The Dirt: the gardening podcast from Grow Your Own magazine

91 Episodes

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There’s something about that feeling of being cocooned in the polytunnel, says Hannah Bates

2022-11-2544:38

This week, the team is joined by senior horticulturist and tutor for The Therapy Garden, Hannah Bates. Hannah discusses the mindful nature of certain tasks in the garden, as well as how everyone makes their mark on growing spaces. Plus, the team discusses beautiful vegetables, tomato whispering and the surge in wonky veg, as well as the top jobs on the plot for the week! 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £5 - that’s a saving of a whopping 76%! Visit growfruitandveg.co.uk/gyo52 or call 0800 904 7000 and quote gyo52. Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

It’s my dirty little secret that I’m not very good at seed sowing, says Pollyanna Wilkinson

2022-11-1142:22

This week, we're joined by multi-award-winning garden designer Pollyanna Wilkinson. Polly explains her fascinating career change to garden design, as well as some hilarious growing mishaps that have given her the confidence and insight to create stunning outdoor spaces. Plus, the GYO team talk gardening prescriptions and growing mushrooms at home. It’s packed full of horticultural inspiration! 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £5 - that’s a saving of a whopping 76%! Visit growfruitandveg.co.uk/gyo52 or call 0800 904 7000 and quote gyo52. Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

The garden has so many faces, and you can love them all, says the RSPB’s Adrian Thomas

2022-11-0454:51

This week on The Dirt, we are joined by the RSPB's wildlife gardening expert, Adrian Thomas, who shows us that gardening for wildlife can take many different forms and can suit your own plot style. He also highlights that you never know what you might attract to your garden , even if it isn't the creature you were aiming for! As well as this, the GYO team talk some more about dream garden finds (dinosaurs, anyone?), and we take a look at the tops jobs on the plot for the weekend. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £5 - that’s a saving of a whopping 76%! Visit growfruitandveg.co.uk/gyo52 or call 0800 904 7000 and quote gyo52. Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

The way I garden is rooted in letting go of control, says Poppy Okotcha

2022-09-1639:391

This week we’re joined by ecological home grower Poppy Okotcha, who tells all about her special relationship with her garden, and her mission to treat this space with the love and respect it deserves. Plus, the GYO team chat about the mental benefits of gardening, smelly compost and some favourite veg varieties. We've also got the top gardening jobs all ready for the week ahead. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £5 - that’s a saving of a whopping 76%! Visit growfruitandveg.co.uk/gyo52 or call 0800 904 7000 and quote gyo52.Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Gardening cuts across all ages and cultures, says Mark Ridsdill Smith

2022-09-0239:43

This week we’re joined by gardening author and container growing expert, Mark Ridsdill Smith, who tells all about his inner city gardening journey, and how to get great harvests from any space. Plus, the GYO team chat weather, and smart upcycling hacks. We've also got the pressing gardening jobs all ready for the week ahead. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £5 - that’s a saving of a whopping 76%! Visit growfruitandveg.co.uk/gyo52 or call 0800 904 7000 and quote gyo52.Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

If a plant won’t grow without spraying, grow something else, says The National Trust’s Andy Eddy

2022-08-1938:05

Have a bit of fun, experiment - and 'steal with pride' says Andy Eddy, from The National Trust. This week, we chat to Andy about working at the inspirational Osterley Park, why looking after soil is key, and how you don't need to feel pressured to create a perfect plot. Plus, the GYO team discuss growing in space soil, how to stay calm in the face of pressure on the plot, and things go a little weird in a detailed discussion about birds! We've also got you covered, with this week's jobs on the plot lined up and ready to go. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £5 - that’s a saving of a whopping 76%! Visit growfruitandveg.co.uk/gyo52 or call 0800 904 7000 and quote gyo52. Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Gardening takes away all of life’s deadlines, says Carl Mintern from Self Sufficient Hub

