Tales From The Potting Bench

Bonus Episode: A preview for the RHS Malvern Spring Festival! Hello and welcome back to Tales From The Potting Bench , bringing you a surprise bonus episode. This episode is something a little different as I'm joined by Show Lead of the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Kate Dufton as well as episode contributors Tom Leonard otherwise know as the Drag Queen Gardener, Ben Newell perhaps known better...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 19th April 2023 In the garden this week ; I'm actually celebrating....? Also I reveal, possibly my favourite tulip of 2023...don't miss this! 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 re...

Jane Perrone - Houseplant Royalty! This episode features a conversation with true houseplant royalty, Jane Perrone. Jane's career ranges from gardening editor for The Guardian to present day as a podcaster, writer and author of two books. We discuss all of that and much more in this conversation! Jane’s new book ‘ Legends Of The Lead ’ is out on 27thApril and you can order your copy now via th...

Garden Book Review - ' The Seasoned Gardener' by Liz Zorab Hello and welcome to another garden book review '...from the Potting Bench' brought to you by the Tales From The Potting Bench podcast. This time we turn focus to ' The Seasoned Gardener ' by Liz Zorab. If you're looking for a book to help and encourage you to grow, in a friendly and realistic manner, then The S...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 12th April 2023 In the garden this week ; I'm showing you the bulbs, corms and seedlings! 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠viewfromthepotting...

Liz Zorab - The Seasoned Gardener This episode features a conversation gardener, content creator, author and all round good egg – Liz Zorab of Byther Farm. Liz talks to me about the challenges of moving to a new site and the challenges of creating a farm half way up a hill (or mountain!). We also talk about seasonal harvests and how Liz is managing to grow upto 80% of the food that they consume at...

Garden Book Review - ' Not Another Jungle' by Tony Le-Britton Hello and welcome to another garden book review '...from the Potting Bench' brought to you by the Tales From The Potting Bench podcast. This time we turn focus to ‘Not Another Jungle' by Tony Le-Britton. This is a book filled with pure houseplant goodness! Advice, tips, information and the most stunning photography -...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 5th April 2023 In the garden this week ; I'm showing you something new, something old, something saved and something slimy.... 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...

This week’s episode is one that you’re all going to love as I’m joined by houseplant fanatic and creator of ‘Not Another Jungle’ Tony Le Britton. Tony is an absolute start of the houseplant world and what he's achieved over the last few years is nothing short of amazing. In this conversation we talk all about his Instagram page, his shop, his new book and not forgetting the all important quest...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 29th March 2023 In the garden this week ; I'm taking you on a tour of what's inside our greenhouse! Its only small but I've managed to cram a lot of plants and seedlings inside it. Some 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...

Lee Burkhill - Garden Ninja's Assemble! This episode features a conversation with garden designer and TV presenter, Lee Burkhill. Lee, or Garden Ninja Lee, as you may know him better as has been gracing our screens for the past few years on shows such as BBC1’s Garden Rescue, alongside the wonderful Charlie Dimmock. We talk here about breaking the norms or what gardening is and how the Garden...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 22nd March 2023 In the garden this week ; I'm talking about the fact that its officially spring (celebration!!), Chillies, Tomatoes, Sweet Peas and Hydrangeas. And also, the episodes features a huge mistake...can you spot it? 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 li...

Ann-Marie Powell - Creating a Real Garden... This episode features a conversation with the incredible Ann-Marie Powell. Ann-Marie is a garden designer, writer and occasional presenter and the creator of My Real Gardens on Instagram. She’s created high end designs and gardens all over the world and her energy and sheer passion are beyond infectious. This conversation takes us through Ann-Marie’s ca...

Garden Book Review - ' Ranunculus ' by Naomi Slade Hello and welcome to another garden book review '...from the Potting Bench' brought to you by the Tales From The Potting Bench podcast. This time we turn focus to ‘Ranunculus’ by Naomi Slade. This book aside from anything else, is a pure daydream of a journey through the stunning buttercup family of plants. Naomi expertly crafts a book that not on...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 15th March 2023 In the garden this week ; I'm talking about the impact of the snow, what's going on with the (early) tulips, how the chillies are doing and something new to the garden for this year...you'll have to listen to find out what that is! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot fo...

Naomi Slade - For The Love Of Plants! This week’s episode is with garden expert, writer and garden designer – Naomi Slade. Naomi is widely recognised from her hugely successful series of garden books and from magazines such as Garden News. Naomi joined me to discuss, among other things, her latest book, Ranunculus. Naomi's book ‘ Ranunculus ’ is out now from Pavillion Books and is available online...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 8th March 2023 This week's episode celebrates new things in the garden! I'm also potting up some bare roots, and explaining how you can do yours too - and getting the dahlias started. I'm also letting you know what else is growing in our greenhouse... So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapsho...

Miranda Janatka - From Kew to Gardener's World This episode features a conversation with Senior Content Creator at Gardener’s World Magazine, Miranda Janatka. Miranda’s career started at Kew for a number of years before moving across to Gardener’s World, but she wasn’t always on a path to a life in horticulture… Miranda’s book ‘A Flower A Day’ is out now from Batsford Books and is available online...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 1st March 2023 This week's episode is focus on alternatives and using things outside of the norm! I've made a bit of a pledge to try and buy small in 2023 and support even more small businesses where I can and I've got some suggestions for you in this episode, enjoy! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the...

Ben Cross - British Flowers Rock (Back For More) This episode features a first ever for the podcast – as I’m joined for the first time, by a returning guest in their second appearance. Join me as I talk to Ben Cross, from Crosslands Flower Nursery – otherwise known online as Alstroemeria Ben. Ben spoke to me way back in season 1 about his British Flowers Rock campaign, and he joins me now for an u...

Garden Book Review - 'A Plant For Every Day Of The Year’ by Philip Clayton Hello and welcome to another garden book review '...from the Potting Bench' brought to you by the Tales From The Potting Bench podcast.         This time we turn focus to ‘A Plant For Every Day Of The Year’ by Philip Clayton. This wonderful new book is essentially a combination of 365 plants that you cou...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 22nd February 2023   This week's episode is a family gardening special - complete with some recommendations for getting everyone outside. For those who don't know, then I've got two daughters who usually accompany me when I'm gardening - so this week, I'm bringing them along too! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at hom...

Stephanie Hafferty - Myth Busting, No-Dig Hello and welcome back to Tales From The Potting Bench. A brand new season featuring all new conversations with far reaching voices across the horticultural landscape. In this episode I spoke to no-dig gardener and homesteader, Stephanie Hafferty. Stephanie is also a prolific garden writer, speaker and author – so we had plenty to talk about including some...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 15th February 2023 This week's episode about patience (or lack of), cold-frame snooping, Ranunculus (help me!) and tulip watch! Do join me as I take you on a whirlwind tour of my week in an urban garden. 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 yea...

Rekha Mistry - Growing Your Own Kitchen Garden Hello and welcome back to Tales From The Potting Bench. A brand new season featuring all new conversations with far reaching voices across the horticultural landscape. In this episode I was fortunate enough to talk with Gardener’s World’s Rekha Mistry! We discuss what is was that even got her so into growing her own and how that ended up with her fant...