The Plant Based Podcast

In our final episode before the festivities, Michael talks to Andrea Lazzeri - connoisseur of poinsettia - about this amazing Christmas star. We have all the tips you need!!    

The final episode in this series falls just before Christmas so we've put together a compilation of interviews all about Christmas plants! @mr_plantgeek brings tips for keeping your Poinsettia happy in your home from the Italian breeder of some of Europes leading varieties plus the story behind the Cyclamen and ho wit can be used indoors and outside over the festive period. @ellenmarygardening bri...

In this weeks episode we chat with writer and author Jean Vernon. Jean is a champion for bees, pollinators and all wildlife and is on a mission to educate everyone about the intricate balance of nature in gardens from birds to bees and everything in-between. @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening find out about Jeans love of gardens, her books and get some wildlife friendly gardening take home tips...

In this weeks episode, Michael is hopping across Europe, as he talks to Guy at Morel Cyclamen about this fantastic, very colourful cool season plant! Find out what's coming next in the breeding too! Then, he finds himself in the Netherlands as part of the Eat This In Residency program, which is designed to help connect society to what happens in horticulture and agriculture. Michael just runs thro...

If you have ever wondered why you should grow Roses, let Daniel Myhill tell you why, how and what to grow! Daniel is the  National Collection holder for Rosa persica hybrids and knows a thing or two about Roses. This informative and fun chat with Daniel will get you growing the best Roses. Afterwards Ellen and Michael are joined by a gardening internet sensation for this weeks horti hangout! It's...

If you haven't heard of horticulturalist Barbara Segall then where have you been hiding?! Barbara is well known for her books about gardening, herbs and travel, an established editor for magazines, Assistant County Organiser for the National Gardens Scheme in Suffolk and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.   In this episode @ellenmarygardening chats with Barbara about the changing f...

Part II - Following on from yesterdays podcast release, hear the remainder of our interview with Clare Matterson from the Royal Horticultural Society. Listen to Part I first in the podcast library.    Sponsors of series 13 are Lava-Lite  - Naturally The Best   Effortlessly nourish and protect your plants with a collection of totally non-toxic, environmentally friendly, sustainable, pH neutral, lig...

Part I: This episode is with the Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society Clare Matterson CBE. Clare took on this big role over a year ago bringing a wealth of experience having been the Director of Engagement at the Natural History Museum, spent 18 years at the Wellcome Trust and has led many initiatives linking planet and health. @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek chat with Clare n...

Every so often, you might see a Fleuroselect gold medal or quality mark in a catalogue or online- but what exactly is it? Michael has a brilliant chat with the Secretary General of the Fleuroselect, Ann Jennen. He discovers the role of the trials process, how it works, and what other projects are run at industry level in order to help the consumer. It's a really really good chat!   Sponsors of ser...

This weeks episode is with award winning Landscape Designer Tom Massey, author of The Resilient Garden and named one of the top 50 garden designers in House and Garden Magazine. We talk designing and planting before our horti hangout with Chris Jesson (aka. @GroovyGardeningUK ) who chats about his career change into horticulture, gardening with autism and any other planty topic that comes up!    S...

This podcast episode will make you smile! Hear from two infectious gardeners who having found a love of plants, want to share the joy with others from children to adults with their new CIC - The Gardeners Co. Hear about their new premises on a National Trust site, what they will be growing and how they plan to take it even further afield than North Devon.    Check them out at:    www.thegardenersc...

Meet Annie on todays podcast episode and learn all about the world of beekeeping. Do you know how many species of bees there are? Which bees are more endangered? What the life of a beekeeper is like? We know how important it is to save the bees, so in the episode we chat about our beloved garden friend the bee. Afterwards, @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek gossip separately due to logistics!  ...

This week, Michael visited KoppertCress, an innovative company in the Netherlands, who specialise in cress in around 30 different varieties, with some surpassing flavours- even beef! Stijn Baan gives Michael a tour of the facilities, and of course they geek out about plants! You'll also get to discover which unique edible flowers they're growing for the world's chefs, and which famous spice is now...

