Kicking off series 6 of the podcast, this episode is packed full of new and exciting vegetable varieties you will definitely want to grow! Michael and Ellen visit Pro Veg for a tour of the trial gardens and get to taste some along the way. From huge tomatoes to vibrant radish, incredible peas and all shapes and sizes of squash, indulge in the world of vegetable trials. * please note we were out in the field, so sound quality varies. Also we are excited to announce our first two new contributors ...
Feb 06, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 1
It's been sometime since Michael and Ellen have been together in person, so in this excitable catch up that not only includes a news round up including plant friendly milk and the energy crisis impact on the horticulture industry...there's admiration for David Attenborough, love for Nandina and a beach that looked like the moon. This series is sponsored by Vivara, suppliers of wildlife accessories, food and plants, helping you to create a biodiverse garden. Find them at www.vivara.co.uk The Plan...
Jan 30, 2022•25 min
In a solo episode, Mr Plant Geek gets Stefan Burger on the Zoom, as they discuss the wonderful world of cacti and succulents. Stefan grew up in Australia, and ended up in South America a few years back, having bought a one way ticket. He now calls Chile home, and it was really interesting to delve into the world of how cacti work; their life cycle, what the spines are really for, and more. We also touch on the increasing problem of plants being poached in the wild, and discuss what can be done, ...
Jan 23, 2022•1 hr 10 min
For the first winter session episodes where Ellen and Michael go solo until series 6 starts, Ellen digs deeper into the wellbeing benefits of gardening with Jordan Mara from Mind and Soil. Jordan shares his journey into gardening and explains what mind and soil is all about. With a big target of reaching 1 million people, Jordan gives tips for mindful gardening and future plans. He even puts Ellen on the spot! But no fear, all is resolved with a white board. Download to find out more and begin y...
Jan 16, 2022•53 min
New year, new gardening plans! In this episode hear from some of Instagrams top allotmenteers with their plans for gardening and growing their own food this year. Get some inspiration from your favourite growers and check them out online: @mitch_grows @rachels.allotment @allotment.fight.club @bnbkitchengarden @allotment4life @lisamaries_kitchengarden And as ever, Michael and Ellen have a gossip about just about everything from new years resolutions to gardening against the theory. Happy new year...
Jan 09, 2022•1 hr 22 min
To round off the end of series 5, Michael and Ellen look back through some of their favourite episodes from all the series so far, giving you snippets of each to enjoy. It’s a mash up of the best! From wildlife hero Chris Packham to plant hunting with Ambra Edwards, all guests have been so interesting and exciting. Series 6 coming soon… The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net Instagram Twitter Facebook...
Jan 02, 2022•48 min
It’s our Christmas episode this week, and we have a fun quiz for you to play. It’s not just for fun though, there are voucher prizes to be won! Open up the webpage as you play the quiz, to fill in your answers, and find out your score- https://bit.ly/pbp-big-fat-quiz-2022 Throughout the episode, you will also hear some seasons greetings from some of Ellen and Michael‘s favourite podcasters, perhaps go and give them a follow, if you fancy. And of course, where would we be without the gossip? Elle...
Dec 26, 2021•56 min
Have you ever wondered where the flowers come from on TV sets? Or perhaps you’ve noticed a Rose blooming at the wrong time of year on your favourite TV show! Michael and Ellen speak with Phillip Corps an award winning floral stylist to find out how it’s all done! Plus hear from regular contributors, Natalie from @homeofhappyplants with nursery gossip plus Jo @diyjobehari with some handy garden DIY tips! In association with our friends Three Spirit Drinks the trio of non alcoholic botanical drink...
Dec 19, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 8
In this news and gossip episode, find out where a new woodland is being planted for Captain Sir Tom Moore, how many steps it takes to import plants and who won the lifetime achievement award at the garden media guild awards in this week’s horticultural news. Plus Michael and Ellen gossip about Christmas decorations and the anti Christmas party live on Instagram Monday 13th December. There’s also fail of the week and the most beautiful new plant of the week. In association with our friends Three ...
