Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
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415 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Episode 64: Soil with Tim O'Hare
5 november 2019 · 37 min
This episode, I'm talking about one of the fundamental cornerstones that underpins everything we do as growers - soil. And to talk about this vital element, who better than soil scientist and international expert on the subject, Tim O'Hare? Tim is the principal consultant of Tim O'Hare Associates and works on a wide variety of domestic and commercial projects, both in the UK and abroad. Lees meer
Tim answers questions about issues that most gardeners have faced at some point; soil compaction, poor drainage, working with the soil you have and what to look out for if you're bringing new soil in to your garden. As well as possessing phenomenal knowledge on the subject, Tim explains things in clear and simple language and you will enjoy this episode whatever your level of gardening expertise.
About Tim O'Hare
Tim is the principal consultant of Tim O'Hare Associates, a leading independent soil science practice that provides soil investigation, testing and consultancy services to the landscape industry. He has been a Soil Scientist for over 20 years, working on anything from domestic garden projects to major construction developments. Tim and his team have worked on a wide variety of assignments throughout the UK and internationally, including the London Olympic Park and Commonwealth Park in Gibraltar. They also test and approve many of the topsoil and subsoil products that are sold into the landscape market nationwide.
Earlier this year Tim was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by The Kew Guild (Association of Alumni of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew) for his "outstanding contribution to the environment".
We discuss:
Common problems with soil management
Storing and moving soil during building works
Soil compaction
Wet soils
Ways to combat poorly draining soils
Bringing life into new or damaged soils
The impacts of transporting soil into and away from a site
What to look for when you're buying soil
Soil contamination
Tim's more challenging/unusual work
Soil erosion and…
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Episode 63: Bats in Our Cities & Gardens
29 oktober 2019 · 36 min
This week, I'm speaking to Jo Ferguson and we're talking about bats. As with most of our wildlife, population trends show a decline in bats in the UK in recent times. Loss of habitat, human activities including nighttime lighting and construction and lack of food are all contributing factors. If you're listening to the Roots and All podcast, in all probability you're a conscientious gardener who wants to improve the natural landscape, not just for humans but for all species. In this episode, Jo talks about what bats need in order to thrive and how we can make small changes that will make big contributions to our bat populations. Lees meer
About Joanna Ferguson BSc MCIEEM:
Jo has worked for the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) for the last 4.5 years as the Built Environment Officer before becoming the Built Environment Manager in early 2019. Prior to starting at BCT she had been involved with bat conservation in a voluntary and professional capacity for over 16 years. Jo's more recent professional experience is as an ecological consultant specialising in urban bat ecology; providing surveys, mitigation and enhancement advice covering a range of development projects, including residential, commercial and transport. She also has extensive experience in scientific research, working for the Australian Research centre for Urban Ecology and Earthwatch in Melbourne. Jo is a Full Member of CIEEM, a Volunteer Bat Roost Visitor and London Bat Group Member.
We discuss:
Where bats live
How many species of bat are there in Britain and some of the most common ones we're likely to see in our gardens
The biggest challenges facing bats at the moment
How we can help our bat populations
Will they get caught in our hair or give us rabies?
Links:
Bat Conservation Trust www.bats.org.uk https://www.bats.org.uk/
National Bat Helpline 0345 1300 228
Leaflet on helping create a great environment for bats, including which plants to include in our gardens https://cdn.bats.org.uk/pdf/Resources/Sta…
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Episode 62: Edible Mushrooms with Geoff Dann
22 oktober 2019 · 29 min
This week, Sarah is talking with Geoff Dann. Geoff is a Hastings based forager with a vast and by the sounds of it, pretty unique understanding of the mushrooms that grow in our landscape. He's also the author of Edible Mushrooms. Lees meer
Geoff is a pioneer because many of the mushrooms in his book were not classified as edible and he's taken on the role of a well-informed and cautious taster, but nonetheless has been a human guinea pig in many instances! As he mentions, his book is without parallel in terms of classifying the edibility of our mushrooms and is the bible for foragers.
They discuss:
Why we're a nation of mycophobes here in the UK
How to get started with mushroom foraging
Mushroom habitats
Beginner levels edible mushrooms
Mushrooms to watch out for
Links
Geoff's website www.geoffdann.co.uk
Edible Mushrooms by Geoff Dann, published by Green Books, 2016
Natural Bushcraft Forum www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk
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
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Episode 61: Garden BirdWatch with Kate Risely of BTO
15 oktober 2019 · 35 min
This week, I'm talking garden birds with Kate Risely, Garden BirdWatch Organiser at the British Trust for Ornithology. Kate talks us through the trends that have occurred in our garden bird populations over the past 40 years, what and when to feed them, diseases that are on the rise and how you can attract more birds in your garden. Plus, Kate answers my question; are magpies vandals, living off the fat of our songbirds? Lees meer
About Kate:
Kate leads the BTO's Garden Ecology team and co-ordinates the programme of garden ecology surveys and research, within the Communications department.
Kate has overall responsibility for running for Garden BirdWatch, a 'citizen science' project where volunteers record birds and other taxa using their gardens on a weekly, year-round basis, as well as additional garden-based surveys. Kate is interested in the research and conservation applications of our garden wildlife data.
We discuss:
The BTO Garden BirdWatch & how you can take part
Why the data collected through the Garden BirdWatch is so important
Trends around garden birds over the last 40 years
When and what to feed your garden birds
Diseases in garden birds
How to attract more birds to your garden
Links:
British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU
Tel: 01842 750050
Garden BirdWatch www.bto.org/gbw
Garden Wildlife Health: https://www.gardenwildlifehealth.org/
Feeding affecting bird communities: https://www.bto.org/our-science/publications/peer-reviewed-papers/composition-british-bird-communities-associated-long
Blackcaps: https://www.bto.org/our-science/publications/peer-reviewed-papers/supplementary-feeding-gardens-driver-evolutionary
Disease risks of bird feeding: https://www.bto.org/our-science/publications/peer-reviewed-papers/health-hazards-wild-birds-and-risk-factors-associated
Greenfinch declines due to disease: https://www.bto.org/our-science/publications/peer-reviewed-papers/emergence-and-spread-finch-trichomonosis-british-isle…
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Episode 60: Peonies with Alec White of Primrose Hall Peonies
8 oktober 2019 · 29 min
This week, Sarah is talking Peonies with Alec White of Primrose Hall Peonies. If you attended this year's Chelsea Flower Show, you probably saw the amazing, gold-winning stand Alec put together in the floral marquee - it was the one with the bath, peonies spilling everywhere and the semi-nude model painted all over with peonies. It certainly caused a stir and rightly so, because it was stunning. Lees meer
Sarah was delighted to chat to Alec because, frankly, she has a chequered past with peonies. Under discussion are problems such as peony wilt and peonies that don't flower. Alec also talks about the different types of peonies and debunks myths such as peonies can't be moved. Sarah asks expert-grower Alec how to get the best out of your peonies and if you're planning to add some to your garden or want to troubleshoot any problems you have, this is an episode not to be missed.
They discuss:
The 3 main types of peony
Peony wilt
Moving, dividing, deadheading and feeding
The reasons your peony may not be flowering
Pruning tree peonies
Growing peonies in containers
Growing peonies from seed
Links
Primrose Hall Peonies www.primrosehallpeonies.co.uk
On Twitter @primrosehalluk
On Instagram @primrosehalluk
On Facebook Primrose Hall Nursery
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
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Episode 59: Public Green Spaces with Neil Sinden
1 oktober 2019 · 28 min
Just how free are we to walk around our cities and countryside? Who owns our parks and public spaces and who makes the decision what you can and can't do in them and when they can be closed for ticketed events? What can you do to make sure our green spaces stay open and accessible to all? Lees meer
These are all questions I asked Neil Sinden, the Director of the London branch of the CPRE (Campaign for Rural England). I'd seen mention of the Urban Right to Roam, which piqued my interest and made me wonder about how much freedom we do have to roam across our cities and indeed our countryside. I had always assumed we had inalienable rights across public land but it seems it's not as clear cut as I thought.
