Growing Up Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we travel back in time to talk about the gardening and growing adventures of the Vikings. The Viking era was a fascinating one and Andy really wanted to talk about what the Vikings grew, how growing informed and changed their society but most importantly - asking what did the Vikings eat to make them so crazy when they went into battle.   Grab a cup of mead and ju...

Send us Fan Mail This week Kate talks through gardening jobs for the month of April. This is such a month of contrasts and notoriously difficult to predict.  But there are SO many exciting things to do in the April Garden.  Stay tuned for the surprise appearance of a magpie mid-recording. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefit...

Send us Fan Mail This week we introduce the idea of 'blank slate gardening' and explain why it's so important to always have a beginner mentality when it comes to gardening. Are you intrigued?  Grab yourself a drink and prepare to dig up part of your garden. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits of growing in...

Send us Fan Mail This week, join us for a ramble as we visit the local garden centre for breakfast and a few plant purchases.   We talk about the simple pleasure of a visit to the local garden centre, the joy of browsing plants and the challenges that come with running a garden centre in 2025. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the be...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Dan, Head Gardner of Winterbourne House and Gardens to talk all things tree growing.  Want to grow your own trees? Or just curious about these incredible living structures that can outlive us? Grab a drink, sit back and enjoy. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits of growing...

Send us Fan Mail We finally get to talk about herbs. Herbs are fantastic to plant during the early spring season.  There are so many hardy herbs that add so much to our growing spaces during these months, providing colour, scent, interest and flavour in our herb gardens. Enjoy this chat from two very tired herb growers. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We...

Send us Fan Mail Gardening jobs for March, a month of contrasts, so much to sow and so many jobs to complete, along with a few battles with magpies along the way.  Join us for a cup of tea and toast in the polytunnel as we discuss gardening jobs for March. 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...

Send us Fan Mail We chat with Ed from Roots Allotments about his lived experience of developing food-growing communities.  We are members of Roots Allotment site in Stourbridge and it's been a privilege to see that community develop.   We talk about how you can develop a food-growing community, the challenges that you might face and how wonderful it is to share knowledge and experiences with...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we deep dive into the world of growing Microgreens.  These tiny little leaves pack a huge flavour.  We know that so many of you have limited experience growing this amazing crop so this morning we are talking Microgreens! 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 g...

Send us Fan Mail This week we are joined by Ed Morrison, one of the founders of Roots Allotments to talk us through the top tips we would suggest when you are faced with the blank canvas of a new allotment or new growing space.  This feels like such a timely discussion to have, at the start of a new growing season.   The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are...

Send us Fan Mail Grab a hot drink and a jumper because we are talking about gardening jobs for February.  This is such an exciting month which can absolutely lay the foundations for the rest of the season.   It's a changeable month so, while you listen, maybe grab yourself a woolly hat and sunglasses too.  Spring is coming. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunn...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we deep dive into the world of chilli growing.  This is one of Andy's passions and he was so excited to record this episode and ALSO to talk Kate into participating in a chilli growing competition. May the best grower win. We talk about the benefits of growing chillies, the best time to sow seeds, our top tips for germination and successful growth and much mo...

Send us Fan Mail Proudly armed with their New Year Growing Resolutions, Andy and Kate sit down and plan out their 2025 growing season.  If our 2024 planning season episode is anything to go by, we wouldn't bet good money on solid plans emerging from this episode.  So grab a drink and join us as we dream, laugh and plan for the 2025 gardening season. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored...

Send us Fan Mail At the start of the season, it's so important to take a day to pause and consider what you wish to get from the upcoming growing season.  January is the perfect time to sit back and reflect on the previous year and set yourself a few New Year Growing Resolutions. Grab yourself a drink and join us as we plan the 2025 growing season. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored...

Send us Fan Mail We chat with Ed of Roots Allotments about gardening jobs for January.  Traditionally January is seen as a quieter month in the garden, allotment or smallholding, but it's actually a vital month of preparation in which so many exciting things are happening. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits of growin...

Send us Fan Mail Grab yourself a hot drink, or a minced pie, put your headphones in as you walk the dog or have some chill-out time during the festive season.   We reflect on the year gone and thank you for your company during 2024.  This episode officially marks the end of our second season of the podcast and we are super excited to introduce you to the content we have lined up for season 3. Happ...

Send us Fan Mail Grab yourself a drink and join us as we evaluate the 2024 growing season.  This year was challenging in the allotment and beyond, and in this episode, we talk honestly about the challenges, opportunities, highs and lows of the 2024 growing season. It's so important to look back at this time of year in order to look forwards with excitement and plan. The Growing Up Podcast is...

Send us Fan Mail Andy and Kate sit down with hot chocolates and chat about the storm that's just affected the UK, the importance of community, growing luxury value crops and why it's so important to get outside when you can do so..... 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 In this episode Andy talks to Dan, Head Gardener of Winterbourne House and Gardens about the idea of gardening FOR the month of December, practical jobs to complete during December and how this seems increasingly tricky in a changing climate. There is so much that you can do to bring seasonality into your December garden and it was so much fun to chat to Dan about the options we a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk about our specialist subject - growing herbs!  Andy and Kater discuss how you can get the most out of your herb garden during the coldest months of the year.  Do herbs need protection from the cold?  Do they need any special care?  Listen to this episode and find out. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big bel...

Send us Fan Mail In this really special episode, we travelled down to the beautiful Homeacres to meet with Charles Dowding to talk all things No Dig.  When most people think about No Dig Gardening Charles Dowding is often the first name that comes to mind.  His books and the videos that he produces are inspirational to ourselves and many others so it was a huge privilege to spend the afternoon wit...

Send us Fan Mail Kate is embarking on her first season of growing bulbs and shares everything she has learned about bulb growing so far with Andy and any other first-time bulb planters out there!   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...

Send us Fan Mail This week Andy and Kate chat about gardening jobs that you will have so much fun completing during the month of November.  November is a deceptive month in which you can sow a surprising range of crops but also take steps to boost your productivity for the months ahead.  The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels.  We are big believers in the benefits...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Andy and Kate discuss why there seems to be such a tension within horticulture and the gardening industry as a whole about  making profit from growing.  So many of us grow as a hobby that delights, excites and recarges, but we absolutely need profit making businesses within horticulture if our industry has a future. Equally in the current economic climate in which...

Send us Fan Mail This week we chat with friend of the show Becky Searle on Instagram as @ sow_much_more to talk all things composting.  We talk about why composting is so important, how you can increase your composting results and why male urine might be a secret weapon in your journey to creat the perfect compost. Enjoy this one guys. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing Fir...