Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast

In this episode I chat with garden designer, broadcaster, TV presenter and author, Mark Lane.Mark’s brilliant new book, The Future of Gardens, published by Melrose House looks at the future of gardening, including themes of technology, climate change and gardening on another planet. We talk about:Mark's bookThe Future of GardeningMark’s career, to dateClimate change Mark’s plans for the future, and lots moreYou can learn more about Mark by following him on his Instagram account (click here), or looking at his website (click here)You can also follow me on my Instagram account (click here).Thanks for listening and I’ll be back soon.Mike

Hello!In this episode of the Mike the Gardener – Gardening Podcast, I chat to award-winning garden designer, writer and author, Juliet Sergeant. Juliet's new book, ‘The importance of soil’ is published by Frances Lincoln in association with Kew Botanic Gardens.In this episode we chat about:The book and how it came about.When did Juliet's interest in soil first come about?Why Juliet’s walked away from a successful career as a Hospital Doctor Her award-winning Gardens at Chelsea and Hampton Court. Flower showsHer Sussex Gardens schoolRadio and television work, and lots moreFollow Juliet by visiting her website - click hereFollow Juliet on Instagram -  click hereFollow Mike on Instagram – click hereThank you as always for listening.Mike

In this episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast I chat with writer, author and the inspiration behind the Middlesized Garden Youtube Channel and Blog, Alexandra Campbell. Alexandra’s YouTube channel and blog has attracted a phenomenal 212K subscribers and it’s packed with timely, helpful and interesting plant, garden and design content. We chat about:- Alexandra’s fascinating career to date- How the Middlesized Garden YouTube Channel and blog came about- The intricacies of recording, editing and presenting- Alexandra’s books, and of course lots moreYou can subscribe to the Middlesized Garden YouTube channel and blog here. You can follow the Middlesized Garden on Instagram hereYou can follow me in Instagram hereThank you for listening and I’ll be back very soon with another great podcast chat. Mike

Hello, and welcome back to the Mike the Gardener – Gardening Podcast.In this episode, I chat with multi award-winning garden, photographer, Jason Ingram.Jason has been behind the photography of at least 100 books, but, now he has his own book ‘How to Photograph Gardens', published by Ilex books.  The book is packed with helpful and informative garden photography hints and tips, including lighting, composition, and much more.In this episode we chat about:- How the book came about- What makes a Jason Ingram picture? (does he have a style?)- The importance of light (the ‘golden hour’)- The difference between film and digital.- How to overcome disappointing plant portrait backgrounds- How Jason gets the best from the photographer, the presenters he photographs (including Carol Klein, and Monty Don), and much moreThanks so much for listening to this episode, and I look forward to chatting again very soon with another gardening personality.Mike

In this week’s episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast I chat with garden writer, author, garden designer and broadcaster Naomi Slade about her new book, Daffodils - Beautiful varieties for home and garden’, published by Pavilion on 11th March 2025. We chat about:Her new bookThe writing processHer careerAnd, of course, much moreYou can get a copy of Naomi’s new book, and indeed all of her book from her website www.naomislade.com. Follow Naomi on her Instagram account by clicking here. Follow me on my Instagram account by clicking here. Thank you for listening.Mike

In this week's episode of the Mike the Gardner - Gardening Podcast I chat with garden writer, podcaster, gardener and author, Lucy Chamberlain. Lucy's new book, 'Grow Food Anywhere' - published by DK Books and the RHS is out now. We chat about: Her new book & how it came about How Lucy writes Her career in gardening and garden media Her own garden, and, of course lots more You can follow Lucy on her instagram account by clicking here. Listen to Lucy & Saul on their Talking Heads podcast by clicking here You can follow me on my Instagram account by clicking here. Thanks so much for listeningDon't forget to follow and subscribe to ensure you don't miss future episodes See you very soon. Mike

In this weeks, episode of the Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat to Lucy Butler (@mindful.gardener) from Instagram. Lucy lives with depression, anxiety and low self esteem, but gardening has been her saviour since her late teens. We chat about: Lucy's journey and how living with depression impacts her life How gardening has helped Lucy Smiling depression Lucy's plans for the future You can follow Lucy on her Instagram account by clicking here. Thank you for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe Mike

