The Gardener Ben Podcast

S3E 14 of the Gardener Ben Podcast is about mindfulness, self, and the quest to be present. It features a conversation with Nicola from @soulfulwisdomacademy.Nicola is a shamanic dragon priestess who I have visited several times for Reiki healing. It’s no coincidence that this particular podcast episode is scheduled, as it marks one year exactly since I visited Nicola for the first time.At the end of 2024 into 2025, I was really struggling with my mental health. I was incredibly depressed, lost, and weighed down, carrying pain, grief, and anxiety that I didn’t know how to let go of. I had lost the ability to hear the voice in my head. I couldn’t decipher which way was up or which way to turn next. Luckily, I had people around me to guide and help me, and although I had started personal therapy, I was determined to do as many things as possible to make myself feel as well as I could.One of these things was to try Reiki healing. The experience was beyond moving, and even if you’re sceptical, as I was when I first visited Nicola, the experience could not be doubted.So, at a time of year which is traditionally dark, depressing, and challenging for many of us that struggle with mental health issues, I wanted to bring you this personal conversation with Nicola, who shares with us the gifts that she has and her journey into using those gifts to help others like me.I really hope that you enjoy the conversation, and if there’s something that you’re struggling with, you reach out and ask for the help that you need.The Gardener Ben Podcast is brought to you in association with @peterbealesroses, winner of 30 Chelsea Gold Medals and creating timeless roses since 1968. Go online and shop at www.peterbealesroses.com.The Gardener Ben Podcast is edited by @mark_hamilton_anderson.Next week, we’re swinging back to the topic of horticulture and gardening, and I’m joined by Charles Carr from @hilliergardencentres. Until then, happy gardening.#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #mindfulness #wellbeing

S3E13 this week, I’m rejoined by the amazing Katrina from @buildingafoodforest_scotland. We spoke last year on season two but had so much to catch up on. I thought it would be wonderful to invite them back to the podcast to see how the 2025 growing season ended and see how Clayton and the rest of the family were getting on.Katrina juggles a busy family life while wearing many different hats, including homeschooling Clayton, who has severe autism and has found a real passion for gardening and being outside with his mum. She also manages, unbelievably, to squeeze in a little time for some crochet every now and then, and has also written a few books.Please do head over to her channels, either on Instagram or on YouTube, and show the account some love, especially if you have a young person in your life who has expressed an interest in gardening.The Gardener Ben Podcast is brought to you in association with @peterbealesroses, creating timeless roses since 1968 and winner of 30 Chelsea Gold Medals. Go online and shop at www.peterbealesroses.com.Next week, I’m excited to bring you a conversation with @soulfulwisdomacademy, who I’ve visited for Reiki therapy several times, which I have found really helps with my overall well-being, mindfulness, and mental health issues over the last 15 months.The Gardener Ben Podcast is edited by @mark_hamilton_anderson.#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #listennow #gardeningpodcast

After a short festive break, the Gardener Ben Podcast is back with season three and episode 12. I would like to stress there is absolutely no pressure and no rush to be getting on with tasks in the garden whatsoever at this time of year. The garden is slumbering quietly, and winter is doing its thing, breaking organic matter down and cleansing the garden of harmful fungal spores, pathogens, and disease problems.There’s no rush to be getting seeds sown, pots washed, or to rush out and start clearing the beds, borders, or doing your winter pruning. I’ll be touring you through my schedule in the weeks to come, so I hope if you take nothing else away from this week’s episode whatsoever, it’s someone else giving you the permission to take things easy, slowly and gently, for the beginning parts of the year.This week on the podcast, I have the pleasure of talking to Conrad, the name behind @thatbotanicguy, an account I followed on Instagram for a very long time, coveting his large collection of tree ferns and tropical plants he gets to grow outside in his garden. I hope that you enjoy our conversation.Next week, I’m catching up once again with @buildingafoodforest_scotland. We had so much to talk about on our first episode together that I wanted just to touch base and catch up to see how the growing season of 2025 turned out in the end.The Gardener Ben Podcast is brought to you in association with @peterbealesroses, winner of 30 Chelsea Gold Medals and creating timeless roses since 1968. Go online and shop at www.peterbealesroses.com.The Gardener Ben Podcast is edited by @mark_hamilton_anderson.#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #listennow

