The Plant Based Podcast

Think brutalist architecture meets plants and thats what the Barbican Conservatory is all about! We chat with the head gardeners Marta in this first episode of series 12 of the podcast. Marta explains to @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening about how she got into gardening, what it's like to garden at the Barbican and some of the amazing plants softening the striking architecture. Afterwards Mich...

It's the end of the series, and we have the latest horticultural news for you, read by Ellen. We also sent Michael off to Kew Gardens, to chat to Arnau Ribera about the amazing ghost orchid, which has just come into flower there. Plus, Michael had a lovely chat with Brie Langley about her redesign of the waterlily house at Kew, and they ended up talking about all sorts, even the concept of plantin...

Did you know there are nearly 20,000 different species of moss? This fascinating episode with Dr Neil Bell who is a bryologist specialising in phylogenetics, taxonomy and biodiversity will make you see moss is a whole different light.   Also in this episode hear from regular series contributors @alstroemeriaben and @_andy__w with plenty of gardening tips.    Sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is...

In this weeks episode @ellenmarygardening chats with Rowan Cannon, Director of Wild Rumpus CIC who use art and play to deepen a connection to nature. Wild Rumpus work Internationally from their exploratory creation space in an English Woodland and you can experience some of their work at the Timber festival on 7th, 8th and 9th July 2023 in The National Forest, Feanedock UK. Hear what it's all abou...

It's show time! @mr_plantgeek  and @ellenmarygardening bring the show gossip from the show! Celeb spotting, garden chatting, plant of the year guessing - it's all in this special Chelsea episode.   Sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is  Stoneleigh Wines . Premium wines made from 100% sustainably sourced grapes and vegan certified. Listen to the podcast for your exclusive discount code to order y...

Hear from Dan Bradbury, Director of Brands and Communication at the World Land Trust (WLT) in this weeks episode. @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening find out all about the trusts work in international conservation, protecting the world's most biologically significant and threatened habitats and restoring land to safeguard biodiversity and the climate. Afterwards hear all about a special bonus e...

This episode kicks off with the regular plant based podcast news, with some hot off the press regarding the upcoming RHS Chelsea Flower Show! Then, Michael chats to expert plantsman, Charles Carr, who actually has one of his own creations up for Plant of the Year at Chelsea this year. Charles and Michael also have a stimulating discussion about new plants, and explore why many people still keep gr...

Did you know Watercress is in fact a superfood - perhaps the original superfood at that? @mrplantgeek  and @ellenmarygardening learn more about the health benefits of Watercress plus some growing tips from the expert Tom Amery. In this weeks episode you'll also get some awesome growing tips from @alstroemeriaben and gardening frolics with @_andy__w AND a bonus discount code from @zestoutdoorliving...

Do you have a Love Affair with Peonies? Alec White does! So much so, he left law to dedicate his time to growing, selling and displaying them. More recently his new book 'A Love Affair with Peonies' was released to spread that love. And since @ellenmarygardening loves Peonies so much, it was a perfect match for this episode.    Sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is Stoneleigh Wines . Premium win...

In this weeks episode, Saskia runs us through the benefits of flower essences. What are they, how are they made, and how can they improve our mental health? Ellen and Michael then bring you a gossip live from the People Plants Wellbeing retreat is Norfolk, as Michael relaxes in the alfresco bath!   Sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is  Stoneleigh Wines . Premium wines made from 100% sustainably...

It's the first of our new style news episodes. We start off with the regular plant based podcast news, and today you'll hear some hot off the press news from the Royal Horticultural Society, and some good news about weed killer use in towns. Then, there is a little treat for you all, as Michael chats to hydrangea breeder and lover, Alex Schoemaker. He has created some of the most loved varieties i...

Geb and Green are a sustainable, peat free houseplant company in the UK. @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening visited the huge greenhouses full of all the houseplants every houseplant lover wants in their collection to find out about growing in peat free compost.    Also in this weeks episode meet new contributors for series 11 @alstroemeriaben with lots of wonderful Alstroemeria growing advice an...