2022-08-0544:15

In this brand new series of The Dirt, we're chatting to Self Sufficient Hub's Carl Mintern on his exciting growing journey over the past few years. We discuss the disconnect between seed to plate and how to tackle this, the mental health benefits of growing your own and so much more! The GYO team will also be talking about organic pest control hacks, tomatoes as carnivorous killers, and taking a look at the top jobs on the plot for a week. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £5 - that’s a saving of a whopping 76%! Visit growfruitandveg.co.uk/gyo52 or call 0800 904 7000 and quote gyo52. Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

My wee killed my fruit tree, so always stay hydrated on the plot, says Kevin Wilson

2022-03-3149:08

Essex-based gardener Kevin Wilson shares his fruit growing journey, including his biggest achievements and fails on the plot. As well as this, the team talks gardening prescriptions, a campaign to get kids into veggies, and a frog the size of your fingernail! 🌱 The Dirt is sponsored by Gardening Works. Visit https://www.gardeningworks.co.uk for more information on their product range! 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine directly to your door for just £12.99 (that’s a saving of 38%) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘Grow 2’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grow2 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 🎙️ Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Soil is the foundation of life, says David Jeffrey

2022-03-2437:08

David sheds light on his top gardening mantra, being beaten by blight and much more in this jam-packed chat. As well as this, the team talks secret gardens, looking at pests differently - and of course, chillies! The Dirt is sponsored by Gardening Works. Visit gardeningworks.co.uk for more information on their product range. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine directly to your door for just £12.99 (that’s a saving of 38%) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘Grow 2’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grow2 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 🎙️ Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Apparently, male pee is good for your compost, says Lee from 2nd City Cottage

2022-03-1743:18

I never realised how important bamboo sticks would become in my life, says allotment grower Lee, who runs 2nd City Cottage, a YouTube channel dedicated to recording the highs and lows of his growing season on the plot in Birmingham. In this episode, Lee discusses the challenges and successes that have come from his first year as an allotment owner, and the lessons he has learned along the way. The Dirt is sponsored by Gardening Works. Visit gardeningworks.co.uk for more information on their product range. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine directly to your door for just £12.99 (that’s a saving of 38%) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘Grow 2’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grow2 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 🎙️ Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

When it comes to growing, the Victorians really were ahead of their time, says Heidi Savage

2022-03-0338:05

Gardening is a process of trial and error, and Anglia Ruskin student and allotment gardener Heidi Savage fully embraces this fact. She shared fascinating findings from her research of Victorian growing practices on this week's episode, including how she implements these traditional methods on her own plot. The Dirt is sponsored by Gardening Works. Visit gardeningworks.co.uk for more information on their product range. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine directly to your door for just £12.99 (that’s a saving of 38%) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘Grow 2’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grow2 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 🎙️ Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Something always goes wrong, but people looking around the gardens don’t see that, they say it is just beautiful, says the National Trust’s Jonny Nort...

2022-02-2448:59

Gardening fails are regular, but are rarely noticed by others - and we learn a lot from them, says Jonny Norton of the National Trust's beautiful Mottisfont garden. He also shared his top tips and no-dig lessons on this week's episode. The Dirt is sponsored by Gardening Works. Visit gardeningworks.co.uk for more information on their product range. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine directly to your door for just £12.99 (that’s a saving of 38%) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘Grow 2’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grow2 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 🎙️ Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

To feed or not to feed you plants – Laura and Ellen discuss this burning question!

2021-11-1225:47

Grow Your Own magazine editor, Laura and The Plant Based Podcast’s Ellen Mary are discussing feeding plants, feeding soil – or not feeding at all! They also hear from some social media followers to get to the bottom of this question – should you feed your plants? 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 - that’s a saving of £11.97 - by heading to growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg – that’s p-o-d-g – or calling 0800 904 7000 and quote PODG. Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Do you save or buy seeds? Laura and Ellen discuss this hot topic!

