carbon negative process – aka it's capturing carbon not emitting it! You can learn more about this process in our free guide and webinar, which you can sign up to receive on our website here. Lottie is doing her PhD on biochar at Reading University, working with growers across the UK, and she is recruiting farms (of all sizes and all crops), nurseries and orchards – basically anyone growing plants on a commercial scale – who would like to take part and try biochar out. If you want to take part, please email us! We're a growing company with great friends and partners in soil health, horticulture, agriculture and wood management but we're always looking to meet new people. We have an exciting project coming up, working with tree planting projects in the UK, and we are starting trials with the RHS. Please get in touch if you want to learn more about us, our plans and opportunities to collaborate.

This week I'm speaking to scientist and science communicator Dr Anna Zakrisson about green roofs, particularly with regard to their use in urban areas and the important role they can play in water management. Amongst other things, we talk about the functions these roofs can perform, whether they can work in rural as well as urban situations, how self-sustaining we should expect the plants on green roofs to be and if they're always the best solution. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Allium Leaf Miner About Dr Anna Zakrisson Anna Zakrisson has travelled extensively for work and study, including periods spent at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University and Stockholm University, where she completed her doctoral thesis on cyanobacteria. She worked as a researcher for the Max-Planck-Institute before working in Berlin as a biologist. She currently works as a consultant on green roofs and is attached to US-based research company Green Roof Diagnostics. What we talk about: The functions green roofs can perform Do green roofs improve our environment? The adverse effects they can mitigate Can green roofs have an application in rural areas too? Is it responsible to supplement green roofs with water and/or nutrients? Are green roofs always the best solution? Pioneering work in the world of green roofs and future developments Links: Anna's Imaginarium website Anna Zakrisson on Twitter www.greenroofdiagnostics.com

This week I'm speaking to Barbara Wilkinson, a Trustee of The Herb Society, which was founded in 1927 in order to promote the use and understanding of herbs and to provide a worldwide forum for the exchange of ideas and information pertaining to these plants. We talk about growing herbs in different garden situations, unusual herbs to grow, why humans seem drawn to them, what Barbara refers to as "generous" herbs and why we seem to enjoy abusing them by cramming them in unsuitable containers and most importantly, what even is a herb? Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Box Tree Moths About Barbara Wilkinson Following a lifelong passion for health and nutrition, Barbara qualified as a Consultant Medical Herbalist in 2012. She is a member of the College of Medicine and Integrated Health, and runs The Springfield Clinic of Natural Healing in Cheshire. Barbara is an advocate of cultivating the use of plants in everyday life and keen to empower people with the confidence to embrace food as medicine. As well as running her own practice, Barbara is a Trustee for The Herb Society and has appeared as a guest speaker at numerous events and conferences. She has an allotment, where she grows produce that is used for medicines within the practice, and has worked with The Herb Society on designing gardens for the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. In 2018, she appeared in the BBC's coverage of the RHS Flower Show, as part of a special segment looking at fermented foods. She recently supported Horticulturist Alys Fowler in producing her new book A Modern Herbal. What we talk about: What is The Herb Society? The definition of a herb Humans' affinity with herbs Herbs for shade Herbs for dry, sunny spots Unusual herbs to grow Links: www.herbsociety.org.uk The Herb Society on Instagram : @theherbsocietyuk Evolutionary Herbalism: Science, Spirituality, and Medicine from the Heart of Nature by Sajah Popham Tree Medicine by Peter Conway Self-Sufficient Herbalism : A Guide to Growing and Wild Harvesting Your Herbal Dispensary by Lucy Jones

This week I'm speaking with Sir Roderick Floud, author of 'An Economic History of the English Garden'. The book charts the economics surrounding English gardens since the seventeenth century and talks about private gardens, public spaces, professions related to gardening and the often eye-watering amounts of money spent on achieving a bigger and better gardens. Sir Roderick calculates the cost of yesteryears' gardens in today's money and it's worth reading the book alone to find out how much the likes of Capability Brown earned or the amounts spent on the gardens of Versailles! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Cluster Flies About Roderick Floud "Roderick Floud has been a pioneer of two new kinds of history: using statistics to study the past and the history of human height and health. The economic history of gardens is his third innovation. He has taught at the universities of Cambridge, London and Stanford, has written or edited over 70 books and articles and is the long-standing editor of the Cambridge Economic History of Modern Britain. He has also led London Metropolitan University and Gresham College London and undertaken many other roles in the university world, such as President of Universities UK, receiving a knighthood for services to higher education." - https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/123901/roderick-floud.html?tab=penguin-biography What we talk about: Public parks Charles II and his popularisation of garden making. Why were extravagant gardens built? Were these gardens worth the huge sums spent on them? Technological advances that were later applied outside the world of horticulture Trends around people growing their own fruit and vegetables Trends in the numbers of people employed as gardeners How gardeners wages over the centuries compare with those today Economic trends on the horizon related to gardening Links: An Economic History of the English Garden - Roderick Floud Paperback out 5th Nov 2020. Pre-order here.

