Episodes

  • A frond farewell

    A frond farewell
    Dec 22 2020
    In the final edition of The Garden Podcast, Chris is joined by garden writer and podcast regular Melissa Mabbitt for a look back at the highlights of the programme in 2020, an extraordinary year in gardening. Including an interview with a new RHS President with perhaps the best name ever; a discussion on garden-making with Rachel de Thame and a celebration of an unsung veg garden hero with food writer Mark Diacono. Plus we talk to a Wisley-based horticulturist who's also called Chris Young about the delights of growing indoor ferns as houseplants. This is the final programme of the series. Thank you so much for listening, and we hope you'll join us on our main podcast feed – Gardening with the RHS – where we'll continue to feature content from our award-winning magazine for RHS members, The Garden. Please see links in the show notes.
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    27 mins
  • Homegrown Christmas decorations, city garden design and gardens for wellbeing

    Homegrown Christmas decorations, city garden design and gardens for wellbeing
    Nov 25 2020
    Renowned florist Simon Lycett offers tips on what you can pick from your garden to make homegrown floral displays this Christmas. Designer Adolfo Harrison reveals the thought processes behind a joyful and striking small urban garden featured in the magazine this month. Plus columnist Lia Leendertz shares her thoughts on the value of gardens for health and wellbeing.
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    22 mins
  • Grasses, John Evelyn and mad for mangaves

    Grasses, John Evelyn and mad for mangaves
    Nov 11 2020
    This month, Chris speaks to one of Britain’s foremost ornamental grass experts, Neil Lucas – proprietor of Knoll Gardens. From tiny seslerias to towering miscanthus, Neil shares tips on choosing and using grasses in a variety of situations. Historian Ambra Edwards discusses the legacy of legendary 17th-century plantsman and polymath John Evelyn. And finally, broadcaster Michael Perry talks about an unusual new plant on the block that’s as good outdoors as it is as a houseplant – the exotic-looking and drought-tolerant mangave*. *Please note, the naming of these plants is a controversial topic; botanically they are listed variously as Agave, × Mangave and Mangave.
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    28 mins
  • Pears, asters and tulip trees

    Pears, asters and tulip trees
    Sep 22 2020
    How do you pick the perfect pear? Food writer and grower Mark Diacono shares tips on growing, storing and eating this most delicious of autumn fruits. Dr Andrew Ward of Norwell Nurseries gives tips on growing asters and Peter Jones of RHS Garden Wisley takes an expert look at tulip trees (Liriodendron).
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    23 mins
  • Welcoming a new president, gardening careers, pineapple lilies

    Welcoming a new president, gardening careers, pineapple lilies
    Aug 18 2020
    Chris talks to incoming RHS President Keith Weed about what he hopes to achieve in his new role. Writer and Wisley graduate Holly Farrell extols the virtues of learning your trade with an RHS Diploma in Practical Horticulture, highlighting some of the incredible opportunities that this iconic course can open up. Plus Alan Street of Avon Bulbs shares his love of an unusual late summer flower: Eucomis or pineapple lily.
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    22 mins
  • Cucumbers, cacti and crickets

    Cucumbers, cacti and crickets
    Jul 21 2020
    Life-long vegetable grower and cucumber connoisseur Sue Stickland shares her secrets of success for growing cucumbers outdoors. Garden designer Paul Spracklin encourages us to brave the prickly pleasures of outdoor cacti. His Essex garden (in the driest part of the country) contains dozens of species normally seen only under glass. Plus RHS Entomologist Andy Salisbury encourages us to take a closer look at some of summer's finest songsters; crickets and grasshoppers.
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    21 mins
  • Sour pleasures, authors' gardens, urban design

    Sour pleasures, authors' gardens, urban design
    Jun 23 2020
    What do salsas, sauces for sea bass and knickerbocker glories all have in common? They're all good uses for the humble redcurrant of course! Food writer Mark Diacono shares his love of redcurrants, along with their white and pink cousins; plus interviews on famous authors' gardens with Daisy Johnson and urban garden design with Bradley Viljoen.
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    24 mins
  • Herb secrets with Jekka, mad about moths, through a plantsman's window

    Herb secrets with Jekka, mad about moths, through a plantsman's window
    May 26 2020
    Jersey tiger, vapourer, Mother Shipton... this month we flutter into the weird and wonderful world of day-flying moths with RHS scientist Dr Stephanie Bird. Back on the ground, multiple award-winning herb grower Jekka McVicar shares wisdom gained from a lifetime of working with, growing, cooking and preserving aromatic plants. Plus legendary plantsman Roy Lancaster takes us on a voyage to far-off lands through the exotic plants growing in his garden.
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    25 mins