2021-10-2926:57

Grow Your Own magazine editor, Laura and The Plant Based Podcast’s Ellen Mary are taking a look at the benefits of saving seeds and buying seeds this week. They also hear from some listeners to help answer this week’s question – should you save seeds or buy seeds? 🥕 Don't miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 - that's a saving of £11.97 - by heading to growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg - that's p-o-d-g - or calling 0800 904 7000 and quote PODG. Don't miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Are you the proud owner of a greenhouse or a polytunnel? Laura and Ellen discuss which is best

2021-10-2222:24

The Plant Based Podcast host, Ellen Mary, and Grow Your Own magazine editor, Laura, discuss the benefits of growing in different undercover spaces – and pit them against each other! They also draft in some opinions from The Dirt listeners to help answer this week’s question – greenhouses or polytunnels? 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 - that’s a saving of £11.97 - by heading to growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg – that’s p-o-d-g – or calling 0800 904 7000 and quote PODG. Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Gloves or no gloves? Laura and Ellen discuss a topic that is more controversial than you might think!

2021-10-1520:59

Grow Your Own editor Laura and The Plant Based Podcast host, Ellen Mary discuss the benefits and the drawbacks of getting your hands in the dirt. They also draft in some listeners of The Dirt to help answer this week’s burning question – gloves, or no gloves? 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 - that’s a saving of £11.97 - by heading to growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg – that’s p-o-d-g – or calling 0800 904 7000 and quote PODG. Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Step out of your back door into an edible haven, or pay a visit to the plot? Laura and Ellen debate garden vs allotment growing

2021-10-0731:32

Grow Your Own editor Laura and The Plant Based Podcast host, Ellen Mary pit their plots against their gardens in this tricky debate. Both types of space are amazing, but will one come out on top? As well as Laura and Ellen’s own thoughts, they draft in listener comment to help weight up the plentiful pros of these brilliant outdoor havens. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 - that’s a saving of £11.97 - by heading to growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg – that’s p-o-d-g – or calling 0800 904 7000 and quote PODG. Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Does digging make you a glutton for punishment? Ellen and Laura dig in and find out!

2021-09-3024:03

In this episode (and for the rest of the series) Grow Your Own editor Laura is joined by The Plant Based Podcast’s Ellen Mary to discuss some hot horticultural topics. Here, they are talking about the growing popularity of no dig gardening vs traditional digging, whether they dig their own plots and delve into listener comments, too. So, the real question is: dig or no dig? 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt! You can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 - that’s a saving of £11.97 - by heading to growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg – that’s p-o-d-g – or calling 0800 904 7000 and quote PODG. Don’t miss out! 🤩 Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or smart growing hacks, get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

New allotments are overwhelming but don’t give up, says Rekha Mistry

2021-06-1142:56

Now an expert grower, Rekha Mistry joined us on this week's episode of The Dirt and recalled how overwhelming her new allotment was when she first took it on. Rekha also imparts plenty of wisdom in the form of garden tips and tricks - as well as some philosophies to grow by. Also on the pod, there's plenty of garden news and a Q&A with our amazing pod sponsors, Envii. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get seven issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £29.99 (that’s £11.94 off!) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘GPOD7’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gpod7 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 🎙️ Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

You have to be creative when using your crops, said ‘Two Dirty Boys’

2021-06-0439:51

We were joined by Robin and Paul, AKA ‘Two Dirty Boys’, who told us all about their allotment successes and failures. They gave us some fantastic ideas for creative crop uses, crop-swapping and discussed growing peaches in the UK. The Dirt is sponsored by Envii. Visit Envii.co.uk for more information on their product range. 🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get seven issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £29.99 (that’s £11.94 off!) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘GPOD7’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gpod7 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 🎙️ Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag

Comments (3)

Cassie Faber

I discovered this lovely podcast two nights ago and have been binge listening! Absolutely love it! Warm regards from New Zealand!

Jul 30th

Fen Pajak

love this! can't wait for the next one!

Jan 6th

Shonnalea Harvey

I love this podcast. Rachel is just an amazing inspiration to gardeners!

Dec 5th

#box-pro-ellipsis-176073198865214{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}The Dirt: the gardening podcast from Grow Your Own magazine

Cassie Faber

Fen Pajak

Shonnalea Harvey

The Dirt: the gardening podcast from Grow Your Own magazine