This week I'm speaking with permaculturist, teacher, speaker and author, Graham Burnett. Through his organisation Spiralseed, Graham has been involved with both public and private projects across the globe and has accumulated a huge portfolio of work. We talk about the principles which underpin permaculture and how to implement these in your own garden. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Earwigs About Graham Burnett "In addition to cultivating his own garden and allotments in Southend in Essex, where he lives with his family, Graham nowadays teaches permaculture and writes extensively on the subject. Graham founded Spiralseed in 2001, and he has worked with projects and organisations including Comic Relief, Naturewise, Green Adventure, the Vegan Organic Network, Ars Terra (Los Angeles), NuArc Health and Wellbeing Centre (Puglia, Italy), Wild Earth Farm and Sanctuary (Kentucky, USA) and Ekosense Ecovillage (Croatia), as well as a number of Transition Town initiatives. He has also over the years written a number of books and booklets (including The Vegan Book of Permaculture, Permaculture a Beginners Guide, Well Fed Not An Animal Dead, and Earth Writings). Earlier this year Graham taught a permaculture course in Italy, and in summer 2015 he was one of the instructors in the first ever vegan permaculture course in the USA. He continues to teach and organise courses both at home and abroad." - https://spiralseed.co.uk/graham-burnett-‒-path-permaculture/ What we talk about: How Graham became involved in permaculture The theory behind a permaculture garden How much work is involved in establishing a permaculture garden from scratch, or from an existing garden? Can permaculture gardens incorporate ornamental areas? Permaculture gardens; are they completely dedicated to production? Vegan permaculture gardens Can we feed ourselves without harming animals in some way? For example, how do you successfully grow brassicas without excluding birds and butterflies? Links: www.spiralseed.co.uk Online courses in Permaculture from Spiralseed

This week's guest is Caroline Ball, author of a beautiful book called 'Heritage Apples'. In normal circumstances, this week would have seen lots of events to celebrate Apple Day taking place across the country, but instead, I'm celebrating here on the podcast by delving into some of our lesser known and historic varieties with Caroline, plus there's a very useful bit at the end where Caroline explains the mysteries of apple tree pollination. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Leather Jackets About Caroline Ball "Caroline Ball is an editor, copywriter and occasional translator. She has written on subjects from horticulture and travel to antiques and health, and has contributed to books about William Morris and a guide to historical sites. She is a keen gardener and, having been born a 'Kentish Maid', some of her earliest memories are of apple orchards in blossom." - https://bodleianshop.co.uk/products/heritage-apples What we talk about: What is a heritage apples? The Herefordshire pomona Why should we grow heritage apples? Some of the varieties described in the book; Beauty of Kent, Catshead & Oslin Where to taste heritage varieties Apple tree pollination Links: Heritage Apples by Caroline Ball Paul Barnett's Family Tree

This week I'm speaking to Nick de Rothschild, President of the Nerine and Amaryllid Society and of Exbury Gardens in the New Forest. The gardens play host to a huge range of plants providing interest throughout the year, but one of jewels in the crown of Exbury is the collection of Nerines. There are many types of Nerines planted in the garden and an exhibition is currently underway of one particular species, sarniensis. We talk about the different types, how to grow them successfully and about some of the intricacies and intrigue of plant breeding. (Apologies for sounding muffled, I was wearing a mask!) Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: House Spiders About Nick de Rothschild Nick de Rothschild, President of the Nerine and Amaryllid Society and of Exbury Gardens in the New Forest. Now celebrating more than 100 years, Exbury Gardens encompasses a spectacular collection of woodland, herbaceous, contemporary, formal and wildflower gardens. At over 200 acres, these impressive gardens located in Hampshire, were created and are now managed by the Rothschild family. They boast a number of special collections including world-famous rhododendrons and azaleas, unprecedented swathes of hydrangeas and the National Collection of Nyssa trees - https://www.exbury.co.uk/gardens What we talk about: The different nerine species Growing nerines outdoors and under glass The history of Nerine sarniensis cultivars Breeding Nerine sarniensis Pests and diseases Links: www.exbury.co.uk Nerine & Amaryllid Society

This week I'm speaking to Sue Allen of Microbz, which produces and distributes probiotics for gardens. The concept of probiotics in gardens is new to me, but it dovetails nicely with previous episodes looking at soil health and mycorrhizal fungi so I was delighted to speak to Sue and find out more about how probiotics work in gardens and what we can do to encourage them. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Woodlice About Susan Allen I'm co-founder and co-director of Microbz Ltd, producers and distributors of probiotics for gardens. Most of all I love gardening. I love long summer evenings out on our land nurturing our plants and vegetables, and even cold wet winter days preparing for the next season. Part of the reason I am so passionate about microbes is because I really see the difference that they have made to my garden. They really work. My soil is healthier, my plants are more robust, and the best thing is: it is all natural. I want to share my love of using microbes so that other people feel confident to give it a go. It will benefit their health and the long-term health of soil and plants all over the UK. About Microbz In 2007 my husband was asked to join a philanthropist who travelled the globe looking for solutions to environmental problems. His job was to mediate the potential conflicts of interest between investors and innovators. It was a fascinating time of travel and discovery. When he got home, Jeff described the technology he saw that really excited him: Microbial Balancing Technology. The excitement we both felt for the potential of this 'solution' for the planet, was immediate. We committed to learning more and quickly turned one of our outbuildings into a mini-brewery. The first brews in 5-litre jars were trialled by us, and by friends and family. Now we're up to 100 and 300-litre containers, regular lab tests and a fully functioning business. Our involvement with microbes is all that you would wish a love affair to be, full of enthusiasm to be learning and growing and caring for and nurturing the brews. Our hope is that every person who uses microbes sees a health benefit and is aware that they are contributing to the sustainability of our precious planet. What we talk about: Microorganisms as the fundamental building blocks of life What microbes do in our gardens How do they work Why it's important to have them in the soil What happens when you don't have a diversity of microbes or you use a lot of chemicals in the garden? How does introducing beneficial microbes back into your garden work? How do microbes impact each stage of the cycle of life e.g. seeds, growth, flowering, death, decay, composting, back to new life? Links: www.microbz.co.uk Microbz on Instagram Microbz on Facebook Susan on Facebook Probiotics Research Soil Your Undies Challenge Life at the Edge of Sight by Scott Chimileski, Roberto Kolter The Garden Jungle by Dave Goulson

