BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast

Winston Churchill resided in his country home, Chartwell, from 1924 until his death in 1965. From its valley setting, with views of the Weald of Kent, much was made of the terraced gardens which overlook a lake and a brick wall, built by Churchill himself, but what role did the gardens play in the lead up to World War Two? Advolly Richmond talks to Chartwell’s curator and author Katherine Carter t...

Ashridge House in Hertfordshire is a bit off the beaten track but for those who prefer a more natural setting, the woodland walks around Ashridge House are a must. These paths wind through ancient trees and wildflower meadows, offering a peaceful retreat from the more formal parts of the garden. In spring, the bluebells carpet the forest floor in a sea of blue, and in autumn, the oaks, maples, and...

In this episode, Lara Cowan, Founder of Botanic Shed and the School of Nature, shares how the power of gardening and nature connection has massively transformed her life in terms of managing the everyday experience of thinking differently and the fallout of a series of life-changing events. And how she now uses gardening, garden design, and garden therapy – gathering together the expertise of a ra...

Tending to houseplants through the winter months is a great way to carry on gardening when there’s less to do outside. Some indoor plants even flourish at this time of year showcasing colourful flowers or uplifting foliage. To find out more about all things houseplants – how to choose them, where to place them, and that all-important care – tune into this week’s episode with former BBC Gardeners'...

The view from the window of the Hall of Mirrors will literally take your breath away. Manicured lawns, perfectly trimmed trees, ornate fountains, and a natural verdant green funnel stretching into the distance. This is one of the most iconic and jaw dropping gardens in the world: the Palace of Versailles Gardens in France. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What can we do to ensure next year’s growing season is the best yet? With the frenzy of the growing season now behind us, lost to the memory of warm, summer days and bountiful harvests, and while our vegetable patches and flower beds lay bare, ecologist and botanist Becky Searle shares advice and tips for how to care for our soil over the winter months. Do you have a gardening question you'd like...

Imagine you’re in danger. Your home has become a warzone – bombs and bullets are a daily occurrence. What would you do? Astonishingly, the answer for many people is to create a garden. War correspondent Lalage Snow has travelled to Israel, Gaza, Ukraine and Afghanistan to document the gardens that people create to provide peace and respite from the wars around them. She shares how gardening can be...

Imagine discovering a garden oasis while seeking out world-famous sculptures. This expansive park is famous for the Vigeland Sculpture Park, featuring over 200 of Gustav Vigeland’s works. Frogner Park has expansive lawns, majestic oaks, maples and lindens and seasonal flower beds. The garden layout invites leisurely wandering, with benches for relaxation and offers plenty of inspiration, blending...

Trees are ever-present in our lives and have enabled us to connect to the natural world. But should we be concerned for our trees with our changing climate and what trees can we plant in our gardens for the future? Tony Kirkham, MBE, British botanist and former Head of Arboretum, Gardens and Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, discusses how trees are adapting around the world to climat...

Fungi are some of the most important organisms in our gardens, partnering with plant roots to help them access nutrients, processing dead material and nurturing countless vital processes – but most of the time they are completely invisible to the naked eye. In this episode we meet fungi expert and author of the bestselling book Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake, to find out more about these extraor...

Established in 1863, the gardens cover 21 hectares and feature a diverse collection of plants from around the world. As well as a Rose Garden and Herb Garden, the botanic garden is home to majestic trees, including the giant sequoia. Standing beneath these giants is a humbling experience. The New Zealand Garden showcases native flora like the silver fern and Pohutukawa tree, creating lush, natural...

Hedgerows may be human-made, but there are few better habitats for wildlife – and they could play a major role in helping to reverse worrying biodiversity declines. Find out more about the amazing world of the hedgerow as we meet expert and author Christopher Hart. Do you have a gardening question you'd like Alan Titchmarsh's help with? Submit your question in the comments below or go to www.garde...

For years, gardeners have been told to provide supplementary food for garden birds. Reasons for this include helping to compensate for a lack of food during a hard winter, increase competition for food at fledging time, and help to get adults into good breeding condition in spring. But is feeding birds all it's cracked up to be? And if not, how else can we support our feathered friends? Join award...

The anticipation builds as you approach Oedo Botanica – a botanical garden island. It’s like stepping into a different world—seriously, it’s that beautiful. Oedo Botanica feels like it’s been plucked straight out of a fairytale and the story behind it is just as enchanting. Oedo Island is a popular tourist destination, requiring a boat ride, over 10,000 visitors arrive daily, amazed by this human-...

The death of someone we love can be devastating. Leaving us grieving and feeling that life will never be the same again. When she was 7 months pregnant, Victoria Bennet lost her sister, suddenly. For her, building and tending a garden, was an act of hope that helped her during some of the darkest times of her bereavement. She talks about how gardening helped her manage her grief and anxiety and wh...

Why do gardens need compost? What exactly is compost and what are the benefits compost brings to our gardening spaces? Charles Dowdling, gardener, author and champion of the modern 'no dig' gardening method, brings ways you can transfer your garden through the use of compost. Do you have a gardening question you'd like Alan Titchmarsh's help with? Submit your question in the comments below or go t...

Kew Gardens, officially known as the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, is a sprawling 326 acre paradise located in southwest London, home to one of the largest and most diverse plant collections in the world. Whether you're marvelling at the glasshouses or enjoying a leisurely picnic with friends, there's always something magical to discover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...

There’s so much more to growing tulips than planting a few bulbs in autumn and hoping for a bright display next spring. Expert grower, Polly Nicholson, shares her appreciation for the beauty and diversity of tulips and how to help them deliver vibrant flowers over several years in tune with nature. As a National Collection holder, Polly outlines how she continues a tradition of exhibiting some of...

Monty Don explains how he puts Long Meadow to bed for winter and how his winter preparations have changed over the years due to the climate. From coping with wet soil, protecting plants, mulching late winter and early spring, greenhouse heating - or not. There are gardening changes we need to adapt to and embrace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Winter series of the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast – packed with friendly and informative conversations with some of the UK’s favourite gardening experts. You'll find advice on how to care for your garden over winter, support wildlife, boost wellbeing, and improve soil health. We’ll also unearth the fascinating world of fungi, discover the secrets to healthy house plants and...

Brisbane City’s Botanic Gardens cover around 20 hectares of lush greenery. It’s a place where the urban bustle fades away and nature takes centre stage. Against the backdrop of the stunning natural landscape, the gardens are a popular spot for leisurely picnics and social events, all within a beautiful setting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A witch’s garden has been portrayed as an intimidating, scary and other-worldly place, full of folklore fascination and superstition. Plants grown and used by witches and their herbal remedies have been much maligned. Practicing witch Rebecca Beattie discusses the plants that have been used for herbalism and healing over time and what would be in a ‘witch’s toolkit’? Learn more about your ad choic...

Psychoactive plants have hallucinogenic properties. They have been used by mankind for thousands of years and still play important roles in culture and religion today. In this episode of Dangerous Plants, Frances Tophill talks to Tom Pattinson from the Alnwick Poison Garden to discover some of the common toxic, intoxicating and narcotic plants that may lurk in our flowerbeds. Learn more about your...

Gardens by the Bay is more than just a garden. It's a futuristic, innovative space where technology and nature seamlessly blend together, creating an awe inspiring experience for visitors. One of the highlights is the changing floral displays in the flower field. Each season brings a new theme, from tulip mania to daily dreams, it's always exciting to see what's next. Gardens by the Bay isn't just...

Deadly potions, poison, murder and intrigue – dangerous plants were used in many of Agatha Christie’s novels. In this episode of Dangerous Plants, Frances Tophill discusses the plants that Christie exploited to great effect in her fictitious murder mysteries and why poisoning is a more feminine method of committing a crime with Ali Marshall, Head Gardener at Torre Abbey and the Potent Plants Garde...