Pot and Cloche Garden Podcasts

In this episode of the podcast, I'm coming to you from the Garden Press Event 2026, where I've been talking to some of the most interesting and innovative people in the gardening world.   I first meet up with former guest Andrew Cousins from The Dipping Tank Company, whose rainwater-harvesting tanks double as beautiful water features, now joined by a clever new accessory, the "Little Dipper," for...

Orchids have a reputation for being fussy, fragile divas – but what if they're actually some of the toughest, most forgiving houseplants you can grow? In this episode Joff Elphick chats with writer and garden media specialist Julianne Robertson about her new book, ORCHIDS: a no fuss guide to keeping your houseplant happy.   Julianne explains what orchids really need to thrive indoors: the right li...

In episode 36 Joff Elphick visits the Garden Press Event at London's Business Design Center. Sue Morgan from Songbird Survival discusses the charity's work addressing the alarming 50% decline in UK songbirds over the past 50 years. She attributes this to complex factors including climate change, land use changes, pesticides, and habitat loss. Sue offers three key tips for bird-friendly gardens: pr...

In this episode sponsored by Genus Garden Wear ,   Joff talks to Kate Bradbury about her new book ONE GARDEN AGAINST THE WORLD - in search of hope in a changing climate from Bloomsbury wildlife Kate is an award-winning writer specialising in wildlife gardening and the author of The Bumblebee Flies Anyway, Wildlife Gardening for Everyone and Everything, How to Create a Wildlife Pond and The Tree in...

In this episode Joff hops on the train to Paddington and navigates the London underground to find The Business Design Centre in Islington, London. It's the Garden press Event and he get to talk to some amazing people who have produced some equally amazing and well thought out products. Previous guest on the podcast Andy from Dahlia Beach tells us about her flower farm, the highs and lows of growin...

In this episode Joff talks to Adrian Bloom about his new book FOGGY BOTTOM - A GARDEN to SHARE. From breaking turf in an empty meadow in 1966, to its near maturity in 2023 it is the story of a garden and its plants. That's a 56-year-old garden with stories to tell.  More important in Adrian's view is what the Foggy Bottom Garden represents today and how many more can benefit from sharing it. He sh...

Derek Gow is a farmer and nature conservationist. Born in Dundee in 1965, he left school when he was 17 and worked in agriculture for five years. Inspired by the writing of Gerald Durrell, all of whose books he has read - thoroughly - he jumped at the chance to manage a European wildlife park in central Scotland in the late 1990s before moving on to develop two nature centres in England. He now li...

Liz Zorab is author of the bestselling 'Grounded – A Gardener's Journey to Abundance and Self-Sufficiency'. She spent more than 20 years working with specialist housing charities and in community development, with an emphasis on innovative volunteering practices. An award-winning gardener, she gained an RHS Silver Medal for a community-led garden featured on BBC's 'Gardeners World Live' in 2002. A...

In this episode sponsored by Genus Gardenwear   Joff Elphick takes his annual pilgrimage up to the big smoke where he visitis the old horticultural halls - now known as The Business Design Centre - to meet horticutlural businesses for The garden Press Event. He speaks to Simon for Hydrialife who tells us about his self contained award winning water fountain kit with rechargeable batteries and a pr...

The Generous Gardener ran by Sarah Biddulph and Sarah Rivett- Carnac offer a series of garden lectures throughout the year in Rodmarton Manor a beautiful arts and craft property located in Gloucestershire between Cirencester and Tetbury. Lectures in 2023 are being delivered by a brilliantly curated set of speakers most of whom are well known to keen gardeners and people in the world of horticultur...

In this episdoe sponsored by Genus Gardenwear Joff talks to wildlife expert Chris Baines about his book THE RHS COMPANION TO WILDLIFE GARDENING - how to make a wildlif garden. First published in 1985 this book has now been fully updated and revised by Chris with new illustrations and highlights the changes in garden wildlife over the last 30 years.  It incorporates the latest RHS research and upda...

In this episode sponsored by Genus gardenwear Joff Elphick talks to Barbara Segall about her new book GARDENS of the SOUTH-EAST published by Frances Lincoln. Within its 144 pages are  20 gardens many of which often remain overlooked but all of which display the passion of the owners or gardeners that look after them. It's a fascinating talk with not just the gardens, but many names of people invol...

In this episode sponsored by Genus Gardenwear Joff Elphick talks to Michael Perry aka Mr Plant Geek about his career in horticulture and his new book Hortus Curious - discover the worlds most weird and wonderful plants and fungi.  We talk about his work with Thompson and Morgan where he worked on plants like the Tom-tato and the Egg and chips plant. His TV work with Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunc...