Ever wondered where chocolate actually comes from? A plant of course! Expert chocolatiers Hotel Chocolat have a base in St Lucia where cacao is grown sustainably, with gentle farming in mind. Hear from CEO Emma Peacock all about the brand, the farming process and even a Hotel Chocolat St Lucia experience.   In this first episode for Series 13, @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek are joined by th...

Celebration! This episode is the 200th Plant Based Podcast episode!! We've handed over this episode to the Young People in Horticulture group who have taken it over to celebrate and tell you what their experiences of horticulture are.  Afterwards @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening gossip about jet lag, hydrangeas and allotments.    Series 12 of The Plant Based Podcast is sponsored by People Pla...

In this episode hear how Ben Cross is delivering British grown Alstroemeria all year round for the public and businesses. This family business has been running since 1936 and Ben tells us all about how British flowers rock! Also get your gardening and grow your own tips from regular contributor  @pond_dipper . Afterwards @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening gossip about outside broadcasts, middle...

In this weeks episode @ellenmarygardening chats with the Queen of PR, Hayley Monckton to find out what it's really like meeting Royalty and dealing with the reputation of the Royal Horticultural Society. Ellen asks Hayley the lowdown whilst sitting in a bench in the glorious RHS Hyde Hall gardens. This week is also the horticultural news round up with Ellen and @mr_plantgeek reporting on nature ba...

This weeks episode is all about compost! The Compost Club is a social enterprise with a focus on soil regeneration, food waste reduction and educating people about the important of compost. Michael Kennard chats about the importance of composting with lots of take home tips to help you compost at home. Hear from regular series 12 contributors @skinnyjeangardener  and @maxreestore with their garden...

In this weeks episode, Michael got to achieve an ambition, which was to swim in the sky pool at embassy gardens! He forgot that he can't actually swim. More importantly, he was there to interview Head Gardener of the complex, Andrew Woodhouse. They had a brilliant chat all about gardening up high, and Andrew shared various tips and tricks when it comes to planting up areas for public use. Michael...

Meet Kali Hamerton-Stove in this weeks episode, Project Director at The Glasshouse project, a social enterprise offering second chances through horticultural training to women based in UK prisons. Find out how the project runs and the benefits of learning to work with plants for women inmates both while in prison and for their lives after release.   Hear from regular series 12 contributors Kirsty...

Meg Kelly promotes veganic gardening to empower people to grow their own fruits and veggies the vegan way, using entirely plant-based fertilizers. Meg has been gardening veganically for 15 years in backyards, on balconies, and in the Canadian countryside and has co-founded the Veganic Agriculture Network in 2008 to increase awareness about veganic gardening and farming. She now teaches the Learn V...

Ever wandered around a Japanese garden and felt calm, peace and tranquil? If you wonder why that is, Jake Hobson Founder of Niwaki chats with @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening about the art of Japanese gardening and the benefits of using Japanese gardening tools in your garden. Check them out at www.niwaki.com   Afterwards Michael and Ellen catch up about RHS Tatton and other fun gardening thi...

@jenloumeredith is usually working behind the scenes to make our podcast and posts all shiny and slick, but this week we bring her front and centre as Michael interviews her about getting the best out of social media. You'll learn about which platform does what, do's and dont's, plus Jen talks candidly about social media work as a career choice. We think you'll enjoy it! You'll also hear the very...

This weeks episode is all about juicy, red fruit. Tomatoes! Simon Crawford knows his tomatoes from the history of them to the varieties most popular and which to grow right now. Plus, get some tips of how to grow them before you head over to the Burpee Europe Ltd website to find out more. Afterwards,  @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek gossip live from GLEE Birmingham with @mylittleallotment AN...

This weeks episode is about biodynamic gardening as @ellenmarygardening chats with Fern Verrow owner Jane Scotter about how organic gardening along with planetary positions can benefit plant growth. Jane has recently launched a new course with The Create Academy where you can learn just how to garden biodynamically. Jane gives some tips to get started and inspiration for being better connected to...