Dec 12, 2021•36 min
You’ll probably already know this weeks guest, Lucy, aka She Grows Veg from Instagram! She’s the queen of growing something just a little bit different. We caught up with her just as she was packing up her old garden to move to a new one. We spoke about her journey, and what fires her up when it comes to grow your own! Also in this episode hear from the most wonderful @augusts_garden and young Teddy @fiveminutegardener along with the usual shenanigans in the gossip section. In association with o...
Dec 05, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this news and gossip episode, find out how plants will save the world, protecting precious plants at holiday resort beaches and lots more on this week’s horticultural news. Plus Michael and Ellen gossip about award ceremonies, winter watering and garden hangovers. Plus there’s fail of the week and shout outs for top fans. In association with our friends Three Spirit Drinks the trio of non alcoholic botanical drinks. Grab your 10% discount with code PLANTEDPODCAST to use at www.threespiritdrin...
Nov 28, 2021•37 min
Michael and Ellen go wild in this episode with Hamza Yassin, wildlife cameraman and TV presenter. From the most glorious landscape in Scotland Hamza shares what it takes to get the best shots, bringing the world of wildlife to your screen. Tetchy Michael and calm Ellen later gossip about random musings including plants of course, and hear from regular contributors, Natalie from @homeofhappyplants with nursery gossip plus Jo @diyjobehari with some handy garden DIY tips! In association with our fr...
Nov 21, 2021•1 hr 47 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Join Nat, Mollie and friends from the Young People in Horticulture Association as they navigate through some of the key issues surrounding young people in the world of gardening and horticulture. From velcro slippers to viola maché via Joe Lycett and Bridgerton, they'll bring you their views from inside the industry. Ellen and Michael will be back next week! You can find out more about YPHA by visiting ypha.org.uk All in association with @alwayskalanchoe the easiest flowering succulent for your ...
Nov 14, 2021•41 min
This episode is about the power of gardening and food, as Michael and Ellen chat with Frank Giustra from the Million Gardens Movement. Frank has turned to gardening after spending years in film producing working with many celebrities and being the executive producer for Bladerunner 2049, along with much more. Frank is a philanthropist and along with Kimbal Musk, the Million Gardens Movement has been set up to encourage as many people - a million in fact - to get gardening. Find out all about it ...
Nov 07, 2021•1 hr 31 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this inbetweeny episode, get the lowdown on this week’s horticultural news plus Michael and Ellen gossip about birthdays, chrysanthemums, plant spreadsheets and fall colour. Plus there’s fail of the week and shout outs for top fan of the podcast and generally wonderful plant lovers who support the podcast. In association with Always Kalanchoe, the colourful, easy to grow houseplant perfect for any home. Find out more; Insta: @alwayskalanchoe www.kalanchoe.nl The Plant Based Podcast: www.thepl...
Oct 31, 2021•40 min
In this weeks episode Michael and Ellen visit award winning garden design Xa Tollemache at her home, Helmingham Hall in Suffolk. Xa talks through her career as a designer and how much work keeping a moated home and gardens take. Plus hear from our regular contributors, Natalie from @homeofhappyplants with nursery gossip plus Jo @diyjobehari with some handy garden DIY tips! There’s a gossip as always and all in association with @alwayskalanchoe the easiest flowering succulent for your home and ga...
Oct 24, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this inbetweeny episode, Ellen and Michael gossip about gardening and plants plus there’s social drama of the week including plant fails and shout outs for top fan of the podcast and generally wonderful plant lovers who support the podcast. In association with Always Kalanchoe, the colourful, easy to grow houseplant perfect for any home. Find out more; Insta: @alwayskalanchoe www.kalanchoe.nl The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net Instagram Twitter Facebook...
Oct 17, 2021•49 min
Have you ever wondered where plants come from? Ambra Edwards has all the answers, as we chat about her amazing new book! The story of familiar plants will leave you spellbound! Also in this episode: the one minute gardener explains soils, and August’s Garden gives us a little seasonal update! The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net Instagram Twitter Facebook...
