The Gardener's Lodge

In this episode of The Gardener’s Lodge Podcast, I’m joined by Jordan from The Shed Organics to explore the world of integrated pest management, and why everything you think you know about pests might be wrong. We dive into building resilient, healthy plants, working with nature instead of against it, and why a few aphids in your garden might actually be a good thing. From soil health to natural p...

Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, Designer of the world's most Iconic and Important landscapes, from royal palaces to evolving historic estates, uncovering how history, design, and ecology shape Britain’s most significant gardens. Todd shares insights on restoring heritage sites, balancing conservation with the need for progress, and designing landscapes that stand the test of time. Discover the philosophy b...

I’m joined by lichenologist April Windle from The British Lichen Society to uncover the hidden world of lichens. What they are, how they grow, and why they’re vital for biodiversity, air quality, and ecosystem health. We explore lichen identification, their role as bioindicators,  and how they can even signal ancient woodlands and environmental change. We also touch on their cultural history,...

In this episode, we sit down with Eddie Mordue a farmer, market gardener, and founder of Traditional Garden Growers  to explore the foundations of truly healthy gardens: the soil. We dive into the reality of modern gardening, from synthetic fertilisers and depleted soils to what’s really going on beneath our feet. Eddie shares his perspective from years of growing, and why working with natura...

The weeds in your local park? Some of them are dinner. This episode, I sit down with Leo Utton — the Barefoot Forager — a UK wild food expert and foraging workshop host working across Brighton and London. We dig into early spring edible plants, safe foraging practices, and the surprisingly rich history behind the wild foods growing all around us. Leo has a brilliant knack for bringing together old...

Jessica Zander of You Can Do It Gardening is known for common sense no-frills garden advice inspiring hundreds of thousands of people across the globe that they can do it themselves, and that gardening doesn’t have to be so complicated. Jessica Zander has built a booming garden coaching business from scratch after a career in finance. We chat about starting her business to Spring Garden Tips. DESI...

In this episode of The Gardener’s Lodge podcast, Mykal sits down with Michael Marriott, one of the world’s leading rosarians. After more than 35 years working with David Austin Roses, his voice and name have become synonymous with modern English roses. Michael’s approach to growing roses is refreshingly simple, grounded in observation, practicality, and a deep respect for how plants naturally thri...

In this episode of The Gardener’s Lodge podcast , Mykal sits down with Sarah Wilson, host of the acclaimed Roots and All podcast, for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about gardening, media, and integrity. Sarah reflects on her journey into horticulture, how podcasting has shaped her thinking, and why she’s become more questioning of industry narratives, motives, greenwashing, and who gets a...

Ever thought about sharing your garden online, but not quite known where to start? This episode is for you. Mykal sits down with Tom Coleman, a social media specialist working within the horticultural industry, to talk about how gardeners can show up online with confidence. From the do’s and don’ts of posting your garden, to staying authentic and enjoying the process, this conversation goes beyond...

World-renowned garden photographer Clive Nichols joins Mykal Hoare in the Lodge for a thoughtful conversation about photographing gardens at their most beautiful. Having captured some of the world’s finest and most private gardens, including HRH King Charles III’s garden at Birkhall, Clive reflects on a career spent observing gardens at their most fleeting and atmospheric. Together, they explore l...

World-renowned planting designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin joins Mykal in the Lodge to talk all things planting design and reflect on a remarkable career in horticulture. Andrew is the founding director of the London College of Garden Design and a respected educator at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. His career spans decades at the very highest level of the profession, including judging show gardens at...

Tom France is a passionate Ecologist from the United kingdom. This conversation is about all things british ecology, from re-wilding to the state of the british landscape.   DESIGN STUDIO GARDEN COACHING FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD ________ Episode Links: Tom France instagram ________ Mykal's Links: thegardenerslodge.co.u...

Mykal is on a field trip this week to the Mountains Gourmet plot in the Mid Blue Mountains to visit Rhiannon Phillips, the founder of Mountains Gourmet. Rhiannon is passionate about supplying fresh,  healthy, sustainably grown gourmet produce to her community. DESIGN STUDIO GARDEN COACHING FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD ____...

