Growing Up Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that some plants were once believed to protect against evil spirits, attract fairies, bring good fortune or even scream when pulled from the ground? In this episode of The Growing Up Podcast , Andy and Kate explore the weird and wonderful world of plant folklore, uncovering the fascinating stories, superstitions and ancient beliefs surrounding some of our most familia...

Send us Fan Mail It's pumpkin season! 🎃 This week on the Growing Up Podcast, Kate and Andy celebrate one of autumn's most iconic crops. From their ancient origins in the Americas to their fascinating connection with Halloween, we explore the history, folklore and cultural significance of pumpkins. After the break, we're getting practical with a complete guide to growing your own pu...

Send us Fan Mail As the garden starts to wind down for winter, it’s tempting to cut everything back, rake up every leaf and give the whole place a thorough tidy — but wildlife might prefer you didn’t! In this episode of the Growing Up Podcast , Andy and Kate explore simple ways to make your garden more wildlife-friendly this autumn. From leaving seed heads and fallen leaves to creating log piles,...

Send us Fan Mail October might feel like the garden is winding down, but there’s still plenty to be getting on with! In this episode of the Growing Up Podcast , Kate and Andy run through the essential gardening jobs for October, from planting spring bulbs and garlic to harvesting the last crops, protecting tender plants and preparing your soil for winter. We also look at autumn lawn care, composti...

Send us Fan Mail Think you need green fingers to be a good gardener? That watering leaves in sunshine will scorch them? Or that gravel in the bottom of pots improves drainage? In this episode of The Growing Up Podcast , Andy and Kate tackle some of the biggest gardening myths that simply refuse to die. From companion planting and coffee grounds to slugs, fertiliser, watering, no-dig gardening and...

Send us Fan Mail Want to grow more food next year? The secret is to start now. In this episode of the Growing Up Podcast , Andy and Kate explore why autumn is one of the most important times in the gardening calendar — from planting garlic, onions and perennial crops to improving your soil, building raised beds, making compost and planning next year’s harvest. Discover the simple jobs you can do t...

Send us Fan Mail We're exhausted.  And this week in a very tired state, we talk about the realities of working in horticulture.  Six months work without a day off, long hours, heatwaves and why we still love the job that we do. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the...

Send us Fan Mail What should you be doing in the garden this September? In this episode of the Growing Up Podcast , Andy and Kate explore the essential gardening jobs for September , from autumn planting, harvesting and sowing vegetables to lawn care, composting, planting spring bulbs, saving seeds and preparing your garden for winter. We also look at why September gardening is really the beginnin...

Send us Fan Mail Today we're talking about one of our absolute favourite herbs—one that's been grown, cherished and written about for thousands of years. It's tiny, wonderfully fragrant and probably sitting in millions of gardens across the country. Today we're diving into the fascinating history of thyme. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels...

Send us Fan Mail This week we deep dive into garden centres, the weekend destination of choice for so many - including ourselves.  Lets enter into a world of impulse purchases, coffee cake and garden gnomes. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products...

Send us Fan Mail This week we discuss why design matters, why some gardens look better than others but also why the only client who matters in the design process is yourself! The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply.  Check...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we discuss how sowing seeds isn't just for spring and introduce some varieties that we really think you should be sowing during the month of August. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply....

Send us Fan Mail If you're listening as this episode goes live, we're right in the middle of August—a month that's often overlooked in the gardening calendar. Many people think the busiest part of the season is behind us. The borders are full, vegetables are cropping, herbs are thriving and perhaps, for the first time all year, you're actually getting to sit outside and enjoy t...

Send us Fan Mail Now, if you've been enjoying the garden over the past few months, you might be thinking that the hard work is behind you. The borders are full, the herbs are thriving, tomatoes are ripening and everything feels a little more relaxed. But here's the thing... Late summer is actually one of the most important periods of the gardening year. The decisions you make over the ne...

Send us Fan Mail We are back onto home territory here with a really geeky episode dedicated to the amazing herbs of summer, herbs that you can plant now and enjoy but also herbs that you can sow during the next few weeks to enjoy further ahead. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely be...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that lavender has been treasured for thousands of years? From ancient Roman gardens to modern-day cottage borders, this beautifully scented plant has a rich history—and it's still one of the most popular plants for gardeners today. In this episode of our gardening podcast, we explore the fascinating history of lavender, why it has remained a garden favourite for...

Send us Fan Mail Wondering what gardening jobs you should be doing in July? In this episode, we cover the essential July gardening tasks to help your garden thrive throughout the summer. Whether you're growing flowers, vegetables, fruit, or maintaining your lawn, you'll discover practical tips to keep everything looking its best during one of the busiest months in the gardening calendar....

Send us Fan Mail This is quite a raw and honest update in which we explain why this episode is being released late and update you on the last very, very full-on last two weeks of life for us here. We chat about the impacts of the heatwave, the importance of watching gardeners world with a kebab and offer some warm weather gardening advice. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Kate deep dives into the truth and myth of companion planting.  Buckle up, everyone, this is a very geeky deep dive into a gardening topic that so many people have requested! Enjoy!  The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the produc...

Send us Fan Mail This week we chat about all of the amazing crops that you can sow during the month of June.  June is a very, very busy month that sets up the second half of the summer growing season. Grab a cup of tea and join us as we make a very long list of sowings to make this month. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefit...

Send us Fan Mail How did we get to June already?  Is anyone else saying that? This week we dig deep into gardening jobs for June.  This is a very busy month, so grab a drink, buckle up, we are diving straight into a packed gardening month in which the rate of growth accelerates sharply. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits...

Send us Fan Mail This week we sit in a very, very warm studio to discuss gardening during a heatwave, why this can cause problems and tactics that you can employ to make sure your plants dont suffer! The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that Fir...

Send us Fan Mail Today we talk to Dan and Cathy who are telling us about 'Working for Gardners', an organisation that is on a mission to support those who are thinking about making the jump into working in the horticultural industry.  We know that so many of you have thought about making such a change and that you will be as excited to hear the chat with Dan and Cathy as we were! https:/...

Send us Fan Mail May is such a busy month for gardeners. Whether you are gardening on an allotment, in a small garden or even just on a windowsill, May is the month where everything becomes very, very fast-paced, busy and exciting. There is so much that you can do in the May growing space, and in this episode, we talk through the long list of May gardening jobs! The Growing Up Podcast is proudly s...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Kate sits down to chat with a friend of the show, Kendall, to compare their own experiences as women working in horticulture, discussing the obstacles, challenges, but ultimately the joy that comes from engaging with growing things. About Our Guest: Kendall Marie Platt is a Horticultural therapist & space holder for garden curious women. She is the founder of Advent...