In this episode of the Plant Based Podcast, Ellen meets Jimmy Turner, the Director of Horticulture at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Jimmy looks after not just one, but three high-profile gardens in Australia - perhaps one of the best horticultural jobs in the world! Jimmy’s mission is to inspire everyone with the wonder of plants and to get everyone to connect with nature. His infectious passion for plants makes this episode really inspiring and will make you want to jump on the next flight to...
Dec 01, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In this episode of The Plant Based Podcast, Michael and Ellen meet Neil Urry and Alex Allen, owners of Vegepod UK. They moved from Australia to England in 2018 to launch Vegepod in the UK. This is their story as to how they came to be part of the Vegepod family. Then in part two, Ellen meets Simon Holloway from Vegepod Australia on the beautiful shores of Manly beach. Over a beer, they have a chat about the origins of Vegepod, how Vegepod encourages people to Grow Your Food and some of the commu...
Nov 17, 2019•47 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this episode of The Plant Based Podcast we explore the fascinating and misunderstood world of CBD oils. Leon and Michael from Honest Hemp, a pioneering grower of organic hemp and producer of superior cannabidiol CBD products, talk to Michael and Ellen. They unpack the misconceptions about the legalities, and the confusion between CBD and cannabis, making the distinction clear about how it is perfectly legal! Honest Hemp, based in Surrey, produces 130,000 bottles of CBD oil a day, so these guy...
Nov 03, 2019•44 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Among chirping bird song, nestled in Highgate Woods in North London, the Plant Based Podcast meets Kim and Vicky from Handmade Apothecary to learn about foraging, and how to use plants to create healing remedies and recipes. Kim and Vicky met at university when they were studying herbal medicine, and can now regularly be found out foraging for herbs. They use their medicinal backgrounds to carry out examinations and to share herbal medicine with local communities. Join them in this episode of th...
Oct 20, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 8
RHS gardens are one of the most stunning displays and are a true dream for any horticultrual fan to explore. But just what does it take to look after one? With such variety and high standards expected it’s no mean feat. The star of this episode of The Plant Based Podcast is Peter Goodchild, leader of the Alpine team at RHS Wisley. Peter talks to Michael and Ellen about his journey from gardener at Legoland to being responsible for a stunning display of Alpines which attracts visitors from far an...
Oct 06, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Gabriel Reid fell in love with flowers as a child. Over the years she evolved that passion into a cut flower business, and Gabriel’s Garden was soon formed. Michael and Ellen visit the stunning gardens to meet Gabriel and find out how she started selling salads and edibles at farmer’s markets, and how that grew into selling cut flowers. As an artisan florist and grower of fine flowers, Gabriel now sows, grows and delivers seasonal flowers fresh from her Norfolk gardens. Gabriel discusses the emo...
Sep 22, 2019•47 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Howard Nurseries grow over two million plants a year and is one of the country’s largest, wholesale perennial specialists. This episode is the ultimate episode for those with a real plant passion, jammed with “plant chat” and a true character from the horticultural world dedicated to growing the very best plants and sharing that joy. Take a peek behind the scenes at Howard Nurseries to find out how the nursery business came about and grew to have a range of more than 1,500 varieties. David Howar...
Sep 08, 2019•54 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Join the Plant Based Podcast to explore the world of aquascaping and creating stunning landscapes underwater. Ray McCune and George Farmer from Scaped Nature in Norwich speak to Michael and Ellen to discuss how creativity needn’t be limited to houseplants and how unusual spaces and scenery can be created within landscaped tanks and aquariums – without needing a snorkel! From moss art to terrariums and complete aquascaping kits, for novices and experts alike, Scaped Nature has it covered! This ep...
Aug 25, 2019•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Plant based drinks are a huge growth area and one company specialising in this is Botanic Lab. Michael and Ellen meet Rebekah, founder of the company, who explains how, with eating and drinking becoming about so much more than just stopping thirst and hunger, Botanic Lab is expanding its range to create drinking experiences. Plant milks, juices, teas, cold presses and even CBD based soft drinks are the drinks that are getting people talking. They also dissect the CBD taboo and delve in to the ta...