Hello, and welcome to the Mike the Gardener – Gardening Podcast. This week, join us as we journey to Burford Garden Company in the stunning Cotswolds, to look at, and buy spring bulbs, and lots, lots more. We have a good look around, enjoying the houseplants, the outdoor garden centre, and the spring bulbs. My thanks to Jess and all at Burford Garden Company for allowing us to record this episode. And I'll be back next week. Thanks for listening. Mike

Hello and welcome back to the Mike, the Gardener – Gardening Podcast. This time, in a spring bulbs special episode, I chat with Otis the Gardener about: Our favourite spring bulbs What we've ordered Where we're going to plant them What compost to use, Lasagna planting Snowdrops & scillas, and everything you could possibly imagine you need to know about spring bulbs It's a fascinating and informative episode, so pop the kettle on, pull up a chair, and treat yourself to half an hour of great gardening facts and fun. See you next time. Mike

Join me in the second episode of Series 8, when I share what I'm doing here in my own garden on the south coast of the UK. I talk about: What plants I'm growing including tithonia, and ornamental grasses How to care for hostas Overwintering hardy and Abyssinian bananas How to plant a garden effectively Lots of gardening hints, tips and hacks If you have any gardening related questions, do contact me via my Instagram account - click here Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe to ensure you don't miss any future episodes. Thank you. Mike

In this episode I head to the nursery of Sienna Hosta to chat about: How to get the very best from your hostas How to win the war with slugs & snails Sienna Hosta's incredible success at nationwide flower shows and their exciting plans for Chelsea 2025, and of course lots more. To find out more and see the incredible range of hostas available to buy, head to the Sienna Hosta website www.siennahosta.co.uk. Don't forget to followed subscribe, and, if you're able please do leave a review. See you shortly for Episode 2! Mike

Welcome to this Chelsea Flower Show special addition with fantastic contributions from: TV presenters Gaby Roslin & Ben Thompson Garden designer Jo Thompson Garden writer Arthur Parkinson Michael Marriott & Rosie Irving Naomi Slade and daughter Holly She Grows Veg Kim Stoddart & Ruth Hayes Sienna Hosta Harespring Cottage Flowers Adam Kirtland Kelly Stone Tom Coleman Alice Hare, and Susie White It's a fascinating episode, as always, which sees me snooping around the Chelsea Flower Show on press day. Thanks for listening and watch out for series 8 coming soon! Mike

In this week's episode, I chat with garden writer and author, climate change expert and editor of Amateur Gardening magazine, Kim Stoddart. We chat about: Kim's excellent new book, 'The Climate Change Resilient Vegetable Garden', published by Cool Springs Press. Resilience The importance of connecting with nature Wellbeing Emotional regulation Nutrient density, and, of course, lots more To learn more about Kim head to her website by clicking here, or to her Instagram account by clicking here. You can learn more about me by heading to my Instagram account bye clicking here, or have a read of my writing on Substack by clicking here. Thanks to you all for listening and please don't forget to follow/subscribe and please leave a review if you are able. I'll see you next week. Mike

In this week's, episode, I head back to the Cotswolds for what is fast, becoming my annual get together with garden writer, Val Bourne. The weather, not on our side, this time, meant we had to record this episode in the lounge of Val's beautiful cottage. We chat about: Writing for a living Val's pretty cottage garden Erythroniums Dahlias Ed Sheeran (!), and, Lots more as always Please don't forget to follow/subscribe as there are more episodes to come. And please do leave a review if you are able. To follow me on my Instagram account tap here. See you next week. Mike

