Episode 223: Hedges and Living Boundaries
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Release Date: 02/07/2023
Episode 407: Living Alongside Garden Wildlife
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
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. Benny’s Insect of the Week: Long-winged conehead Links Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you enjoyed this week’s episode with Kevin, you might also enjoy...
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Episode 406: Should We Stop Feeding Birds?
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
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Episode 405: Reimagining City Spaces
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
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Episode 404: Uncovering the Biodiversity of Gardens with Johnnie Johnson
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
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Episode 403: Climate Adaptation, Plant Evolution & Design
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
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Episode 402: The Art of Cottage Gardening
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
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Episode 401: Seeing Plants Differently
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
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. Benny’s Insect of the Week: Fig-Leaf Skeltoniser Links Blog Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook ...
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Episode 400: Growing a Living Pharmacy
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
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Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
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Episode 398: Rewilding Childhood
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Blending storytelling with facts can encourage children to see the wildlife on their doorstep in a completely different way. In this episode, I’m talking to children’s author and wildlife expert Sonia Copeland Bloom about storytelling, wildlife and getting children curious about the natural world. Benny’s Insect of the Week: Rock Rose Prickly Leaf Beetle Links by Sonia Copeland Bloom, with illustrations by Nick Page First edition ISBN 978-917673-54-9. Available on Amazon, to order from all good bookshops, including Amazon Kindle and on along with Sonia's six smaller books. For...
info_outlineThis week’s guest is Roger Hirons, a horticultural expert and speaker, who’s been in the industry for over 35 years. Roger has just released a really excellent book called the Gardener’s Guide to Hedges and Living Boundaries, which covers preparation and design advice for establishing a new living boundary; advice on dealing with existing boundaries in need of restoration or extension; planting for both your human and wildlife neighbours and also a directory of some really interesting hedging plants, climbers and trees.
Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: The Swallowtail
What We Talk About
Why plant a hedge or living boundary instead of installing a fence?
What is a living boundary?
Which plants are well suited to creating a fedge?
What plants are good for wildlife?
Boundaries that are low maintenance
Boundaries that are good for security
Mounds aka bunds
Wall shrubs
Tips for staking newly planted plants
Hedges that are good for wildlife
When to cut a hedge if being considerate of bird nesting and feeding behaviours
About Roger Hirons
Roger Hirons has been a horticultural speaker for over thirty years, presenting to garden clubs and societies as well as the University of the Third Age and the Women's Institute. Since studying horticulture at Pershore College, he has also run and co-run plant centres and worked in the landscaping industry for nearly twenty years.
Links
Gardener’s Guide to Hedges and Living Boundaries by Roger Hirons - The Crowood Press Ltd, October 2022
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