Arthur Parkinson - Gardening, Hens, Bees and Flamingos? Hello and welcome back to a brand new season - we’re back for a whopping fifth season of the podcast with new guests and brand new stories and conversations with some people you will definitely know, and some people you’ll come to know Now we’re kicking this season off with a huge guest and someone I’ve wanted to talk to since the podcast first began. This week I’m joined by writer and gardener and someone who describes their Instagram page...
Sep 03, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 30th August 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features two new dahlias, a handy tip for growing salvias and another brand new plant in the garden. Plus a little dahlias quandary that I wonder if you've had too? 🍀 Each week I bring you a snapshot of what's going on here - complete with gardening advice, tips, trick and hints - all useful for all levels of gardener! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry on my website ...
Aug 30, 2023•3 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 23rd August 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features some of the most amazing tomatoes, a pepper update (both chili and sweet), a favourite little purchase from the garden centre and a smart hack for keeping your borders full... 🍀 Each week I bring you a snapshot of what's going on here - complete with gardening advice, tips, trick and hints - all useful for all levels of gardener! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry ...
Aug 22, 2023•4 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 9th August 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features some beautiful flowers, tough decisions and ripping plants out...for the greater good, I might add. So make yourself a cuppa (or something stronger) and sit down for a listen. 🍀 Each week I bring you a snapshot of what's going on here - complete with gardening advice, tips, trick and hints - all useful for all levels of gardener! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry o...
Aug 16, 2023•4 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 9th August 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features some of the most stunning dahlias I've ever grown and something black....not a dahlia though! You'll have to listen along to see what that is AND make sure you head to my website to see all the pictures too (link is at the bottom of these notes). So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family ga...
Aug 08, 2023•3 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 2nd August 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is all about dahlias, entirely dedicated to those stunning flowers we all know and love. You'll want to check out the written version of this too, to see all the pictures (see that here on my website). So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! Complete with gardening advice, ...
Aug 01, 2023•4 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 19thJuly 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features the first dahlias of the year, yet more gap filler ideas for you to try at home and much more! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! Complete with gardening advice, tips, trick and hints - all useful for all levels of garden! If you'd prefer, then you can also read...
Jul 18, 2023•4 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 5th July 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features strawberries, garlic and my favourite colour in the garden (possibly!). So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry on my website viewfromthepottingbench.com Please rate, review, subscribe...
Jul 04, 2023•3 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 28th June 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features the emerging foxgloves, the first of (hopefully) many of a particular new bloom AND finally the garlic comes up?? So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry on my website viewfromthepottingbench.com...
Jun 27, 2023•3 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 20th June 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries features a new geranium, a dilemma (help!) and a garlic update!! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry on my website viewfromthepottingbench.com Please rate, review, subscribe and share if y...
Jun 20, 2023•3 min
Alan Titchmarsh at Gardener's World Live! Welcome to a very special bonus edition of the podcast! This episode features a conversation with former Gardener's World presenter and legendary plantsman, Alan Titchmarsh. We discuss this year's BBC Gardener's World Live show at the NEC in Birmingham along with lots more! You can follow me on Instagram for more gardening goodness at @ viewfromthepottingbench . And don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to find o...
Jun 16, 2023•8 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 14th June 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is all about what I'm growing with my dahlias and a mini fruit & veg update, enjoy! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry on my website viewfromthepottingbench.com Please rate, review, sub...
Jun 13, 2023•3 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 31st May 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is all about the big plant out! Finally its time to empty the greenhouse! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry on my website viewfromthepottingbench.com Please rate, review, subscribe and share ...
Jun 06, 2023•3 min
James from Plant Surge - Harnessing the Power of Lightning Now usually you’d hear me talking to a gardener, a houseplant expert or someone else directly linked to the plant world. However, this time is a little different. Because, in this conversation I’m joined by someone from a company that I use and love and I think you’ll also enjoy too. This is our chance to discuss their products and tell you exactly why they’re worth talking about. In this episode I’m joined by James from a company called...
Jun 01, 2023•20 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 31st May 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is all things finally kicking into life, the VERY last of the tulips and the launch of something rather special... So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry on my website viewfromthepottingbench.com Pl...
May 30, 2023•3 min
Charlie from Leon Boots - Why These are Boots are Different! Now usually you’d hear me talking to a gardener, a houseplant expert or someone else directly linked to the plant world. However, this time is a little different. Because, in this conversation I’m joined by someone from a company that I use and love and I think you’ll also enjoy too. This is our chance to discuss their products and tell you exactly why they’re worth talking about. In this episode I’m joined by Charlie from a company ca...
May 25, 2023•21 min
Alice Vincent - 'How Gardening Creeps in When We're Least Expecting It' This episode features a conversation gardener, writer and author, the sensational Alice Vincent . Alice began her career with music journalism, before making a gear shift towards gardening and in this conversation we discuss exactly why that happened…enjoy! Alice’s latest book ‘ Why Women Grow ’ is out now from Canongate Books and is available in all good bookshops or online . You can find Alice on Instagram @ noughticulture...
