Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

Afleveringen

1. Episode 409: Growing Community Gardens

   2 november 2026 · 31 min

   Afspelen
   What can one neglected patch of land grow beyond plants? This week, I'm joined by Shereen Chung-Blake, community gardener and programme coordinator at Bankside Open Spaces Trust, to hear how she turned an unused space in Camberwell into a thriving community garden, and why making horticulture accessible can transform both places and people. Lees meer

   Benny's Insect of the Week: Heath Potter Wasp

   Links

   Shereen's Instagram

   LinkedIn

   Camberwell Triangle Gardeners

   Future Gardeners Course

   Incredible Edible

   London Right to Grow

   SLUG (Community Composting)

   Burgess Plant Nursery (Community Plants and Propagation)

   Walworth Community Gardening Network (WCGN)

   Walworth Road Retail Opportunity (Walworth Corners)

   Walworth Neighbourhood Food Model

   If you enjoyed this week's episode with Shereen, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:

   Episode 275: Community Gardening

   Vicky Chown, head gardener at OmVed Gardens, talks about the role of community gardens in bringing together food growing, creativity and wellbeing. It's a useful companion to Shereen's story of turning an unused patch of land into a thriving shared space.

   Episode 386: Walworth Garden – Rooted in Community

   Oliver Hayden of Walworth Garden discusses how a free community garden can support local people, encourage connections with nature and create meaningful social change. Like Shereen's work in Camberwell, it shows how gardens can offer far more than a place to grow plants.

   Please support the podcast on Patreon

   And follow Roots and All:

   On Instagram @rootsandallpod

   On Facebook @rootsandalluk

   On LinkedIn @rootsandall

2. Episode 408: Understanding the Green Kingdom

   26 oktober 2026 · 30 min

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   What can 450 million years of plant evolution teach us about the world we live in today? This week, I'm joined by horticulturist and author Ben Dark to discuss his latest book, *Green Kingdom*, exploring the stories behind plant evolution, botanical classification and our changing understanding of the natural world. Lees meer

   Benny's Insect of the Week: Field Digger Wasp

   Links

   Ben's Website

   The Garden Collective

   Green Kingdom by Ben Dark

   Please support the podcast on Patreon

   And follow Roots and All:

   On Instagram @rootsandallpod

   On Facebook @rootsandalluk

   On LinkedIn @rootsandall

   If you enjoyed this week's episode with Ben, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:

   Episode 169: Darwin's Garden with Dr Jude Piesse

   Jude Piesse explores the largely forgotten garden of Charles Darwin's childhood home in Shrewsbury, revealing the people, stories and horticultural history that shaped this remarkable place. It's a fascinating companion to Ben's discussion of plant history, bringing together gardens, literature and the people behind our understanding of the natural world.

   Episode 164: By Any Other Name with Simon Morley

   Artist, art historian and rose gardener Simon Morley explores the cultural history of the rose, from its symbolism and origins to its enduring place in gardens and human society. Like Ben, Simon looks beyond the plants themselves to uncover the stories, ideas and cultural influences that shape how we understand and use them.

3. Episode 407: Living Alongside Garden Wildlife

   19 oktober 2026 · 33 min

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   What if the answer to seriously undesirable garden wildlife visitors isn't eradicating them, but learning to live alongside them? I'm joined by Kevin Newell, founder of Humane Wildlife Solutions, to explore humane ways to manage conflicts with species such as rats, mice, foxes, squirrels and badgers, and why changing our own behaviour can make all the difference. Lees meer

   Benny's Insect of the Week: Long-winged conehead

   Links

   Website

   Facebook

   Instagram

   LinkedIn

   Please support the podcast on Patreon

   And follow Roots and All:

   On Instagram @rootsandallpod

   On Facebook @rootsandalluk

   On LinkedIn @rootsandall

   If you enjoyed this week's episode with Kevin, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:

   Episode 303: Slugs and Snails

   Jo Kirby explains why the usual methods of slug and snail control often don't work, what these creatures eat, and importantly, what eats them. It's a great companion to Kevin's advice on understanding wildlife and finding ways to manage garden conflicts without harming other species.

   Episode 17: Foxes in the Garden

   Animal behaviour expert Terry Woods explores the challenges of sharing our gardens with foxes, from digging up plants to common misconceptions about these often-maligned animals. Like Kevin, Terry offers a practical, humane perspective on living alongside wildlife.

4. Episode 406: Should We Stop Feeding Birds?

   12 oktober 2026 · 37 min

   Afspelen
   Could feeding the birds in your garden actually be doing them more harm than good? This week I'm joined by Adrian Thomas from the RSPB to unpack the research behind the headlines, from declining greenfinches and chaffinches to bird feeding hygiene, trichomonosis and how we can help garden birds. Lees meer

   Benny's Insect of the Week: Mexican Grass-Carrying Wasp sponsored by Kipos

   Kipos makes garden tracking social. We house your entire gardening journey in one spot, you can see your hard work, and you get to share the results with friends—real effort from real people. Use code 'ROOTSFORALL' during sign-up to gain a year of free access to Kipos.

   Use code 'ROOTSFORALL' on Kipos for a year of free access - download the app HERE

   Links

   RSPB website

   RSPB Instagram

   RSPB Facebook

   RSPB X Twitter

   RSPB TikTok

   RSPB LinkedIn

   RSPB YouTube

   And follow Roots and All:

   On Instagram @rootsandallpod

   On Facebook @rootsandalluk

   On LinkedIn @rootsandall

   If you enjoyed this week's episode with Adrian, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:

   Episode 290: Saving Song Birds

   This episode looks at the pressures facing our songbirds and what we can do to support them, making it a natural companion to Adrian's discussion of declining greenfinches and chaffinches, and the role our gardens can play in helping struggling bird populations.

   Episode 244: The Biodiversity Gardener

   Paul Sterry explores how we can make our gardens better for wildlife by thinking beyond individual species and creating richer, more diverse habitats. It complements Adrian's advice on planting for birds, providing food and shelter, and making our gardens genuinely useful to wildlife.

5. Episode 405: Reimagining City Spaces

   7 oktober 2026 · 34 min

   Afspelen
   Jon Davies and Steve Williams of Wild City Studio discuss their fresh, unconventional approach to urban horticulture, their collaborative design journey, their experimental playground at Markfield Park, and how embracing a lighter touch can transform rigid cityscapes into thriving ecological havens. Lees meer

   Benny's Insect of the Week: The Small Copper Butterfly

   What You'll Learn

   Redefining Urban Wildness: How nature-connection and human culture intertwine to make modern cities far wilder than traditional notions suggest.

   Markfield Park Experiments: Insights into using crushed waste substrates, food forestry, and self-seeded corridors for resilient urban landscaping.

   Community-Led Design: Moving away from rigid, sterile design templates to allow local communities and natural processes to shape public spaces.

   Horticultural Rebellion: Why creative outsiders and designers find a new vehicle for expression and disruption through plants and landscape architecture.

   Episode 391: Letting the Wild In: This deep-dive archive episode looks closely at how natural ecological processes and spontaneous vegetation interact with modern design choices, matching Jon and Steve's focus on stepping back from rigid control and letting urban spaces breathe.

   Episode 179: Ecological Gardens with Sid Hill: An extensive look into building resilient, nature-led garden systems, directly echoing the punk horticulture ethos and practical structural approaches discussed in this episode.

   Key Topics & Discussion Points

   What Does Wild Look Like in a City?

   Jon and Steve discuss the challenge of finding the right vocabulary to talk about nature connection when humans are inherently part of the ecosystem. Rather than viewing cities as static, controlled environments, they advocate for a light-touch approach that embraces dynamic ecological processes, like weeds breaking through concrete.

   Markfield Park: An Experimental Playground

   As a legacy project originating from the Chelsea Flower Show, Markfiel…

6. Episode 404: Uncovering the Biodiversity of Gardens with Johnnie Johnson

   28 september 2026 · 25 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of Roots and All, I chat with ecology consultant Johnnie Johnson about his journey into the natural world, his detailed multi-visit garden surveys, and the incredible discoveries he makes in unexpected places. From tracking scarce insects to working with prominent public spaces like the Horniman Museum and John Little's garden, Johnnie Johnson shares how anyone can boost wildlife by embracing structural complexity and natural variation. Lees meer

   Benny's Insect of the Week: The Southern Green Shieldbug

   What You'll Learn:

   How garden biodiversity audits work, spanning multiple visits across the spring and summer seasons.

   Why urban gardens serve as crucial ecological stepping stones for wildlife in an increasingly paved-over landscape.

   The importance of starting at the bottom of the food chain by focusing on native plants and structural micro-habitats.

   Practical, low-cost ways to invite wildlife in—from small water sources and log piles to areas of bare ground and varied vegetation heights.

   The Reality of Ecology Consulting and Garden Surveys

   Johnnie Johnson shares how he transitioned into ecology later in life, moving from the planning side of the profession—which deals heavily with development and mitigation—into hands-on garden surveys that actually focus on finding and celebrating life. He discusses his detailed reports, which often span 80 to 100 pages and combine scientific data with custom artwork and portraits of notable insects found on site.

   Why Gardens Matter More Than You Think

   Reflecting on his survey work across Essex, Suffolk, and London, Johnnie Johnson highlights that private and public gardens often possess a remarkable variety of micro-habitats. Because traditional rural landscapes can sometimes be impoverished, these green spaces act as vital urban refuges. He also touches on his baseline surveys at the Horniman Museum, tracking how strategic changes to cutting regimes over several years can drastically improve species richness.

   Pr…

7. Episode 403: Climate Adaptation, Plant Evolution & Design

   21 september 2026 · 27 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode of Roots and All, I chat with designer, researcher, and filmmaker Eliza about the intersection of design, ecology, and the fast-paced realities of plant evolution. Coming straight from her extensive research fields—including tracking wildflowers in the Rocky Mountains with Dr. Diane Campbell and exploring alpine meadow systems in Italy—Eliza shares how climate change is reshaping landscapes, why plants are shifting behaviours, and how gardeners can embrace a more observational, resilient approach. Lees meer

   Benny's Insect of the Week: The European Firebug

   What You'll Learn:

   How extreme weather, drought, and low snowpacks are accelerating plant evolution and altering seasonal lifecycles in the Rocky Mountains.

   What assisted migration, natural hybridisation, and resilient "Hybridising Scentscapes" mean for future planting schemes and garden biodiversity.

   How traditional practices, like alpine cattle transhumance festivals, can inspire creative seed dispersal solutions.

   Practical takeaways for gardeners and designers looking to relinquish rigid control and embrace natural resilience.

   Understanding the Future Through Design and Research

   Eliza explains her unique multidisciplinary practice, which blends design research, ecology, and filmmaking to simulate and speculate on future environments. Moving beyond traditional interior or product design, her work explores how humans can collaborate with scientists and natural ecosystems to address climate pressures.

   Climate Realities in the Rocky Mountains and the Alps

   Reflecting on her recent field observations in Colorado—where she spends every summer at a field station working alongside scientists—Eliza highlights how extreme drought, a lack of reliable afternoon rain showers, low snowpacks, and early melting have severe domino effects on plant health, pollinator survival, and local marmot populations. She also dives into her work in the Italian Alps, examining ancient meadow systems and how nomadic animal mig…

8. Episode 402: The Art of Cottage Gardening

   14 september 2026 · 30 min

   Afspelen
   In this episode, gardening expert and The English Garden editor Clare Foggett joins us to explore what truly defines a cottage garden. We discuss why these spaces are defined by generous planting rather than rigid design, the magic of self-seeding plants, and how this traditional style fits into modern, sustainable, and biodiverse gardening. Lees meer

   Includes:

   Planted, Not Designed: Discover how cottage gardens evolve naturally through a passion for plants rather than a master plan.

   The Power of Self-Seeders: Learn why plants like foxgloves and valerian are essential for a relaxed, charming aesthetic.

   Modern Sustainability: Find out why this high-flower, low-lawn approach is the ultimate eco-friendly choice for contemporary gardeners.

   Benny's Insect of the Week: Ivy Bee

   Links

   Beauty & Abundance: British Cottage Gardens by Clare Foggett

   Nestboxes Talk - with Ian Rumley-Dawson

   Please support the podcast on Patreon

   And follow Roots and All:

   On Instagram @rootsandallpod

   On Facebook @rootsandalluk

   On LinkedIn @rootsandall

   If you enjoyed this week's episode with Clare, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:

   Episode 168: Cottage Gardens with Andrew Sankey

   Andrew Sankey has spent decades researching English cottage gardens, and this episode explores what defines the style, both historically and today, including the plants, planting techniques, edibles and wildlife-friendly qualities that make cottage gardens so distinctive. It's a particularly useful companion to Claire's exploration of how the cottage garden has evolved and why it remains so relevant to the way we garden today.

   Episode 244: The Biodiversity Gardener with Paul Sterry

   Paul Sterry explores how gardens can contribute to biodiversity, from the plants we grow and the way we manage them to the habitats we create for insects and other wildlife. Like Claire's conversation, it considers how a more relaxed, abundant approach to gardening can benefit nature as well as creating a beautiful gar…

9. Episode 401: Seeing Plants Differently

   7 september 2026 · 39 min

   Afspelen
   We tend to think of plants as static things: rooted to the spot, quietly getting on with being plants. But what if, beneath our feet, there's a much more dynamic world of movement, adaptation and decision-making going on? In this episode I'm talking to plant ecologist and artist Curtis Lubbe about roots, bulbs and rhizomes, plant 'animacy' and why changing the way we think and talk about plants might change the way we treat them too. Lees meer

   Benny's Insect of the Week: Fig-Leaf Skeltoniser

   Links

   Curtis Lubbe Blog

   Journal of Ecology profile: Curtis Lubbe

   Please support the podcast on Patreon

   And follow Roots and All:

   On Instagram @rootsandallpod

   On Facebook @rootsandalluk

   On LinkedIn @rootsandall

   If you enjoyed this week's episode with Curtis, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:

   Episode 109: The Botanical Mind with Gina Buenfeld

   This episode explores the relationship between art and the natural world, including ideas around plant intelligence, symbolism and the ways plants have been understood across different cultures. It's a particularly good companion to Curtis's thoughts on plant perception and the role of art in helping us see plants differently.

   Episode 245: The Language of Trees

   Artist and activist Katie Holten explores our relationship with trees through art, language, literature and ecology. Like Curtis's work, it asks us to rethink how we perceive plants and to find new ways of communicating their importance and complexity.

10. Episode 400: Growing a Living Pharmacy

    31 augustus 2026 · 33 min

    Afspelen
    What if your garden could double as a living pharmacy? In this episode, I'm talking to gardener, chef and herbalism practitioner Vanessa Minton about growing medicinal herbs, using them in everyday life, and understanding both the benefits and limitations of herbal remedies. Lees meer

    Benny's Insect of the Week: Toadflax Brocade Moth

    Links

    From The Garden – Linktree

    How to Grow Medicinal Herbs: An Illustrated Beginner's Guide to Growing, Harvesting, and Making Herbal Remedies at Home - Vanessa Minton

    Please support the podcast on Patreon

    As featured in the Feedspot Top 100 Horticulture Podcasts

    And follow Roots and All:

    On Instagram @rootsandallpod

    On Facebook @rootsandalluk

    On LinkedIn @rootsandall

    If you enjoyed this week's episode with Vanessa, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:

    Episode 270: Herbology

    This episode explores the long history of using plants to make remedies and therapeutic preparations, and the growing interest in reconnecting with traditional herbal knowledge. It's a natural companion to Vanessa's discussion of medicinal herbs and the garden as a source of plant medicine.

    Episode 96: Sensory Herbalism with Karen Lawton

    Karen Lawton talks about developing a deeper connection with medicinal plants through observation, sensory awareness and herbal practice. It's a lovely companion to Vanessa's discussion of bringing herbs into everyday life and getting to know the plants we grow.

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