The Blooming Garden

Ever felt overwhelmed by gardening advice that tells you to buy more, do more, and battle nature at every turn? What if there was a simpler, more sustainable way? In this episode, I chat with Jim and Sonia from The Edible Gardeners about their revolutionary approach to gardening, as featured in their new book The Circular Garden . We’re talking:  How to grow more with less – less waste, less cost,...

Ever sown seeds early in the season, only to watch them sit there doing nothing for weeks ? Meanwhile, someone sows the same variety a few weeks later, and suddenly their plants are thriving while yours are still sulking . So what’s going on? The answer lies in daylight length and the Equinox . In this episode, we’re diving into how plants measure light , why some flowers simply refuse to grow bef...

Do you want to double your flower harvest without adding a single extra row? Whether you’re a flower farmer, a backyard grower, or just someone who wants more blooms from less space, today’s episode is for you! I’m sharing the three essential techniques every grower needs to maximize production —without extra land, fancy tools, or complicated setups. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your flower...

In this episode, I sit down with Rainy from Cherry Tree Flower Farm to talk all things willow. From growing it successfully in wet conditions to harvesting, weaving, and using it in floristry, Rainy shares her incredible knowledge built over years of working with this sustainable and versatile plant. Whether you're looking to grow willow for weaving, floristry, or even as a windbreak, this episode...

In this special last-minute episode, I address the flood of questions I've received about sweet peas—from customers, journalists, and bloggers. I share my personal tips on when and how to sow sweet peas, the benefits of autumn versus spring sowing, and how to keep your plants strong and blooming from May through September. Whether you’re dealing with leggy seedlings or wondering if you should soak...

This week, I'll be diving into one of my all-time favorite flowers—Matthiola Incana, or scented stocks. If you’ve ever struggled to grow them, you’re not alone. I spent years getting it wrong before finally cracking the code. Now, they’re a staple in my cutting garden, perfect for weddings, arrangements, and filling the air with that incredible, spicy-sweet scent. In this episode, I’m sharing ever...

In this episode of the Blooming Garden podcast, I discuss the essential aspects of seed sowing, focusing on the often-overlooked process of seed stratification. Explaining  how to recreate natural conditions for seeds to germinate, emphasizing the importance of temperature, light, and moisture and providing  practical tips for gardeners to improve their seed germination success.  Takeaways Seed st...

In this episode of the Blooming Garden podcast, host Jane Westoby from The Hampshire Seed Company talks to fellow Flower Farmer Jen from Jen on the Lot about her journey into flower farming. They discuss the importance of planning, market research, and the challenges of starting a flower farm. Jen shares her experiences transitioning from an allotment to a larger farm, the strategies she employs t...

In this episode of the Blooming Garden podcast, host Jane Westoby talks all things Dahlia breeding with Pam Lyons from the Untamed Garden.  Exploring  Pam's journey from Alaska to the UK, her passion for growing and breeding dahlias, and the various challenges and joys that come with it. How  The Untamed garden breeding programme started  and essential topics such as isolation techniques, seed col...

Heritage Seeds with The Heritage Seed Library  In this episode of the Blooming Garden podcast, host Jane Westoby speaks with Catrina Fenton from Garden Organic about the significance of heritage seeds and The Heritage Seed Library in their 50th Anniversary year. Discussing the origins of the library, the importance of seed saving, and the role of volunteers in conservation efforts. Katrina shares...

Are you ready to kick start your garden and improve your sowing & growing skills? Or are you a flower farmer wanting to be more profitable?   In the first episode we talk about:   Succession planting  to ensure continuous blooms throughout the growing season. Know your frost dates for effective timing. Utilize planning tools like our Sowing Calendars and Planting SChedules Selecting a diverse...