As Neil mentions in the interview, 2.6million people in the UK live more than a 10 minute walk from a green space. That's hugely important as our country becomes more urbanised and it's important if, for you, your local green space is your only garden.
We talk about:
The CPRE and why it's needed, even in towns and large cities like London
The Urban Right to Roam
Rights of Way
Privately owned public spaces
Protecting and improving our green spaces
Links
www.cprelondon.org.uk
www.lfgn.org.uk
Go Parks London
How to register an unrecorded Historic Right of Way
Blog post by Groundsure about the implications for our Historic Rights of Way of a 2026 deadline to register them by.
Get in touch;
Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk
Website www.rootsandall.co.uk
Twitter @rootsandall
Instagram rootsandallpod
Facebook @rootsandalluk
Patreon Link;
Help us keep the podcast free & independent! Donate as much or as little as you like at https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall
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Episode 58: A New Garden Ethic with Benjamin Vogt
24 september 2019 · 32 min
A New Garden Ethic with Benjamin Vogt Lees meer
Sarah talks to garden designer and author Benjamin Vogt about his book A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future. Benjamin writes in his book how it's imperative that we take up a new style of gardening, a new garden ethic, and that we do so fast. Benjamin explains what it means for him to garden with every species in mind and what happens when we separate ourselves from the rest of our garden's community.
Benjamin Vogt runs Monarch Gardens, a prairie garden design practice. His own garden was named a top outdoor space of 2012 by Apartment Therapy and has been featured in Fine Gardening, Garden Design, Nebraska Life, the Omaha World Herald, the Lincoln Journal Star, and on KOLN (Lincoln's CBS affiliate).
Benjamin wrote an award-winning garden column for Houzz for five years and has contributed to books such as Lawn Gone! and Pollinator Friendly Gardening. His book A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future was published in 2017 by New Society Publishers.
We talk about:
What is A New Garden Ethic
Why it's important that we feel part of the entire community that's specific to where we live
The effects of a disconnect from nature
Benjamin's definition of native plants
Benjamin's design work and plant palette
Objections to using native plants
Links
Benjamin Vogt - Monarch Gardens www.monarchgard.com
Benjamin on Twitter @BRVogt
A New Garden Ethic:Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future by Benjamin Vogt (2017)
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
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Episode 57: Psychoactive Plants of the Amazon forest with Dr Glenn H Shepard
17 september 2019 · 33 min
Dr Glenn H Shepard is an ethnobotanist, medical anthropologist and film maker whose work focuses on the indigenous peoples of the Amazon. He speaks eleven languages and has done fieldwork with diverse native groups in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East researching shamanism, medicinal plants, and traditional environmental knowledge. His work features in the documentary Spirits of the Rainforest. Lees meer
We talk about:
- Glenn's work with the indigenous people of the Amazon forest
- Biopiracy
- Medicinal/Psychoactive plants, in particular ayahuasca
- How psychoactive plants may be used in the West vs the countries they originate from
- The ecological and legal consequences of exporting psychoactive plants
- The fires in the Amazon forest
Links
Dr Glenn H Shepard Jr Blog - Notes from the Ethnoground
Glenn on Twitter @tweettropiques
Spirits of the Rainforest Documentary
The Ethnobotanical Assembly www.tea-assembly.com
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
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Episode 56: Edible Flowers with Jan Billington
10 september 2019 · 34 min
In this episode, I'm speaking to Jan Billington of Maddocks Farm Organics, a flower farm in Devon growing and selling organic edible flowers. We talk about the easiest and tastiest flowers you can grow, colour trends, some more unusual edible flowers and how you can use edible flowers for your own special event. The episode starts with Jan telling us about her farm and why she feels her business needs to give something back. Lees meer
What We Discuss:
Where to source edible flowers and what to look out for
Using them in a variety of ways
Flowers you can grow yourself
Flowers for insects
Colour trends
Unusual flowers
Links
Maddocks Farm Organics - www.maddocksfarmorganics.co.uk
The Scented Kitchen: Cooking with Flowers by Frances Bissell
Botanical Baking : Contemporary baking and cake decorating with edible flowers and herbs by Juliet Sear
Jekka's Herb Cookbook by Jekka McVicar
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
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Episode 55: Plants As Art with Alyson Mowat
3 september 2019 · 28 min
Alyson Mowat runs her studio out of Shoreditch in London and has been creating botanical masterpieces for the past 5 years. She works with indoor and outdoor plants to make visually stunning green displays and specialises in terrariums, jarrariums, aquascapes and kokedama to stage plants in unique ways. Lees meer
We talk about using plants to create visual statements, finding sources of inspiration and how you can try some of these techniques for yourself. For more information about Alyson, please check out her website www.alysonmowat.com and her book Terrariums and Kokedama
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
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Episode 54: Growing Orchids In Your Garden with Dr Wilson Wall
27 augustus 2019 · 23 min
This week I'm speaking to Dr Wilson Wall of Bewdley Orchids. Dr Wall is also the co-author of How to Grow Native Orchids in Gardens Large and Small and is a foremost expert on UK native orchids. In this episode, he talks about growing orchids in lawns, borders, containers…they're much more versatile than you might expect! Not only are they beautiful and versatile, if you grow them, you'll be doing your bit to conserve these plants as their numbers in the wild diminish. Lees meer
About Dr Wilson Wall
Wilson Wall is the Director of Bewdley Orchids, provider of native British orchids for individuals and groups to grow in their garden or meadow. Elected Fellow of the Institute of Biology (now the Royal Society of Biology) and Chartered Biologist, Wilson has a PhD in genetics and a long interest in growing orchids from seed. He has written several books before, of both single and joint authorship and was editor of The Clematis, journal of the British Clematis Society.
What We Cover:
The relationship between orchids and fungi
Which orchids are suitable for growing in gardens
Orchids that work in containers
Soil requirements
The sourcing of plants
Common pests and diseases
Links
Bewdley Orchids www.bewdleyorchids.com
How to Grow Native Orchids in Gardens Large and Small - by Wilson Wall and Dave Morgan. Published by Green Books. https://www.greenbooks.co.uk/how-to-grow-native-orchids-in-gardens-large-and-small
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
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Episode 53: Garden Design for Every Species with John Little of the Grass Roof Company
13 augustus 2019 · 29 min
This week I'm speaking to John Little. John founded the Grass Roof Company in 1998 and for the past 20 years, he's been designing and implementing gardens in public spaces that work for people, for plants and for wildlife. Lees meer
Often working in urban locations, he installs wildlife habitats and planting in some unusual places including on roofs and structures such as cycle shelters. He also includes many edible plants in his schemes in order to create beautiful and useful spaces that engage the community.
Maintenance and management is a key focus, and is vital to the success and longevity of his projects. We also talk about the need to revise traditional maintenance practices in order to reduce costs, save time and preserve wildlife.
About John Little
"John's life with green roofs started when he self built his own home in Essex. The green roof on John's new house consisted of the standard green roof structure, onto which he literally dumped soil from the foundations. That was 17 years ago and the roof is still growing strong. A few years ago a colony of Bee Orchids appeared from nowhere!!
He has since designed and built small green roofs buildings throughout South Essex and London over the last 20 years. often combining the living roofs with habitat walls made designed to support solitary bees.