Oct 10, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode Michael and Ellen visit Kiln Farm Nursery in Suffolk to chat with apprentice Josh about his love of plants, what the horticultural apprenticeship involves and what the future holds for him. In association with Always Kalanchoe, the colourful, easy to grow houseplant perfect for any home. Find out more; Insta: @alwayskalanchoe www.kalanchoe.nl The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net Instagram Twitter Facebook...
Oct 03, 2021•44 min
In this episode we chat with Laura Masor, flower breeder from Ball Floraplant. Have you ever wondered how new plant varieties are grown? Have you ever wondered how YOU could create new varieties yourself? Laura gives us some insider news and tips about the world of breeding for colour, vigor and disease resistance. Find Laura on Instagram @laura.makes.flowers Welcome also to two new contributors to series 5! Nat from @homeofhappyplants has all the nursery gossip plus Jo from @diyjobehari with so...
Sep 26, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 2
It’s good to be back! Here’s the first episode of series 5 of the plant based podcast, and in this episode we visit one of the biggest trial grounds in the UK. This is where brand-new plants are selected. We find out about what it takes to be a good garden plant, and get a few sneak peeks into the future of patio plants, thanks to marketing manager Stuart Lowen. We can’t wait for you to meet our new contributors for series 5. In this episode it’s Augusts Garden with her colourful and effervescen...
Sep 19, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In the last of the wellbeing special episodes before series 5 starts, Ellen Mary chats with Dr Amir Khan, celebrity GP, bestselling author and wildlife trust ambassador (and thats just a few of his roles) - about his love of gardening and wellbeing. Find out about social prescribing, the importance of green spaces and the enjoyment found in wildlife gardening. This is a feel good episode about creating a garden good for people and the planet no matter what size space you have. The Plant Based Po...
Sep 12, 2021•50 min
In the final of the summer specials series for plant geeks, Michael talks about cacti and succulents. For many, these are the first plants that you grow as a child. Michael interviews Ian Thwaites, chairman of the British Cactus and Succulent Society, who has had a passion for cactus since he was a child. He talks about his career, and also the ways that the society are attracting new members. Michael also chats to Jo Adderley, organiser of the event, about what attracted her to the weird and wo...
Sep 05, 2021•28 min
Did you know that sand from the Sahara makes its way to the Amazon Basin to help it flourish? Did you know that forest gardening in Africa helps the environment across the world? Everything is connected. In this episode of the podcast Ellen Mary talks with Lindsay Cobb from Trees for the Future about the importance of trees and educating farmers in Africa to farm using the forest gardening technique, ultimately improving wellbeing. With a target of planting 1billion trees by 2030, they are on tr...
Aug 29, 2021•43 min
In this weeks plant geek special, Michael speaks to Wim van Marrewijk, a skilled breeder who is working on some very interesting plants. One that you might recognise, is the humble snapdragon, a.k.a. Antirrhinum. There is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to this colourful plant. Wim is working hard behind the scenes to create the perfect basket trail in form, hardy selections, and orchid types with the very best fragrance. Listen to the episode now, to hear all about it, plus a few ...
Aug 22, 2021•27 min
In this special wellbeing episode, Ellen Mary chats with the RHS wellbeing fellow, Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui who leads a research programme on the influence of gardens and gardening on health and wellbeing. During this episode Lauriane explains what 'dose gardening' is, what the key findings were in the recent research and what the future holds for gardening and wellbeing. You'll also get some tips of how to get the most out of your time in your garden for your own mental and physical health wellb...
Aug 15, 2021•46 min
In this weeks special, Michael visits the Kerley family, just outside Cambridge, who are specialist in breeding Petunias. He learns all about how they are made, how the fragrances can be different, and what petunias need to grow well, and flower longer, EVEN when it rains! The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net Instagram Twitter Facebook...
Aug 08, 2021•40 min
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 injuries. Ashley has an extensive background in horticulture and this episode has a true feel good ...
Aug 01, 2021•38 min
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 try again! The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net Instagram Twitter Facebook...
Jul 25, 2021•37 min
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 why she chooses to make a note of her plants that have died. Katie also shares how her new illustrate...
Jul 18, 2021•56 min•Season 4Ep. 14
