The Organic Gardening Podcast

In June, we had our own stage at BBC Gardeners World Live, and we answered your questions live! Joined by Hosts Fiona Taylor and Chris Collins, Dr Anton Rosenfeld and special guest August Beth, from the Raymond Blanc Gardening School.  We tackled questions on moles, soil improvers and aphids, as well as everyone's favourite subject, slugs and snails! 

In this episode, Fiona is joined by biologist, conservationist, and bestselling author Dave Goulson. Known for his work in bumblebee conservation and his Sunday Times bestselling books The Garden Jungle and A Sting in the Tale, Dave returns with his latest book, Eat the Planet Well. In this month's podcast, Dave discusses ethical eating, growing your own food and reducing food waste, as well as ho...

In this month’s podcast, Fiona and Chris chat about everything happening in the organic garden as summer gets underway. From coping with an unusually dry and unpredictable spring to deciding what can still be sown in June, they share practical advice for making the most of theis part of the growing season. Also in this episode... Our very own Anton Rosenfeld joins the podcast for a deep dive in to...

In this episode, Fiona visits the famous River Cottage kitchen garden and chats with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall about the joy of growing your own food, the power of healthy soil, and why gardening matters more than ever. From seed swapping and no-dig gardening to gut health and resilient local food systems, Hugh shares stories from nearly 30 years of growing at River Cottage and reflects on the f...

In this month’s podcast, we’ve launched a new format! Expect the same Organic Growing advice, repackaged so you can enjoy podcasts from us twice a month. In May, Fiona and Chris dive into the wonderful world of seed sowing, including why it’s important not to sow all of your seeds at once, Chris’s top tips to get the best germination and how certain conditions can enable your seeds to get the best...

In this month’s podcast, we’re joined by Franco Fubini, CEO and founder of Natoora. Franco tells us how his journey led him to follow the flavour of produce, and how this approach could help encourage sustainable growing and improve food systems worldwide. Also in this episode... Fiona and Chris get excited about seed sowing, and the team answer your questions on saving aubergine seeds, tackling g...

This month, the Organic Gardening Podcast is joined by Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science from Butterfly Conservation. They discuss the results of last years Big Butterfly Count, why moths deserve just as much attention as butterflies, and how gardeners can adapt their spaces to better support the full butterfly life cycle. Also in this episode… Fiona and Chris share their early-season thoughts as sp...

This month, Emma speaks to Harry Kelsey from Wildwater about the value of ponds in organic gardens. They explore how ponds support biodiversity, along with practical advice on creating a garden pond, choosing the right location, and keeping it healthy. Also in this episode… Fiona and Chris catch up as anticipation rises for the growing season. They reflect on what worked last year, what didn’t, an...

In this episode, we look back on the  exciting adventures we had in 2025, from visiting Kate Bradbury in her wildlife-friendly back garden in Brighton to exploring Huw Richards’ experimental permaculture garden in Wales. Along the way, we also spent time in a few unforgettable kitchen gardens, including Helena Dove’s Kitchen Garden at Kew. Across each episode, we’ve asked our guests one simple but...

This month, Chris chats with Jo Ferguson, Built Environment Manager at The Bat Conservation Trust. Jo has been involved in Bat conservation for over 15 years, and specialises in urban ecology and enhancing the built environment for bats. She shares why bats are important to the ecosystem, and how you can look after bats in urban gardens. Also in this episode... We’re reflecting on the triumphs of...

This month, we’re celebrating the slow beauty of autumn, from the changing of the leaves to creating colourful bulb trifles. There’s still so much joy you can get out of your garden, as we prepare for shorter days and longer nights.    In this episode, Fiona chats with Helena Dove, Kitchen Gardener at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Helena has a wealth of knowledge surrounding the physiology of vegetab...

In this month’s episode, we're joined by Raymond Blanc OBE from his kitchen garden at Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons. We toured the garden, which is home to over 100 heritage vegetable varieties. Raymond talks about his own gardening heritage, and how growing with his mother and father in France influenced the direction he's taken with Le Manoir's kitchen garden. We also hear from August Bernstein, he...

