Every so often, you might see a Fleuroselect gold medal or quality mark in a catalogue or online- but what exactly is it? Michael has a brilliant chat with the Secretary General of the Fleuroselect, Ann Jennen. He discovers the role of the trials process, how it works, and what other projects are run at industry level in order to help the consumer. It’s a really really good chat! Sponsors of series 13 are Lava-Lite - Naturally The Best Effortlessly nourish and protect your plants with a collecti...
Oct 29, 2023•37 min
This weeks episode is with award winning Landscape Designer Tom Massey, author of The Resilient Garden and named one of the top 50 garden designers in House and Garden Magazine. We talk designing and planting before our horti hangout with Chris Jesson (aka. @GroovyGardeningUK ) who chats about his career change into horticulture, gardening with autism and any other planty topic that comes up! Sponsors of series 13 are Lava-Lite - Naturally The Best Effortlessly nourish and protect your plants wi...
Oct 22, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 13Ep. 3
This podcast episode will make you smile! Hear from two infectious gardeners who having found a love of plants, want to share the joy with others from children to adults with their new CIC - The Gardeners Co. Hear about their new premises on a National Trust site, what they will be growing and how they plan to take it even further afield than North Devon. Check them out at: www.thegardenerscollective.co.uk @thegardenersco @diaryofaladygardener @the_gardenmum Sponsors of series 13 are Lava-Lite -...
Oct 15, 2023•51 min
Meet Annie on todays podcast episode and learn all about the world of beekeeping. Do you know how many species of bees there are? Which bees are more endangered? What the life of a beekeeper is like? We know how important it is to save the bees, so in the episode we chat about our beloved garden friend the bee. Afterwards, @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek gossip separately due to logistics! Sponsors of series 13 are Lava-Lite - Naturally The Best Effortlessly nourish and protect your plants...
Oct 08, 2023•48 min•Season 13Ep. 2
This week, Michael visited KoppertCress, an innovative company in the Netherlands, who specialise in cress in around 30 different varieties, with some surpassing flavours- even beef! Stijn Baan gives Michael a tour of the facilities, and of course they geek out about plants! You’ll also get to discover which unique edible flowers they’re growing for the world’s chefs, and which famous spice is now being grown in a secret location in the Netherlands. Plus, KoppertCress have just released a brand ...
Oct 01, 2023•49 min
Ever wondered where chocolate actually comes from? A plant of course! Expert chocolatiers Hotel Chocolat have a base in St Lucia where cacao is grown sustainably, with gentle farming in mind. Hear from CEO Emma Peacock all about the brand, the farming process and even a Hotel Chocolat St Lucia experience. In this first episode for Series 13, @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek are joined by the @human_gardener Faith Douglas and Sarah Owen-Hughes who fill us in on the Harrogate Flower Show news...
Sep 24, 2023•43 min•Season 13Ep. 1
Celebration! This episode is the 200th Plant Based Podcast episode!! We’ve handed over this episode to the Young People in Horticulture group who have taken it over to celebrate and tell you what their experiences of horticulture are. Afterwards @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening gossip about jet lag, hydrangeas and allotments. Series 12 of The Plant Based Podcast is sponsored by People Plants Wellbeing where you can find your magic through the power of plants and nature. Relax at a nature im...
Sep 10, 2023•59 min
In this episode hear how Ben Cross is delivering British grown Alstroemeria all year round for the public and businesses. This family business has been running since 1936 and Ben tells us all about how British flowers rock! Also get your gardening and grow your own tips from regular contributor @pond_dipper . Afterwards @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening gossip about outside broadcasts, middle age and lots more! Series 12 of The Plant Based Podcast is sponsored by People Plants Wellbeing wher...
Sep 03, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 12Ep. 6
In this weeks episode @ellenmarygardening chats with the Queen of PR, Hayley Monckton to find out what it's really like meeting Royalty and dealing with the reputation of the Royal Horticultural Society. Ellen asks Hayley the lowdown whilst sitting in a bench in the glorious RHS Hyde Hall gardens. This week is also the horticultural news round up with Ellen and @mr_plantgeek reporting on nature based news from around the world. Series 12 of The Plant Based Podcast is sponsored by People Plants W...
Aug 27, 2023•29 min
This weeks episode is all about compost! The Compost Club is a social enterprise with a focus on soil regeneration, food waste reduction and educating people about the important of compost. Michael Kennard chats about the importance of composting with lots of take home tips to help you compost at home. Hear from regular series 12 contributors @skinnyjeangardener and @maxreestore with their gardening and DIY tips plus @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening gossip from a Costa somewhere in East Lon...