S2E11 of the GardenerBen Podcast features @david_long_gardens.As I’ve been doing lots of shuffling about and redesigning here at North Lodge, and after meeting David at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, I thought who better to catch up with and talk us through his design process when he takes on a professional garden project.David covers all areas of Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire in his work, so please do head to his page and show his account some 💚The GardenerBen Podcast will return on Monday 5th of January after a belief festive holiday, when I’ll be joined by Conrad, known as @thatbotanicguy. The GardenerBen Podcast is brought to you in association with Peter Beales Roses, winner of 30 Chelsea Gold Medals and creating timeless roses since 1968. Go online and shop at www.peterbealesroses.comEdited by @mark_hamilton_anderson#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #listennow

S3E11 of the Gardener Ben podcast features an in-person informal conversation with Philip Harkness from @harknessroses1879.Philip is the fifth generation of his family to be at the helm of the Harkness rose company, and it was a real honour to get to know him properly, away from the hustle and bustle of the floral marquees of show season.During our conversation, Philip shares his thoughts and opinions about organic gardening, the environment, his love of dogs, and a few details of some new upcoming releases which are becoming available over the next few months. Head to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or my YouTube channel to listen now!I hope that you enjoy listening to our conversation and join me again next week for one more episode before Christmas, featuring @david_long_gardens.The Gardener Ben podcast is brought to you in association with @peterbealesroses, winner of 30 Chelsea Gold Medals and creating timeless roses since 1968. Go online and shop at www.peterbealesroses.com.The Gardener Ben podcast is edited by @mark_hamilton_anderson.#gardenerben #podcaster #gardener #gardenpodcast #streamingnow

The Gardener Ben Podcast is all about the topic of peat this week. I had the absolute pleasure of talking to @sally.nex from @peatfreepartnership a few weeks ago about this all-important topic, which has raged on in the horticultural industry for the entirety of my horticultural career.Many of you will be shocked to read that the legal extraction and destruction of peat bogs and habitat is still allowed. And although many of you desperately try to make the correct decisions when you’re buying compost and plants, there is still a lot of hidden peat being used within the horticultural industry. This still stacks up to be a vast quantity, hidden in things like houseplants, the packaging of bulbs and tubers, as well as live herb plants purchased from supermarkets. I was also shocked to find out that peat is added to manure for the production of mushrooms, proving that you’re never too old to learn something new.@peatfreepartnership is currently gathering signatures on a petition to present to government to bring the legal extraction of peat in the UK to an end. If this is something that is important to you as a gardener or environmentalist, please follow the link and make sure that you sign the petition and share it with all of your online friends and followers.Next week on the Gardener Ben Podcast, I’m joined by Philip Harkness of @harknessroses1879, chatting about many different topics, including, obviously, roses — so tune in next week.The Gardener Ben Podcast is brought to you in association with @peterbealesroses, winner of 30 Chelsea Gold Medals and creating timeless roses since 1968. Make sure that you’re following along on Instagram and TikTok.The Gardener Ben Podcast is edited by @mark_hamilton_anderson.Until next week, happy gardening.#gardenerben #podcast #gardeningpodcast #helpingyougrow #listennow

As we rapidly head towards the festive season and many of us are starting to trim and decorate our homes in preparation for Christmas, I’m joined once again on the Gardener Ben podcast by Dr José Costa @childrensallergy for a conversation about allergies and Christmas trees.This is always a difficult time in our household with regards to allergies. The Christmas tree, the moving around of the furniture, and the season in general can be really triggering for Mark, and Dr Costa has some great advice about how we can prevent flare-ups and survive the festive season if this is an issue in your household.Next week, in a change of schedule, I’m joined by @sally.nex from the @peatfreepartnership to discuss the ongoing issue of the use of peat in the horticultural industry. The Gardener Ben podcast is brought to you in association with @peterbealesroses, winner of 30 Chelsea gold medals and creating timeless roses since 1968. Go online and shop at www.peterbealsroses.com.Edited by mark_hamilton_anderson#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #listennow #gardening