In this month’s episode, we’re diving deep in to the world of Green Manures, as Dr Anton Rosenfeld, Research Manager at Garden Organic explains how sowing these plants can be central to looking after your soil.  Also in this episode:  Fiona and Chris catch up to see how their harvests are going this year, and we answer your questions on what type of sand you can use in the garden, when not to harv...

In this month's podcast, we're joined by garden designer, broadcaster, and author Juliet Sargeant. Juliet has just released her first book, Start with Soil, in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. She discusses the global impact of soil degradation and shares how gardeners can take control of their own soil health with simple at-home testing. Also in this episode... Fiona and Chris c...

In this month’s Organic Gardening Podcast, Fiona welcomes back seed guardian and writer Adam Alexander. Adam has travelled the world gathering heritage and land race vegetable seeds and in his latest book, tells the story of our “accidental seed heroes.” The backyard growers that are doing something extraordinary, championing old varieties, and also creating new generations of fruit and vegetables...

In this month's Organic Gardening Podcast, Fiona visits Huw Richards, in his experimental permaculture garden in Mid-West Wales. Huw gives us an insight in to the the principles of permaculture through his 7 acre garden, as we explore his linear food forest, syntropic planting, and how permaculture fits in with the organic principles.  Also in this episode...  Fiona and Chris are catching up on th...

This month, Fiona visits trained ecologist and author Becky Searle. Becky has been showing the world how to garden organically via her Instagram account (@sowmuchmore) since 2018. This year, Becky embarked on a new journey with the release of her first book “Grow a new Garden.” Fiona and Becky spoke about what ignited her passion for gardening, the role ecology plays in her garden and the importan...

This month, Fiona visits author and garden writer Kate Bradbury, at her garden in Brighton. Kate shared her passion for wildlife-friendly gardening and the power of small actions to create meaningful change. Fiona and Kate discussed how connecting with nature, whether by planting pollinator-friendly flowers, creating habitats, or simply observing the life in our gardens, can combat eco-anxiety and...

If you enjoyed our previous podcast with Åsa Gregars-Warg from Beth Chatto’s Plants and Gardens, this extended version is well worth a listen. Join Fiona and head gardener Åsa Gregers-Warg as we take a deeper dive into Beth Chatto's pioneering approach to gardening in harmony with nature. From plant choices and soil care to adapting to climate change, this full-length conversation is packed with e...

This month, Fiona speaks with Tristram Stuart, award-winning author and campaigner, about the positive trends in reducing food waste and his unique approach to sustainable farming. Hear how his cattle are "enhancing the wilderness," and discover his perspective on the global food system. Tristram also inspires us to connect with nature, whether through small garden projects or community initiative...

In this month's episode, Fiona and Anton spoke with Eddie Bailey. Eddie has spent years studying the soil during his career as a geologist and now shares what he's learnt with gardeners and growers through his company, Rhizophyllia.  "In my garden, the effect I had when I stopped digging was instantaneous, the following season, germination rates just dramatically improved and got better and better...

Join us as we recap an interesting year in organic gardening. From persistent rainfall and slug battles to delightfully late harvests, we've faced it all with a dose of humour and a lot of resilience. In this month's episode, we're looking back on your most intriguing questions from 2024, exploring everything from suspicious strawberry piles to the secrets of healthy soil. You may even hear questi...

This month, Fiona visited River Cottage, to chat with Author, Chef and Fermentation Expert Rachel DeThample. Rachel breaks down how eating organically grown vegetables can have a positive impact on the gut microbiome, and dives in to how fermenting the produce from your garden can lead to better nutrition and a stronger connection to nature.  “We’re a no dig garden, all organic” says Rachel, “so w...

This month, Fiona meets Åsa Gregers-Warg, head gardener at Beth Chatto Plants and Gardens. They tour the gardens, and reflect on Beth Chatto’s legacy, discussing how we can adapt our gardens to promote resilience and withstand changing environmental conditions. “We haven't used any herbicides or pesticides for the last few years. And we all have to be water wise these days as well. It started off...

It's safe to say the weather has been incredibly unusual this year. A wet cold spring was followed by a slug-filled summer. And here in the Midlands, we’ve already experienced our first frosts!  Sally Morgan, author of the Resilient Garden Handbook , has been tackling these challenges head on. She speaks with Fiona about what makes a resilient garden, and how we can overcome unusual growing condit...