Aug 20, 2023•50 min•Season 12Ep. 5
In this weeks episode, Michael got to achieve an ambition, which was to swim in the sky pool at embassy gardens! He forgot that he can’t actually swim. More importantly, he was there to interview Head Gardener of the complex, Andrew Woodhouse. They had a brilliant chat all about gardening up high, and Andrew shared various tips and tricks when it comes to planting up areas for public use. Michael also discovered that Andrew used to garden for Janet Jackson! Also, in this episode, we bring you th...
Aug 13, 2023•44 min
Meet Kali Hamerton-Stove in this weeks episode, Project Director at The Glasshouse project, a social enterprise offering second chances through horticultural training to women based in UK prisons. Find out how the project runs and the benefits of learning to work with plants for women inmates both while in prison and for their lives after release. Hear from regular series 12 contributors Kirsty Ward @mylittleallotment with her monthly growing tips and find out what Michael Holland @pond_dipper h...
Aug 06, 2023•49 min•Season 12Ep. 4
Meg Kelly promotes veganic gardening to empower people to grow their own fruits and veggies the vegan way, using entirely plant-based fertilizers. Meg has been gardening veganically for 15 years in backyards, on balconies, and in the Canadian countryside and has co-founded the Veganic Agriculture Network in 2008 to increase awareness about veganic gardening and farming. She now teaches the Learn Veganic online gardening course to help people around the world grow their own thriving gardens that ...
Jul 30, 2023•43 min
Ever wandered around a Japanese garden and felt calm, peace and tranquil? If you wonder why that is, Jake Hobson Founder of Niwaki chats with @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening about the art of Japanese gardening and the benefits of using Japanese gardening tools in your garden. Check them out at www.niwaki.com Afterwards Michael and Ellen catch up about RHS Tatton and other fun gardening things! Don't forget to listen out for contributors of the podcast Lee Connolly aka @skinnyjeangardener w...
Jul 23, 2023•58 min•Season 12Ep. 3
@jenloumeredith is usually working behind the scenes to make our podcast and posts all shiny and slick, but this week we bring her front and centre as Michael interviews her about getting the best out of social media. You’ll learn about which platform does what, do’s and dont’s, plus Jen talks candidly about social media work as a career choice. We think you’ll enjoy it! You’ll also hear the very latest horticultural news, from across the UK and Europe. Series 12 of The Plant Based Podcast is sp...
Jul 16, 2023•23 min
This weeks episode is all about juicy, red fruit. Tomatoes! Simon Crawford knows his tomatoes from the history of them to the varieties most popular and which to grow right now. Plus, get some tips of how to grow them before you head over to the Burpee Europe Ltd website to find out more. Afterwards, @ellenmarygardening and @mr_plantgeek gossip live from GLEE Birmingham with @mylittleallotment AND it's the first week for two new contributors for series 12 - it's Michael Holland @pond_dipper the ...
Jul 09, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 12Ep. 2
This weeks episode is about biodynamic gardening as @ellenmarygardening chats with Fern Verrow owner Jane Scotter about how organic gardening along with planetary positions can benefit plant growth. Jane has recently launched a new course with The Create Academy where you can learn just how to garden biodynamically. Jane gives some tips to get started and inspiration for being better connected to the planet. Then it's the horticultural news round up from King Charles favourite flower to a well k...
Jul 02, 2023•46 min
Think brutalist architecture meets plants and thats what the Barbican Conservatory is all about! We chat with the head gardeners Marta in this first episode of series 12 of the podcast. Marta explains to @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening about how she got into gardening, what it's like to garden at the Barbican and some of the amazing plants softening the striking architecture. Afterwards Michael and Ellen gossip about BBC Gardeners World Live from a bench at Warwick Castle. In this episode ...
Jun 25, 2023•55 min•Season 12Ep. 1
It’s the end of the series, and we have the latest horticultural news for you, read by Ellen. We also sent Michael off to Kew Gardens, to chat to Arnau Ribera about the amazing ghost orchid, which has just come into flower there. Plus, Michael had a lovely chat with Brie Langley about her redesign of the waterlily house at Kew, and they ended up talking about all sorts, even the concept of planting more than one houseplant in a single container. We think you’ll really enjoy this chat! With thank...
Jun 11, 2023•50 min
Did you know there are nearly 20,000 different species of moss? This fascinating episode with Dr Neil Bell who is a bryologist specialising in phylogenetics, taxonomy and biodiversity will make you see moss is a whole different light. Also in this episode hear from regular series contributors @alstroemeriaben and @_andy__w with plenty of gardening tips. Sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is Stoneleigh Wines . Premium wines made from 100% sustainably sourced grapes and vegan certified. Listen t...