In this week's, episode of the Mike The Gardener – Gardening Podcast, I chat to my friend and one time tutor, garden writer, broadcaster, and author, David Hurrion.   Twenty years ago, I was lucky enough to have had David as the tutor of my RHS level 1 course. As you will hear in today’s episode, David’s vocation has been to share his vast knowledge of all things, plants, gardening and horticulture with others. He’s also been a journalist, writer and editor, working for publications, including Amateur Gardening magazine and Gardeners’ World magazine.   David’s new book The Raised Bed Book, has recently been published by DK books, and in today’s episode we chat about:   David’s new book and how it came about David’s career to date The importance of inspirational teachers/tutors Broadcasting on radio and television, and lots lots more My thanks to David for joining me in today’s episode, and to find out more about him or to order the book, please click here.   You can find out more about me and follow me on my Instagram account by clicking here.   Thanks for listening, and please don’t forget to follow/subscribe, and if you are able, please do leave a review.   See you next week.   Mike

In this week’s episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat with garden writer, veg grower and author, Rob Smith.  Rob’s new book ‘Grow to Eat: Growing Colourful & Tasty Vegetables From Seed’ is published by Quadrille Publishing on 28th March, 2024 and in this episode we chat about: How Rob’s passion for growing veg started His career to date How the book came about The BBC TV programme, The Great Allotment Challenge, which Rob won in 2015 Rob’s plans for the future, and of course lots more.  We also speak to Rob’s friend, gardener, maker, upcycler and lover of all things vintage, Darren Lakin.  It’s a great episode and my thanks to Rob, and Darren for coming along to have a chat with us.  You can learn more about about Rob by clicking here. You can learn more about Darren by clicking here. And, you can learn more about me by clicking here.  Please don’t forget to follow/subscribe and please leave a review if you’re able.  Thanks for listening.  Mike

In this week's episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat with award-winning garden designer, Manoj Malde. We chat about his new book 'Your Outdoor Room' published by Frances Lincoln on 21 March 2024. We chat about: His childhood His career in the fashion industry The book and how it came about Manoj's Chelsea Flower Show Gardens His TV work, and lots more You can find out more about Manoj by clicking here and follow him on Instagram by clicking here You can follow me on my Instagram account by clicking here. Please don't forget to follow/subscribe and leave a review if you can. See you next week. Mike

In this week’s episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat with Lucy Hutchings (@shegrowsveg) about her career to date. In 2018, Lucy took to Instagram to chart her progress growing her own fruit & vegetables. She now has a following of over 180,000.  In this episode, I chat to Lucy about her career to date, including her work as a writer, author, garden designer, and now, entrepreneur as she and business partner, Kate Cotterell have set up the UK Heirloom Seed Company. Lucy also shares exclusively their plans for the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2024. To follow Lucy on her Instagram account click here. To follow me on my Instagram account click here. Thanks for listening and please don't forget to follow/subscribe as there are more episodes to follow.  And, if you are able, please leave a review. See you next week. Mike

In this week's episode of the Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat once again to Jekka McVicar whose new book '100 Herbs to Grow' is published 7 March 2024 by Quadrille Publishing. In this fascinating and in-depth chat, we talk about: Jekka's new book, '100 Herbs to Grow'. How to inspire people to grow The future of small and independent specialist nurseries How Jekka spends her ‘me-time’ Her plans for the future, and much more. This is truly another great chat with Jekka, and I am re-releasing our first chat alongside this episode as some of our conversations relate back to our first meeting. My thanks to Jekka for taking time from her schedule to chat to us today.  You can follow Jekka's Herb Farm by clicking here. And you can follow Jekka's personal account by clicking here. And you can follow me on my Instagram account by clicking here. Please don't forget to follow/subscribe and if you are able, please leave a review. Thank you and see you next week. Mike

In this week's episode of the Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat with Scotland Grows Editor and Podcaster and freelance writer M.T. O’Donnell.  Amongst many topics, we discuss: MTs, role as Editor and Podcaster for Scotland Grows. The Scotland Grows magazine. The challenges of gardening in Scotland.  The TRELLIS charity - Gardening for Well-Being, and lots more.  You can find out more about Scotland Grows by clicking here. My thanks to MT for taking time out of her schedule to come and chat to us today. You can follow MT on her Instagram account by clicking here.   And you can follow me on my Instagram account by clicking here.    My thanks, as always, for listening, and please don't forget to follow/subscribe as there are more great episodes to come. See you very soon.  Mike