Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

Sarah is surprised to find that August is not the most popular month with gardeners and explores some ways in which the month can be made a little more bearable. She also talks about thrips on houseplants. Get in touch; Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link; Help us keep the podcast free & independent! Donate as much or as little as you like at https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall

Houseplants have come a long way since your mum’s Swiss cheese plant from the 1970s. However, successfully cultivating one of the myriad of varieties available today, is not as simple as wedging your chosen species into the barren corner of the living room in a once redundant terracotta pot. From nurturing your first cactus at university to transforming your home into an indoor sanctuary full of orchids, bringing the outside in has always had its challenges but also its benefits. Discover why, as Sarah places her partner Jason Stevens in the hot seat to grill him on his knowledge and passion for houseplants. Jason served 16 years in the Army leaving in 2016 for medical reasons, after which he undertook a period of rehabilitation. During his recovery he noticed what a positive effect gardening had and chose to follow this up by embarking on a garden design diploma. Eventually he narrowed his focus to sourcing and caring for indoor houseplants. Jason chats about numerous varieties of houseplants, from easy care perennials such as ferns and aspidistra to trickier specimens such as selaginella. He discusses the potential health benefits some may provide and offers some great tips on general plant care. Whether you know your bonsai from your begonia, there is plenty of useful information to ensure you can achieve your indoor zen. *Listen today to find out the winner of the review competition.   Points of interest; Easiest and most difficult houseplants Sunny spots and shady spots Bathroom plants Bedroom plants Hanging pots Tips on the procedure of buying plants General plant maintenance Rain water Vs distilled water Top 5 common pests and diseases   FAQs answered; Do I need to repot a plant once I get it home? How do I tell if my plant needs watering? How often should I water my plants? Should I give my plants food? Which plants need misting? Should I use leaf shine?   Guest follow up; www.simplygarden.org  Jason Stephens Instagram simply_garden Facebook @simplygardensw    Further useful research; Plant names mentioned: Aspidistra elatior Sansevieria trifasciata – Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Calathea Nephrolepis exaltata – Boston Fern  Ficus elastica – Rubber Plant Ficus benjamina – Weeping Fig Spathiphyllum – Peace Lily Ceropegia woodii – String of Hearts Selaginella species Echinocactus grusonii – Mother-in-Law’s Seat   Brand names: House Plant Focus SB Plant Invigorator   Pests: Aphids Fungus gnats Mealy bugs Spider mites Thrips   Get in touch; Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk  Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link; https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall

Beth Otway AKA Pumpkin Beth has turned terrarium gardening into a perfectly balanced combination of science and art. Sarah reads excerpts from her interview with Beth and also talks about when to order your tulips and offers some suggestions for ones to look out for.   Get in touch; Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link; Help us keep the podcast free & independent! Donate as much or as little as you like at https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall

Sarah starts by pondering how come the roses seem to be having 2 distinct flushes this year and gets no nearer to an answer. She also discusses when to trim your box bushes and talks about the intriguing houseplant du jour, the Crocodile Fern. The Budcast finishes with an unexpected confession...    Get in touch; Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link; Help us keep the podcast free & independent! Donate as much or as little as you like at https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall

Lacking the space but certainly not the enthusiasm? Taking on an allotment has fast become a popular solution to keeping those green fingers satisfied and the benefits are endless. Not only is it environmentally friendly, working an allotment can be seen as therapeutic, sociable and an all round healthy discipline, which can promote a healthier lifestyle.  In the first part of this episode, Sarah chats to Louise Bell, an accomplished writer and editor and co founder of Sunny Creative. Louise also happens to be a sympathetic gardener and was on the committee for the Marina Allotment and Horticulture Association in Hastings. Having worked on her own allotment for 10 years, Louise is armed with knowledge to enlighten us on how best to go about finding an allotment. Whether it’s run by the local council or independently managed, she presents a number of key pointers to take into account before committing to a plot and those you will need to consider once you are the proud owner.  With first hand practical advice on various topics, from restrictions on what you are allowed to grow, to how to clear a plot previously owned, there’s enough to get the ball rolling if you are thinking of investing your time and energy into growing your own produce.  Nevertheless don’t forget to follow up soon with part 2 of this episode to discover more about allotments and how to manage expectations on what you grow. Alongside self sowing plants, difficult crops and suggestions on plot structure, you can be sure to pick up many more helpful tips to ensure you have a productive plot. Please take the time to rate this podcast and you could be in with a chance to win a copy of the Great Dixter cookbook (2017) which contains a delightful concoction of seasonal recipes and is a book Louise was involved with creating.   Points of interest; Associate members. Generic allotment rules and regulations. Choosing your allotment plot. Practical issues, such as water, electricity and toilet. Visitors allowed onto the premises. Time restrictions. Recommended tools. Taking over someone else’s allotment patch.   FAQs answered; Are all allotments run by the local council? Do I specifically need to choose an allotment near to where I live? Do allotments have waiting lists? Will I have to pay for my allotment? How do I know if having an allotment is the right thing for me? Do I need planning permission for a shed? Will I be allowed bonfires? Who is responsible for any waste? Are there restrictions on what I can grow in an allotment?   Further useful research; www.marinallotments.org.uk  www.gov.uk/apply-allotment  sunnycreative.co.uk www.greatdixtershop.co.uk   The Great Dixter Cookbook 2017   Get in touch; Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk  Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link; https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall

If you're flagging in the hot weather, chances are your plants are too. Listen in to find out if you should be watering your outdoor plants in a drought and if so, how often. Also, Sarah shares a nifty trick to keep your indoor plants happy if you're going away on holiday. Share your watering successes and woes;   Get in touch; Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link; Help us keep the podcast free & independent! Donate as much or as little as you like at https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall

You’ve got the space, you’ve got a budget, but where to begin? It can be difficult and sometimes daunting to know how to set about transforming and making the most of your outdoor space. For those of us who aren’t blessed with a green-fingered talent, the best option may be to bring in the professionals and hire the services of a garden designer. Fortunately, Sarah Wilson is here with another essential episode to help  guide you down the path alongside her special guest and Chartered Horticulturalist, Andrew Fisher Tomlin. Barely in need of introduction, Andrew is renowned for his incredible gardens and landscapes for which he has won many awards and is on tap in this episode as a never-ending fount of knowledge on the subject. As Director of the London College of Garden Design and Partner of Fisher Tomlin and Bowyer in London, Andrew has a stellar career. Therefore, you can expect to pick up some constructive and reliable advice and tips, from how to choose the right garden designer for you, to the perennial question of how much you should expect to pay. Find out why it’s imperative that you communicate with your garden designer in order to achieve a productive relationship. As with most things in life, the more you put in, the more you get out. From consultation to final horticultural glory, let Sarah and Andrew reassure you, that you can achieve the garden of your dreams!   Points of interest; What to consider when thinking about hiring a garden designer. Qualifications and experience of a garden designer. References, testimonials and insurance of a garden designer. Choosing the right garden designer for your style. The design process you can expect to go through from start to finish. How to communicate with your garden designer and get the outcome you’ve always dreamed of. Things to look out for during the process. Why a garden designer can help you save money. Hourly rate and fees.  Working around your budget.   FAQs answered; Why do I need a garden designer? What can I expect a garden designer to bring to a project? Where do I begin searching for a good garden designer? Is it beneficial to choose a local garden designer? What’s the difference between a landscape architect and a garden designer? Do I need both a landscape architect and garden designer for the job? How involved should my garden designer be throughout the project?   Guest follow up; www.andrewfishertomlin.com Fisher Tomlin and Bowyer garden designers and landscapers, London.   Further useful research; London College of Garden Design www.lcgd.org.uk  The Society of Garden Designers www.sgd.org.uk  www.pinterest.co.uk    Get in touch; Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link; https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall  

Today, Sarah interviews Paul Hetherington, Director of Fundraising and Communications at the Buglife Invertebrate Conservation Organisation, with a particular interest in discussing worms and depending on the type, their significance in the garden.   So dip into the world of our 2 enthusiasts for an insightful chat about the trials and tribulations of this common garden dweller and much understated invertebrate. Learn about the enormous impact they have on our ecosystems and how we can encourage and nurture these ultimate ‘friends of the earth’. However it pays to be mindful that not all worms have a positive effect on our environment!   As ever, this episode is full of useful tips and advice to bring out the horticulturist in all of us!    Points of interest; How to identify a particular type of worm. Importance of earthworms on the landscape and our produce. How to encourage more earthworms and identify the ones we don't want. Chemicals and the effects they can have on earthworms. Worms and compost. The implications of native and non-native species.   FAQs Answered; How many species of worm are there in the uk? How do I conduct an earthworm count? What do worms look like when they self fertilise? Why can we consider earthworms as natural recyclers? Which worms are good for the garden and which ones are not?   Guest follow up; Visit buglife.org.uk - Particular topic of concern is pollination and species at risk. Find out how you can help?   Further useful research; www.opalexplorenature.org  www.ispotnature.org  www.field-studies-council.org www.earthwormsoc.org  Royal Entomological Society “Formation of vegetable mould through The action of worms” by Charles Darwin 1881.   Get in touch; Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link; https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall   

Anyone with a modest or sizeable outdoor space will appreciate the time and effort that goes into maintaining it.  So the question professionals in the industry are often asked is, how do I get a good gardener?   In the second episode of this series, Sarah Wilson finds out some answers as she interviews Claire Vokins a friend and fellow Horticulturist, who runs her own garden care business, Elizabeth Clare Gardening Ltd, in South West London.  With a no-nonsense approach, Claire blows the lid off this topic and reveals a wealth of knowledge and practical advice. Learn about the benefits and pitfalls of hiring a gardener, the many variables to consider and the most important factors when deciding on your choice, especially the ever grey area of how much you can expect to pay on an hourly rate.  Adversely, pick up some helpful pointers on what to do if hiring a regular gardener is out of your budget. So whether it’s a ‘jungle cut’ or a more detailed maintenance and care plan you have in mind for your outdoor space, there is bound to be something that will grab your attention in this episode.    Points of interest; Where to source a professional gardener. Retaining your gardener. Resources to teach yourself about the plants in your garden. Guidelines on garden rubbish disposal. Common gardening mistakes. How to deal with inherited gardens. How to have ownership of your outdoor space.   FAQs answered; What hourly rate should I expect to pay my gardener? Should I let my gardener use my tools or ask them to supply their own? When are gardeners at their busiest? When should I book a landscape gardener if I wish to have more extensive changes done to my garden?   Guest follow up; Elizabeth Clare Gardening Ltd Twitter @ECGardeningLtd Claire Vokins Twitter @CEVokins   Further useful research; www.rhs.org.uk www.shootgardening.co.uk   Get in touch; Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link; https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall         

In the first episode of this insightful series, Sarah covers one of her favourite topics as she talks to two special guests about Dahlias. Join Emma Page, Award winning Horticulturalist and Garden Designer and Dave Gillam, Chairman of the National Dahlia’s Society as well as being the General Manager for Abercorn Garden Centre in Chelmsford, as they share their extensive knowledge and experience. We discover the inspiration behind Dave Gillam’s passion for growing Dahlias competitively and find out our guests favourite type of Dahlia, and why. So whether its growing them for the sheer pleasure of it, or you are a bit more serious about the whole affair and wish to grow these beautiful plants in order to compete, this is the place to learn more about the ‘tender’ perennial. They may not be considered low maintenance but any effort put into growing them is likely to be highly rewarded.     Points of interest; Dahlia growing routine and the ‘mystery’ of growing from seed. Leaving Dahlias in the ground. Planting Dahlias in beds. Growing in tubers. Combating the ‘danger zone’ surrounding the first shoots. Tempting varieties of Dahlias, including the Honka Fragile. Species vs Hybrids   FAQs Answered; Where can I buy Dahlias? What do I do with Dahlia tubers? To stake or not to stake? How do I go about dead-heading? What are the well-known competitive varieties of Dahlia? Where can I buy Dahlias for weddings or other special events?   Guest follow up; Emma Page www.natureredesigned.co.uk Email her directly at info@natureredesigned.co.uk Emma Twitter @epgd181 Dave Gilliam - YouTube www.dahlias-nds.co.uk National Dahlia Society -  and Facebook Abercorn garden centre, Chelmsford Please find Richard Ramsey’s transcribed interview on the Roots and all website.    Find Richard at www.withypitts-dahlias.co.uk. for ideas on; Cut flowers, Dahlia seedlings, floristry, flowers for big events.   Further useful research; www.hallsofheddon.com A Specialist plant nursery; Dahlias and Chrysanthemums.   Get in touch; Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk Website www.rootsandall.co.uk Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link; https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall