Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast

In this week's episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast , I return to Kingston Maurward, horticultural college, where I learnt my trade many, many years ago. Nigel Hewish , the Head Gardener there, is responsible for the national collection of salvias held within the grounds of the college. What Nigel doesn't know about salvias frankly, isn't worth knowing. In this informat...

Hello and welcome to the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast . In this first episode of Series 7, I'm delighted to be joined by the rather lovely Anya Lautenbach, a.k.a. Anya, The Garden Fairy (Instagram) . Anya's brand new book, her first, The Money Saving Gardener is published on 8 February by DK books . We chat about: How the book came about The writing process Anya's first garden...

In this weeks episode, I chat to another Head Gardener, Nigel Hewish of Kingston Maurward college in Dorchester. I completed my horticultural training at Kingston Morwood many years ago, and it was a delight to catch up with Nigel to talk about the gardens and his career. In this chat, we cover: Nigel's career to date His love of trees and shrubs The plant collections at Kingston Maurward The...

In this fascinating episode,  I chat to Charles Carr , who is the Head of Wholesale Nurseries at Hillier Nurseries Limited.   Charles took me on a tour of the site and it's just incredible to see this massive operation, and the technology thats in use, the skills of the staff all around the site and most importantly, the quality of the plants that are produced. I chat to Charles about his role...

In this episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I go back to a garden, that's not too far from me, the Harold Hillier Gardens in Ampfield near Romsey to chat to Head Gardener, Fran Clifton. I last visited Fran a couple of years ago, when we talked about the stunning winter garden, but today, we talk about: Fran's role as head gardener What the role entails How much time does...

Hello, and welcome to this weeks episode of them Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast.  This week I chat with Harry Baldwin, the Head of Horticulture at the beautiful Borde Hill Gardens near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, UK.  In this current series of the podcast, I've been chatting to a number of Head Gardeners & Heads of Horticulture about their roles, their careers and the gardens they...

Hello and welcome to this episode of the Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast. In this episode, I chat to gardener, writer and author, Miranda Janatka, whose second book, Happy Indoor Garden has just been published by Batsford Books. Until recently, Miranda was also a senior content creator for the fabulous Gardeners’ World magazine. We chat about: Her career to date How she got into gardening He...

In this episode I travel to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens near Weymouth in Dorset (UK) where I chat to Curator, David Pearce. We chat about: His role as Curator. The gardens and how they're looked after and maintained. The historic plant collection Gardening jobs for autumn and winter. David's own plant passions. Why people should go to Abbotsbury Gardens. The joy and passion that working...

Hello, and welcome back to episode two of series 6 of them Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast. In this episode, I chat with Roz Chandler , a cut flower farmer and teacher, writer, speaker, and fellow podcaster. And, if that were not enough, she is also an award-winning wedding florist based in Milton Keynes. I chat with Roz about everything you could possibly need to know about growing cut flow...

Hello and welcome back to Series 6 of them Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast . The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed the title of the podcast has changed very slightly. I'm ditching the 'MIC' (which was a nod to the microphone element) in favour of MIKE. And, in a further change for this series, I will have an occasional co-host who I introduce you to in today's episode....

Hello, and welcome to this bonus episode of the Mike the Gardener – Gardening Podcast. This time we return to the allotment with Otis to see what has been happening since we were last there a few weeks back.  And, I can assure you, the allotment has been very, very productive. I know that, because we've been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of some of the delicious crops, including bumper h...

Hello and welcome to this last episode in the current series of a Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast . As I said last week, we have a great final guest today, in fact, it's my youngest guest on the podcast ever.  Now, one day, when I was whiling away time on good old Instagram, I stumbled across an account in the name of The First Time Gardener . Now, there are two people behind this particu...

In this week's episode, I head back to Otis and Ben's allotment to see how things are progressing so far this season. I'm delighted to advise that for the first time in the series, so far, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Clear blue skies, a very gentle breeze and temperatures soaring, especially in the tunnel. Today we chat about: Some nifty little hacks, including how to make mor...