This week I'm speaking to Joff Curtoys, conservationist, ecologist and founder of Sloemotion Distillery. Saturday just gone saw the launch of National Hedgerow Day, an annual event launched by Joff to inspire people to undertake their own foraging missions to spot what's growing and living in their local hedgerows. Hedgerows are historically important, biodiverse and fascinating, as Joff explains. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Fruit Flies About Joff Curtoys Joff is the founder of Sloemotion Distillery, a family-run Yorkshire business producing small batch spirits and liqueurs, and a passionate advocate of wildlife conservation. He has a background working for the RSPB and his respect for the environment and protection of the countryside is deeply embedded into how Sloemotion operates. The brand has its roots firmly in the Yorkshire countryside and this is a huge influence on the premium spirits they produce providing not only a source of sloes and hedgerow fruits, but also inspiration on their doorstep. What we talk about: The history of hedgerows Hedgerows and biodiversity When and what to forage from hedgerows Managing hedgerows for foraging Links: https://www.sloemotiondistillery.com National Hedgerow Day A Natural History of the Hedgerow - John Wright

This week I'm speaking to Adam Kirtland, who began gardening seriously at the start of lockdown. His initial interest has become a full-blown obsession and we talk about the challenges presented by going back to work full time and having less time to garden. For more seasoned gardeners, this episode may be a useful reflection upon how we communicate with newer gardeners. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Flatworms About Adam Kirtland "Bookseller by day, gardener by night. I work as part of the head office team at Waterstones looking after some of the gifting products rather than books, but it's still the love of books that got me here in the first place. Gardening has always been something that I've used as a tool to relax and wind down but it's only this year, during lockdown that I really found what it was to be a gardener. For me it's not just mowing the lawn every fortnight or doing a bit of weeding, it's become so much more. Making a garden for both me and my family that can be used in all season. Lockdown opened my eyes to the world of Instagram and how huge the community is there and that's where my gardening journey has taken me now." What we talk about: Sources of gardening information Catching the gardening bug Gardening post lockdown and post-furlough Gardening social media Links: Adam's Instagram account - @viewfromthepottingbench Episode 20 - Container Planting with Harriet Rycroft Episode 1 - Dahlias

This week I'm speaking to Philip Johnson of Johnson's Sweet Peas. Philip grows and sells plants and seeds via his website and he sells and exhibits his plants at shows across the country, when they're on! He judges at major shows and has put in 25 years service as a Sweet Pea judge. He is a former chairman of the National Sweet Pea Society/RHS Sweet Pea trials held at Wisley and is currently serving as a member of the RHS Herbaceous Committee. So what Philip doesn't know abut sweet peas you could write on the back of a stamp and still have room to lick it. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Woolly Aphids About Johnson's Sweet Peas Johnson's Sweet Peas is a traditional Sweet Pea specialist, growing their own seeds and plants at their nursery in Kent. Through their extensive breeding programme, they occasionally have brand new varieties available for naming and introduction. Philip grows and sells plants and seeds via his website and he sells and exhibits his plants at shows across the country. He judges at major shows and has put in 25 years service as a Sweet Pea judge. He is a former chairman of the National Sweet Pea Society/RHS Sweet Pea trials held at Wisley and is currently serving as a member of the RHS Herbaceous Committee. What we talk about: When to sow sweet pea seeds Can we succession sow to prolong the season? Pinching out seedlings Deadheading; why? Essential? Why do stems get shorter as the season progresses? Watering, feeding, soil requirements Best kinds of supports for sweet peas Pests and diseases Wildlife value Best varieties for scent Colours in sweet pea flowers Colour trends for next year. Exciting developments on the horizon in sweet pea breeding? Links: www.johnsonssweetpeas.co.uk Philip Johnson on Twitter Johnson's Sweet Peas on Instagram National Sweet Pea Society on Twitter

This week I'm speaking to biologist and ecologist Sophie Leguil. Sophie is an outspoken and passionate advocate for nature, plants and wildlife and can often be found on social media, helping make sense of complex concepts that affect gardeners and their outdoor spaces. We talk a bit about public spaces, a bit about gardens and urban areas and we touch upon what can happen when you try to stand up for what you believe in. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Tardegrades About Sophie Leguil: "Trained as a biologist & ecologist, with experience in horticulture, I am fascinated by the natural world in all its forms. I have a soft spot for plants, from the tiniest orchid at the top of a Vietnamese mountain, to the blousiest iris in a 18th century garden. I currently work freelance in the UK and France, as a writer, photographer, speaker, translator and wildlife tour leader. My BSc research focused on pollens of Psychotria (a fascinating genus with ethnobotanical uses), and my MSc on systematics of a small genus of African orchids. I am particularly interested in the love-hate relationship between plant conservation and horticulture, and more specifically how growing plants can help us better understand, preserve and raise awareness on need to conserve plants." https://naturanaute.com/about/ What we talk about: Rewilding Warren Park Meadows and wildflower planting Sophie's 'More Than Weeds' Project Brownfield sites and their ecological value The future of nature under our current government Links: www.naturanaute.com www.morethanweeds.co.uk Sophie Leguil on Twitter Sophie Leguil on Instagram More Than Weeds on Twitter