Aug 11, 2019•42 min•Season 2Ep. 3
We’re back! The Plant Based Podcast is back for series 2 and in this first episode, Michael and Ellen head to Peter Beales Roses to find out how the perfect rose is selected. Nursery manager, Ian Limmer, reveals how breeding roses is a numbers game. Did you know that a single rose that you might see on the Peter Beales’ stand at the Chelsea Flower Show has been selected from 50,000 seedlings which have then been whittled down over 10 years to create perfection? Ian reveals that and much more abo...
Jul 28, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Embracing plants and nature can brighten the darkest of days, and taking time out of a busy day to step outside for a moment’s peace can have a huge impact on your wellbeing. Someone who knows this exceptionally well is Emma Mitchell, author of "The Wild Remedy: How Nature Mends Us”. In this episode of the Plant Based Podcast, Emma chats to Michael and Ellen to discuss gardening, wellbeing and her passion for nature and how she shares this with her 100,000+ Instagram followers. They explore how ...
Jul 28, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In a special bonus episode, Ellen and Michael have been to the Hampton Court Flower Show. Like the true plantspeople they are, they spent most of the time in the floral marquee, marvelling at how many retro plants seem to be back on trend. From previously disdained Heathers to mumsy Chrysanthemums, the tide has changed. New breeding, new innovation, and new attitudes mean that lots of plants are being re-invigorated for new and old gardeners alike. We speak to Andy’s Airplants , Chrysanthemums D...
Jul 02, 2019•1 hr 4 min
Ever wondered what goes into being an exhibitor at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show? It’s the most prestigious gardening show in the world and unites plant lovers from every corner but just what goes into producing a Chelsea exhibit? In this special episode of the Plant Based Podcast recorded at the show, Michael Perry and Ellen Mary meet some of the people behind these show stopping displays, who are true plant experts dedicated to producing the very best plants in the world. They chat to the fantas...
May 21, 2019•45 min
Chelsea Flower Show special: Introducing THE PLANT OF THE YEAR! It’s Chelsea time! One of the most exciting weeks in any gardeners’ diary where horticultural experts and plant lovers from all over the world unite to celebrate gardening! Each year, the RHS crowns one new plant its Plant of the Year and, at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, the Plant Based Podcast got to meet the team behind this year’s winning plant. It just so happens it has been created by our sponsor Suttons! Michael and Ellen ...
May 21, 2019•22 min
Put your feet up, put the kettle on and find out how to brew up a plant based tea in the latest episode of The Plant Based Podcast. Hackney Herbal is a social enterprise promoting health and wellbeing through herbs. Business has been booming since the recent increase in interest for health and wellbeing, and Michael and Ellen meet Nat from Hackney Herbal to discuss how herbal teas can help! Not just for the Hackney hipsters wanting an alternative brew, Hackney Herbal focuses on educating people ...
May 19, 2019•50 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Looking for a way to jazz up your dinner plate? Look no further, plants are here! This tasty episode of The Plant Based Podcast takes plant-based diets to new levels by exploring the world of edible flowers. Nurtured in Norfolk is a 4 acre nursery that supplies micro cress, pea shoots, micro herbs and edible flowers to wholesalers and Michelin star restaurants to help add something extra special to their dishes. As well as being decorative, edible flowers add extra crunch to a salad and introduc...
May 05, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Get fruity!! Markus Kobelt is a true plant fanatic. He is the founder of Lubera, a company that specialises in the breeding of unique and wonderful fruit plants. In this special National Gardening Week episode of The Plant Based Podcast, Michael and Ellen chat to Markus about how the only way to truly get the best, brightest colours in fruit is to grow them yourself. Markus talks about the seedless fruits he has developed, how he is changing the world of apples and the difference between breedin...
Apr 28, 2019•48 min
“Organic is the new normal”. But hasn’t it always been?! This episode of The Plant Based Podcast celebrates National Gardening Week by heading to the polytunnel and meeting Hannah Claxton from the fantastic Eves Hill Veg Co. Eves Hill in Norfolk is a two acre market garden with a fabulous ethos. Hannah and her team champion enabling access to land projects and skills, which they do through volunteer programmes and a strong focus on community and education - all based around connecting people wit...