May 21, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Adam Frost and Arit Anderson Welcome to a very special bonus edition of the podcast! This episode features conversations with Gardener's World presenters Adam Frost and Arit Anderson at this years' RHS Malvern Spring Festival. We talk all about the festival itself and what else they both might be upto this year! 💜 This episode is sponsored by Plant Grow, producers of award winning organic fertilisers made with zero chemicals. Great For your garden and even greater for the planet 💜 and don't fo...
May 18, 2023•10 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 17th May 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is all about BIG things happening, both with me and with the garden. Big changes and its all very exciting! Listen now to see what I'm doing with my dahlias and much more. So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry on my w...
May 16, 2023•3 min
Danny Clarke - 'The Black Gardener' This episode features a conversation with garden designer and presenter, Danny Clarke otherwise known as The Black Gardener. Danny is perhaps best known as part of the team on Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Garden as well as appearances on This Morning and Channel 5’s Filthy Garden SOS. We talk here about how all of this began, including how Danny’s mentor helped to inspire his love of being connected with ature...enjoy! If you’d like to see more from Danny then ...
May 15, 2023•37 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 10th May 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the garden diaries is shifting the attention to fruit and veggies! While we don't have acres of space, we cram a lot in including some edibles - listen now to hear what we're growing and how well (or not!) its doing. So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also rea...
May 09, 2023•3 min
Patrick Vernuccio - The Frenchie Gardener! This episode features a conversation gardener and content creator Patrick Vernuccio, perhaps known better to us as The Frenchie Gardener. Patrick talks in depth here about how he grows so much in such a small terrace space on his balcony in perhaps surprisingly, Berlin (not France). It took Patrick until he was 36 to plant his first seed….enjoy! You can find Patrick on Instagram and TikTok @thefrenchiegardener and also on YouTube under the same name . �...
May 07, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 3rd May 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the podcast is all about maintaining a full garden, year round (or that's the plan anyway!). I tell you exactly how I do this and how I manage keeping on top of planting out and keeping things moving along. I also talk about slow growing dahlias and what to do if yours are taking their time to get going... So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for...
May 02, 2023•3 min
Andrew Timothy O'Brien - Hands In The Dirt! This episode features a conversation with gardener, garden coach, writer and fellow podcaster – Andrew Timothy O’Brien. Andrew aims to help others to enjoy their gardens for more than just their physical appearance. Listen now to hear all about Andrew’s new book and so much more. Andrew’s book ‘ To Stand and Stare ' is out now from DK Books and is available online and in all good bookshops. And, you can find Andrew on Instagram @andrewtimothyob or on t...
Apr 30, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 26th April 2023 🌷 This week's edition of the podcast is brought to you in association with Farmer Gracy ! This episode gave me a chance to compile some of my favourite varieties from Farmer Gracy this year as well as some top tulip tips to grow the best blooms you can . 👉🏻 Do make sure to check out farmergracy.co.uk for fantastic plants right across the year. So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the pe...
Apr 25, 2023•4 min
Emma Jo Real-Davies - Gardening, Instagram and beyond! This episode features a conversation with Instagram STAR, radio presenter and QVC gardening expert – Emma Jo Real Davies! You’ll know Emma from her hilarious Instagram page and all sorts of other things and you’ll be glad to know this conversation is just as mad as you’d expect it to be – enjoy! You can find Emma on Instagram @ emjorealdavies and you can see her on QVC presenting her own show ‘Emma’s Cottage Garden’, on Thursdays at 5pm. 💜...
Apr 23, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Bonus Episode: A preview for the RHS Malvern Spring Festival! Hello and welcome back to Tales From The Potting Bench , bringing you a surprise bonus episode. This episode is something a little different as I'm joined by Show Lead of the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Kate Dufton as well as episode contributors Tom Leonard otherwise know as the Drag Queen Gardener, Ben Newell perhaps known better as Worcester Terrariums and garden designer Emily Crowley-Wroe. We'll be finding out what they're all d...
Apr 20, 2023•13 min
Welcome to The Potting Bench Diaries - 19th April 2023 In the garden this week ; I'm actually celebrating....? Also I reveal, possibly my favourite tulip of 2023...don't miss this! So, whether you're in the car, on the commute, in the garden or just at home then this is the perfect snapshot for you about life in a family garden, all year round! If you'd prefer, then you can also read this diary entry on my website viewfromthepottingbench.com Please rate, review, subscribe and share if ...
Apr 18, 2023•3 min
Jane Perrone - Houseplant Royalty! This episode features a conversation with true houseplant royalty, Jane Perrone. Jane's career ranges from gardening editor for The Guardian to present day as a podcaster, writer and author of two books. We discuss all of that and much more in this conversation! Jane’s new book ‘ Legends Of The Lead ’ is out on 27thApril and you can order your copy now via this link . You can also check out all other things Jane Perrone including her podcast and newsletter, by ...
Apr 16, 2023•34 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Garden Book Review - ' The Seasoned Gardener' by Liz Zorab Hello and welcome to another garden book review '...from the Potting Bench' brought to you by the Tales From The Potting Bench podcast. This time we turn focus to ' The Seasoned Gardener ' by Liz Zorab. If you're looking for a book to help and encourage you to grow, in a friendly and realistic manner, then The Seasoned Gardener will do just that in spades (pun, ashamedly, intended). Complete with photos from Liz's own time on the farm, t...
Apr 13, 2023•4 min
