Hello and welcome to this episode of the Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast. In this episode, I chat to gardener, writer and author, Miranda Janatka, whose second book, Happy Indoor Garden has just been published by Batsford Books. Until recently, Miranda was also a senior content creator for the fabulous Gardeners’ World magazine. We chat about: Her career to date How she got into gardening Her books and the writing process How own garden, and of course lots more My thanks to Miranda for tak...
Nov 09, 2023•42 min•Season 6Ep. 3
In this episode I travel to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens near Weymouth in Dorset (UK) where I chat to Curator, David Pearce. We chat about: His role as Curator. The gardens and how they're looked after and maintained. The historic plant collection Gardening jobs for autumn and winter. David's own plant passions. Why people should go to Abbotsbury Gardens. The joy and passion that working in the garden, and within the horticultural industry brings about. To learn more about Abbotsbury Subtropic...
Oct 25, 2023•55 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Hello, and welcome back to episode two of series 6 of them Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast. In this episode, I chat with Roz Chandler , a cut flower farmer and teacher, writer, speaker, and fellow podcaster. And, if that were not enough, she is also an award-winning wedding florist based in Milton Keynes. I chat with Roz about everything you could possibly need to know about growing cut flowers from how she started to how to keep the business running successfully. To learn more about Roz c...
Oct 04, 2023•48 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Hello and welcome back to Series 6 of them Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast . The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed the title of the podcast has changed very slightly. I'm ditching the 'MIC' (which was a nod to the microphone element) in favour of MIKE. And, in a further change for this series, I will have an occasional co-host who I introduce you to in today's episode. Going forward, there will still be your favourite content, including: Interviews with great, gardening, personaliti...
Sep 26, 2023•42 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Hello, and welcome to this bonus episode of the Mike the Gardener – Gardening Podcast. This time we return to the allotment with Otis to see what has been happening since we were last there a few weeks back. And, I can assure you, the allotment has been very, very productive. I know that, because we've been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of some of the delicious crops, including bumper hauls of courgettes, beans and beetroot. In today's episode, we touched upon the use of peat-free comp...
Aug 17, 2023•26 min
Hello and welcome to this last episode in the current series of a Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast . As I said last week, we have a great final guest today, in fact, it's my youngest guest on the podcast ever. Now, one day, when I was whiling away time on good old Instagram, I stumbled across an account in the name of The First Time Gardener . Now, there are two people behind this particular account, one of whom is probably more in charge of the shall we say administration, whilst the other ...
Jul 04, 2023•41 min
In this week's episode, I head back to Otis and Ben's allotment to see how things are progressing so far this season. I'm delighted to advise that for the first time in the series, so far, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Clear blue skies, a very gentle breeze and temperatures soaring, especially in the tunnel. Today we chat about: Some nifty little hacks, including how to make more cuttings from tomatoes Companion planting The impact of the current and prolonged dry spell in the UK and acro...
Jun 27, 2023•28 min
In this week's episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat with friend and nursery owner, Ruth Goudy. Ruth is one of the owners of the Kiln Farm Nursery in Kesgrave, Ipswich alongside husband Paul. We chat about: How the nursery came about How it grew and developed into the thriving business it is today What is entailed in running a successful garden centre What are the future plans for the garden centre? And lots, lots more. It's a fascinating insight into garden centres, which ...
Jun 20, 2023•42 min
In this week's, episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast , I chat to Gardeners' World presenter, garden designer, and author, Adam Frost . Probably one of the most requested chats from all of you over the last two years, and finally it's happened. In an open, frank and very honest, interview Adam talks about: His career to date. Working alongside the legend that was Geoff Hamilton. His new garden His own recent health issues “An Evening with Adam Frost” UK shows, and much , much more ...
Jun 12, 2023•46 min
In this weeks episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast, I chat to YPHA committee member, Sarah Want . The YPHA is the Young People in Horticulture Association and is a fantastic initiative for anybody in gardening or horticulture under the age of 35. In this episode, I chat to Sarah about: What the YPHA is? Who it's for? What its objectives are? How it helps its members? And lots, lots more. To join the YPHA, or get more information tap this link . The YPHA can be found on Instagram a...
Jun 05, 2023•31 min
In this week's episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I take you all to the Chelsea Flower Show Press Day. I'm very lucky to be invited to this, and decided it would be great if I could share some of the atmosphere of the day with you here on the podcast. Celebrities and gardening personalities wander up and down Main Avenue and around the Great Pavilion. It's the place to be seen on Press Day. In this episode, I speak to the following people: Rossana Porta: I was lucky enough to w...
