The Plant Based Podcast

In the second of eight special episodes of the podcast between series 4 and 5, Ellen Mary chats with Ashley Edwards, Head Gardener at Horatios Garden, a charity that creates and cares for therapeutic gardens in NHS spinal injury centres. With gardens based around the UK, Ashley tells us why they are so important and about the difference plants make throughout recovery from traumatic, life changing...

In the first of our summer specials, Michael visits Sweet Pea aficionado Phil, and comes away feeling confident enough to grow the best Sweet Peas of his life! Together, they discuss the history, the breeding, the complexity of the fragrance, and give plenty of growing tips. It's all about feed, deep pots, and tons of hydration. If Sweet Peas are your gardening nemesis, now might be the time to tr...

The fourth series of the Plant Based Podcast is coming to an end (boo!), so for the final episode, Michael and Ellen are joined by author and illustrator, Katie Vaz, to reflect on their best and worst plant memories! Katie talks about her upbringing, from growing up surrounded by nature to her long-lasting love of plants and gardening. She also reveals some of her earliest gardening memories and w...

With a 250-year heritage, Erddig Hall offers a beautiful 1,200 acres of garden, lawns and greenery – all of which is looked after by one man, Glynn Smith! With such a rich history and stunning surroundings, Michael and Ellen sit down with Glynn, the Head Gardener at Erddig, to talk all things lawns! In part one, Glynn shares some insight into his horticultural career – from starting out as an appr...

What first began as a growing mountain of landfill, that could be seen from Matthew Mead's classroom, has since transformed into a passion to change the construction industry. Matthew Mead, founder and CEO of Hempitecture, sits down with Michael and Ellen - all the way from Sun Valley, Idaho - to discuss how plants have created the next best building materials. In part one, he talks about how Hemp...

In this bonus podcast episode, Michael and Ellen talk through a photo tour of their day at the Royal Horticultural Society's hotly anticipated Hampton Court Garden Festival! The show is open from 6th to 11th July but your podcast hosts got exclusive access on press day. From stunning Orchids to a house of Hostas, beautiful to the controversial show gardens and allotments for inspiration at home. I...

In this weeks plant based podcast episode it's the news round up with Michael Perry and Ellen Mary. Find out what the latest horticultural news is from winners of the plant awards, new species, to the joy of flower shows plus mushrooms and microgreens in Chiswick. There's a news extra as well where Michael and Ellen discuss the news amongst many other plant related gossip including the dreary weat...

Lynn Ferguson brings some LA sunshine to the Plant Based Podcast this week as she sits down with Michael and Ellen to chat all things hay bales, chickens and the challenges of growing vegetables in the American climate. In part one, Lynn - a performer, comedy writer and actress – reflects on the highlights of her career, including her well-known role as Mac in Chicken Run . She also talks about ho...

In this weeks plant based podcast episode it's the news round up with Michael Perry and Ellen Mary. Find out what the latest horticultural news is from rare orchids thought extinct, to garden shows, royal roses and gardening for wellbeing. There's a news extra as well where Michael and Ellen discuss the news amongst many other plant related gossip!    Visit  www.theplantbasedpodcast.net  for more...

Join Michael and Ellen for another episode of the Plant Based Podcast where they talk to TV presenter and fresh produce importer, Chris Bavin! In part one, Chris talks about his journey with fresh produce, from importing and selling flowers and plants at 16 to growing up with his gardening enthusiast Dad. He also talks about his past project, The Naked Grocer, and shares how his passion for sustai...

In this weeks news round up Michael and Ellen have pulled together all the horticultural happenings to keep you updated. From a bra fitting shed to a whole lot of caterpillars and awards for Howard Nurseries and a discussion about brown lawns. Would you let yours burn? Not forgetting the news extra when Ellen tries to keep Michael on track but he's much more concerned about the state of his Tulip...

With enough tomato trees to cover the length of over 11 football pitches, the team at Sterling Suffolk are putting Suffolk on the map as being a major producer of tomatoes. After experiencing so much success in just a few short years, Michael and Ellen sit down with Horticultural Director, Richard Lewis, to discuss Sterling Suffolk's approach to tomato growing and so much more! In part one, Richar...