John's company the Grass Roof Company does landscape contracting and green roof construction in Essex and London. John also part owns Green Roof Shelters, a company that produces modular design bike, bin and freight container green roofs.."
What We Cover:
How John creates gardens that mimic brownfield sites
Green roofs
The Clapton Park Estate project
Including edible plants in a community garden
John's favourite trees and herbaceous plants for wildlife
Links
John's Design Practice - The Grass Roof Company https://www.grassroofcompany.co.uk
Green Roof Shelters - the sister company to The Grass Roof Company, specialising in buildings and structures incorporating gre…
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Episode 52: Crops In Tight Spots with Alex Mitchell
30 juli 2019 · 28 min
This week I'm speaking to Alex Mitchell, aka the Edible Gardener. Alex is the gardening columnist for the Evening Standard and author of five books on gardening, including her latest 'Crops in Tight Spots'. Lees meer
I speak to Alex about growing edibles when space in tight and she has some brilliant tips and tricks about how to grow, what to grow and what not to bother with. Alex's book is based on years of experience and I respect her approach of trialling, experimenting (including catching pupae in jars and observing them as they hatch!) and just giving things a go. As a result of this hands-on experimentation, she's developed some nifty time, money and space-saving methods and she shares some of those with us in the episode. For the rest, you'll just have to buy the book!
About Alex Mitchell
"Alex Mitchell is a gardening writer who has been obsessed with growing things she can eat for about 20 years. Before this, she was obsessed with television. On balance, gardening is healthier. Alex is the weekly gardening columnist for The Evening Standard and has written five books about gardening and growing food. Previously she wrote a column for The Sunday Telegraph about growing fruit and vegetables, first in a polytunnel in a muddy field, which often made her cry, then in a little south London garden, which made her happy. She now gardens in a large space in Kent which makes her ecstatic though often overwhelmed.
She has written five books, The Girl's Guide to Growing Your Own – Or How to Grow Fruit and Vegetables Without Getting Your Hands Too Dirty, The Edible Balcony, The Rurbanite: Living in the Country Without Leaving the City, Gardening on a Shoestring and Crops in Tight Spots."
What We Cover:
Crops to grow indoors
Crops for pots
Recycling compost
Essential crops for ease and high yield
Creative training of tomatoes
Links
www.alex-mitchell.co.uk http://alex-mitchell.co.uk
Crops in Tight Spots - Alex Mitchell, 2019 https://www.waterstones.com/book/crops-in-ti…
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Episode 51: Low Allergen Planting with Olivia Kirk
23 juli 2019 · 23 min
This week I chat to Olivia Kirk about low allergen planting. Olivia works on both public and private gardens and has a number of show gardens under her belt, including a gold medal winning garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower show. She specialises in healing gardens and has worked on a number of projects such as hospice gardens, where the effect the garden can have on a person's physical health is of paramount importance. We often think about the positive effects on mental and physical health that gardens and green spaces can provide, but we don't often stop to think about the harm they might cause. Olivia explains how with a little bit of knowledge and a few relatively simple steps, we can make our environment a much better place for everyone, especially those suffering from allergies. Check out Olivia's work at www.oliviakirkgardens.com Instagram: oliviakirkgardens Lees meer
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
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Episode 50: The Garden Jungle with Professor Dave Goulson
16 juli 2019 · 32 min
This week I'm speaking to Dave Goulson, who is a Professor of Biology at the University of Sussex. Dave is also the founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and author of three books, the most recent of which is The Garden Jungle: or Gardening to Save the Planet. Lees meer
With the recent interest in wildlife gardens, we talk about how you can create a good environment for wildlife, but more importantly, how you can avoid actively harming the environment with your gardening habits.
About Dave Goulson
"After a childhood chasing butterflies and collecting bird's eggs, I studied Biology at Oxford University, and then did a PhD on butterfly ecology at Oxford Brookes University. Shortly afterwards I got a lectureship at University of Southampton, where I stayed for 11 years. It was there that I began to specialize in bumblebee ecology and conservation.
In 2006 I became Professor of Biology and Stirling University. In 2006 I also founded the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, a charity devoted to reversing bumblebee declines. In 2013 I moved to Sussex University.
I have published over 200 scientific articles on the ecology of bees and other insects, and am author of Bumblebees; their behaviour, ecology and conservation (2010, Oxford University Press) and A Sting in the Tale (2013, Jonathan Cape), a popular science book about bumblebees and The Garden Jungle: or Gardening to Save the Planet (2019, Jonathan Cape).
I am a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 2010 I was BBSRC "Social Innovator of the Year" and in 2013 I won the Marsh Award for Conservation Biology from the Zoological Society of London."
What We Cover:
What you need to look out for when buying plants and seeds
Plants for wildlife
Native vs non-native plants
The effects of pesticides and fungicides on wildlife
Links
The Garden Jungle: or Gardening to Save the Planet - Dave Goulson https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Dave-Goulson/The-Garden-Jungle--or-Gardeni…
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Episode 49: Running a Green Nursery
9 juli 2019 · 20 min
This week I'm speaking to Chris Williams, co-founder of Edibleculture, an inspirational nursery based in Faversham in Kent. From the day the nursery was established 5 years ago, ethically and ecologically sounds principles have been employed to create the brilliant business that exists today. Lees meer
We talk about how the nursery succeeds where so many others are failing to make changes; using peat-free compost, gardening organically without chemicals, eliminating single use plastics from their sales output and many other initiatives that make this nursery truly revolutionary.
Find out more about Edibleculture Ltd at www.edibleculture.co.uk and the paper pots Chris discusses at www.posipot.co.uk
Thanks to Linda from Hastings for giving me the heads up on Edibleculture and their work.
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
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Episode 48: Forest Bathing with Stefan Batorijs
2 juli 2019 · 28 min
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. Lees meer
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!
About Stefan
Stefan has been exploring the wild places for 50 years, and trained originally in Countryside Management, Conservation and Environmental Education. He is a qualified Integrative Psychotherapist and Mountain Leader, with 25 years experience facilitating individuals and groups in natural environments.
In 2008 he established the highly acclaimed Ecotherapy Project with Plymouth NHS, for people with severe and enduring mental health needs. Stefan is currently an Associate Lecturer at Plymouth University. He teaches the role of Nature and benefits of natural immersion for mental health and recovery from trauma on the Clinical Psychology Doctorate Training.
Stefan is passionate about trees, birds and Sacred land.
Stefan is a member of INFOM, the International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine and a member of the Eco-psychology Network.
What We Cover:
Stefan's personal journey through nature and into Shinrin Yoku
What Shinrin Yoku entails
The evidence behind why Shinrin Yoku works
An excercise from a typical session of Forest Bathing
Links
Nature and Therapy UK - check out the Resources page for excellent links to the research surrounding Forest Bathing http://natureandtherapy.co.uk
Contact:
Stefan Batorijs
3 Barnsey Gardens
Ashburton Devon
TQ13 7GA UK
stefan@natureandtherapy.co.uk
+44 1364 652162
Nature and Therapy UK on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shinrinyokuUK/
Common Fa…
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Episode 47: Going Peat Free with John Walker
25 juni 2019 · 39 min
Sarah speaks to the Earth Friendly Gardener, John Walker about the use of peat in our gardens. Lees meer
We all know it's bad, but how bad is it and what's being done to prevent the use of peat in horticultural products? Is it realistic to think we can eradicate our use of peat? John is one of the foremost experts on this topic and it's fascinating to hear his thoughts. Sobering stuff indeed... About John:
"As well as being a lifelong gardener and allotmenteer, I'm also an award-winning British gardening and environment writer with over 30 years combined experience in professional gardening, horticultural teaching and the garden media. I trained as a student gardener at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses, Cambridge University Botanic Garden, and at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, England, where I was awarded the Kew Diploma in Horticulture in 1986. I gained a Permaculture Design Certificate in 1997.