Apr 28, 2019•58 min
Houseplants are one of the biggest trends in gardening at the moment - they’re taking over! One place that is certainly true is The Plant Den in Norwich. In this episode of The Plant Based Podcast, Michael Perry and Ellen Mary meet Roscoe Gibson-Denney a true ambassador for plants. Roscoe, and his partner Michelle, started The Plant Den, as a tiny treasure chest of a shop in Norwich that is the same size as a garden shed but packed to the ceiling with a huge variety of plants. Since recording th...
Apr 21, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Sitting on the banks of the River Thames is a four acre site that is home to more than 5,000 species of plants from around the world. The Chelsea Physic Garden in London is a secret garden originally established by the Apothecaries in order to grow medicinal plants. Nowadays, it’s bursting with edible and useful medicinal plants, and the gardens are open to the public to explore. In this episode of The Plant Based Podcast, Michael Perry and Ellen Mary meet Michael Holland, head of education at t...
Apr 07, 2019•45 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Seedball is on a mission to fill the world with wildflowers whilst saving bees and butterflies! And, they’re starting with your garden. The Plant Based Podcast meets Emily Lambert, co-founder of Seedball, a product that has become incredibly popular in recent years. Emily estimates there are now 2 million Seedballs growing out there! The concept is simple. A ball is made up of a variety of wildflower seed surrounded by clay to protect it, simply scatter the balls and wait for them to grow! Emily...
Mar 24, 2019•41 min•Season 1Ep. 6
“Don’t you miss meat?” It’s probably the most common question vegans face. But one London restaurant is changing that by incorporating creativity, art and technical culinary skill to replicate the tastes and textures of meat but in plant based dishes! In this episode, The Plant Based Podcast visits Plates London, a plant-based restaurant in Shoreditch and our bellies were rumbling! Executive head chef, Kirk Haworth, founded Plates with his sister Keeley to help improve the symptoms he was experi...
Mar 10, 2019•46 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Plant genetics, boring huh? Not a chance! Emma Howard is as passionate as it gets when it comes to plant genetics and there is nothing boring about it. Did you know some of the most commonly enjoyed plants are actually genetically modified? Would you believe us if we told you that includes Daffodils? It’s true! In this episode of The Plant Based Podcast, Emma takes us on an incredibly awesome journey through plant genetics and the future of plants, it’s all rather mesmerising, especially if you ...
Feb 24, 2019•43 min•Season 1Ep. 4
The Plant Based Podcast meets Paul Kerton, aka Hench Herbivore, a vegan bodybuilder whose muscles are now entirely plant based! Plant based diets are going to be big in 2019, and Hench Herbivore is the influencer you’ll be seeing a lot more of this year. Paul is a vegan fitness instructor and nutritionist, pumping iron on a whole foods plant based diet. But as a vegan, where does the protein to build muscle come from and the carbohydrates for stamina? Not to mention all of the other vitamins and...
Feb 10, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 2
With the rise of urban living and climate change, gardeners have a lot to deal with. But, whatever your garden situation or the weather, Liz Browne from the leafy paradise at Urban Jungle Nursery in Norwich explains there are many options to create your own urban jungle. Small space? No problem! Large garden? There are so many plants to choose from! The jungle theme is a big trend in gardening right now and in this episode of The Plant Based podcast Liz suggests some great plants to grow in your...
Feb 10, 2019•28 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Bees are an incredibly important part of our day to day lives. As the world's most important pollinator of food crops, one third of the food we eat every day relies on bees but are we doing enough to help them in our gardens? Beverley Glover of Cambridge Botanic Garden is on a quest to discover that plants that provide the most attractive colours, textures and shapes to bees. We find out which blooms are the best, and worst, at hosting that nectar buffet! We are also surprised to find out how ma...
Feb 10, 2019•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1
The Plant Based Podcast is about anything that can be traced back to plants. We will be chatting worldwide to companies and individuals that are working with- and being creative with- plants! More people than ever are appreciating the importance of plants in our day to day lives. Whether it's a plant-based diet, clothes made from plants, the wellbeing qualities of plants, or simply a fun shelf of cacti and succulents! We have both been plant lovers since childhood, and have a combined 35 years e...
Feb 02, 2019•18 min