May 30, 2023•43 min
In this week's, episode, I chat to gardener, cook, writer and author, Mark Diacono. We talk about Mark's career and how he first got into gardening and became a foodie. We also chat about music, which is a strong theme in Mark's life, photography and Mark’s love of the written word and of course lots lots more. You can find out more about Mark by heading to his Instagram page or website and you must read his brilliant, Mark Diacono's Imperfect Umbrella Substack page which can be accessed via thi...
May 21, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 18
In this week's episode of the In this week's episode of the Mic the Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat to climate change gardening expert, Kim Stoddart. Kim's new book, ‘The Climate Change Garden', which she co-authored alongside Sally Morgan gives us a fascinating insight into climate change, and how we as gardeners need to adapt our working practices to achieve bountiful and productive gardens in a world, where the weather patterns are constantly changing and are at times becoming extremely ...
May 15, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 17
In this week's, episode of the Mic the Gardener - Gardening Podcast I chat with gardener, writer, podcaster, garden coach, and now author, Andrew Timothy O’Brien . In his own words, Andrew says he is the owner of a too-loud laugh. I disagree, it’s great to hear the sound of people laughing in a world where there’s too much sadness and bad news, don’t you think? I chat to Andrew about his new book 'to stand and stare' published by DK books. There's a lot of gardening advice out there. But none th...
May 09, 2023•54 min•Season 5Ep. 16
In this week's episode of the Mic The Gardener – Gardening Podcast we head back to Otis and Ben's allotment in Wimborne. Despite the cold, grey weather, there is plenty of activity going on on the plot as you'll hear in this episode. But, Ben and Otis have also had their fair share of trials and tribulations to contend with, so it hasn't all been plain sailing. If you are interested in jotting down exactly what they are growing in the allotment, at the moment, here is the list: Spring onions, ga...
May 04, 2023•24 min•Season 5Ep. 15
In this weeks, episode of the Mic The Gardener – Gardening Podcast I chat to friend, YouTube sensation, homesteader and author, Liz Zorab. Liz's new book, The Seasoned Gardener has just been published on Permanent Publications, and I chat to her about: - How she started homesteading - - - How she started her successful YouTube channel with over 122,000 subscribers. - How she started writing, and, lots lots more. If growing your own and homesteading is something you have considered, have just emb...
May 02, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 14
In this week's episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast , I chat with hardy geranium expert, Gary Carroll of the Cranesbill Nursery. Geraniums are a fantastic, genre with plants that fit into so many different aspects within our gardens and indeed in containers. In this episode, Gary tells us about: Geraniums for different places (dry and damp locations in sun, shade and containers) How to look after hardy geraniums Pests and diseases How to propagate hardy geraniums, and much, much m...
Apr 24, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 13
In this week's episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast , I chat with best-selling novelist, Erica James. Erica's latest novel, ‘ A Secret Garden Affair ' has just been published and unsurprisingly is already heading towards the top of the charts. We chat about: Her career to date. How she first got published. How she writes. Her new novel, A Secret Garden Affair, and lots, lots more And, did we really record the second half of our chat in the shower? You'll just have to listen to fin...
Apr 17, 2023•53 min•Season 5Ep. 12
In this week's episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast, I chat to Sarah Gerrard/Jones, a.k.a. The Plant Rescuer. Sarah is a self-taught houseplant obsessive who firmly believes every plant deserves a happy life. Her determination to see beyond the 'perfect plant' and to rescue unloved plants makes her the go-to guide. We chat about: - Her career to date. - How her obsession with houseplants began. - Her new book, The Plant Rescuer – The Book Your Houseplants Want You To Read - And, h...
Apr 11, 2023•42 min•Season 5Ep. 12
In this special bonus Slot From the Plot episode recorded on 29th March we head back to a cold, wet and blowy allotment for our second visit of the season to chat with Otis. Sadly, all is not well at the allotment. And this I'm sure will be familiar to many allotmenteers who sow seeds for this seasons crops, only to find that something has got in there and nibbled their plans for successful seedlings. However, in better news, Otis tells me what has been planted, what is growing along well and wh...