While in publishing, I've been both features and deputy editor of Garden Answers magazine, contributing editor of Kitchen Garden magazine, and have been technical editor of The Organic Way. My long-running 'digging deeper' column, exploring the connections between gardening and our wider environment first appeared in Organic Gardening (later Organic Garden & Home) magazine in 2006.
I write and blog about greener, earth-friendly gardening for national newspapers, magazines and websites. My work has been published in NFU Countryside, Garden Answers, Garden News, Grow It!, Kew magazine, Organic Gardening (later Organic Garden & Home), the Telegraph, The Garden, The Organic Way and Kitchen Garden, and online at the Guardian and Hartley Botanic.
I'm the author of the new and updated Weeds: An Organic, Earth-Friendly Guide to Their Identification, Use and Control and The Bed & Border Planner, the editor of A Gardeners' Guide to Annuals, and a major contributor to the Garden Organic Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening."
John's website is a treasure trove of articles and i…
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Episode 46: Growing Cut Flowers with Georgie Newbery of Common Farm Flowers
18 juni 2019 · 33 min
How many of us haven't dreamt of having an idyllic smallholding that allows us to be financially self-supporting, maybe even one that grows flowers by the barrowload? Well, this week's guest is living the dream! Lees meer
Common Farm Flowers is an artisan floristry and cut flower farm based in Somerset. Founded by Georgie Newbery and her husband Fabrizio in 2010, the ethos of the farm is to produce flowers that are Grown, Not Flown. Add to that Georgie's passion for wildlife, organic methods and her love of everything that grows and you have a successful business that produces eco-friendly, sustainable and beautiful floral creations.
As well as selling cut flower creations, Georgie also runs workshops and courses and has written two books on the subject. Her first book, the 'Flower Farmer's Year' is a great book for gardeners who want to grow a cut flower patch, whether for pleasure or for profit, and its sister volume, 'Grow Your Own Wedding Flowers.' is an inspiring floristry book for growers and people who enjoy arranging their own flowers. Check out her website www.commonfarmflowers.com to find out more.
What We Cover:
The values behind Common Farm Flowers
The current state of the cut flower industry
Good cut flowers for scent
What to grow if your space is limited
Shrubs that make a useful addition to your cut flower patch
Dealing with pests on a 7 acre site
Links
To order some of Georgie's amazing creations, call 01963 32883
www.commonfarmflowers.com
Georgie's Books https://www.commonfarmflowers.com/books.html
Common Farm Flowers on Twitter: @TheFlowerFarmer
Common Farm Flowers on Instagram: @commonfarmflowers
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
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Episode 45: Iain Tolhurst Stock-Free Farming Pt. 2
11 juni 2019 · 35 min
What happens to all the cows if everyone turns vegan? Lees meer
In Part 2 of Iain's talk, recorded at VegFest 2019, Iain addresses issues surrounding current farming practices. He describes how he believes stock-free is better in terms of carbon emissions and soil health and answers that common question; "what happens to all the cows if we all go vegan?"
If you're interested in gardening, many of Iain's practices are also applicable to small-scale and ornamental sites, as well as farms. Plus, if you're concerned about the impact of your food shopping habits, he presents some fascinating facts and figures.
With thanks to the Vegan Organic Network for inviting me along to record the session. http://veganorganic.net/
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
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Episode 44: Creating an Ark with Mary Reynolds
4 juni 2019 · 35 min
Mary Reynolds has a long and successful career in horticulture, which is underpinned by design, but has evolved along the way as she has striven to align her personal beliefs with her work. Lees meer
Starting out in landscape design, Mary went on to become the youngest gold medal winner at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2002 where she took the show by storm with her naturalistic Celtic Sanctuary Garden. The incredible story of her journey to Chelsea and the creation of the garden was told in the 2016 film 'Dare to be Wild'.
Mary continues to design gardens, seeking to create spaces "that are healing, truthful and magical". Her design ethos is set out in her 2016 book 'The Garden Awakening – Designs to Nurture Our Land and Ourselves' which she describes as "a practical treasure map that leads gardeners into a gentle and healing relationship with the land. This book is a step by step instruction manual drawing on ancient methods of working with the land and using them to invite the power and energy of nature back into your life".
In 2019, Mary launched an initiative called We Are The Ark, which invites gardeners, land owners and stewards to re-wild areas in their care. It's this project that we focus on mainly in this episode and Mary explains the idea behind the project and how we can all get on board.
What We Cover:
- Mary's career evolution
- We Are The Ark
- What stops people rewinding their land and how can we overcome these problems?
- Growing food yourself
- How this can work in urban areas or for those with small/no gardens
- What to watch out for when buying plants
- Establishing and managing your own Ark
- The future of garden design and gardening
Links:
www.wearetheark.org
www.marymary.ie
Mary on Instagram: wildmarymary
Claire & Joe on Instagram: irishforestgarden
Dr Masaru Emoto - The Hidden Messages in Water
Get in touch:
Email podcast@rootsandall.co.uk
Website www.rootsandall.co.uk
Twitter @rootsandall
Instagram rootsandallpod
Patreon Link…
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Budcast - Interview with Sarah Wilson
28 mei 2019 · 1 uur 2 min
Sarah is interviewed by podcast listener Joanne Richardson Lees meer
After a few prompts from listeners, Sarah takes the plunge and decides to be interviewed for an episode of the Budcast. Listener Jo does a fantastic job of asking the questions that were posed by listeners, so a huge thank you to her for taking over the reins of the show. This is the longest ever episode of the podcast but it's a not to be repeated event, so sit down with a cup of tea or glass of wine and enjoy!
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
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Episode 43: Social Therapeutic Horticulture with Damien Newman of Thrive
21 mei 2019 · 34 min
As the RHS Chelsea Flower Show opens its doors to the public today, it's interesting to see many of the gardens focus on the wellbeing and therapeutic benefits of spending time outdoors. Social Therapeutic Horticulture is a horticulture-based therapy that's growing in popularity in the UK as more people become convinced of the mental and physical health benefits of spending time outdoors and with plants. Lees meer
In this episode, I speak to Damien Newman of Thrive, a charity responsible for promoting and providing Social Therapeutic Horticulture throughout the UK. Thrive is also the leading provider of training for those entering the profession. The Thrive website states;
"Social and therapeutic horticulture is the process of using plants and gardens to improve physical and mental health, as well as communication and thinking skills. It also uses the garden as a safe and secure place to develop someone's ability to mix socially, make friends and learn practical skills that will help them to be more independent." - www.thrive.org.uk
Damien is hugely knowledgable and a great ambassador for the discipline of STH and this is a fascinating insight for anyone considering it as a career or a therapy.
We cover;
What is Social Therapeutic Horticulture (STH)
The origins of STH
Whether STH works for everyone and who benefits from it the most
Details of where to find evidence-based research supporting the benefits of being outdoors
How can somebody be referred into STH
How is STH applied at a practical level
What makes a therapy garden
How to embark upon a career in STH
Some info about the charity Thrive
About Damien Newman
"I have been working in health and social care for 20 years beginning in mental health care where I first noticed the impact of gardens and gardening for health and began to be involved in utilising gardens and nature within care approach. Teaching in the field across my career I had the privilege of moving to Thrive 10 years ago and now manage our tr…
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Episode 42: No Dig Gardening with Charles Dowding
14 mei 2019 · 17 min
Sarah attended a fantastic 2 day weekend course at Homeacres and posed these questions to Charles after the first day of the course was completed, based on what she had learnt up to that point. They talk about what No Dig means, if it works and how to apply the technique in your own garden or allotment. To find out more, check out Charles's informative website www.charlesdowding.co.uk where you can find links to his books, YouTube channel and also find out how you can attend one of his courses. Lees meer
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
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Episode 41: Giles Heap, Managing Director of CED Stone
7 mei 2019 · 35 min
This week, I'm speaking to Giles Heap, Managing Director of CED Stone. CED has a long history of supplying natural stone paving and facilitating the use of stone throughout the landscape and construction industries. Giles took over as the Managing Director of CED in 2013. Lees meer
We discuss:
- Sourcing stone ethically, including mention of the Ethical Trading Initiative
- Using materials appropriate to the job and the location
- Options for those looking to source local stone in the UK
- The production process and the environmental impacts of this
- Issues with permeability and drainage surrounding hard surfaces and how to overcome these
- The future of stone products
About Giles
"I have been working for CED for over twenty years, on and off in many different roles.
My specialities lean towards design specification and consultation using natural stone in both the Urban Realm and Landscaping arenas. With hands on experience in quarrying, production and remedial masonry work I tend to have a slightly more practical and straightforward view on stone, its capabilities and uses.
I regularly lecture (preach) on the use of natural stone, both in Urban Design and Garden Design to Landscape, Urban and garden designers, students and contractors and I am more than happy to write and present bespoke lectures on the subject.
Before working full time for CED, I have previously been a Publican, Bodyguard, Chauffeur, Night-club manager, doorman, and a whole host of other unusual careers!
With a slight addiction to Scuba diving, martial arts (although not so much now I'm a Dad!) and extreme sports, especially climbing, I am quite happy to "say it as I see it" and I am always willing to face a challenge!
As a member of the family that owns CED and the current Managing Director, my professional goal is to make us the best supplier of natural stone and hard landscaping products in the UK, by ensuring that the right advice and materials are used in our cities, parks and gardens, …
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Episode 40: Kitchen Garden Ideas with James Mellors
30 april 2019 · 23 min
Sarah chats to organic kitchen gardener James Mellors. Lees meer
They discuss organic, no-kill pest control, companion planting, interesting varieties and bees in your veg plot.
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
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Episode 39: Iain Tolhurst Vegan Organic Farming
25 april 2019 · 48 min
This episode is produced in association with the Vegan Organic Network. It was recorded at VegFestUK on the 23rd March 2019. Lees meer
Iain Tolhurst is a pioneer of what he terms Stock-free Farming; that is farming which uses no animal inputs. Based in South Oxfordshire, Iain talks about the history of his growing operation plus shares some unique practices he employs to maximise crops whilst making the farm a haven for biodiversity. He also gives figures about produce yields and carbon output of his farm, which are fascinating (and encouraging, for anyone considering this method of farming).
With thanks to Iain Tolhurst and The Vegan organic Network for allowing me to part of such a great day.
To find out more about Iain, including his courses, veg box scheme and consultancy work, please check out http://www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk
The Vegan Organic Network is the only organisation in the UK solely working for food to be grown the veganic way. Please check out their website to find out more about the important work they are involved in: http://veganorganic.net
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Episode 38: Wildlife Gardening with Kate Bradbury
23 april 2019 · 30 min
Following on from my episodes on native vs. non-native plants and gardening for wildlife, who better for me to interview than wildlife gardening guru Kate Bradbury? Lees meer
We talk about the best ways to garden for wildlife, including what to put in to your wildlife garden and what to leave out. Kate champions some unusual species and our conversation touches upon aspects that may surprise even the most seasoned wildlife gardener.
The timing was perfect too, as Kate's new book Wildlife Gardening for Everyone and Everything hit the shelves 5 days ago. Once she's tempted you with snippets of wildlife gardening gold, you can go buy the book and find out everything you need to know about turning your own garden, whatever its size, into a haven for all creatures great and small.
Providing shelter in the garden
Kate's top features to include in a wildlife garden
Kate's top plants for wildlife
Common mistakes we make when trying to help wildlife
The decline of certain species
Gardening for flies!
Resources for wildlife gardeners
About Kate Bradbury
Kate Bradbury is an award-winning author and journalist, specialising in wildlife gardening. She edits the wildlife pages of BBC Gardeners World Magazine and regularly writes articles for the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, The Guardian, RHS magazine The Garden and BBC Wildlife and BBC Countryfile magazines.
In 2015 she became the first Butterfly Ambassador for conservation charity Butterfly Conservation, and she writes a quarterly column for its members magazine, Butterfly. Kate regularly talks at events and festivals, and appears on radio including BBC Gardeners Question Time and the popular RHS gardening podcast.
She also makes wildlife gardening videos for gardenersworld.com. She lives and breathes wildlife gardening, and is currently transforming a tired north-facing patio garden into a wildlife oasis, where she hopes to attract a wealth of creatures including frogs, toads, newts, birds, beetles, hedgehogs, butterflies, n…
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Episode 37: Container Planting with Harriet Rycroft
9 april 2019 · 32 min
This week, I'm honoured to be joined by the Queen of Containers, Harriet Rycroft. Harriet worked for many years at Whichford Pottery in Warwickshire, where she became renowned for producing season after season of the most spectacular planting and colour combinations. Lees meer
Oh, and Harriet had the door open to her garden, so enjoy the birdsong!
We talk about:
The ideal container
Layer planting
Planting media
Feeding your pots
Well and badly behaved container plants
Pests in/on pots
Tricks for discouraging mice and squirrels
Planting combinations for the wow factor
About Harriet Rycroft
Harriet Rycroft switched careers to horticulture while her children were small and spent 14 years
working for Whichford Pottery. As Head Gardener she was responsible for planning, planting and
maintaining large displays of planted flowerpots of every conceivable shape and size and was careful always to provide plenty of planting inspiration for visitors all year round. With up to 500 plantings on display at any time the garden attracted many visitors and much praise from some of the UK's leading horticulturists.
While at Whichford Harriet also planned and planted container displays for events and shows,
including Chelsea Flower Show, and gave lectures and demonstrations both in the UK and abroad.
She now divides her time between writing about gardening and container planting, giving talks and demonstrations, and teaching container gardening online at LearningWith Experts.com. She still gardens at the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens and at home, where she usually has at least 200 planted containers on display. She's a keen photographer, using her camera to record her own workbut also as a way to celebrate gardens and the natural world generally and to share inspiration for the creative use of plants.
When she has a bit of spare time she writes a blog called "A Parrot's Nest' at https://harrietrycroft.com/ and can also be found chatting about plants and gardening and shar…
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Episode 36: Exotic Plants and Why Plant Lovers Should Fear December 2019 With Graham Blunt of Plantbase Nursery in Wadhurst
2 april 2019 · 28 min
To be completely contrary after her plea for gardeners to plant more native plants, Sarah interviews Graham Blunt of Plantbase, a nursery specialising in the most fabulous, exotic and downright bizarre plants! Lees meer
Graham talks about hardy palms, his favourite exotic trees, cacti and succulents that can be grown outdoors and how to overwinter caudex plants and bananas. Graham has also been intensively researching new regulations that come into play in December 2019 and how these will affect plant lovers. He reckons that Brexit will seem like a "small gust of wind" compared to the potential havoc wreaked by new CITES, Plant Health and Nagoya regulations due to come into effect on Dec 14th 2019. If you buy garden or indoor plants, this episode will be of real interest.
www.plantbase.co.uk
Plantbase,
Sleepers Stile Road,
Cousley Wood,
Wadhurst,
East Sussex,
TN5 6QX.