In this week's episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat with friend and nursery owner, Ruth Goudy. Ruth is one of the owners of the Kiln Farm Nursery in Kesgrave, Ipswich alongside husband Paul. We chat about: How the nursery came about How it grew and developed into the thriving business it is today What is entailed in running a successful garden centre What are the future...

In this week's, episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast , I chat to Gardeners' World presenter, garden designer, and author, Adam Frost . Probably one of the most requested chats from all of you over the last two years, and finally it's happened. In an open, frank and very honest, interview Adam talks about: His career to date. Working alongside the legend that was Geoff Ha...

In this weeks episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast, I chat to YPHA committee member, Sarah Want . The YPHA is the Young People in Horticulture Association and is a fantastic initiative for anybody in gardening or horticulture under the age of 35.  In this episode, I chat to Sarah about: What the YPHA is? Who it's for? What its objectives are? How it helps its members? And lots,...

In this week's episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I take you all to the Chelsea Flower Show Press Day. I'm very lucky to be invited to this, and decided it would be great if I could share some of the atmosphere of the day with you here on the podcast. Celebrities and gardening personalities wander up and down Main Avenue and around the Great Pavilion. It's the place to be seen on...

In this week's, episode, I chat to gardener, cook, writer and author, Mark Diacono.   We talk about Mark's career and how he first got into gardening and became a foodie. We also chat about music, which is a strong theme in Mark's life, photography and Mark’s love of the written word and of course lots lots more.  You can find out more about Mark by heading to his Instagram page or web...

In this week's episode of the In this week's episode of the Mic the Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat to climate change gardening expert, Kim Stoddart.  Kim's new book, ‘The Climate Change Garden', which she co-authored alongside Sally Morgan gives us a fascinating insight into climate change, and how we as gardeners need to adapt our working practices to achieve bountiful and productive garden...

In this week's, episode of the Mic the Gardener - Gardening Podcast I chat with gardener, writer, podcaster, garden coach, and now author, Andrew Timothy O’Brien . In his own words, Andrew says he is the owner of a too-loud laugh. I disagree, it’s great to hear the sound of people laughing in a world where there’s too much sadness and bad news, don’t you think? I chat to Andrew about his new b...

In this week's episode of the Mic The Gardener – Gardening Podcast we head back to Otis and Ben's allotment in Wimborne.  Despite the cold, grey weather, there is plenty of activity going on on the plot as you'll hear in this episode. But, Ben and Otis have also had their fair share of trials and tribulations to contend with, so it hasn't all been plain sailing. If you are interest...

In this weeks, episode of the Mic The Gardener – Gardening Podcast I chat to friend, YouTube sensation, homesteader and author, Liz Zorab. Liz's new book, The Seasoned Gardener has just been published on Permanent Publications, and I chat to her about: - How she started homesteading  - - - How she started her successful YouTube channel with over 122,000 subscribers. - How she started writing, and,...

In this week's episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast , I chat with hardy geranium expert, Gary Carroll of the Cranesbill Nursery. Geraniums are a fantastic, genre with plants that fit into so many different aspects within our gardens and indeed in containers. In this episode, Gary tells us about: Geraniums for different places (dry and damp locations in sun, shade and containers)...

In this week's episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast , I chat with best-selling novelist, Erica James. Erica's latest novel, ‘ A Secret Garden Affair ' has just been published and unsurprisingly is already heading towards the top of the charts. We chat about: Her career to date. How she first got published. How she writes. Her new novel, A Secret Garden Affair, and lots,...

In this week's episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast, I chat to Sarah Gerrard/Jones, a.k.a. The Plant Rescuer. Sarah is a self-taught houseplant obsessive who firmly believes every plant deserves a happy life. Her determination to see beyond the 'perfect plant' and to rescue unloved plants makes her the go-to guide. We chat about: - Her career to date. - How her obsession with housep...