In the first news and gossip episode in series 11 of the podcast, @ellenmarygardening and @mrplantgeek chat about what they've been up to plus news topics such as the Let it Grow campaign between Dobbies Garden Centres and BBC Radio 2, lawn mowing, peat use changes and pesticide petitions! New sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is  Stoneleigh Wines . Premium wines made from 100% sustainably sour...

New series! To kick off series 11, meet Rebekah from The Royal Horticultural Society advice line.  If you have gardening questions and are a member of the RHS Rebekah has got the answers. In this chat with @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening Rebekah talks about the advice line and some funny gardening stories.   And new for this series, Michael and Ellen set some homework for listeners, gossip ab...

In this weeks news and gossip episode @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening chat about health, wellbeing, possums and other horticultural ramblings. The news covers Royally flowery stamps, the future of food on the shelves and exotic plant growth plus much more.    Sponsor of series 10 is @lavaliteuk - a range of products that offer the horticultural world ecological solutions, including moisture m...

In this weeks episode @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening dive into the world of a horticultural consultant, editor/publisher and all round great guy - Chris Young. Many in the industry will know Chris and he chats through life as a freelancer, landscaper and everything else in-between. Afterwards, since Ellen is on holiday, Michael decides to gossip alone by following her Instagram stories. Cont...

It's the horticultural news round up week from rude shaped topiary to gardening for mental health in London, hear the latest in the world of gardening. After the news, @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening chat about Camellias, work for the year ahead which includes some exciting announcements!   Sponsor of series 10 is @lavaliteuk - a range of products that offer the horticultural world ecological...

When you look outside do you wonder what you could do to bring winter interest to your garden? The Winter Garden at Cambridge Botanic Garden is at it's absolute best right now. From stunning Cornus to fragrant Winter sweet there is a lot to be inspired by.   If you want to make sure your garden is a feast for the eyes in winter, hear from Sally Petitt who tells us all about the garden and tips to...

It's the horticultural news round up week from gigantic aphid spotting to community gardening grants, hear the latest in the world of gardening. After the news, @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening enjoy the winter sun as they gossip on a bench at Cambridge Botanic Garden as they chat winter gardens, the benefits of celery juice, scary seagulls and plants - of course!   Sponsor of series 10 is @la...

Meet Megan Webb  @carnivorous_plant_girl ) who specialises in carnivorous plant propagation and research. Megan has hundreds of plants providing a foundation to her research and uses them to create helpful content on social media. With loads of hints and tips, facts and figures be inspired to grow your own at home (and find out if you really can feed Venus Fly Traps with flies).   @mrplantgeek and...

Hear the latest horticultural news round up from @ellenmarygardening and @mrplantgeek covering topics such as governments plans to ensure biosecurity to the BBC One Show wild escape museum project. Michael gives his top ten plants seen at his recent trip to IPM Essen and Ellen chats about her new Wabi-Kusa.   Sponsor of series 10 is @lavaliteuk - a range of products that offer the horticultural wo...

How do you deal with garden 'pests'? Perhaps there is a different way! Hayley joins @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening on the podcast for an episode packed with garden insect information including gastropod barriers, ways to manage common garden creatures and how this has changed over the years.   The weekly gossip is mostly full of IPM ESSEN news including merging plants in with home accessorie...

It's the horticultural news round up this week including fungi, new woodland and blue Monday plus @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening have a deep new year gossip from reviewing books, spring bulbs, cancelling January and white Strawberries.    Plus hear all about @peopleplantswellbeing new plant based wellbeing retreats coming up this year.    Sponsor of series 10 is @lavaliteuk - a range of prod...

Sheryl ( @sherylinmotion on Instagram) joins @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening on today's episode. Sheryl is a houseplant investor, with a high budget and a collection of rare plants. Sheryl talks about her background in investment banking and how that has turned into a hobby of collecting plants. Also meet series 10 contributors @the_gardenerben and @parkers_patch with advice to help your gard...

This weeks episode not only covers this weeks gardening news but it's also a celebration of previous podcasts withs a best of episode including @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening top picks from all series. Hear snippets from some of the top downloaded episodes including:    The Science of Edibles at Kew Gardens Series 9 Episode 1 Wildflowers at Natural Surroundings Series 8 Episode 6 Fermenting...