Loving Your Garden - Better Gardening Podcast

It’s always a pleasure to welcome our favourite Nature Watcher Mary Porter onto LYG. Spring in the UK is a great time for an update from Mary whose knowledge and experience of the natural world is much appreciated by all of us at LYG and to listeners of her regular spot on my Boom Radio show. This is a lovely chat about the current state of our wildlife and how we can encourage more creatures into our gardens, both for the good of the environment and our mental-wellbeing.In association with Magic Mind - Mental Performance ShotsThey have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one-time purchases with code LOVEGARDEN20 at checkoutYou can claim it at: https://www.magicmind.com/lovegarden If you've not yet visited our LYG Facebook site, here's the link:https://bit.ly/3oIzVr9You'll find a friendly community of gardeners from many backgrounds, all sharing a love of plants and gardening. Please get in touch with any feedback or questions for John to: rod@ultravoxtraining.com

  In association with Magic Mind - Mental Performance Shots They have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one-time purchases with code LOVEGARDEN20 at checkoutYou can claim it at: https://www.magicmind.com/lovegarden We have a double bonus for you in our latest episode with John Stirland laying out some solid tips for getting your lawn into top shape for Summer and with guest Ed Zamo dropping into Rod's Summerhouse with a professional take on removing nuisance tree or shrub stumps from your garden.I've created some chapters if you're in a hurry but this is fun and full of useful tips so it's well worth staying through the episode.Ed's website for further info:https://www.stumpbeaver.co.uk/If you've not yet visited our LYG Facebook site, here's the link:https://bit.ly/3oIzVr9You'll find a friendly community of gardeners from a variety of backgrounds all sharing a love of plants and gardening. 

There is nothing so satisfying than adding food to your dinner plate that you've grown from seed.  While many gardeners are well-equipped to sow and propagate both vegetables and ornamentals,  most others prefer the convenience of potted and plug plants. However, with the costs of plants and food now a significant factor, growing from seed is an attractive option. Tom Sharples has devoted almost half a century to the seed industry and recently retired as Senior Horticultural Manager at Suttons Seeds. Following on from John Stirland's practical advice for seed-sowing earlier in the year, Tom shares his knowledge and tips for our latest episode including the one thing you should do when buying seed from a garden centre.If you've not yet visited our LYG Facebook site, here's the link:https://bit.ly/3oIzVr9You'll find a friendly community of gardeners from a variety of backgrounds all sharing a love of plants and gardening. 

Deep Joy! Winter's last hurrah is nearly upon us, at least if you're in Northern Europe, and it's time to finish off the Winter pruning. Our resident horticulturist John Stirland covers the basics and answers member questions on specific plants including Philadelphus, Fig, Ceonothus, Honeysuckle, and roses. As ever, John covers a lot of ground with lots of snippets of really useful information so it's worth listening through the whole half hour.If you've not yet visited our LYG Facebook site, here's the link:https://bit.ly/3oIzVr9You'll find a friendly community of gardeners from a variety of backgrounds all sharing a love of plants and gardening. 

Our resident horticulturist John Stirland kicks off season 4 of Loving Your Garden - Better Gardening Podcast with a masterclass in seed sowing.  John is in full flow here with oodles of great advice on growing plants from seed as a new gardening year gets underway. John also takes questions from our LYG site members.  It's best to sit back and enjoy the full episode but if you're tight for time, our chapter guide may be helpful.If you've not yet visited our LYG Facebook site, here's the link:https://bit.ly/3oIzVr9You'll find a friendly community of gardeners from a variety of backgrounds all sharing a love of plants and gardening. 

You'll need to check out the Loving Your Garden site to see our festive guests in their Santa gear but you can hear the fun in our season finale as horticulturist, gardening writer, broadcaster and RHS judge, Martin Fish, and multi-award-winning garden designer, David Stevens join John Stirland and LYG founder Rod Whiting for an end of season chat over a tipple or two.Have a pen and paper handy as we discuss a busy gardening year, highlights & failures (yes, professionals have them too), and plans for the New Year with lots of plant suggestions and advice about design, trees for smaller gardens, and winter plants, amongst other things.If you're strapped for time, you can select from our chapters although you're better listening through so as not to miss any nuggets from our excellent guests.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.  

We borrowed our guest's phrase 'happy, healthy house plants' this week as it aptly describes a nirvana that many of us struggle with.  Jane Perrone is a gardening writer and podcaster whose articles many will have read in the Guardian, Financial Times, and The RHS Garden Magazine among many publications.  Jane's passion for houseplants shines through in our chat this week, dealing with the essentials of light, watering, and feeding as you might expect. But, also with sound advice on checking the soil or substrate of the plants we buy, rather than assuming they come fully equipped to survive our domestic environments. Another highlight is Jane's warning about 'death plugs' which for less experienced indoor gardeners is a revelation.If you're short on time, you can narrow your search on our chapter tab but Jane is so easy to follow and so passionate about her subject that I'd settle for the full episode!We talk about Jane's Houseplant Gardener In A Box which is an excellent reference guide and we refer to Jane's website: https://www.janeperrone.com/  which also carries links to her podcast 'On The Ledge'.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.  

It's been a while since we checked in with our resident horticulturist John Stirland who's forgotten more than I'll ever know about gardening so it's nice to talk about getting ready for some Winter colour,  Autumn feeding, and pruning as well as lots of other topical chat, and answers to member questions that you'll doubtless find useful.Check out the chapter tab if you want to save time and pick specific topics.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.  

There's been a noticeable increase in discussions on the LYG Facebook site about the forthcoming ban on the use of peat products in UK gardens, due to be enforced from the end of next year.  To help us make sense of it all, our guests this week are Jonathan Whittemore from Johnsons of Whixley, a Yorkshire-based plant wholesaler, and Ruth Goudy, garden writer and owner of Kiln Farm Nursery and Garden Centre in Suffolk.  Jonathan also chairs the Ornamental Management Committee of the Horticultural Trade Association and has played an active part in the RHS peat-free trials.  Ruth is a long-time supporter of reducing peat and wants to help her customers and wider audiences to appreciate, not just the why, but the how to use peat-free compost. You'll be hard-pushed to find a more informed discussion about something that will most certainly have an impact on our gardening and I thoroughly recommend listening through the whole podcast.  If you're listening from outside the UK, please don't discount its relevance, as this is an area that is sure to be globally pertinent within a few years. Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.  

It is a delight to have Rosy back to chat about what can, with the right planting, be a spectacular time of year in the garden. Rosie and her husband Rob supply a vast number of herbaceous perennials from their nurseries at Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants in Hampshire, UK https://www.hardysplants.co.uk/. Rosie is also a multi-award winning plantswoman and currently Vice-President of the RHS.We talk about the best herbaceous perennials for Autumn interest, how and when to divide the plants, and also the importance of getting your Spring flowering perennials sorted now. There's barrow-loads of great advice in this episode so find a quiet space and enjoy.  Rosy also mentions her Youtube page which is full of fantastic advice and information and you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/results...Plants mentioned include Hylotelepium (Sedum), Aster, Anemone, Kniphofia, Symphyotrichum, Eupatorium, Leucanthemella, Helianthemum, Actea, and Phygelius to name but a few so a notebook and pen would be useful when listening through.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.  

Our Gardening maestro John Stirland is in great form as we consider plants that will add a little lustre to a flagging garden at this time of year. Flowers, shrubs, and trees all feature in our suggestions for adding some late seasonal interest, so it's worth having a pen and paper to hand as we go. Just a heads-up that we'll get another perspective on Autumn colour with an old friend of LYG, Rosy Hardy from Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants, in mid-September, so do subscribe to be sure not to miss her outstanding advice.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR. 

It's not every day you get to chat with one of the UK's top plantswomen, a renowned garden designer and the Gandalf of gardening but that was my pleasure when Rosy Hardy, David Stevens and John Stirland all gathered by Rosy's plant stand at the Belvoir Castle Flower and Garden Show.  It was a delightful conversation about Summer gardens that I'm sure you'll find informative and entertaining.There's also some bonus clips from this year's annual Glee Garden and Leisure Show at the Birmingham NEC where I took a closer look at composite decking and checked in at the Melcourt stand for an update on where we are with the forthcoming UK peat ban.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR. 

Everybody says it's been a great year for so many plants but especially roses so it's a good time to dwell on the ubiquitous rose: conditions, care, suggested varieties, and member questions answered by LYG's resident horticulturist John Stirland. We do discuss a couple of varieties so I've attached a link to pics of the roses we discuss but, frankly, there are so many varieties, it really is a question of personal taste.Roses mentioned in the podcast visible on LYG page (link below)Tess of the D'urbervilles, Simple Life, Scent From Heaven and Gertrude Jekyllhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/574905686709417/permalink/1331208274412484/Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR. 

By now, the heavy work is likely done and we can start finessing, ready to relax and enjoy our gardens.  If only!  Of course, there's always something to be getting on with and, this week, we look at pruning and pest control. Meanwhile, John answers a variety of member questions that commonly arise at this time of the year.You'll find a host of experienced gardeners on our LYG Facebook site but if you'd prefer to ask John direct, you can email rod@rodwhitingcommunications.co.uk and we'll respond in the next podcast.We do reference a promotion, exclusive to  LYG Members for Leon Boots' range of ultra-lightweight boots. That does include our podcast subscribers so feel free to use the code provided in this week's podcast. Please also feel free to provide feedback on the podcast to the same email address.  This is our third year and we've just notched up 10,000 downloads, but I'm sure we can improve and so feedback and suggestions are welcome.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR. 

As gardeners, we're closer than most to nature and we have a good understanding of the role we play in attracting wildlife into our neighbourhoods. But, with many species in a progressive decline over recent decades, that responsibility becomes ever more critical. Mary Porter has dedicated much of her life to wildlife promotion and protection and we're delighted to have her as a guest to LYG as Spring brings fresh challenges and opportunities for us to do our bit.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

We put so much effort into finding the right plants for our garden, we sometimes miss the bigger picture of creating the right framework for all those expensive trees, shrubs, and flowers. The cost of good quality landscaping can be offputting but, like any good investment, it can pay off many times over.  Our chat with professional garden landscaper Jan Prodger from Ace of Spades Garden Maintenance and Design gives a good insight into points to consider, and appreciation of the benefits of effective landscaping.Ace Of Spades Lanscaping:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057294406100 Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

There are few better qualified to talk about herbaceous perennials than 24-time Chelsea gold medal winner Rosy Hardy from Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants and we're delighted to have the benefit of her knowledge once again to discuss this garden essential.We talk about seed sowing, plant breeding, and popular plant choices for '23. We also discuss how to use herbaceous plants effectively in your garden and Rosy makes some interesting points about colours and shapes.We also discuss Peat Free which Rosy has long been a proponent of. However, we do talk about the extension of the ban on use of peat-free products but it's worth pointing out that this extension is relevant to professionals. Hobby gardeners will still need to switch to peat free by the end of this year (23).As ever, there's a chapter page if you prefer to select items of interest but Rosy is such good value, you really ought to listen right through.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

Step away from the Garden Centre! Well, just for a moment as multi-award-winning garden designer and LYG member David Stevens gives you some valuable tips on using colour, texture, and shape of both foliage and flowers to keep your garden looking its best all through the year, including Winter.Once again David is a rich source of knowledge as he joins resident horticulturist John Stirland and LYG founder Rod Whiting for a look ahead to the gardening year now that the long Winter is finally over.You'll need a notebook as we discuss plants of all types as well as some handy hints from David and John based on nigh on one hundred years of professional experience between them.As ever, you can find specific topics in our chapter section, but I would recommend listening to the whole podcast so as not to miss any golden nuggets of information.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

It's not terribly inviting outside, where I am at least, with snow falling and low temperatures set for the next few days. However, that hasn't stopped me from planting a good size Amelanchier Lamarckii and having a wee tidy up of some borders.  This is the thing about March and whatever the weather might throw at us, gardeners gotta garden!And that's the theme of this week's podcast with horticulturist John Stirland answering LYG member questions and discussing jobs to be getting on with from sowing (we talk about artificial lighting for plants), first cuts for lawns, finishing off Winter pruning, transplanting and a host of other topical jobs before Spring breaks into a sprint.As we cover a lot of topics, you'll find a quick guide in the chapters section so you can quickly navigate to what particularly interests you although, naturally, I would suggest listening to the whole piece so as not to miss useful nuggets of information.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

Given reported supermarket shortages of fresh salad and veg plus exorbitant prices, there's never been a better time to consider growing your own, if you don't already.Our guest this week is an American garden writer who grew up on a farm in the Deep South of the US and has written many books about growing your own veg - Maggie Stuckey.Maggie and our own John Stirland are of like minds and spend half an hour putting the case for container gardening of veg and herbs to a sceptical podcaster. Do they succeed?  You'll need to listen to find out and in the process perhaps be converted yourself.They cover the golden rules for container veg and herb gardening, what to grow and how to get the best out of very little space.Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicBPROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.