Tales From The Potting Bench

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 30th August 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features two new dahlias, a handy tip for growing salvias and another brand new plant in the garden. Plus a little dahlias quandary that I wonder if you've had too? 🍀 Each week I bring you a snapshot of what's going on here - complete with gardening advice, tips, trick and hints - all...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 23rd August 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features some of the most amazing tomatoes, a pepper update (both chili and sweet), a favourite little purchase from the garden centre and a smart hack for keeping your borders full... 🍀 Each week I bring you a snapshot of what's going on here - complete with gardening advice, tips, trick...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 9th August 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features some beautiful flowers, tough decisions and ripping plants out...for the greater good, I might add. So make yourself a cuppa (or something stronger) and sit down for a listen. 🍀 Each week I bring you a snapshot of what's going on here - complete with gardening advice, tips, trick and hints...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 9th August 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features some of the most stunning dahlias I've ever grown and something black....not a dahlia though! You'll have to listen along to see what that is AND make sure you head to my website to see all the pictures too (link is at the bottom of these notes). So, whether you're in the ca...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 2nd August 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is all about dahlias, entirely dedicated to those stunning flowers we all know and love. You'll want to check out the written version of this too, to see all the pictures (see that here on my website). So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perf...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 19thJuly 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features the first dahlias of the year, yet more gap filler ideas for you to try at home and much more! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! Complete with gardening...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 5th July 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features strawberries, garlic and my favourite colour in the garden (possibly!). So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read thi...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 28th June 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features the emerging foxgloves, the first of (hopefully) many of a particular new bloom AND finally the garlic comes up?? So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If y...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 20th June 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features a new geranium, a dilemma (help!) and a garlic update!! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry on my website...

Alan Titchmarsh at Gardener's World Live! Welcome to a very special bonus edition of the podcast! This episode features a conversation with former Gardener's World presenter and legendary plantsman, Alan Titchmarsh. We discuss this year's BBC Gardener's World Live show at the NEC in Birmingham along with lots more! You can follow me on Instagram for more gardening goodness at @ ⁠⁠⁠...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 14th June 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is all about what I'm growing with my dahlias and a mini fruit & veg update, enjoy! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can a...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 31st May 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is all about the big plant out! Finally its time to empty the greenhouse! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary...

James from Plant Surge - Harnessing the Power of Lightning Now usually you’d hear me talking to a gardener, a houseplant expert or someone else directly linked to the plant world. However, this time is a little different. Because, in this conversation I’m joined by someone from a company that I use and love and I think you’ll also enjoy too. This is our chance to discuss their products and tell yo...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 31st May 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is all things finally kicking into life, the VERY last of the tulips and the launch of something rather special... So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd...

Charlie from Leon Boots - Why These are Boots are Different! Now usually you’d hear me talking to a gardener, a houseplant expert or someone else directly linked to the plant world. However, this time is a little different. Because, in this conversation I’m joined by someone from a company that I use and love and I think you’ll also enjoy too. This is our chance to discuss their products and tell...

Alice Vincent - 'How Gardening Creeps in When We're Least Expecting It' This episode features a conversation gardener, writer and author, the sensational Alice Vincent . Alice began her career with music journalism, before making a gear shift towards gardening and in this conversation we discuss exactly why that happened…enjoy! Alice’s latest book ‘ Why Women Grow ’ is out now from Can...

Adam Frost and Arit Anderson Welcome to a very special bonus edition of the podcast! This episode features conversations with Gardener's World presenters Adam Frost and Arit Anderson at this years' RHS Malvern Spring Festival. We talk all about the festival itself and what else they both might be upto this year! 💜 This episode is sponsored by Plant Grow, producers of award winning organic...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 17th May 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is all about BIG things happening, both with me and with the garden. Big changes and its all very exciting! Listen now to see what I'm doing with my dahlias and much more. So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you...

Danny Clarke - 'The Black Gardener' This episode features a conversation with garden designer and presenter, Danny Clarke otherwise known as The Black Gardener. Danny is perhaps best known as part of the team on Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Garden as well as appearances on This Morning and Channel 5’s Filthy Garden SOS. We talk here about how all of this began, including how Danny’s mentor helped t...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 10th May 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is shifting the attention to fruit and veggies! While we don't have acres of space, we cram a lot in including some edibles - listen now to hear what we're growing and how well (or not!) its doing. So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this i...

Patrick Vernuccio - The Frenchie Gardener! This episode features a conversation gardener and content creator Patrick Vernuccio, perhaps known better to us as The Frenchie Gardener. Patrick talks in depth here about how he grows so much in such a small terrace space on his balcony in perhaps surprisingly, Berlin (not France). It took Patrick until he was 36 to plant his first seed….enjoy! You can f...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 3rd May 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the podcast is all about maintaining a full garden, year round (or that's the plan anyway!). I tell you exactly how I do this and how I manage keeping on top of planting out and keeping things moving along. I also talk about slow growing dahlias and what to do if yours are taking their time to get going... So, wh...

Andrew Timothy O'Brien - Hands In The Dirt! This episode features a conversation with gardener, garden coach, writer and fellow podcaster – Andrew Timothy O’Brien. Andrew aims to help others to enjoy their gardens for more than just their physical appearance. Listen now to hear all about Andrew’s new book and so much more. Andrew’s book ‘ To Stand and Stare ' is out now from DK Books and i...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 26th April 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the podcast is brought to you in association with Farmer Gracy ! This episode gave me a chance to compile some of my favourite varieties from Farmer Gracy this year as well as some top tulip tips to grow the best blooms you can . 👉🏻 Do make sure to check out farmergracy.co.uk for fantastic plants right across th...

Emma Jo Real-Davies - Gardening, Instagram and beyond! This episode features a conversation with Instagram STAR, radio presenter and QVC gardening expert – Emma Jo Real Davies! You’ll know Emma from her hilarious Instagram page and all sorts of other things and you’ll be glad to know this conversation is just as mad as you’d expect it to be – enjoy! You can find Emma on Instagram @ emjorealdavies...