This week I'm speaking to garden designer, writer and podcast host Rachel McCartain. Rachel believes the garden should work for you, that it should suit your lifestyle. If you struggle to reconcile the garden you want with the time you have to spend on it, this is the episode for you. Whether you have your own garden or you create gardens for others, Rachel's advice will no doubt prove useful. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Tree Bumblebees About Rachel McCartain: Rachel founded PlantPlots.com an online garden design company which is now one of the world's most popular websites. PlantPlots offers uniquely practical garden design advice, with the aim of making gardening easier for everyone. In addition PlantPlots creates affordable and practical garden design for anyone with a garden. She has designed gardens in both the UK and the USA and presents the popular gardening podcast The Plotting Shed. It was whilst transforming her second garden, she began to wonder why with all the thousands of gardening books available do so many gardens all look the same! A lawn in the middle surrounded by borders hugging the fence and a couple of hanging baskets. It began to dawn on her that the reason was because all these books showed how to make A garden but didn't say how the reader could change THEIR garden - and that's why PlantPlots was founded. To help you make the gardening easier. Rachel currently lives by the sea in West Sussex UK, she is married with 3 children. Although having pets has never been high on her list of must haves, her garden does boast a chicken wire heron named Eric, a shoal of wire 'Michael' fish (named after a departed uncle) and in pride of place a 7-foot sunbathing topiary leopard called Ingwe. Rachel is currently planning whether to 'grow' a giraffe or some antelopes. What we talk about: Useful ways of analysing your garden from a planting and design perspective Having a garden that works for your skills and your schedule Buying plants for your garden Links: I Want to Like my Garden by Rachel McCartain The PlantPlots website PlantPlots on Facebook PlantPlots on Instagram

This week I'm speaking to botanical storyteller Amanda Edmiston. Amanda trained in herbalism and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of historical plants and botanical figures but in this episode, we focus mainly on what Amanda does and her work around Elizabeth Blackwell's book 'A Curious Herbal'. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Conopid Flies About Amanda Edmiston: "Amanda takes people into the stories she tells and brings other worlds, redolent with layers of history into people's lives. Immersion into one of Amanda's stories involves all the senses and often reveals facts which are often threatening to drift from the everyday consciousness. Each session is a magical experience and often stays in participants memories for years. Her work weaves together plants, herbs and flowers with traditional tales, facts and her own stories.Amanda creates an enchanted world to take people into, one that is frequently funny and full of unexpected twists. Her work illustrates and is inspired by oral traditions, history, food, smells, places, objects and the audience themselves. Working with people in museums , botanical gardens, libraries, wherever they are, Amanda's work opens up different possibilities and can enhance a range of events and projects." https://www.botanicafabula.co.uk/about What we talk about: The art of botanical storytelling Elizabeth Blackwell's 'A Curious Herbal' The lost connection with nature? Historical herbals Links: Amanda's website: www.botanicafabula.co.uk The Botanica Fabula Facebook group

This week I'm speaking to nationally acclaimed entomologist and author of the book 'Wasp', Richard Bugman Jones, about a species of wildlife that may not spring to mind as one of your immediate favourites. Wasps, yellow jackets, jaspers, stripy bastards…whatever you call these members of the insect world and whether you love them or loathe them, you will certainly learn lots about them as Richard explains their life cycles and the role they play in ecosystems. If you're not convinced to become a full-blown wasp lover by the end of the episode, I suspect you will at least have a grudging respect for these resilient creatures. (FYI This episode was recorded a while ago, so it may sound as if we're talking in late winter.) About Richard Jones: Richard writes about insects, wildlife and the environment for a number of publications such as Gardener's World and BBC Wildlife magazines, The Guardian and The Sunday times. He guests on programmes such as Radio 4's Home Planet and Natural Histories, plus is the author of many books, full list below. He is a fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and of the Linneaen Society of London. He's past president of the British Entomological and Natural History Society. What we talk about: The number of species of wasps plus which wasps you're most likely to find in your garden The life cycle of a wasp A look at a typical nest What stings worse, a wasp, bee or hornet? Invasive species Links: Richard Jones's website: www.bugmanjones.com Books by Richard Jones Wasp - Reaktion Books, 2019 Beetles - Collins New Naturalists Series, 2018 Call of Nature: The Secret Life of Dung - Pelagic Publishing, 2017 House Guests, House Pests - Bloomsbury Publishing, 2016 Nano Nature - Collins, 2008 Mosquito - Reaktion Books, 2012 The Little Book of Nits - A & C Black Publishers, 2012 Extreme Insects - HarperCollins, 2010 Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod Patreon Link: Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Donate as much or as little as you like at https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall

This episode is somewhat of a follow-up to my interview with Jeff Lowenfels in Episode 51. Following that interview, I found myself asking a few more questions, particularly about how we're progressing with research into mycorrhizal fungi here in the UK. So here I am talking to Petra Guy, who's based at Reading University. Petra looks mainly at woodland health from the perspective of mycorrhizal fungi but we cover a lot of garden territory too including proprietary fungi mixes, composts and replant disease. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Crab Spider About Petra Guy: Petra is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Reading modelling the responses of trees to climate, land-use soils and mycorrhizal symbioses. Currently exploring game theory as a means of understanding different ectomycorrhizal/plant relationships and responses. What We Discuss: How long mycorrhizal fungi can persist in the soil without a host The efficacy of proprietary mixes Saving soil over the winter to inoculate next year's crop Replant disease Should we be building 'soil bridges'? Susan Simard's concept of mother trees in forests Links: Episode 51: Mycorrhizal Fungi with Jeff Lowenfels Suzanne Simard TED Talk Paul Stamets - Host Defence Mushropoms Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week I'm talking to Vicki Cooke of Plant Heritage. Plant Heritage is a UK charity that works to conserve cultivated garden plants, predominantly through the National Plant Collection scheme and their Plant Guardians initiative. Think National Plant Collections are the preserve of stately homes with huge gardens or horticultural institutions? Not at all! In fact, you could start you own on an allotment, in your greenhouse or porch, you could choose a genera with a 1000 species or just one and choose anything from trees to houseplants. All you need is a passion for a particular group of plants and you can join the ranks of experts and plant fans helping to look after our cultivated plants for future generations. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Gooseberry Sawfly About Vicki Cooke: Vicki Cooke is the Conservation Manager at Plant Heritage, and has spent much of her career delving into plants and their history. From Garden Organic's Heritage Seed Library, growing and saving seed from heirloom vegetables, to the Hampton Court Palace kitchen garden and now at Plant Heritage, Vicki has always been passionate about growing and conserving our garden plants. What We Discuss: What is Plant Heritage National Collections and why they are important The Missing Genera project Some of the genera that don't already have a home What is involved in becoming a National Collection holder? How you can take part Links: www.plantheritage.org.uk Missing Genera top 10 for 2020, plus a link to the long list of all genera without a National Plant Collection How to start a National Plant Collection Join and support the National Plant Collections Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week I'm talking to Dr Lionel Smith, horticulture lecturer and author of the book Tapestry Lawns: Freed from Grass and Full of Flowers. As the title suggests, a tapestry lawn replaces grass with flowering dicots, increasing biodiversity, lowering maintenance needs and seriously upping the aesthetic value of a lawn. Living with a tapestry lawns involves a little bit of self-education around how you treat plants and I start by asking how to overcome one of my own biggest worries about having one… Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Painted Lady Butterfly About Dr Lionel Smith: Dr Lionel Smith received his PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Reading in 2014. He is currently Lecturer in Horticulture at Myerscough College, Lancashire, and lives in St. Anne's-on-Sea. What We Discuss: The history of lawns What is a Tapestry lawn? Tapestry lawn maintenance Height convergence and why it's relevant to Tapestry lawns Tapestry lawns and wildlife Tapestry lawns over winter Sourcing plants for a Tapestry lawns What does the future hold for Tapestry lawns? Links: www.grassfreelawns.co.uk Tapestry Lawns : Freed from Grass and Full of Flowers by Lionel Smith - Taylor & Francis, 2019 Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week I'm chatting with Stephanie Hafferty. Amongst other things, Stephanie is a writer, speaker, long-time champion of No-Dig gardening, a food growing expert, a talented chef she shares some brilliant tips with us this week. The knowledge comes thick and fast in this episode, so you may want to grab a pen and paper before you begin listening! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Asian Hornets About Stephanie Hafferty: "I'm an organic no dig kitchen gardener, plant based cook, award winning food & gardening writer, small scale homesteader and mum of three. I live in Bruton, a small market town in rural Somerset where I grow delicious vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs in my garden and allotment using no dig methods. I love reading (I studied Literature and Art History at university and worked as an English teacher), crafting, visiting interesting places, exploring the countryside, trying out new recipes and food, making potions and learning new skills." https://nodighome.com/about/ What We Discuss: Avoiding bolting crops The best way to pick leafy crops to prevent bolting When to sow to stop bolting Eat crops like rocket and mustard greens when they've flowered Quick fillers for gaps Gluts of crops How can we avoid gluts Preserving food Deadheading and harvesting Crops that people might think have gone past their best but are actually still usable Links: Stephanie's website nodighome.com Stephanie Hafferty on Twitter Stephanie Hafferty on Instagram The Creative Kitchen by Stephanie Hafferty No Dig Organic Home & Garden by Charles Dowding & Stephanie Hafferty Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week I'm speaking to Andrew Hesser, the man behind Bryan's Quest, a website and YouTube channel dedicated to exploring the natural world from the perspective of Bryan, a blind person. Andrew is also blind and draws on his personal experiences of gardening, volunteering for the National Trust and getting out and about in nature to produce videos and a library of resources for gardeners, in order to highlight how the natural world can be experienced without sight. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Grasshoppers About Andrew Hesser: "I've been blind for many years and I've enjoyed the challenge of study, work and family life. There have, of course, been difficult times when I've struggled to keep positive as I've 'battled' hard to get information made accessible to me. It is, for example frustrating to find shops full of cookery and gardening books totally inaccessible to me. Then there are the significant challenges of getting around using buses, trains, taxis and on foot, especially in new locations. It is only in the past five years, or so that I have started to discover new ways of engaging with and enjoying nature and this naturally leads to wanting to learn more about the wonderful wildlife we are all surrounded by. However, much of the natural world is presented in a visual way, with colourful photos in books and amazing television documentaries. In fact it's easy for all of us to think of nature being predominantly a visual experience, with all those beautiful views across gardens, countryside landscapes and hill-top vistas. However, I continue to explore the opportunities to appreciate nature using hearing, touch, smell and taste. There is a lot of work to be done to arrange facilities and services to fully exploit the use of all five senses to appreciate the natural world. Gardening is one readily available pastime that brings me very close to nature. Without sight all of the non-visual senses can be applied to get success in the garden and a feeling of achievement. However, this can only be obtained by developing discipline to be methodical, patient and resourceful to get truly meaningful pleasures from sowing, growing and caring for plants." What We Discuss: Some of the biggest challenges faced by partially sighted or blind gardeners Navigating around the garden and other outdoor spaces What we're missing out on in gardens if we just focus on the visual Playing to the other senses - including particularly good plants or garden features Methods and processes that help when working in the garden Gardening as an activity for those visually impaired people who may not have already tried it What do visually impaired people need more (or less of) of in public gardens? Helpful resources Links: www.bryansquest.org Bryan's Quest on Twitter Bryan's Quest YouTube Channel www.look-uk.org www.sensing-nature.com Mr Plant Geek Carry On Gardening Candide App Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon

This week I'm speaking to Professor Doug Tallamy, author of amongst other things, the internationally influential wildlife gardening books Bringing Nature Home and Nature's Best Hope. Prof. Tallamy calls for an urgent rethink of gardening methods and backs up these calls with an illustrious career's worth of research, facts and figures This interview is a must-listen for wildlife gardeners everywhere! Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Rosemary Leaf Beetle About Prof. Douglas W. Tallamy: "Doug Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 95 research publications and has taught insect related courses for 40 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His book Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens was published by Timber Press in 2007 and was awarded the 2008 Silver Medal by the Garden Writers' Association. The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, was published in 2014. Doug's new book 'Nature's Best Hope' was published by Timber Press in February 2020. Among his awards are the Garden Club of America Margaret Douglas Medal for Conservation and the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence, the 2018 AHS B.Y. Morrison Communication Award and the 2019 Cynthia Westcott Scientific Writing Award." - http://www.bringingnaturehome.net What We Discuss: The problem with thinking that nature is somewhere else, that it's outside our garden fences The most compelling reasons to choose natives over non-native plants in gardens Carrying capacity and why it's important to humans The problem with losing species that have evolved as specialist feeders Are our native trees disease prone and do non-natives provide us with a healthier alternative? Key research that needs to be done and what people can do in order for us to keep moving in the right direction Links: www.bringingnaturehome.net Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard by Douglas W. Tallamy - Timber Press, 2020 Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week, I'm speaking to Karen Lawton, co-author of the book 'The Sensory Herbal Handbook'. The book isn't just about herbalism, it's about developing a connection to plants and yes, this can include talking to them! 'The Sensory Herbal Handbook' is a manual for learning not just to look at plants but to really see them. If you want to take your appreciation of plants to a deeper level, this episode is a good place to start. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Summer Snowflake About Karen Lawton & Fiona Heckels: Karen and Fiona are the Seed SistAs, authors of The Sensory Herbal Handbook and founders of herbal education group Sensory Solutions Herbal Evolution. Combining medical training and years of clinical practice with a passion for plants and creativity, their teaching gives people more autonomy in their health by connecting them with their local medicinal plants and the magical nature of the green world. What We Discuss: What is sensory herbalism? The benefits of starting a herbal journal Some good exercises to do if you would like to start one Making a connection with a plant and using intentions when making remedies An easily recognised herb that can be harvested now (July) and what could it can be used for The importance of communities having medicinal gardens Links: www.sensorysolutions.co.uk Facebook - Sensory Solutions Herbal Evolution Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week, I'm speaking to esteemed entomologist Dr Ian Bedford about accepting the insects in your garden and learning to accept their vital role in the wider ecosystem. We talk about the how gardens can work alongside public spaces to provide habitats for beleaguered bugs, how we can reconcile growing food with welcoming bugs and whether reports of Insectageddon are justified. About Dr Ian Bedford: "I have been fascinated by insects and other invertebrates for most of my life. Starting out as an Amateur Entomologist, studying and conserving butterflies on the South Downs, I went on to pursue a professional career as a Research Entomologist and ran the Entomology Department at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, until my recent retirement after 42 years. I can now follow my passion for all things Entomological at a more leisurely pace. Following retirement I am continuing to visit Garden and Horticultural Societies to give talks on various insect - related subjects. In addition, I'm attending event days for Garden Centres, giving talks and arranging a Plant Pest Clinic for visitors and customers. I'm also invited to talk at a number of Garden Shows around the country. I also speak on a number of radio shows and currently have the great honour of being the resident 'Go To' Entomologist for BBC Radio Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire. I also record a bug-related story each week for Toby Buckland's Sunday morning show on BBC Radio Devon 'An Entomologist Entertains'. I've also featured on BBC Gardeners Question Time and appeared on TV shows such as BBC Gardeners' World, Inside Out, Tonight, Horizon, BBC Breakfast, A to Z of TV Gardening, The Great British Garden Revival and even Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule!". What We Discuss: The species that most need our help at the moment Some of the best and worst habits us gardeners have that either help or hinder insects Plants that are fairly common but do little or nothing to provide a food source or habitat Public and private landowners collaborating in order to establish a network of habitats The ecosystems of our gardens and our region-specific species Are all pesticides a no-no? How can we reconcile the need for wilder areas in our gardens and landscapes with the desire to grow food plants? Insectageddon - exaggerated or as bad as reported? Links: Dr Ian Bedford's Website Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week I'm speaking to James Basson of Scape Design. James runs his design practice along with wife Helen out of the south of France and their work is synonymous with a naturalistic style, the use of native plants and often, the implementation of matrix or grid planting to populate large areas of landscape. It was this part of James's practice that initially sparked my interest and we get round to talking about that towards the end of the interview, but first we cover the type of work undertaken by Scape Design and the gardens James designs for some of the most demanding environments. About James Basson: James specialises in dry, sustainable gardens that are inspired by his passion for the natural landscape and is known for using natural materials and local artisans. He has won numerous awards at Garden Shows throughout the world with Gold Medals at the Gardening World Cup in Japan, the Singapore Garden Festival, the Philadelphia Flower Show and the Chelsea Flower Show, where he won best in show in 2017. He has published papers on a generative approach to Garden Design, and is currently developing a database around matrix form planting design, to help designers and gardeners create ecological planting schemes. What We Discuss: The work of Scape Design The design principles that underpin James's work and how he separates the cultivated from the uncultivated The importance of building in resilience to the gardens James designs, both in the hard landscaping and planting Problems with invasive plants in naturalistic plantings James's matrix form of planting and this works from an ecological point of view His work to develop a database of plants that work together from an ecological point of view Links: www.scapedesign.com Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week's interview is with Kenya-based organic farming champion Simon Murungi. Simon is an organic farming trainer and founded the organization SOFAFRICA (Spreading Organic Farming in Africa). He is passionate about Agro Ecological Regenerative Agriculture and Rural Development and sees organic farming methods as a sustainable approach that can turn around smallholder agriculture from mere subsistence farming to a more commercial enterprise. We talk about why Simon believes organic agriculture is important for Kenya's farmers, how it can be implemented and the challenges farmers face. About Simon Murungi: Simon is an organic farming trainer who founded the organization SOFAFRICA (Spreading Organic Farming in Africa). He is passionate about Agro Ecological Regenerative Agriculture and Rural Development as a viable and sustainable approach to turn around smallholder agriculture from mere subsistence farming to