In this episode sponsored by Genus Gardenwear Joff Elphick travels to the north of the Cotswolds to visit Harriet Rycroft, a garden speaker, consultant, writer, and an expert in container gardening. They talk about her book 'POTS' and wander around Harriet's back garden, home to nearly 800 pots. The book has 4 chapters - Learn - Plan - Grow - Care Harriet's advice is right plant, right place, and...

In this episode sponsored by the amazing Genus Gardenwear Joff talks to a number of the interesting exhibitors that can be found at The Malvern Autumn Show. Andie from Dahlia Beach tells us how her company, the first cut-your-own Dahlia farm in the UK came about. She also telss us about her plans to open the farm for 'dig your own' dDahlia plants at the thend of October. (It's a secret at the mome...

In this Episode  sponsored by Genus Gardenwear I talk to Tamsin Westhorpe about her latest book Grasping the Nettle - tales from a modern country gardener. Tamsin is a hands-on gardener who opens her garden Stockton Bury near Leominster to the public. She had worked as a parks greenkeeper, an interior landscaper, she had her own shop, and is probably best known for holding the position of Editor a...

In this episode sponsored by Genus Gardenwear Joff talks to Silvana de Soissons about her book Natural Skincare for all Seasons.  Chapters in the book include An introduction to the skin. Plotting the skincare garden. Choosing skincare plants. The natural skincare garden through the seasons. Formulations and Techniques. Joff and Silvana discuss No dig gardening The use of 'weeds' in skincare. What...

In this episode sponsored by Genus Performance Gardenwear Joff talks to Sandra Lawrence author of 'Miss Wilmott's Ghosts - The extraordinary life and gardens of a forgotten genius'.  They discuss Ellen Wilmott, her upbringing, and her inherited wealth.  The 11th century castle and the hidden 'treasures' in its damp cellars. The legendary parties at Ellen's home Warley Place.  'Wilmott Tombola' wit...

In this episode sponsored by the amazing Genus Performance Gardenwear Joff taks to Kathy Slack who's book 'From the Veg Patch' was published last year by Ebury Press. They discuss the vegetables Kathy grows and the some of the deliciuos recipes in the book.

In this episode sponsored by the amazing Genus Performance Gardenwear Joff travels to the old horticultural halls in Islington, London, where he talks to the charities and businesses who attend the event. His first visit is to David Wyndham-Lewis of the horticultural charity Perennial who offer suppoert to those in the industry who may find themselves in financial difficulty for a number of reason...

Joff talks to Ben Dark about his latest book The Grove - a nature odyssey in 191/2 front gardens. Ben Dark is such a wonderful writer - The Grove drew me in from the first line. Lia Leendertz The Grove is overflowing with delicious nuggets of cultural, social and garden history, - and I adore Ben's humour and humility in equal measure . Advolly Richmond A heartfelt romp through the wisteria and wi...

Joff talks to Peter Donegan, Landscape Architect, lead designer for DIY SOS Ireland, and former host of the much loved award winning podcast The Sodshow. They talk about: 17th and 18thC gardens The Sodshow The Association of Professional Landscapers awards. Being a 'purple shirt' for DIY SOS Ireland Highly prized Sodshow merchandise. His involvement and designs for the WW1 Centenery Memorial Garde...

Joff talks to Alan Sargent about The landscape Library, an online resource for head gardeners, gardeners, landscapers, and garden consultants. Alan, a busy expert witness in horticulture related cases has been in the business since the late 60's and has over 60 show gardens under his belt. We talk about- Responsibilities of a garden consultant Japanese Knotweed Design and Build Contracts Legalitie...

In this episode Joff goes to the Malvern Autumn Show where he talks to Vanessa from garden boot makers Poddy and Black . He learns about traditional trug making from Robin at The Thomas Smith Trug Shop and then talks to Marsha O'Mahony who has written abook ' The Scratch of the Hop' about hop growing and picking in the midlands. At Glee he chats with Annabelle Padwick from Life at No 27. Bumps int...

In this episode Joff goes to the Malvern Autumn Show where he talks to Vanessa from garden boot makers Poddy and Black . He learns about traditional trug making from Robin at The Thomas Smith Trug Shop and then talks to Marsha O'Mahony who has written abook ' The Scratch of the Hop' about hop growing and picking in the midlands. At Glee he chats with Annabelle Padwick from Life at No 27. Bumps int...