Tales From The Potting Bench

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 8th February 2023 This week's episode is mainly based indoors, strangely, as I'm potting up some Aloe and talking about my houseplant cutting (and telling you how easy it is to take some for yourself)! 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...

Andrew Perry - Urban Herbs, Urban Growing 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 the first episode of this new season I'm joined by the face and vision behind Urban Herbs, Andy Perry. Andy takes us through how the company came into life and what the near future holds....

Garden Book Review - 'Rekha's Kitchen Garden' by Rekha Mistry 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 its the turn of the Rekha Mistry 's ' Rekha's Kitchen Garden' .  A brand new kitchen garden bible that will get you outside thinking about growing more of your own fr...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 1st February 2023 This week's episode is all about a new climber for Potting Bench HQ, the emerging crocus and a little mystery! 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 web...

Garden Book Review - ' To Stand And Stare by Andrew Timothy O'Brien 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 its the turn of the spectacular ' To Stand and Stare ' by Andrew Timothy O'Brien.  Andrew is a gardener, garden coach, podcaster and now author, who is someone you abs...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 25th January 2023       This week's episode is all about sweet peas (from Sow Successful), the birds and the winter sun!   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 v...

Garden Book Review - ' No-Dig Children's Gardening Book ' by Charles Dowding 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 its the turn of highly anticipated ' No-Dig Children's Gardening Book' by Charles Dowding. Charles, for those of you not in the know - is one of the innovators of no-dig...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 18th January 2023     This week's episode is all about Cobaea Scandens, rooting houseplants, bees in winter and 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!           Please rate, review, subscribe a...

Garden Book Review - 'A Flower A Day' by Miranda Janatka 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 its the turn of the botanical beauty that is 'A Flower A Day' by Miranda Janatka . Miranda, a senior writer for Gardener's World has compiled a veritable feast of flowers to inform, educate and ent...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 11th January 2023   This week's episode is all about the first bulbs out the ground, some garden DIY and sunflowers for 2023! 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!         Please rate, review, subscribe and s...

Garden Book Review - 'Grasping The Nettle' by Tamsin Westhorpe    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 its the turn of the hilarious page turner of a book 'Grasping The Nettle' by Tamsin Westhorpe . Tamsin has done everything in the horticultural world, you name it - she's done i...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 4th January 2023 This week's episode is the first of a new year, as we enter into 2023 with gusto! I'm talking bulbs, bulbs, bulbs, Dahlias, bulbs, bulbs and Tomatoes! 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!       Please...

Garden Book Review - ' Hortus Curious ' by Mr Plant Geek, Michael Perry.        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 its the turn of the neon pink, Hortus Curious by Mr Plant Geek, Michael Perry . Michael is THE authority on the seriously cool plants of he world...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 28thDecember 2022! This week's episode is all about the thinking about how the changing climate will affect how we garden, seeing how we can all save a bit more water and how much I've neglected my onions! 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 y...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 21st December 2022!                       This week's episode is all about the BIG bulb reveal...where I finally let you know how many bulbs made their way to Potting Bench HQ?! Also, what on earth was I doing with those pots earlier in the week AND what has popped up in the garden this week?? So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or ju...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 14th December 2022!                       The accompaniment podcast to 'Tales From The Potting Bench' - this is all about what's currently going on in my own garden. This week's episode is all about old bulbs, new bulbs, new salvias and a huge thank you from me... So, whether you're in the car, on the com...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 7th December 2022!                     The accompaniment podcast to 'Tales From The Potting Bench' - this is all about what's currently going on in my own garden. This week's episode is all about NOT getting outside...you'll have to listen to find out what I mean! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute,...

Episode 11: Mark Lane - Broadcaster, Writer, Designer! In the last episode of the current season I had the pleasure of talking to Gardener’s World favourite, Mark Lane. Mark tells me all about his journey to horticulture, which part of his career really brings him the most joy and what we might just see from him in the future. 💜 This season is sponsored by the wonderful people at Plant Grow , pro...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 30thNovember 2022!                     The accompaniment podcast to 'Tales From The Potting Bench' - this is all about what's currently going on in my own garden. This week's episode is all about slowing down and seeing what's around us right now with a little glance at what is to come... So, whether you're in...

Episode 10: James Smith - Young Designer! In this episode I spoke to Young Designer of the year 2021 finalist and RHS Medalist, James Smith. Keep listening to hear just how we think schools can help create an interest in horticulture from a young age and much more… James is still very early in his journey but it was fantastic to talk to a young voice in the bustling world of garden design and to h...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 24th November 2022!                   The accompaniment podcast to 'Tales From The Potting Bench' - this is all about what's currently going on in my own garden. This week's episode is all about new borders....dark nights and what gets me through to spring! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the gard...

Episode 9: Laetitia Maklouf - The Five Minute Garden! This week’s episode is for those of us that really cannot find the time to get everything done in the garden as I talk to the author of The Five Minute Garden , Laetitia Maklouf. Laetitia’s latest book aims to cut down, those sometimes daunting tasks - into five minute jobs here and there. Something I know we could all do with help with at the...

Garden Book Review - ' Pots ' by Harriet Rycroft           Hello and welcome to the first, of I hope many, garden book reviews - brought to you by the Tales From The Potting Bench podcast. During the downtime between seasons of the main podcast (and periodically when there are amazing books released) I hope to bring you reviews of either my favourite garden related books o...

Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 16th November 2022!                 The accompaniment podcast to 'Tales From The Potting Bench' - this is all about what's currently going on in my own garden. This week's episode is all about trying to enjoy what autumn has as well as looking ahead to the depths of winter! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute,...

Episode 8: Sarah Gerrard-Jones - The Plant Rescuer! This episode is one for the houseplant fans as I’m joined by The Plant Rescuer, Sarah Gerrard-Jones . Sarah has become known for her near miraculous resurrections of plants, long forgotten by their owners. Keep listening to find out just how much light your plants need and a very exciting bit of news, exclusive to Tales From The Potting Bench. Yo...