01892 785599
07967 601064
plantbaseuk@gmail.com
Twitter: @Plantbaseuk
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
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Episode 35: Daffodils with Adrian Scamp
26 maart 2019 · 26 min
The daffodils have been in full swing for a few weeks now and as today's guest, Adrian Scamp of Scamp's Daffodils tells us, we can expect them to carry on gracing us with their cheery blooms into May. Lees meer
Each year, I'm newly amazed by the indomitable daffodil; its ability to cope in all weathers, to grow in seemingly unpromising situations and to flower successively from December to May if you choose the right varieties.
This episode, we cover every question you had about daffodils but were afraid to ask! Adrian gives his expert advice on:
- When to order and when to plant bulbs (hint: order now!)
- The conditions favoured by daffodils including soil and aspect- When to feed and with what
- How to propagate
- Troubleshooting any problemsAbout Adrian
Scamp's Daffodils was started by Ron Scamp. Ron's passion for the daffodil developed as a child in the 1940's and 50's whilst spending his childhood on his uncle's daffodil farm in the Tamar Valley. In 1990 after years of growing daffodil varieties in his garden and greenhouse, Ron produced his first catalogue offering select varieties to other daffodil enthusiasts.
Over the years the collection has developed and now contains approximately 2500 varieties including modern, species and historical collected from all over the world. As a professional grower, Ron has achieved many awards including RHS gold, the E.H Trophy for best exhibit and the Lawrence Medal.
Adrian joined the company in 2007 and continues to grow and develop the collection. During the spring, they display their flowers at many shows and find this aspect of their work particularly enjoyable, as they meet other enthusiasts and customers both old and new. Each year, a list of the shows they will be attending is published in the news section of their website.
Adrian can be contacted by phone 07826 067175 or via email amscamp@qualitydaffodils.com Please leave a message on the mobile as Adrian is often on the fields with no phone signal.
Links:
Scamp's…
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Episode 34: Native and Non-native Plants - Part 2
19 maart 2019 · 15 min
Join Sarah for a brief recap of why native plants are better than non-native, before a delve into the more positive impact gardeners can have in ensuring wildlife has a future in our landscape. Lees meer
Part 2 of this exploration of native vs. non-native plants looks at the reality of what happens when natural and human habitats collide. Sarah discusses Darwin Comes to Town, a book by Menno Schilthuizen, which explores how nature is adapting to fit in with our urban landscapes but as in Part One, the conclusions she comes to about the future of our wildlife aren't pretty! However, the second half of the episode looks at how we as gardeners and growers can help make a difference, no matter how big or small our plot.
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
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Episode 33: Wild Food Tasting Session
13 maart 2019 · 21 min
Rough & Ready Audio Alert! Lees meer
This is a bonus episode recording of the wild food tasting session that took place before the main interview with forager Michael Wachter, which aired in Episode 18.
A supporting blog post featuring a photo and names of the plants that were sampled can be found on the Roots and All blog. As with the main episode, this episode and the blog post are not to be used as guides to foraging. Please do not attempt to eat any wild plants unless you are capable of correctly identifying them or you are accompanied by someone who can.
Please note, there is much giggling, background noise and chewing audible throughout, which is not standard for there Roots and All podcast which is usually impeccably produced and edited!
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
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Episode 32: Foraging with Michael Wachter
12 maart 2019 · 31 min
In this episode, I'm talking foraging with expert forager Michael Wachter. Michael has masses of experience when it comes to living outdoors sustainably and being self-sufficient, having lived on a remote island off the North Coast of Germany. He also regularly treks across the landscape both in the UK and abroad, with nothing but a sleeping bag and his survival kit, foraging for food along the way. Lees meer
Michael currently lives and works in East Sussex, where he indulges his passion for plants at every opportunity. We only scratched the surface of his experiences and if you ever have the opportunity to hear him speak, I urge you to do so, you will be spellbound as he recounts his adventures!
We cover:
The best places to find wild food
How to forage in your own garden, however limited you are on space
Michael's trek along the South Coast of England
The philosophy of foraging
About Michael Wachter
Born in the rolling hills of North Bavaria along a river in Bamberg, Michael studied landscape architecture near Frankfurt. After a short stint working in an office, he went to work for the protection of mainly seabirds on the North Coast of Germany, before coming to England in 2014.
He currently works as a gardener in East Sussex and indulges his passion for wild plants on a daily basis.
Links:
Michael Wachter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michael_wachter/?hl=en
Robin Harford's site provides great information, plus he produces a podcast on the topic: https://www.eatweeds.co.uk
The Woodland Trust's guide to foraging sustainably: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/things-to-do/foraging/
Wild Food & Foraging UK Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/WildFoodUK/
The website of Samuel Thayer, a foraging resource for listeners in the US: https://www.foragersharvest.com
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 & inde…
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Episode 31: Native and Non-native Plants
5 maart 2019 · 16 min
Sarah explores the reasons we all need to go native in our gardens. Lees meer
From declining insects and struggling bird populations to invasive species and plants for pollinators, Sarah looks at the impact planting non-native species in our gardens can have. Acknowledgement to Douglas W Tallamy for the excellent research presented in his book Bringing Nature Home.
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
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Episode 30: Hedgehogs with Hugh Warwick
26 februari 2019 · 37 min
UK HEDGEHOGS NEED YOU! Since 2000, UK populations of hedgehogs have declined 30% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas. Today's guest, Hugh Warwick, estimates hedgehog populations have dropped by 90% or more since the second world war. Based on these horrendous figures, we can deduce if we don't start helping them right away, these beautiful animals could be facing extinction. Lees meer
That's where we, as gardeners, come in. Hugh talks about how we can encourage hedgehogs into our gardens and how we can best look after those who decide to share our space.
We cover:
Encouraging hedgehogs into your garden
Supplemental feeding and watering
Ensuring hedgehog safety in the garden
The importance of creating a network to facilitate hedgehogs' movements
How to identify and deal with poorly hedgehogs
About Hugh Warwick
Hugh is an ecologist and author with a particular interest in hedgehogs. He is a spokesperson for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, runs the Oxfordshire campaign, HedgeOX and is a regular contributor to radio and television. He has written two books about hedgehogs … and much to the distress of his family, has plans for more!
Links:
https://www.hughwarwick.com
Hugh on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hedgehoghugh
Link to the video we discussed, where Hugh drills through a perfectly good wall in aid of helping our hedgehogs, a worthy sacrifice!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8joMexoVo38&feature=youtu.be
Hedgehog Street: https://www.hedgehogstreet.org
British Hedgehog Preservation Society
Website: https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hedgehogsociety
Telephone 01584 890801
Email info@britishhedgehogs.org.uk
State of Britain's Hedgehogs 2018 Report: https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/state-britains-hedgehogs-2018/
Hugh's project the HedgeOX campaign aims to help Oxfordshire's hedgehogs:
Website: https://www.hedgeox.org/?fbclid=IwAR2FJwEaBz4Wejdl5PRWn5R-hFq9b8yUCqWrCSwSOes8_HjMpxTqj3Z4S3E
Facebook: https://www.face…
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Episode 29: Allotments Part 2
19 februari 2019 · 37 min
Back by popular demand, it's Part 2 of taking on and managing an allotment. With Louise Bell. Lees meer
Listen as we talk about what to do with your allotment over winter, which crops you should be growing, when to harvest and if you only have time to do one job, which should it be. The follow up to Allotments Part 1 - Episode 5 of the podcast, published on 7th August 2018.
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
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Episode 28: Poisonous Plants with Dr Liz Dauncey
12 februari 2019 · 32 min
Have you ever wondered which are the most poisonous plants in your house and garden? Do you know how plant toxins work and how to handle poisonous plants safely? What are we, as gardeners, most at risk of when dealing with our beloved plants? And which risks are sometimes blown out of proportion? Lees meer
Join me as I speak to botanist Dr Liz Dauncey about poisonous plant facts, myths and interesting cases. And if you're particularly fascinated by the macabre and want to find out the most gruesome way to go, plus which poisons are untraceable, listen on!
About Dr Elizabeth A. Dauncey
Liz is a botanist with a PhD in Plant Taxonomy during which she undertook a taxonomic revision of Dendrobium section Pedilonum, a group of orchids from South-East Asia. She spent most of her career as a botanical toxicologist working for the Poisons Unit of Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital in London, on joint initiatives with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Her work involved developing strategies and products to reduce the number of poisoning incidents involving plants, and to improve the identification of plants by treatment centres. She worked with the Horticultural Trades Association on their 'Harmful?' campaign that introduced a list of 117 plants on sale in garden centres that should carry warnings on their pot labels. Liz subsequently spent four years with Kew's Medicinal Plant Names Services, which enables effective communication about medicinal plants in health, regulation and research. She now works freelance, writing books, providing information and advice about plant toxicity, and undertaking poisonous plant surveys.
Liz is author of Poisonous Plants: A Guide for Parents and Childcare Providers (Kew Publishing, 2010) and co-author of Plants That Kill: A Natural History of the World's Most Poisonous Plants (Kew Publishing, 2018). Plants That Kill is now also available in German, Dutch, Italian and Japanese! She is currently co-authoring a follow-on book called Plants That Cure, due to…
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Episode 27: Open Source Seeds
5 februari 2019 · 10 min
An episode dedicated to Esiah Levy. A short intro to seed sharing and open pollinated varieities. Lees meer
Sadly, Esiah Levy who you may have heard interviewed in Episode 12 of the Podcast, passed away on the 22nd January. This episode is dedicated to sharing his passion for seed sharing and open pollinated seeds, and will hopefully inspire you to add some of these varieties to your patch this year. Please check out the GoFundMe set up to help Esiah's young family: https://www.gofundme.com/esiah-levy
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
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Episode 26: Super Organic Vegan Gardening with Matthew Appleby
29 januari 2019 · 27 min
Matthew Appleby is a multi award-winning horticultural journalist who regularly writes for gardening magazines, national newspapers and the industry bible Horticulture Week. Matthew is a long-time vegan and organic gardener and has a wealth of growing experience upon which to base his new book, The Super Organic Gardener. The book is released on the 31st January 2019 and I spoke to Matthew about what it means to garden in this style. Lees meer
We touched upon:
The definition of organic and vegan gardening
Why veganism is gaining so much traction
What products do and don't qualify for use in a vegan garden
What is no-dig gardening
Vegan composts, green manures, fertilisers , seeds and plants
Matthew's reasons for practising vegan gardening
Further reading:
The Super Organic Gardener - Matthew Appleby
Jan 2019 - Pen & Sword
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Super-Organic-Gardener-Paperback/p/15572
Charles Dowding - No-Dig Gardening
https://www.charlesdowding.co.uk
Poyntzfield Herb Nursery
https://www.poyntzfieldherbs.co.uk
Delfland Nurseries
https://www.delfland.co.uk
Walcot Organic Nursery
https://walcotnursery.co.uk
Hulme Garden Centre
https://hulmegardencentre.org.uk
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
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Episode 25: Caroline Cotton of Fertile Fibre
22 januari 2019 · 31 min
Why it's good to know what goes in your compost, especially if you want to shop ethically, sustainably and/or vegan. Lees meer
"Since the 1980's Fertile Fibre have been producing peat free coir based organic composts. Fertile Fibre have also been working closely with the Vegan Society and the Biodynamic Association to develop composts which are specifically tailored to meeting the needs of those growers. I talk with Caroline about what goes into making Fertile Fibre composts, what you should look for when making purchasing decisions about composts and fertilisers and why this is important. For more info visit www.fertilefibre.com
Further contact Information;
Fertile Fibre Ltd
Withington Court
Withington
Hereford
HR1 3RJ
Tel: 01432 853111
Email: info@fertilefibre.com
Twitter: @fertilefibre
Facebook: fertilefibre
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
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Episode 24: Cleve West
15 januari 2019 · 40 min
In this episode, I talk with critically acclaimed garden designer Cleve West about his journey to a vegan lifestyle and how this impacts upon his work. Lees meer
We touch upon vegan gardening, cooking, farming for vegan and meat based diets and why we all need to think about the mark we leave on our gardens and the wider environment.
Further resources;
www.clevewest.com
Our Plot by Cleve West. Published in 2011 by Frances Lincoln
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Plot-Cleve-West-2013-04-04/dp/B01K939IVO/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=X4JTJ0GQZVM0R9T860M9
Earthlings – a 2005 documentary
http://www.nationearth.com
Cowspiracy
http://www.cowspiracy.com
Forks Over Knives
https://www.forksoverknives.com
Land of Hope and Glory – Documentary
https://www.landofhopeandglory.org
Knepp Farm
https://knepp.co.uk
Matthew Appleby – The Super Organic Gardener. Published 31st Jan 2019 by Pen and Sword.
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Super-Organic-Gardener-Paperback/p/15572
Iain Tolhurst – Tolhurst Organic
http://www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Growing-Green-Organic-Techniques-Sustainable/dp/0955222516
BOSH Cookbook
https://www.bosh.tv/book/bosh-the-cookbook
Dr Michael Greger
https://nutritionfacts.org
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
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Episode 23: Ivy with Angela Tandy of Fibrex Nurseries
18 december 2018 · 21 min
Fibrex is a family run nursery, started by Hazel & Dick Key over half a century ago. The business is still run by family members; Angela works alongside her sister, brother and sister-in-law, as well as other family members, to make the nursery the success it is today. Lees meer
In addition to being respected horticultural experts, they hold two National Collections and continually attain top accolades at flower shows such as RHS Chelsea, Hampton Court, Malvern and Gardeners World Live.
The nursery is open to visit, but they also offer an excellent mail order service and you can order plants through their website.
Key talking points with Angela were:
Growing ivy as a houseplant
Ideal growing conditions for ivy indoors
Ideal growing conditions for ivy outdoors
Different growth habits and the suitability of certain species for certain garden situations
Fast and slow growing varieties
Pruning
Benefits to wildlife
Unsuitable situations for ivy
Growing ivy in containers
If you'd like to view and shop the full range of Ivy that Fibrex Nurseries has to offer, you can visit their website:
https://www.fibrex.co.uk
Nursery Contact Information:
Fibrex Nursery LTD
Honeybourne Road
Pebworth
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 8XPTelephone: 01789 720788
Email: sales@fibrex.co.uk
Opening Hours
1 Mar - 31 Aug: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
1 Sept - 28 Feb: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
1 Apr - 25 Jun: Sat-Sun 10.30am-4pmTwitter @FibrexNurseries
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Fibrex-Nurseries-Ltd-217275455080317/
Instagram fibrex_nurseries
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
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Episode 22: Esiah Levy's SeedsShare Project
4 december 2018 · 25 min
Born in 1986 to Jamaican parents in South East London, Esiah Levy is a London-based creative Food Grower, Gardener Designer and the founder of SeedsShare, a project sending edible plant seeds all over the world. Lees meer
SeedsShare is a project set up by Esiah in December 2016 to provide organic seeds which can be sown to produce free food and provide long-term food security for Individuals or community gardening groups, particularly in areas where organic fresh produce is at a minimum. Countries which have SeedsShare seeds growing include Japan, Canada, Peru, Indonesia, France, America, the Netherlands, Russia and more!
What makes the SeedsShare unique is all seeds are grown and harvested locally in Esiah's own garden and various plots around London. All seeds are 100% free with only postage to pay to get your hands on them!
Key talking points were:
What is an heirloom vs. a hybrid variety? Which is better and why?
What are the easiest types of seed to collect and save?
As a seed distributor, is the SeedsShare subject to any regulations or legislation?
Can you explain the implications of legislation surrounding seeds?
Esiah has great social media accounts that are well worth a follow! You can find and connect with him here:
twitter / instagram / facebook - @croydongardener
Website – www.SeedsShare.co.uk
Linkedin - Esiah Levy
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
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Episode 21: Climate Change Gardening - Panel Discussion
30 november 2018 · 51 min
Gardening in A Changing Climate Lees meer
This is a recording of a panel discussion that took place at a Designers' Day event on 27th November 2018. The sound quality is pretty raw and not up to our excellent standards, as we recorded in a polytunnel in the lashing rain! The topic up for debate was how climate change is affecting the way designers design gardens for clients. Or not, as the case may be! A straw poll at the beginning revealed that in a room full of garden designers and landscapers, about 4 said their work had been influenced by a changing climate. Which is comforting, or frightening, depending on how you look at it...
Although the debate was intended to be heard by designers, there are definitely words of wisdom that can be applied in gardens or all shapes and sizes, and by gardeners at all levels.
The panel is chaired by Jack Wallington. The designers taking part are your host Sarah Wilson, Emma Page and Nic Howard.
The event was held at How Green Nursery in Hever, Kent. How Green Nursery is a trade nursery supplying plants to retailers, landscapers, designers, local authorities and historic gardens. They also supply plants for show gardens, including the RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. Thanks to the guys at the nursery for hosting an informative and thought-provoking event.
Further Information
The Roots and All website - https://rootsandall.co.uk
https://twitter.com/rootsandall
https://www.facebook.com/rootsandalluk/
https://www.instagram.com/rootsandallpod/
Email: podcast@rootsandall.co.uk
How Green Nursery - 01732 700382 - www.howgreennursery.co.uk
Jack Wallington www.jackwallington.com
Emma Page www.natureredsigned.co.uk
Nic Howard www.we-love-plants.co.uk
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Episode 20: Plant Life Cycles
27 november 2018 · 9 min
Decoding plant categories so you can tell how long your plant will live. Lees meer
This episode sees the introduction of a new segment, 'Getting to the Roots of...' and this week we're going back to basics to find out the differences between annuals, biennials, perennials etc. so you know how long to expect your plant to live.
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
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Episode 19: BioChar with Craig Sams of Carbon Gold
20 november 2018 · 31 min
This episode, I'm talking BioChar with Craig Sams, the co-founder of Carbon Gold, a company that produces a range of BioChar products for the garden but also for agricultural use. I interviewed Craig in his beautiful garden in Hastings, so please excuse the cries of the seagulls who tried to get in on the act around halfway through the interview. Lees meer
We discuss:
- What is biochar?
- Why did people start to produce biochar? What are its origins?
- How is it produced?
- Does it matter what kind of biomass goes into the kiln to make the biochar? Do the end results vary depending on the input?
- What is the difference between biochar and simple BBQ charcoal? Won't BBQ charcoal be almost as good?
- What does it actually 'do' – how does it help plants?
- Is there a rule of thumb regarding which soils and which types of crops it works best on?
- How is it best to apply?
- Can you apply too much?
- Is it for application on new plantings only – or is it also good for mature specimens?
About Craig: Before this interview, I probably knew more about Craig than about his product, because he's a legend in many fields, not least in food and growing. He founded the first macrobiotic restaurant in London in 1967 and went on to start Harmony Foods, which later became Whole Earth Foods. He and his friends provided the food for the first ever Glastonbury Festival in 1972. In 1991, he and his wife Josephine Fairley founded Green and Black's. He was Chair of the Soil Association from 2001-2007 and is the author of four books, including the seminal text 'About Macrobiotics'.
Craig's website is www.craigsams.com
To read more about/buy BioChar products, go to www.carbongold.com
To read more about the CarbonGold Tree Rescue and to nominate a tree, visit https://www.carbongold.com/save-a-veteran-tree-for-free/
Follow CarbonGold on Twitter: @carbongold
Like on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarbonGold
Further Resources
The Greenhouse Gas Removal Report https://royalsociety.org/~/me…
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Episode 18: Aesthetic Ecology with Toby Diggens
6 november 2018 · 36 min
Have you ever noticed how natural landscapes always seem to work? The colours, shapes, scale and textures of a natural landscape appear pleasing to the eye despite little or no human input. It's this sense of innate beauty in nature, speaking to us on an almost subconscious level, that interests today's guest Toby Diggens. Lees meer
We speak about naturalistic and ecological gardens which incorporate elements of nature that gardeners have traditionally sought to keep out. Key talking points were:
Naturalistic planting and designing – elaborating on what Toby refers to as Aesthetic Ecology
The importance of plants as food for invertebrates
Unpopular plants that are actually good for wildlife
The best wildflowers/weeds for wildlife
Wildflowers that are too badly behaved for the garden
Ornamentals that work well in naturalistic gardens
Resources for those interested in practicing wild gardening
Toby's top tips for wild gardeners
About Toby: Toby Diggens runs Digg & Co., a design studio focussing on ecological landscape design and architecture. His style is one which brings ecological science into the design process, and marries this with the aesthetic and artistic practice of design. Toby studied Landscape Architecture at the University of Gloucestershire and received distinctions in both Post Graduate Diploma and Masters. His masters work, entitled Second Nature explores how wild life can be brought back into our cities and towns through the understanding of ecology as a function rather than only an aesthetic. A great lover of plants, he sees the opportunity of beautiful landscape design, touched by a hint of the wild, as a moving way to rekindle the human passion for the natural world, and hopes that his work, regardless of scale, adds both drama and beauty, but importantly nature back into the gardens and parks of the UK and beyond.
To contact Toby his email is below: You can also request a copy of his Masters work.
toby@diggandco.co.uk
Or Follow his Instagram
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Episode 17: Terry Woods - Fox-A-Gon
23 oktober 2018 · 24 min
Do you welcome foxes into your garden or are they the bane of your life when it comes to growing plants and keeping a clean and tidy plot? Foxes can be a joy to watch but a pain when they're digging up your plants! In this episode, I speak to animal behaviour expert and fox aficionado Terry Woods. Terry is co-founder of Fox-A-Gon, a company which offers organic and ethical solutions in situations where foxes may be unwelcome visitors. Lees meer
We discuss common problems that can occur when sharing our gardens with foxes and Terry dispels some of the myths and misunderstandings surrounding these occasionally maligned animals. Terry offers a refreshing and common-sense perspective to living alongside wildlife based on his decades of experience and observation.
The Fox-a-Gon website is a fantastic resource if you'd like to find out more about co-existing with foxes. It also provides solutions to dissuade them from visiting your plot, should you need them. Their FAQ page is comprehensive and no-nonsense; I highly recommend it as your first port of call if you need even general advice about foxes, it really does provide some brilliant information.
Points of interest;
The Law as it relates to fox control/removal in the UK
Feeding foxes
Why foxes dig up plants
Foxes and cats
Foxes and humans
Urban foxes
Injured foxes
Guest follow up;
Terry Woods founded Fox-A-Gon alongside Graham Le Blond. The company is based in the South East, however they work all over the UK.
www.fox-a-gon.co.uk
Telephone: 0208 925 9639
Mobile: 07768 903 043 / 07973 414 935
Further useful resources;
The Fox Project – www.foxproject.org.uk
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
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Episode 16: Listener Questions
16 oktober 2018 · 11 min
Sarah fields listener questions about herbaceous border maintenance in October and when to prune pieris. She reports back on her visit to the Great Dixter Plant Fair and there's a little bit of housekeeping too. Lees meer
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