Horticulturalist David Binch, is deeply passionate about Grevilleas. He runs Binchy's Garden in Dalyston, Victoria, known for its large collection of rare and endangered Grevillea species. Binchy is an expert Grevillea grafter. Take some time to step into Binchy's world with me, Lets nerd out over Grevilleas FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD ________ Episode Links: Binchy's Instagram - @bi...

Good Friend, Business woman & Tropical Terrarium expert Cass from Plant with Cass joins us in The Lodge to chat all about the wonders and ease of  closed lid Terrariums.  DESIGN STUDIO GARDEN COACHING FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD ________ Episode Links: Plant With Cass website Plant With Cass Instagram ________ My...

Jordan Alexander from the Shed Organics, has a passion for sharing horticultural Knowledge. Today he tells us all about his key steps to building healthy soil and growing healthy plants!  FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD ________ Episode Links: Jordans Website Jordans Instagram Jordans Youtube ________ Mykal's Links: thegardenerslodge.co.uk Instagram Tik Tok   Growing...

Clancy Lester is an Australian Native Bee expert.   Forget everything you thought you knew about bees. According to Clancy Lester, environmental educator and native bee researcher, the true heroes of Australia’s pollination story aren’t European honeybees, but thousands of native species that rarely get noticed—or understood.   FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD:  https:...

Lucy Mora coined the Term 'Garden Mapper' after being approached to illustrate water colour maps of Australian gardens. After moving back to the country some years ago she got her hands in the soil perfecting the skill of edible gardening.  - Lucy & host Mykal Hoare chat about combining her two passions illustration & Veggie Gardening to create her new book - 'The Kitchen Garden' CLIC...

Diego Bonetto, or otherwise known as theweedyone online is Australia's best known foraging expert having lead foraging workshops for more that 20 years. Diego and host Mykal chat about childhood farm life, fostering ecological empathy, the philosophy of foraging and his forthcoming book 'Eat Weeds: A field guide to foraging' CLICK HERE FOR PATREON ________ Episode Links: www.diegobonetto.com Eat W...

Steve Wood  is an award winning horticultural communicator and podcast host with over 40 years of  experience in the wholesale nursery business .  Steve and host Mykal chat about the the wide range of aspects of the horticultural industry that Steve has been involved in throughout his career from retail to wholesale right through to his media work. CLICK HERE FOR PATREON ________ Ep...

Growing your own Christmas tree can be a rewarding for you as a gardener as it grows and prospers with you and your family year on year.  Flying solo, host Mykal Hoare talks you though his guide for getting the most out of live potted Christmas trees. He shares his do's and don'ts for growing potted Christmas trees in Australia. CLICK HERE FOR PATREON ________ Growing Media Links: GROWING MED...

Emmanuela Prigioni (Manu) is a soil ecologist and the coordintor of peri-urban farming social enterprise 'Farm It Forward' that is based in the cool - temperate region of the Blue Mountains NSW.  Join host Mykal Hoare as he chats with Emmanuela about all things cool climate vegetable growing. Manu is pasionate about the health of her soils, learn how she achieves healthy produce while improvi...

Tom Bjorksten from Misty Creek Agroforestry in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales is pushing the boundaries of carbon sequestration and exploring uncharted territory in the Australian agriculture industry. Join Tom and Host Mykal Hoare in conversation about his young Syntropic Agroforestry, his tree range meat chickens and the future in Community Supported Agriculture.     CLI...

PermaQueer is a collaborative effort to share ecological sustainability methods through the lens of Permaculture and focussing accessibility to traditionally marginalised communities. Our goal is to spread knowledge of living within ecological boundaries. Join Host Mykal Hoare as he chats with PermaQueer founders Guy Ritani and Toad Dell about how to make tomorrow a better world by deconstructing...

'Farm It Forward' is a not-for-profit peri-urban farming social enterprise connecting landowners and local young people who are passionate about growing food. The project develops skills and creates training and job opportunities, while tackling social isolation and fostering community wellbeing. Join Host Mykal as he chats with 'Farm It Forward' coordinator Emmanuela Prigioni about community buil...