Jun 04, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 11Ep. 6
In this weeks episode @ellenmarygardening chats with Rowan Cannon, Director of Wild Rumpus CIC who use art and play to deepen a connection to nature. Wild Rumpus work Internationally from their exploratory creation space in an English Woodland and you can experience some of their work at the Timber festival on 7th, 8th and 9th July 2023 in The National Forest, Feanedock UK. Hear what it's all about, how to get involved and book your tickets! Also in this episode, it's a plant based nature news s...
May 28, 2023•42 min
It’s show time! @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening bring the show gossip from the show! Celeb spotting, garden chatting, plant of the year guessing - it’s all in this special Chelsea episode. Sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is Stoneleigh Wines . Premium wines made from 100% sustainably sourced grapes and vegan certified. Listen to the podcast for your exclusive discount code to order your wines. Check out Stoneleigh Wines at: https://stoneleigh.com/en-uk The Plant Based Podcast: www.thep...
May 22, 2023•23 min
Hear from Dan Bradbury, Director of Brands and Communication at the World Land Trust (WLT) in this weeks episode. @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening find out all about the trusts work in international conservation, protecting the world’s most biologically significant and threatened habitats and restoring land to safeguard biodiversity and the climate. Afterwards hear all about a special bonus episode coming up about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show! Also get some expert tips from series contributo...
May 21, 2023•57 min•Season 11Ep. 5
This episode kicks off with the regular plant based podcast news, with some hot off the press regarding the upcoming RHS Chelsea Flower Show! Then, Michael chats to expert plantsman, Charles Carr, who actually has one of his own creations up for Plant of the Year at Chelsea this year. Charles and Michael also have a stimulating discussion about new plants, and explore why many people still keep growing old plants when there are newer ones that do the job better… Sponsor for series 11 of the podc...
May 14, 2023•29 min
Did you know Watercress is in fact a superfood - perhaps the original superfood at that? @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening learn more about the health benefits of Watercress plus some growing tips from the expert Tom Amery. In this weeks episode you'll also get some awesome growing tips from @alstroemeriaben and gardening frolics with @_andy__w AND a bonus discount code from @zestoutdoorliving for a huge 25% discount off Zest's Grow Your Own and Planters range available until 31st May 2023. L...
May 07, 2023•59 min•Season 11Ep. 4
Do you have a Love Affair with Peonies? Alec White does! So much so, he left law to dedicate his time to growing, selling and displaying them. More recently his new book 'A Love Affair with Peonies' was released to spread that love. And since @ellenmarygardening loves Peonies so much, it was a perfect match for this episode. Sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is Stoneleigh Wines . Premium wines made from 100% sustainably sourced grapes and vegan certified. Listen to the podcast for your exclus...
Apr 30, 2023•45 min
In this weeks episode, Saskia runs us through the benefits of flower essences. What are they, how are they made, and how can they improve our mental health? Ellen and Michael then bring you a gossip live from the People Plants Wellbeing retreat is Norfolk, as Michael relaxes in the alfresco bath! Sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is Stoneleigh Wines . Premium wines made from 100% sustainably sourced grapes and vegan certified. Listen to the podcast for your exclusive discount code to order yo...
Apr 23, 2023•56 min•Season 11Ep. 3
It’s the first of our new style news episodes. We start off with the regular plant based podcast news, and today you’ll hear some hot off the press news from the Royal Horticultural Society, and some good news about weed killer use in towns. Then, there is a little treat for you all, as Michael chats to hydrangea breeder and lover, Alex Schoemaker. He has created some of the most loved varieties in our gardens. Michael had an in-depth chat about how he started the business, and how he creates th...
Apr 16, 2023•37 min
Geb and Green are a sustainable, peat free houseplant company in the UK. @mrplantgeek and @ellenmarygardening visited the huge greenhouses full of all the houseplants every houseplant lover wants in their collection to find out about growing in peat free compost. Also in this weeks episode meet new contributors for series 11 @alstroemeriaben with lots of wonderful Alstroemeria growing advice and @_andy__w with generally excellent gardening tips! Sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is Stoneleigh...
Apr 09, 2023•59 min•Season 11Ep. 2
In the first news and gossip episode in series 11 of the podcast, @ellenmarygardening and @mrplantgeek chat about what they've been up to plus news topics such as the Let it Grow campaign between Dobbies Garden Centres and BBC Radio 2, lawn mowing, peat use changes and pesticide petitions! New sponsor for series 11 of the podcast is Stoneleigh Wines . Premium wines made from 100% sustainably sourced grapes and vegan certified. Listen to the podcast for your exclusive discount code to order your ...
Apr 02, 2023•27 min