It's the news round up on this weeks plant based podcast with Michael Perry and Ellen Mary as hosts. Find out what has been happening in the world of horticulture from new gardening books to growing plants on Mars, plus a news 'extra' where Michael and Ellen discuss and give their own opinions about the news and a whole lot of other chat. In his episode, hear about Ellens new book 'The Joy of Gard...

In this week's episode of the Plant Based Podcast Michael and Ellen sit down with television presenter, Nicki Chapman, to discuss her career all the way up to presenting the Chelsea Flower Show! In part one, Nicki reflects on her incredibly successful career in the music industry, from landing her first job on Pop Stars to travelling the world with the likes of The Spice Girls and Take That. She a...

It's the news round up on this weeks plant based podcast with Michael Perry and Ellen Mary as hosts. Find out what has been happening in the world of horticulture from Cherry Trees to plants stealing genes, plus a news 'extra' where Michael and Ellen discuss and give their own opinions about the news. In his episode, hear about Hydrangea tea and snobbish gardeners! Visit  www.theplantbasedpodcast....

What do you think of bedding begonias? Old granny plants or funky and individual? In this weeks episode, Michael is sent off to Germany (by Skype) to speak to the begonia experts, Benary! They discuss what it takes to breed a new variety of Begonia, and we get a few tips on how to grow them too! Also in this episode, your vegetable problems solved with our Allotment Agony Uncle, houseplant chitcha...

It's the news round up on this weeks plant based podcast with Michael Perry and Ellen Mary as hosts. Find out what has been happening in the world of horticulture from Plymouth to Rome plus a news 'extra' where Michael and Ellen discuss and give their own opinions about the news. In his episode, hear about sea grass meadows, door mice and plant based podcast topping the charts! Visit  www.theplant...

From the wild depths of Nigeria to the freezing cold temperatures of the arctic, and now to the Plant Based Podcast! Nelufar Hadayat – an award-winning journalist and presenter - sits down with Michael and Ellen to discuss everything from the reality of investigative journalism to her personal houseplant collection. In part one, Nelufar reflects on her childhood in Afghanistan and how her experien...

In this weeks episode you can hear the first plant based podcast horticultural news round with Michael Perry and Ellen Mary as hosts. Every other week find out what has been happening in the world of horticulture plus a news 'extra' where Michael and Ellen discuss and give their own opinions about the news. In his episode, hear about bamboo with a warning, RHS closures due to the sad death of Prin...

Join Michael and Ellen for another episode of the Plant Based Podcast where they chat to organic gardener, Tanya Anderson, who is also known as Lovely Greens!  In part one, Tanya shares the story of how her gardening journey began, reflecting on how her upbringing in the capital of America fuelled her love for plants today. After working as a graphic designer, that landed her in different countrie...

Surprise! Michael and Ellen are here with another episode of The Plant Based Podcast this week, taking a deep dive into all things Japanese gardening with garden designer, Makiko. In this episode, Makiko shares her journey, from working in the hotel industry in Japan, to studying horticulture in the UK – where she now spends half her time. She reflects on her time working at The Chelsea Flower sho...

In this episode of the Plant Based Podcast, Michael and Ellen sit down with not one, but two special guests to delve into the worlds of horticulture and social media! In part one, Lucy from @SheGrowsVeg talks all about her personal journey – from leaving the hustle and bustle of the fashion industry and immersing herself into nature, growing different types of edible goodness and cultivating a soc...

Join plant fanatics Michael and Ellen as they chat all things orchids with Dan Pass, the Account Manager at the UK's largest orchid nursery, Double H Nurseries. In this fact-filled episode, Dan gives us a glimpse into what it takes to grow their exceptional orchids, and what it's like to be supplying them to the likes of Marks and Spencer's and Waitrose. He also shares tips and tricks to help you...

In this episode, Michael and Ellen visit Perrywood Garden Centre in Colchester, to chat to owner and director, Alan Bourne. Perrywood has been running since the 1950s. What first began as a way for Alan's parents to sell their home-grown goods, has since flourished into an extremely successful business, turning their pennies into millions – picking up a string of awards along the way! Alan shares...

Join us as we kick off series 4 of the Plant Based Podcast by championing small growers and celebrating independent nurseries. Michael and Ellen meet Ruth Goudy from Kiln Farm Nursery in Suffolk.   Kiln Farn is a true family business. It's been in the family since 1932, and Ruth even grew up there! The nursery business started when she and her husband, Paul (who she met when he worked for her dad)...