a more commercial enterprise. He is a promoter and experienced trainer of Agro-ecological techniques towards social, economic and environmental conservation in Africa. Simon is also a change maker on how food is produced and linking the plate with the farm for a more safe and nutritious food to the ever increasing population. He champions and advocates for Organic Market Enterprises and Agribusinesses through value addition, creating employment in the rural areas and reversing the rural to urban migration. SOFAfrica provides training to farmers, youths and schools on climate change mitigation strategies, indigenous seed saving, water and soil conservation, organic agriculture, natural resources conservation, rural development, nutrition, animal welfare, human rights especially for the young, elderly, those with disabilities and related issues based on public policy, the best available research science, and effective management. SOFAfrica has a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural Kenyans to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Kenyans/ Africans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve their Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands in line with the sustainable development goals SDGs. Their strategic goals serve as a roadmap towards helping to ensure they achieve their mission and implement their vision. What We Discuss: The work of SOFAfrica The popularity of organic farming in Kenya The reasons Simon believes organic farming is important and is the right way to grow food Seed sourcing and the importance of using organic seed Objections from farmers and growers to organic growing methods How Simon spreads the organic farming message How Fair Trade initiatives work alongside ecologically sustainable farming practices; Whether organic growing reduces the water requirements Whether there is a measurable impact on the 'inputs' and the yields Links: Simon Murungi on LinkedIn SOFAfrica on Facebook Spreading Organic Farming in Africa Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week I'm speaking to expert ornithologist Ricky Whelan about a talk he gives on the Secret Life of Crows, which has surprised Ricky with its "unexpected but massive interest and attendances". As a life long lover of crows myself, I thought it would be great to find out a bit more about these birds in general, but also in a garden context. So if you're intrigued to find out how corvids organise their societies, how they communicate, about their love lives and about the good and not so good things they do in the garden, join us as we put an eye to the key hole and spy on the secret life of crows. About Ricky Whelan: Ricky grew up in the Irish midlands surrounded by rural landscapes and bogland and it was here he developed his love for nature. After university Ricky left Ireland and started his conservation career in the UK working for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) as part of their reserve's teams in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. On return to Ireland Ricky began working for BirdWatch Ireland on the Dublin Bay Birds Project and now leads on Urban Bird projects with a large focus of his work being on Swifts. Outside of work Ricky volunteers with a number of wildlife and conservation projects close to home and has had unexpected but massive interest and attendances with and at his "Secret Life of Crows Talk" which he regularly gives around the country. Ricky lives close to his birthplace with his Claire and their son Art. What We Discuss: Some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding crows Their societal structures Do crows mate for life? How clever are crows? Their repertoire of songs and sounds How crows recognise humans Their main food sources Do they cause problems for gardeners or can they be beneficial? The most amazing thing Ricky has discovered about crows during his research Links: Ricky Whelan on Twitter On Instagram Snowboarding Crow Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week, I'm talking to journalist and author Val Bourne about her book The Living Jigsaw: the secret life in your garden. Val is a perfect example of a gardener who loves ornamental plants as much as she respects the wildlife in her garden. She walks the walk, produces writing based on her observations and has a palpable love for all the things that share her garden. We talk about how to achieve an outdoor space where there's room for everything to flourish. About Val Bourne: Val Bourne is an award-winning author and journalist, photographer and lecturer. She gardens organically in the Cotswolds, growing a huge range of ornamental and edible plants. Val is a true plantaholic and her work is informed by growing often challenging plants and observing how they interact, not only with each other but with other species that share the garden. What We Discuss: The idea behind The Living Jigsaw Slugs and snails in the garden - how bad are slug pellets? Garlic spray? Which roses work in an organic garden Is leaving patches of garden undisturbed a necessity? Some key wildlife plants When to cut grassy areas of the garden Some of the best and worst practices for a wildlife garden Links: Val Bourne - The Natural Gardener The Living Jigsaw: the secret life in your garden by Val Bourne - Kew Publishing, 2017 SLUGS IN GARDENS: THEIR NUMBERS, ACTIVITIES AND DISTRIBUTION. PART 2 - Barnes, H. F. and Weil, J. W. 1945. Slugs in gardens: Their numbers, activities and distribution. Part 2. Journal of Animal Ecology. 14 (2), pp. 71-105. Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This week I'm chatting to author of the book I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast, Michael Holland. The book is a botanical and environmental textbook for children that makes learning about even quite complex topics such as plant scientific names seem like fun. I talk to Michael about activities you can do with children using stuff you can find in your cupboard, about some of the most engaging horticultural concepts for kids and how you can make learning entertaining. About Michael Holland: Expert ecologist, educator and author, Michael Holland FLS is on a mission to educate and inspire people from all walks of life about the powerful world of plants and the vital role they play in our daily lives. Michael's first book, I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast is published by Flying Eye Books on April 1 2020. Printed on Munken Arctic Paper and with ink using soya beans and linseeds, it provides an inspiring and accessible introduction to the wonderful world of plants and how they are relevant to our lives. Colourfully illustrated, it is packed with hints, tips, practical ideas and fun-filled activities to get children 7+ and their families informed, engaged and excited about plants. Michael studied Ecology at Lancaster and Oregon State Universities and is a keen photographer, wildlife gardener and all-round composting nerd! Michael had a 25-year career at the eminent Chelsea Physic Garden in London, latterly as Head of Education for over 17 years. He has taught tens of thousands of people, aged 2 to 92, about the natural world. He is both a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and of the London Environmental Educators' Forum (LEEF) - both organisations that work tirelessly ensuring people from all walks of life are connected to nature and natural history. Michael has spoken at a number of global conferences; a highlight being invited to talk at a botanical garden in Japan on subjects including 'State of the Art Medicinal Plants', 'Container Gardening', 'London's Parks & Gardens' and 'Five Plants that Changed the World'. Michael has delivered a herb-planting master class for the team at Jo Malone London for their Herb Garden perfumes cologne collection, and in 2003, developed the innovative and award-winning Shelf Life project, labelled by Head of Interpretation, Sharon Willoughby at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as "the most effective piece of plant-based interpretation." What We Discuss: Michael's background in horticulture The importance of the book having roots in science and botany as well as being fun Some of the best experiments kids can do with plants Michael's favourite fact to reel a child in to horticulture The Shelf Life project Useful online resources Links: www.growingunderstandings.co.uk I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast by Michael Holland and Phillip Giordano - Flying Eye Books, 2020 Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe

This episode is the fourth and final part of the Design Experts series and this week's guest is New Zealand-based garden designer Xanthe White who runs Xanthe White Design which has offices in Auckland and Wellington. As with the other episodes in the design experts series, we talk about the practicalities of running a design practice in the region, what the client design relationship looks like and the evolving face of garden design. The interview starts with me asking Xanthe about the beliefs underpinning her practice. This series has very kindly been sponsored by the London College of Garden Design. About Xanthe White: Xanthe is one of New Zealand's top landscape designers. Her studio works with clients to design gardens that work for them on a personal level, creating gardeners as well as gardens. Her work is fused throughout with concerns for sustainability, ecosystems and the cultural significance of the spaces she builds. She has won medals at the 2006 and 2011 RHS Chelsea Flower Shows and has also won top awards at the Ellerslie International Flower Show and the Gardening World Cup in Japan. What We Discuss: The ethos behind Xanthe White Design What would Xanthe's ideal client looks like Some of the biggest challenges Xanthe faced as a garden designer in New Zealand Xanthe's favourite part of the design process Who or what inspires Xanthe right now How Xanthe sees the discipline of garden design evolving over the coming decades Links: www.xanthewhitedesign.co.nz With thanks to the episode sponsor, the London College of Garden Design. www.lcgd.org.uk Tel +44 (0) 1483 762955 Email [email protected] Get in touch: Email [email protected] Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram @rootsandallpod Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe