Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

George Fredenham—aka Flavour Fred—chef, forager, fermenter, and former co-owner of The Foragers at The Verulam Arms in St Albans is this episode’s guest. Known for turning hedgerow finds into award-winning dishes and wild cocktails, George now runs foraging walks, woodland feasts, and fermentation workshops, blending deep ecological knowledge with a flair for flavour. We talk about his journey with wild food and how he’s teaching others to find, cook, and preserve the edible abundance all around them. Links www.flavourfred.com Instagram @flavourfred Other episodes if you liked this one: Episode 32: Foraging with Michael Wachter Synopsis: Sarah Wilson speaks with Michael Wachter, a seasoned forager and gardener from East Sussex (formerly at Great Dixter), about living sustainably off the land. Michael shares insights from his remote-island-living experiences in Germany, guiding listeners through foraging in gardens, coastal areas, and wild landscapes—while also cautioning on safety and ecological responsibility.  Listen here Episode 184: Forage for Mushrooms Without Dying Synopsis: This episode features Frank Hyman, a certified mushroom forager and educator, who guides listeners through the often-overlooked world of wild fungi. Frank covers essential topics like safe harvesting, identification, cooking uses, and common pitfalls such as soil contamination or misidentification. The episode balances practical tips with engaging anecdotes and humor. Roots and All Listen here Please support the podcast on Patreon And follow Roots and All: On Instagram @rootsandallpod On Facebook @rootsandalluk On LinkedIn @rootsandall

I'm speaking with Olga Evans, co-founder of the Forest Bathing Institute and author of a new book exploring the science behind nature's healing power. We'll discover what forest bathing really means, whether you need an actual forest to benefit, and learn practical techniques you can use wherever you are. Links The Forest Bathing Institute The Healing Power of Trees by Olga Terebenina and Gary Evans Other episodes if you liked this one: Episode 48: Forest Bathing with Stefan Batorijs— Forest Bathing, or Shinrin Yoku, is the practice of immersing yourself in nature as therapy. It’s the perfect antidote for those who feel disconnected from the land and unattached from nature, which is increasingly likely to happen in a world where 55% of us live in urban areas. In this episode, I speak to Stefan Batorijs who founded Nature and Therapy UK in 2017, as a response to a growing need to foster a spiritual and psychological connection to the land. If you’ve always wondered what Forest Bathing, or Shinrin Yoku, entails, this is the episode for you!.  Episode 118: The Tokachi Millennium Forest with Dan Pearson & Midori Shintani — In this episode, I am very pleased to have a double interview with Dan Pearson and Midori Shintani, the two key horticultural forces driving the Tokachi Millennium Forest project in Hokaido, Japan and co-authors of the book Tokachi Millennium Forest: Pioneering a New Way of Gardening with Nature. I speak to Midori first, then Dan, about this vast, 1000 year project, their hopes and intentions for now and the future and about their own places with the timeline of the forest. Please support the podcast on Patreon And follow Roots and All: On Instagram @rootsandallpod On Facebook @rootsandalluk On LinkedIn @rootsandall

I’m speaking with Christina Oakley Harrington, founder of the legendary Treadwell’s Bookshop in London and author of The Treadwell’s Book of Plant Magic. We dive into her lifelong work in magic and folklore, explore the rich, earthy history of plant magic, and uncover the stories and secrets behind the herbs and flowers that have enchanted humans for centuries. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just plant-curious, listen on to find out what plants can do if you just ask. Links Treadwell’s Book of Plant Magic Treadwells’ Online Other episodes if you liked this one: Episode 243: Magical Plants & Flowers — This week’s episode, my guests are Chris Young and Susan Ottaviano. Chris and Susan are better known as the 2 Green Witches. Chris Young is a lifelong gardener whose acclaimed garden, Tiny Sur is a certified wildlife habitat and Susan is an artist, performer, songwriter, and food stylist. Their new book is The Green Witch’s Guide to Magical Plants & Flowers: Love Spells from Apples to Zinnias and together we take a light-hearted look at the power of plants to help you manifest your deepest desires.  Episode 293: The Rewilding of Molly McFlynn — Hello and welcome to this week’s episode where my guest is Sue Reed. Sue’s background is varied and she’s worn a variety of hats, including teacher, museum guide, upcycler of waste wool knitwear and published author. Her most recent creation is the fictional character Molly McFlynn, a quirky and courageous character who comes to terms with the concept of being an outsider against the backdrop of covid and a rugged Northern landscape. Listen on to find out how nature factors into the rewilding of Molly… Please support the podcast on Patreon And follow Roots and All: On Instagram @rootsandallpod On Facebook @rootsandalluk On LinkedIn @rootsandall

I’m joined by designer Will Tomson, whose work blends creativity with a deep commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. We chat about some of his exciting projects involving recycled aggregates, who inspires him, his Talking Plants events which he runs with Amy Langron and Katy Merrington, plus we lift the lid on a new and exciting event happening this September for anyone interested in practical, hands-on gardening tips from the best in the game.  Links Talking Plants website www.talkingplantssheffield.co.uk Talking plants instagram @talking_plants_sheffield Symposium tickets Creative Cultivation website Will Tomson/Creative Cultivation instagram @creativecultivation Amy Langron @amy_langron_landscapes Katy Merrington @katymerrington Other episodes if you liked this one: Episode 222: Nature from the Rubble — I’m speaking to landscape architect Sally Bower. Sally has just been awarded the main RHS prize for her Bursary Report titled ‘Nature Rising from the Rubble’ which looks at gravel and recycled aggregate gardens in Essex and London. Specifically, Sally looked at John Little’s Hilldrop garden, RHS Hyde Hall, Beth Chatto’s gravel garden, the Langdon Nature Discovery Car Park and the Horniman Museum Grasslands garden and her findings were invaluable if you’re interested in designing with or growing in these types of media, and Sally had some surprising findings of note too.  Listen here Episode 239: Growing Biodiversity with Benny Hawksbee — My guest this week is gardener Benny Hawksbee. Benny has a background in biology and gardens with one eye on biodiversity. His projects include the Eden Nature Garden, a community garden designed to be a haven for people and wildlife, and John Little’s garden in Essex. We talk about how Benny brings biology and ecology into his work, what we can all do to garden for wildlife whilst reducing our input in terms of resources and how we can involve the community in building and using gardens that work for everyone.  Listen here Please support the podcast on Patreon And follow Roots and All: On Instagram @rootsandallpod On Facebook @rootsandalluk On LinkedIn @rootsandall

Pat Thomas is Director of Beyond GM, and we explore the hidden realities of GMOs, the implications of new "Precision Breeding" legislation, and how these changes could affect gardeners, small-scale growers, and our food future. From campaigns like Stop Hidden GMOs to looking at the global landscape regarding GMO policies, Pat offers essential insights and practical advice on where to learn more and how to take action. Links You can help fund the legal case by donating at CrowdJustice Check out the Stop Hidden GMOs website for more information Read more about GMOs at Beyond GM Other episodes if you liked this one: Episode 338: Real Organic vs Regenerative Farming — I’m joined by Dave Chapman, host of the US chart-topping Real Organic Podcast. We dive into the rise of “regenerative” as the latest industry buzzword, the troubling reality of corporate consolidation in agriculture, and how antitrust issues are threatening the future of truly organic food. We also explore the key differences between organic food markets in the U.S. and the EU—and what they might mean for growers and consumers alike. Listen here. Episode 179: Ecological Gardens with Sid Hill — This week’s guest is eco gardener, landscape designer, permaculturist, horticultural thinker and garden experimenter, Sid Hill.Sid is concerned with building gardens that can sustain people and wildlife and he’s talking to me today about his particular brand of gardening, what we can do differently to improve our gardens and the whole discipline of horticulture in the UK. Listen here. Please support the podcast on Patreon

