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 apprentice at just 16, to his 35-year (and counting) career at one of the National Trust’s biggest estat...
Jul 16, 2021•42 min
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 Hempitecture came about and shares some staggering statistics surrounding building material waste, and h...
Jul 11, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 13
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. It’s all here on the Plant Based Podcast. Visit www.theplantbasedpodcast.net for more info and to win...
Jul 06, 2021•27 min
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 weather. Visit www.theplantbasedpodcast.net for more info and to win prizes! The Plant Based Podcast: ww...
Jul 04, 2021•33 min
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 how a spontaneous stand-up comedy gig with her brother landed her a job in LA, where she now lives – a...
Jun 27, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 12
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 info and to win prizes! The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net Instagram Twitter Facebook ...
Jun 20, 2021•20 min
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 sustainability inspired the idea – urging everyone to stand together to live a more sustainable life. Chri...
Jun 13, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 11
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 foliage. Visit www.theplantbasedpodcast.net for more info and to win prizes! The Plant Based Podcast...
Jun 06, 2021•27 min
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, Richard shares how the company first began and talks through the growing process of their tomato trees. He...
May 30, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 10
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 Gardening' and Michaels love for his new garden. Visit www.theplantbasedpodcast.net for more info and to...
May 23, 2021•30 min
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 also describes how her urban garden has been a welcome relief over the past couple of years - helping...
May 16, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 9
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.net for more info and to win prizes! The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net Instagram ...
May 09, 2021•31 min
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 chitchat with Donna from Pretty Cactus Plants, and a mega fun gossip with the boys from the Plant Daddy Pod...
May 02, 2021•1 hr 39 min•Season 4Ep. 8
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.theplantbasedpodcast.net for more info and to win prizes! The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.n...
Apr 25, 2021•25 min
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 experiences growing up helped to shape her career as a journalist highlighting environmental issues and cult...
Apr 18, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 4Ep. 7
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 Prince Philip and the cancellation of some garden shows across the UK. Visit www.theplantbasedpodcast.ne...
Apr 11, 2021•17 min
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 countries around the world, Tanya reveals how she built a business from her love of all things green - from s...
Apr 04, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 6
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 show and a number of Japanese orchid festivals over the past couple of years – sharing her appreciation...
Mar 28, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 5
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 social media following of more than 100,000 people! She also talks through her thoughts on social media...
Mar 21, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Season 4Ep. 4
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 care for your orchids at home, and even gives his recommendations for those starting their own orchi...
Mar 07, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 3
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 anecdotes of the business’ early years and reflects on how his passion for growing plants made it po...
Feb 28, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 2
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) rented a field, built a shed and started selling plants! Recorded in Summer 2020, Ruth reflects on ho...
Feb 21, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In the second of two special bonus episodes where Michael and Ellen interview each other, it’s Ellen’s turn to get the third degree! Michael delved deep to find out a surprising fact about Ellen’s past, what she would tell her younger self all of these years later plus a quick fire question round and plenty of laughs! The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net
Jan 31, 2021•31 min
Find two bonus episodes in the lead up to series 4 of the podcast which are about the hosts themselves! In this first episode, Michael Perry is interviewed by Ellen Mary who gives some secrets away and delves into Michael’s plant based past, future & everything inbetween...including what irritates him, what his plant star sign is & why he doesn’t like his cooking critiqued! All here on the plant based podcast. The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net...
Jan 24, 2021•35 min
In this bonus episode Michael and Ellen chat with the Adonis of the allotment, Richard Chivers about lockdown mental health, growing your own food and allotment communities. Richard is also a great cook so find out how he would cook all of your favourite homegrown vegetables. The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net
Jan 10, 2021•1 hr 13 min
This Christmas episode is full of mistletoe, new years resolutions and christmas trees! Plus, hear James Cornish from J&A Japonicas talking about the most popular christmas plant - The Poinsettia. Learn how to look after your christmas tree, hear listeners new year resolutions and enjoy some high jinks with Michael and Ellen. Merry Christmas everyone. The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net Additional articles for this podcast Poinsettia Care Tips and Why chose a real Christmas...
Dec 20, 2020•1 hr 15 min
Do you lift or mulch your Dahlias? In this bonus gossip episode, Michael and Ellen chat with friend of the podcast - Kirsty Ward (My Little Allotment) about what's going on down her plot. Plus there's other random gardening chat to keep you amused from bathtub Tulips to Michaels no lawn garden. The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net
Dec 13, 2020•32 min
Here is a surprise winter growing podcast for you all! It is designed to lift the spirits, and you can be assured that we are not going to mention the L word...! Ellen and Michael will run through a myriad of ways that you can keep growing during the darker months, from sowing seeds to micro greens, mulching to mossing. Enjoy, and let us know what you get up to!
Nov 08, 2020•40 min
In this episode, Chris Packham describes the informal but deliberate planting scheme in his garden, a haven for wildlife. His garden has no lawn and wildflowers flourish, despite Sid and Nancy’s attempts to destroy the lavender patch! Chris gives listeners his top tips for attracting pollinators and birds to gardens and lets us into the secret to keeping birds in the garden year-round and setting them up to survive the winter. Ellen asks Chris whether he is a fellow tree hugger and Chris describ...
Sep 06, 2020•55 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Conservation hero of the year, Honorary Doctor of Science, CBE for services to wildlife and nature conservation, host of The Really Wild Show and Spring and Autumnwatch. The very special guest in this episode is, of course, Chris Packham! Michael and Ellen chat to Chris in his garden, surrounded by birds and butterflies and Chris’s dogs, Sid and Nancy. They discuss biophilia and the importance of the connection between humans and nature as well as in relation to coronavirus and how things need t...
Aug 30, 2020•48 min•Season 3Ep. 13