Apr 05, 2023•18 min•Season 5Ep. 10
In this week's, episode of the Mic the Gardener Gardening Podcast. I chat to peony expert, RHS gold medal winner, and owner of the Primrose Hall Nursery, a peony specialist about, well, you've guessed it, peonies. we talk about: - Different types of peonies. - How to look after peonies. - How to maintain peonies. - Pests and diseases. - And, we dispel a few old house wives tales along the way. It's an incredibly informative podcast episode, so grab a pen and paper before you start listening. And...
Apr 03, 2023•52 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Hello and welcome back to this weeks episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast . This week, I chat with BBC TV Gardeners' World and ITV Love Your Garden TV presenter and horticulturist, Frances Tophil l. We chat about: Her career How she secured roles with ITV's Love Your Garden and BBC's Gardeners’ World The importance of community gardening Her very own new garden Collaborating on a show garden with Grayson Perry, and Lots, lots more. I also ask Frances, if she were given him the opp...
Mar 27, 2023•41 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Hello and welcome back to this week's, episode of the Mic the Gardener - Gardening Podcast . This week we return to the allotment to chat to Otis about: What went well last year What didn't go quite so well last year? What's new for the plot this year? What they learnt from Year One? We also chat about some exciting new additions to the plot. If you are an allotment holder or are thinking about starting an allotment, do let me know as I love to hear from you. Also, if you can recommend any parti...
Mar 20, 2023•23 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Hello and welcome back to this week's episode of the Mic the Gardener - Gardening Podcast . And so here it is, the one you've all been waiting for, including me! So many of you have contacted me asking if we can do a special episode on hellebores . There's clearly a lot of love for our heavenly hellebores out there, and I'm a massive fan, that's for sure. So, I racked my brain, wondering who I could approach to talk to about these wonderful plants. There was, in all honesty, only one person on m...
Mar 13, 2023•51 min
Hello and welcome to this week's, episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast . In this week's, episode, I chat with a passionate young horticulturalist, Josh Simmonds . I first met Josh a couple of years ago, when I travelled to Ipswich to record a podcast episode with Michael Perry (a.k.a. Mr Plant Geek). I was early and Michael suggested I visit Kiln Farm Nursery before our interview. On arrival, a young lad was setting up for the day. This young lad was Josh, who invited me in to com...
Mar 01, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Hello there and welcome to this weeks episode of them Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast. Are you a fan of ITV's Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh ? Or, BBC TV's Garden Rescue with Charlie Dimmock ? Well, this week I chat with Matt Young, Head of Factual Entertainment at Spun Gold TV , who bring us these amazing TV programmes. I'll be asking all of those questions that we think about when we're watching the programme, including: How do they select the lucky garden owners? Who designs the g...
Feb 28, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Hello and welcome to this episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast , it's lovely to have you here, as always. There can't be a single gardener out there, who doesn't love snowdrops, can there? Well, in this week's episode, I catch up with garden writer and friend, Val Bourne in her beautiful Cotswold garden which is crammed cheek by jowl with a stunning array of snowdrops. And, as you will find out, when you listen to this episode, what Val doesn't know about snowdrops, frankly isn't ...
Feb 20, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this second episode of the Mic the Gardener - Gardening Podcast I chat with award-winning garden writer, television presenter and wildlife gardening expert, Kate Bradbury . We talk about Kate's wonderful new book ' The Tree in My Garden: Choose One Tree, Plant It - Change the World ' published by DK Books which is a real page turner and packed with useful information to help you choose one (or more) perfect trees for your garden. We also chat at length about Kate's career to date and much, mu...
Feb 08, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Hello and welcome back to this weeks episode of the Mike the Gardener – Gardening Podcast. This week, I'm over the moon to announce that my guest is none other than Queen of Herbs, Jekka McVicar. Jekka McVicar is an organic grower of herbs and horticultural author, designer, consultant, judge and moderator. She is renowned for her passion and knowledge of herbs and has built an international reputation for growing and designing sustainable herb gardens. Jekka has an impressive list of credential...
Jan 26, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Welcome to the last episode in series 4 of the Mic The Gardener – Gardening Podcast. In this week's episode I chat to gardening guru, Charles Dowding. Charles is a gardening legend in the making, an English horticulturalist, an author who has pioneered modern no-dig and organic soil management since 1983. Charles is on a mission to teach gardeners that there is no need to dig over the soil. In fact the less you dig the better its structure which is vital to the health of all plants. This is the ...
Oct 20, 2022•49 min