Lee Miller lived many lives—model, surrealist, war correspondent—but it was in the kitchen and garden at Farleys House that she found a kind of peace after the chaos. In this episode, Lee’s granddaughter Ami Bouhassane discusses her book Lee Miller: A Life with Food, Friends and Recipes, and offers an intimate portrait of her grandmother’s postwar years. We explore how cooking became a creative outlet, the mystery of the unpublished Entertaining Freezer, and the role of the garden in shaping Lee’s later life. Links Lee Miller Archives (official site) – Explore her life as a surrealist, model, war correspondent, photographer, and gourmet cook, with access to archives, exhibitions, and images. Farleys House & Gallery (official site) – Visit the Sussex home and sculpture garden of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose, with information on guided house tours, seasonal exhibitions, and booking details. Other episodes if you liked this one: Episode 324: “Kitchen Garden Living” with Bailey Van Tassel — we dig into the art of seasonal, sustainable kitchen gardening, echoing Lee Miller’s own relationship with her garden at Farleys House.  Episode 328: “Soil, Health & Nutrition” featuring Sam Hamrebtan — an exploration of how growing practices shape the nutrient quality of our food, beautifully complementing our discussion of Lee’s experimental cooking.  Please support the podcast on Patreon  

Writer and naturalist Julian Hoffman joins me for a dive into his latest book Lifelines, exploring the fragile beauty of threatened landscapes, the deep connections between wildlife and culture, and what it means to belong—to a place, to a species, to a song. From regent honeyeaters losing their voices to the shifting borders that divide both people and animals, Julian shares stories that remind us of what’s at stake, and what still remains. Links www.julianhoffman.com Julian on Instagram Other episodes if you liked this one: 🎧 Episode 53: “Irreplaceable” with Julian Hoffman In this earlier visit, Julian explores the imperative of protecting wild landscapes and the deep human-place connections that motivate conservation efforts. We dive into the loss of habitats and the meaning of biodiversity for future generations 🔗 Listen here: https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/episode-53-irreplaceable-with-julian-hoffman/ 🎧 Episode 197: “Britain’s Birds” with Benedict Macdonald  Naturalist, conservationist and writer Benedict Macdonald. Benedict has recently released a new book ‘Cornerstones’, which talks about how by restoring cornerstone species we can help turn around the current impoverished state of nature in the UK. His previous book ‘Rebirding’ was how I first came to know of his work and I’ve been a great admirer of his work ever since. We talk about the numbers of UK birds, how land management needs to change in order to stop the loss of species in this country and what we can do at a garden level to make changes. 🔗 Listen here: https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/episode-168-britains-birds-with-benedict-macdonald/ Please support the podcast on Patreon

Episode 342: Healsville Sanctuary: Creating Habitats Luke Boyle is the Horticulture Manager at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia—a leading conservation zoo nestled in native bushland, dedicated to protecting and showcasing Australia’s unique wildlife. We chat about the incredible work Luke and his team are doing to ensure the sanctuary is not just a safe and enriching haven for animals, but also an inspiring and welcoming place for human visitors. Links Healesville Sanctuary – Official site (Zoos Victoria) Discover updates on their conservation projects, visitor information, and how to support their wildlife work: https://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/ Zoos Victoria “Fighting Extinction” Program Learn how Healesville Sanctuary is part of statewide efforts to protect and recover threatened species through breeding, habitat restoration, and research: https://www.zoo.org.au/fighting-extinction/ Helmeted Honeyeater Release (May 2025) Read about the recent release of critically endangered helmeted honeyeaters from Healesville into the wild—an inspiring milestone in their breeding program: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/09/helmeted-honeyeater-release-healesville-sanctuary-cardinia-south-east-victoria-breed-wild-population About Luke Boyle After completing a gardening apprenticeship at Swinburne University, Luke worked with various landscapers and gardeners and also at a local council managing reserves and remnant vegetation. Studying landscape design and construction at night school as well as a short course run by the national Trust called Save the Bush, inspired him to look at the protection and restoration of bushland as a career. Luke started at Healesville sanctuary in 1993 where he is the Curator of Horticulture presently Other episodes if you liked this one: 🍃 Episode 329: Wildlife Gardening, Australia Style Summary: Sarah Wilson speaks with AB Bishop, an expert in Australian native plants and wildlife-friendly gardens. They explore how thoughtful garden design—using local species, layered planting, and wildlife features—can create rich habitats that echo the mission of Healesville Sanctuary. 🔗 Listen here 🍃 Episode 332: Garden Wildlife Ponds Summary: Sarah chats with Pete Case from the Freshwater Habitats Trust about establishing garden ponds that serve as crucial wildlife refuges. They cover design tips, ecological benefits, and how even small water features can support biodiversity—paralleling the conservation focus at Healesville. 🔗 Listen here Please support the podcast on Patreon