The Gardener Ben podcast heads off to the Gold Coast of Australia for this week’s episode, where I’m joined by Chloe, a member of @goldcoastrosesociety.She explains how a trip to a local flower show with her mum sparked a passion for roses, which has taken her down a rabbit hole into the wonderful world of roses. I really hope that you enjoy our conversation, and if you have access to a local rose society like the one Chloe belongs to, make the most of this valuable resource and head over to the @goldcoastrosesociety Instagram page to show the account some love.Next week, with Christmas looming around the corner, I’ve invited the wonderful @childrensallergy back to the podcast to guide us through how we can all survive the festive season, navigating allergy flare-ups when it comes to decorating the house and festive feasting.The Gardener Ben podcast is brought to you in association with @peterbealesroses, winner of 30 Chelsea gold medals and creators of timeless roses since 1968.Go online and shop at peterbealesroses.com now, and make sure that you’re following along on Instagram and TikTok.#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #listenow

This week on the Gardner Ben podcast, I’m joined by @ethan__mi A plant and soil ecologist who is currently located in Edinburgh but Hales from Close by here in the New ForestA passionate Plants person whose followed his interests through botany and into ecology it was lovely to get to know Ethan more personally, especially as he attended the same horticultural college as myself here on the south coastI hope that you enjoy this episode and the passion vast knowledge that seems to ooze from every sentence Ethan saysNext week, the gardener Ben podcast is heading all the way around the world for a really lovely conversation with Chloe a member of the @goldcoastrosesociety The gardener Ben podcast is brought to you in association with Peter Beales roses winner of 30 Chelsea gold medals and creating timeless roses since 1968go online and shop at www.atpeterbealesrose.com and make sure that you’re following along on Instagram and TikTok#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #listennow #gardener #stremingnow

This week on the Gardener Ben Podcast, I’m joined by Kenny @raybould_and_wild, who I’m lucky enough to call a personal friend.He has one of those jobs within the horticultural trade that I’m positive is incredibly stressful, but which many gardeners can only dream about — bringing together floristry, gardening, maintenance, and buying all in one role.Officially, Kenny is the Director of Horticulture at Covent Garden. He’s also the founder of Stoke in Bloom @stoke_in_bloom.We could’ve chatted for hours about plants, the environment, peat-free compost, and the challenges of gardening in such a public space visited by tens of thousands of people every year.I really hope you enjoy listening to our conversation and that you tune in again next week, as we’re heading up to Scotland, where I’ll be talking to Ethan, a plant and soil ecologist.#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #streamingnow #listennow #gardenersofinstagram #podcastsofinstagram

On today’s episode of the Gardener Ben podcast, I had the absolute privilege of getting to know Gracie from @gracerosefarm.I’ve been following her on Instagram for so long, and there are some really exciting things happening both personally and with the business as they plan to relocate to the other side of the country, taking their daughter and extended family of animals with them.We talked about many different subjects, including the processes behind creating her books, how the company strives to offer a rose suitable for everyone — from bare roots to larger, more mature plants that offer instant gratification — and how, with the move, they’ll be launching their own independent garden centre brand.I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation. Next week, I’m joined by the absolutely wonderful Kenny (@raybould_and_wild), Director of Horticulture in Covent Garden.#gardenerben #podcast #podcastsofinstagram #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #helpingyougrow #listennow #streamingnow #roses #roseexpert

On episode three of series three of the Gardener Ben podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down for a face-to-face chat with the infallible, bold, and plain-speaking @ann.russell.3958.We are lucky enough that Ann lives very close to us here in the New Forest, which presented a real opportunity to have an open and rambling conversation — very much off-topic for me — over some tea and cake here at North Lodge.If you follow along with Ann’s content on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, you’ll know that she is unfazed and unafraid of rolling up her sleeves and delving into some of the most challenging subjects and topics circulating on the internet on a day-to-day basis, as well as sharing the tricks of her trade with pragmatic and useful cleaning hints and tips.Our conversation takes many twists and turns and was one of the most stimulating face-to-face conversations I’ve had in many years. It’s presented to you exactly as it was recorded — just two people chatting over tea and cake. I hope you enjoy our conversation, and if you don’t already, make sure to follow @ann.russell.3958 on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, and get your hands on any one of her three published books, the latest of which is How to Be an Adult.Next week, we’re heading back to America to talk roses once again — enjoy!#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #listennow #annrussell #timefortea #streamingnow #podcastshow #podcastsofinstagram #offtopic

Joining me on this week’s episode of the podcast is Robin Jennings, Senior Brand and Marketing Manager @heirloomroses.Robin joins me for a conversation about how the brand is advancing its range into bulbs and specialist perennials, how they are making huge movements to reduce single-use plastic waste with fully recyclable and compostable packaging, and the option to have your roses shipped with or without a plastic pot!On a personal note, I’m also really excited to hear about their collaboration with Brad from @selectroses, who was a guest on Season Two. @heirloomroses are going to be stocking some of his beautiful creations in the coming years, and it’s lovely to hear that some of those roses are going to be making their way into the gardens of a wider audience all across the USA and Canada.To celebrate this really special episode, @heirloomroses have issued me with a personal discount code to be used on all roses and bulbs ordered before the end of 2025 (USA and Canada only).Use the code GARDENERBEN at checkout for 20% off all roses and bulbs when ordered before the end of 2025.Don’t worry if you’re not ready to have your roses delivered before the New Year—simply go online, make sure that you use the discount code, and book your roses to be delivered within the next eight months at a time that is suitable for you or perfect for your growing zone.#gardenerben #roses #heirloomroses #podcast #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #listennow #streamingnow #gardenersofinstagram #helpingyougrow #rosegarden #plantagarden

Welcome back to the Gardener Ben podcast.I hope that you’ve all had a wonderful summer. It seemed to have never ended here on the south coast of the UK, with temperatures soaring for weeks on end and very little rain for nearly three months.This has caused autumn to arrive early; the garden is tired and ready for a rest.In this season, I’m planning to bring you some incredibly interesting conversations, and we start this week with jen_flourishnutrition.The inspiration for this conversation came about after I posted a rose review to YouTube a few months ago, and I was really quite surprised by the comments that it attracted.The rose in question is the Menopause Charity Rose from Harkness Roses, and the issue didn’t seem to be around the quality of the presentation or the plant itself, but in fact the name and the stigma that goes with discussing the menopause openly.Jen specialises in women’s health nutrition and advises businesses and individuals on how they can feel better, especially when experiencing the symptoms of menopause, through paying attention to their diet, exercise, and understanding their bodies.The last part of the conversation is incredibly personal to me and was difficult not only to have in person with Jen but also to edit and put into the podcast, a real glimpse into why I have been a gardener working independently and self-employed for so long.I hope that you enjoy our conversation and head across to Instagram to show Jen’s account some love.

Listen to episode 17 of season two of the Gardener Ben podcast. Now it’s streaming on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, and my YouTube channel.This week, as we head into the month of June, it’s time to change gears with our maintenance in the rose garden. As we see the appearance of our first flowers, it’s time to start liquid feeding every two weeks, and of course, make sure that you’re removing any spent flowers just as quickly as possible to keep hormone levels high and plants producing flowers.We’re heading across the Atlantic once more, where I get to share with you a conversation with Kristine from @santacruzdahlias, an Instagrammer, hybridizer, and author of two dahlia books that are available for us to buy on Amazon.They’re responsible for growing some amazing varieties, which have now made their way all the way here to the UK and make up firm favorites in my cutting garden.I hope that you enjoy listening to our conversation, and join me again next week when we’re back in the UK, and I’m joined by @peterbealesroses for the penultimate episode of this season.Until then, happy gardening!#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #gardener #listennow #streamingnow #listenalong #dahlias #dahliachat

Listen to episode 16 of season two of the Garden of Ben podcast now. It’s streaming on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and on my YouTube channel.This week I’m downloading from the Chelsea Flower Show, and I’m joined by two very special guests, president and vice president of @newenglandrosesociety, @ld_gisel, and @regan305, whom I’ve promised to take whenever they like.During our chat, we talk about the Gateway Plants, which has opened the door to a lifelong passion and a real sense of community in the rose world, the triumph of showing roses, and the heartbreak and disappointment at the loss of treasured plants to the hands of Mother Nature.Next week, I have the pleasure of talking to @santacruzdahlias. Make sure that you tune in again next week.#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #helpingyougrow #garden #rosegarden #listennow #streamingnow

The wait is finally over, and the doors to the Chelsea Flower Show have opened—an opportunity for the world to see the gardening trends and new plant varieties that will grace our gardens in the months and years to come.I’m going to bring you loads of content from the show over the coming weeks.On today’s episode of the Gardener Ben podcast, I’m joined by @childrensallergy, an expert in airborne allergies and hay fever. If you are suffering from hay fever symptoms that are preventing you from fully enjoying your garden, this is a must-listen.There are several a-ha and mic-drop moments contained here, along with more information that Mark and I have gathered from our local GP in almost 40 years on the subject. I hope you enjoy it, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.Next week, we’re heading back across the Atlantic to Boston, where I’m talking to the president and vice president of @newenglandrosesociety, whom I met in November 2023.#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardener #Allergies #airborneallergies #hayfever #gardeningpodcast #listennow #streamingnow #helpingyougrow #gardenersofinstagram #growgram

Take a listen to episode 14 of season two of my podcast, now streaming on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, and on my YouTube channel.Don’t forget, there’s also a bonus episode slipped into the schedule that I recorded last week @bbcgwfair.On this week's episode, I had the pleasure of talking to the very knowledgeable @matt.pottage, who, although being an incredibly busy man, managed to take the time to join me for an informal and very enjoyable conversation.Mathew is the head of horticulture and landscape strategy @theroyalparks, an author and writer on @scribehound_gardening, and like me, a massive houseplant enthusiast who loves the rare, different, and unusual.He’s taken on a massive public task, which many would shy away from. Listening to him talk about his new role, his journey into gardening, and his long-term approach to maintaining these beautiful public spaces gives me hope for horticulture's long-term future.In my own garden, I’m having to dial back how much physical gardening I’m doing in favor of creating the massive body of work I’ve set out for myself this year.Next week, the podcast takes us in a very different direction, and I’m joined by @childrensallergy. I will be talking at length about hay fever and airborne allergies, so if these are affecting your ability to garden and impacting your life, make sure to listen next week.#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardener #gardeningpodcast #listennow #streamingnow #helpingyougrow #gardenersofinstagram #growgram

Episode 13 of season two of the Gardener Ben podcast is available for you to stream on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, and YouTube. It’s been a frustrating week in the garden, with soaring temperatures meaning that keeping up with the watering has been a real challenge. I’ve also been in a personal battle with a local squirrel who’s not only taken to digging in the top of one of my very precious trees, breaking off at least seven or eight of its new fronds, but it also went on a little bit of a rampage, causing utter destruction in the greenhouse. This week’s guest is John Williamson, @johnwilliamson.dartmoor, maker of the very endangered and beautifully crafted Devon Stave basket. This dying Bushcraft is more than just an art form, and talking about the process all the way from the selection of timber to the construction of the actual basket and its use was really inspiring.Listen to the full episode now, and make sure that you head over to John's profile and show his account some love 💚Next week, I’m joined by @matt.pottage, talking about his new role as head of horticulture and landscape strategy @theroyalparks.#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #listennow #streamingnow #helpingyougain #gardener #craft #woodcraft

On this week's episode, I had to confess that I haven’t managed to spend a huge amount of time in my own garden. Being a full-time garden landscaper, this time of year keeps me on my toes in other people's gardens, and mine has to take a little bit of a backseat. This is one of the main reasons I’m so disciplined and organized with my own schedule—sharing content well before you actually need to be doing things.I am, however, pressing on with getting in my pea sticks and plant supports to ensure my herbaceous perennials stay exactly where I want them to during the coming months.I’ll also be going around the garden placing in some marker sticks so I know where I have holes in my spring bulb display. This saves me from disturbing any existing bulbs when I come to bed out bulbs at the end of the year.This week's guest is Rob Smith (@robsallotment). Rob is a garden writer and the author of the book Grow to Eat. He is also on the RHS Fruit, Vegetable, and Herb Expert Group panel, helping decide the varieties that we all grow every year in our gardens.Gardening in a very different way to me, if it’s not tasty, edible, or useful, Rob pretty much doesn’t grow it. This proves that even with a relatively small space, you can still have a highly productive garden producing something for the table for pretty much every meal.Next week’s guest is John Williamson (@johnwilliamson.dartmoor), basket maker extraordinaire.Don’t forget to get involved if you’ve enjoyed listening and leave a comment on your favorite platform.#gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #listennow #gardener #organicgardener #helpingyougrow #gardentotable #growtoeat