Not Just a Garden

Disclaimer : Adam was NOT digging out 200m This week on our recap of Gardeners' World 2026 episode 16 we finally discover the truth behind Sweetpea and the missing Hidcote White. We also have a healthy debate about what a "more perennial" plant is, relearn the health benefits of mullein, establish the difference between tulip fire and fire blight, and ask why oh why oh why are our courgettes only...

Award winning garden designer Nic was on Gardeners' World 2023 episode 3 when he was visited by Joe Swift at his beautiful 1/4 acre plot in Surrey - the one with the very pink wall! In this episode we learn more about Nic's garden, some of his favourite gardens that he's designed, and also his truly spectacular garden created for The Chelsea Flower Show. We also find out about pruning tips - from...

This week on our recap of Gardeners' World 2026 episode 15, we dig deeper into the difference between cork and a sponge and learn the REALLY good news that pasta can be good for you. We also find out from a listener about Oregon exploding whales and beautiful mixed hedgerows in the USA, whilst also hearing from a couple of the designers from last week's Gardeners' World Live and learning a bit mor...

Ben from Worcester Terrariums was on Gardeners' World 2025 Winter Special Episode 2 during which he showed just a few of his many incredible terrariums whilst giving top tips on creating our own. We were delighted Ben could join us for a Chit-Chat and not just so that Sweetpea could gather intel on her terrarium attempts! We also learned about the various and unique animals Ben has been working wi...

This week on episode 14 we follow Gardeners' World to GW Live and a whistle-stop tour of some of the gardens, border, and barrows at the show, with a plant list available to our subscribers. The show has Sweetpea wondering if it's better to eat more but smaller pieces, or fewer but larger pieces of cake in one sitting, and we consider the pros and cons of using cork, both in the bathroom, in wine...

A wise man once said, "gardening adds years to your life and life to your years" and on this episode of Chit-Chats, we meet that wise man. James was on Gardeners' World 2026 episode 2 when he and his son Noah gave us a tour of their pretty garden in Weymouth, but you may also know James from his appearance on series 4 of the BBC's The Traitors. In this Chit-Chat, we hear more about James' time as...

This week on episode 13 of our Gardeners' World 2026 recap we find out the word for slapping someone across the face with a wet fish, before hearing more about stigmatic lips. On Gardeners' World we join Arit Anderson as she meets with Sharon Hockenhull in the stunning wildlife attracting garden she designed 8 years ago, and we consider the importance of our nocturnal pollinating friends. We're gi...

This week on episode 12 of our Gardeners' World 2026 recap, we get up to speed on what constitutes an aromatic herb (versus their non-aromatic siblings), and we have a quick fact check on last week's episode. In our CCCUP we hear about Gokul Asokan 's artwork for Keemar Keemar's Nothing New Under the Sun art exhibition and Farida Sober 's fantastic new eBook, with a listener discount available🕺....

This week on our recap of Gardeners' World 2026 episode 11 we clear up some housekeeping on Madame Clicquot, tonic immobility in sharks, the sugar content of Subway bread, and how Efudix works. In our CCCUP we hear about Farida Sober 's eBook progress on the fermented grass method, and Benn Storey 's fantastic steep terraced garden opening through the NGS imminently. On Gardeners' World this week,...

In the absence of Gardeners' World this week, we have a Not Just a Garden Bonus Episode 11. We have a wee look at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and some of our Chit-Chat guests who were involved. We also check out a couple of gardens that caught our eye, including Arit Anderson's award-winning and beautiful Parkinson’s UK – A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey . Next we explore the edibility of b...

This week on our recap of Gardeners' World 2026 episode 10, we get the low down on arachibutyrophobia and discuss the difficulties of peanut butter consumption in the family. We also explore nettle pesto, the impact of ultra processed foods on jaw development, mice being born to two mums, botrytis blight, and how spinach leaves are scientifically changing the way we mend broken hearts. On Gardener...

This week on Gardeners' World 2026 Episode 9 Recap the National Highways press office get in touch to set the record straight regarding The Cockcrow Heathland Bridge near Cobham in Surrey. We also learn about the legend Rachel Entrekin and her extraordinary ultra marathon win, how to remove nitrogen from the soil, what makes an Oreo more vegan than a fig, who can run faster out of an ostrich and a...

This week on Gardeners' World 2026 Episode 8 Recap we reminisce about an old episode of Gardeners' World dating way, way back to the middle ages of... 2005. We also find out how many trees Kew lost in 2022, what Zach Galifianakis has to do with gardening, just how fast crocodiles can run, the incredibly positive impact rose oil has on the brain, how you can catch leprosy from soil, what happened t...

This week on our Gardeners' World 2026 recap of episode 7 we have a look at the UK’s first heathlands wildlife bridge and compare it to the The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in California, though we struggle to process the contrast in build costs🤷🏼‍♀️ We also find out the origin of Caesar Salads, why a pound cake is called a pound cake, the chemistry behind why some people don't like corian...

It's Gardeners' World 2026 episode 6 recap time and we take a look at dermatology experiences, the unfeasibly long rye grass root systems, Papua New Guinea toxic birds, the benefits of eating ice-cream, the incredible bi-annual Brussels Carpet of Flowers, and how humans could take a leaf out of a Madagascan Fossa's book when it comes to their anatomy design. On Gardeners' World this week we get to...

It's Gardeners' World 2026 episode 5 recap time and this week we have a quick look at Spetchley Park Garden, learn about a highly venomous animal's contribution to Ozempic, the frightening world of kamikaze exploding ants, why you should never stand behind or even beside a mule, and how useful hot flushes are for skunk cabbages. We also learn about Gokul Asokan 's Masters project which pre-empted...

On this recap of Gardeners' World 2026 Episode 4, we consider how Alla Olkhovska and her family are coping in Kharkiv, given the latest world events and subsequent rising fuel prices. We also delve a little deeper into how to avoid dehydration in the desert, how our own wisdom teeth can be an insurance against future health problems, which surprising animals are now recognised as sentient beings b...

On this recap of Gardeners' World 2026 Episode 3 we challenge Joe Swift's hatred for red robins and channel a more untamed and rugged version alongside a fireworks forsythia in our garden. We also discuss sharks on cocaine, the adaptability of red dung moss, the very real concerns of plastic eating plankton, whether it's safer to drink urine or cactus water if dehydrated in the desert, and vampire...

It's Gardeners' World 2026 Episode 2 Recap time and with Sweetpea in the middle of 2 days of exams, she watches the show at double speed and is very impressed with just how sprightly Monty is. In this episode we give the low down on mammograms, the extraordinary powers of the Gympie Gympie plant, despite and on account of the extreme pain it causes, why you wouldn't want to confront a honey badger...

Horticulturist and horticultural therapist Ashley needs little introduction as one of the presenters on Gardeners' World. But not just that, he’s also a member of the DIY SOS team, appears on ITV’s Love your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, is a regular on the BBC Gardeners' Question Time panel, is one of the Ask the Experts team in Gardeners' World Magazine, and is head gardener at Crocus at Dorney...

Gardeners' World is back - hurrah - and so are a sleep-deprived Sweetpea and a bemused Bear with an Episode 1 Recap. In this episode we look at the continued success of seed snails, the chicken or egg of Sonic the Hedgehog and protein, gruesome bird-killing trees, beautiful brain healing cock's combs, and the goodest boy ever. On Gardeners' World we kick off with a title shake-up and Monty back at...

Chris was on Gardeners' World 2025 Winter Special Episode 2 when Adam Frost joined him at John Massey's stunning gardens at Ashwood Nurseries near Kingswinford in the West Midlands. On this episode of Chit-Chats, Chris shares his passion for the winter garden and the important part scented witch-hazels play, and we learn about the enormous numbers in John's Garden as well as some of Chris' favouri...

Tom Cranham from Tom's Terraria Design was on Gardeners' World 2025, Winter Special episode 3 showing his stunning (and huge!) terraria as well as his exquisite collection of iridescent begonias. On this episode of Chit-Chats, we get an idea of what it must feel like to be walking through the world of Avatar, thanks to the incredible variety and beauty of begonias, and we learn some handy tips on...

On the final Not Just a Garden Bonus Episode 10 for this series, we are looking at spring in the garden in the form of hyacinths, crocuses, daffs, hummingbird hawkmoths and newts. We also take a look at sonic hedgehog proteins, dogs licking cane toads, a beautiful antidote to AI images, whether AI can be used to help with grief, beaver reintroduction to the UK, the perils of Atropa belladonna in t...

Eleanor Cochrane was on Gardeners' World 2025, ep28 when she showed us her beautiful late summer jewel borders at The Copper House Garden on the Kent/Sussex border. On this episode of Chit-Chats, not only do we set the record straight on Eleanor's feelings towards yellow flowers, but we also find out about her incredible experiences volunteering at Great Dixter, how she manages her sizeable garden...