I’m joined by Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, and horticulturists Rachel Reynolds, Paul Kimberley and Jenny Warner, who share their personal experiences with skin cancer. With temperatures on the rise, we explore why sun safety is essential for anyone working outdoors, how to protect yourself effectively, and the serious risks of not taking the sun seriously. Links Melanoma Focus is a national charity dedicated to providing help and support to melanoma patients and healthcare professionals as well as raising awareness of melanoma, the 5th most common cancer in the UK.  As nearly 9 in 10 melanomas are preventable, awareness and advocacy work is key element of the work.  Melanoma awareness posters and a comms toolkit (including a specific farming and horticultural comms toolkit) is available via our melanoma awareness page. Some other useful pages: What is melanoma  Sun safety Signs and symptoms of melanoma  How to check your skin and nails How a melanoma is diagnosed The Melanoma Helpline – expert skin cancer nurses are available for anyone with a worry about melanoma from diagnosis to treatment and beyond Melanoma Stages and Treatment – Patient Guide    Please support the podcast on Patreon

Author Nic Wilson speaks about her memoir, Land Beneath the Waves. We delve into how her relationship with the natural world has provided insight and resilience in the face of chronic illness, and how our surroundings can shape and reflect our inner landscapes. Links Official Website nicwilson.co.uk – The central hub for Nic’s writing, including her memoir Land Beneath the Waves, Guardian Country Diary contributions, newsletter subscription (“Only Connect!”), book tour dates, and the Peat‑Free Nurseries list.  Linktree A central portal with quick links to her website, book launch, newsletter, and social profiles. Instagram @dogwooddaysgardener – Nic’s nature-and-garden-focused Instagram, where she shares updates on her memoir, writing, and everyday natural world reflections. Bluesky (Alternative Social Platform) nicwilson.bsky.social – Her profile on Bluesky, with nature musings and updates.  Newsletter Only Connect! – Nic’s periodic newsletter focusing on nature writing, wild-life interviews, book news, and Peat‑Free gardening resources. Available via her website and Linktree. 🔗 Subscribe here: https://nicwilson.co.uk/ Other episodes if you liked this one: 🍃 Episode 336: Creating an Ark with Mary Reynolds Summary: Sarah Wilson speaks with Mary Reynolds, the visionary behind the We Are The Ark movement. They explore how rewilding—even in small spaces like gardens or balconies—can foster biodiversity and emotional reconnection with the natural world. Mary's journey from Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist to ecological activist is both inspiring and practical. 🔗 Listen here 🚶‍♀️ Episode 327: Following in the Footsteps with Kerri Andrews Summary: In this insightful episode, Sarah chats with author and academic Kerri Andrews about Pathfinding: On Walking, Motherhood and Freedom. They discuss walking as a form of healing, reflection, and resistance—how movement through landscape can mirror and nurture our emotional journeys. It's a natural companion to Nic Wilson’s themes of inner and outer terrains. 🔗 Listen here Please support the podcast on Patreon