Japanese Gardens
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Geeta Mehta, author of Japanese Gardens, talks about the beauty, philosophy, and deep cultural roots of Japan's garden traditions. We delve into how these serene landscapes reflect harmony, mindfulness, and a unique dialogue between nature and design. Links on Wikipedia Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Geeta Mehta you might also enjoy this one from the archives: Episode 271: Japanese Maples with Miles Hayward Summary: In this episode, Sarah Wilson speaks with Miles Hayward, an expert in Japanese Maples and founder of Miles Japanese Maples...
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Episode 334: Food Farming Revolutionary
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Joshua Sparkes is a grower whose innovative, soil-centered approach blends regenerative principles with a deep reverence for the natural world. We dig into his unique style of farming, how it’s shaped by observation and experimentation, and why it offers a glimpse into what must be the future of sustainable food production. Links Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Joshua Sparkes you might also enjoy this one from the archives: Episode 328: Soil, Health & Nutrition Guest: Sam Hamrebtan Link: Nutritional therapist and sustainable cooking...
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Episode 322: Garden Wildlife Ponds
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
I’m joined by Pete Case from the Freshwater Habitats Trust to dive into the world of garden ponds—why they can be crucial for wildlife, how to create one, and what makes them such a powerful tool for conservation right in your own back, or front, garden. Whether you've got a bucket or a full-blown pond, this one’s for you. Links Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Pete Case you might also enjoy this one from the archives: Will Johansen is from Froglife, a conservation group devoted to protecting amphibians and reptiles. Will’s here...
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Episode 333: Designing for Habitat and Biodiversity
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Ecological designer and waterway whisperer Emmaline Bowman, talks about her mission to heal landscapes through nature-led design at her practice Stem Landscape Architecture & Design. We dig into the magic of restoring ecosystems, how nature-led design is possible and feasible from a business perspective and the knock-on effects of starting the ball rolling one green space at a time. Links Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Emmaline Bowman you might also enjoy this one from the archives: This week’s guest is eco gardener, landscape...
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Episode 331: Doug Tallamy Revisited
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Today’s episode is a bit different because I’m not well at the moment and the podcast has taken a back seat to hospital visits and sleeping lots I’m afraid. But, out of something negative comes a positive because I decided to re-master and re-release an episode from the back catalogue, and this week we’re dipping back into Episode 97 with Doug Tallamy. But we’re not just hitting replay. We’re bringing new light to it, inspired by last week’s conversation with the incredible Kelly Morse… Links Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Kelly...
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Episode 330: Ecological Art for the People
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Kelly Morse is co-founder of 70|30 Studio—a design practice with a mission to rewild spaces and reconnect people with nature. Kelly’s work blends ecology, sustainability, and creative design to transform how we experience the natural world. We’ll be discussing the philosophy behind 70|30 Studio, the challenges and rewards of integrating wild landscapes into urban environments, and how we can all bring a little more nature into our everyday lives. About Kelly Morse is an ecological landscape designer, writer, and environmental artist. She is an award-winning author and founder...
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Episode 329: Wildlife Garden, Australia Style
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
I’m joined by the brilliant AB Bishop, a passionate advocate for wildlife-friendly gardening and author and journalist. We dive into the incredible ways AB has transformed her outdoor space into a thriving habitat for native birds, insects, and other creatures. If you’re keen to make your patch more biodiverse and buzzing with life, plus find out about Australia’s incredible flora and fauna, this one’s for you! Links AB Bishop is a renowned horticulturist, conservationist, and writer specialising in Australian native plants and wildlife-friendly gardening. Here are some of her notable...
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Episode 328: Soil, Health and Nutrition
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Nutritional therapist and sustainable cooking expert Sam Hamrebtan explores the vital connection between soil and the nutrients in our food. As the founder of the Life Larder newsletter and Course Director at CNM’s Natural Chef School, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge on how growing practices impact the quality of what we eat. Sam talks about nourishing both the land and ourselves. Links Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Sam Hamrebtan you might also enjoy this one from the archives: This episode, my guest is qualified herbalist Meghan...
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Episode 327: Following in the Footsteps
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Explore the deep connection between movement, landscape, and wellbeing In this episode featuring author and academic Kerri Andrews. We talk about her book Pathfinding and the profound impact of walking in nature. Discover how walking can be an act of reflection, discovery, and even resistance. Kerri shares insights from history and her own experiences, reminding us why putting one foot in front of the other is more powerful than we might think. Links www.kerriandrews.co.uk https://kerriandrews.co.uk/ Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Kerri Andrews you...
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Episode 326: Glyphosate
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Investigative journalist Carey Gillam talks about glyphosate, one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. Carey has spent years researching its impacts on health and the environment, as well as the discussions surrounding its regulation and use. She talks about her research, the science behind this particular herbicide, and the effects of the chemical on soils and our health. Links Learn more about Carey: At Her books:
info_outlineHello and welcome to this episode of Roots and All. This week, I’m speaking to landscape architect Sally Bower. Sally has just been awarded the main RHS prize for her Bursary Report titled ‘Nature Rising from the Rubble’ which looks at gravel and recycled aggregate gardens in Essex and London. Specifically, Sally looked at John Little’s Hilldrop garden, RHS Hyde Hall, Beth Chatto’s gravel garden, the Langdon Nature Discovery Car Park and the Horniman Museum Grasslands garden and her findings were invaluable if you’re interested in designing with or growing in these types of media, and Sally had some surprising findings of note too.
Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Harlequins
What We Talk About
The purposes of the study and the distinctions between the different growing media used by people creating gravel/rubble gardens
Is this style of gardening be appropriate across the whole of the UK?
Big Sky Meadow - is this style of planting is as labour intensive as a traditional flower border might be?
In Beth Chatto’s garden, when beds are newly installed or are refreshed, they are subject to double digging during which process mushroom compost is incorporated to improve soil fertility. How does this gel with the idea that plants grow really well in low fertility, well-drained gravel substrates?
John Little’s private garden and how it is built to encourage biodiversity
How important is a site specific approach?
One of the gardens is a success because once the plants grow through the aggregate and reach the clay below, they grow happily and healthily. Isn’t this just a gravel mulched garden rather than a proper gravel garden?
How gravel gardens make a positive environmental contribution
Why does soil which contain demolition waste high in lime capture carbon more quickly?
Sally’s favourite example of this type of garden from the ones she wrote about
About Sally Bower
Based in Liverpool, I’ve been a landscape architect and garden design for over 20 years. My designs aim to develop attractive low impact schemes which reconnect people with nature, support wildlife and respond to the site and its setting. I am particularly interested in what it means to make a ‘wild’ garden and brownfield gardens for biodiversity and wildlife.
Links
Link to Sally’s Report - ‘Nature rising from the rubble’
Other episodes if you liked this one:
John Little of the Grass Roof Company