Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
This time, I’m the one in the hot seat. In this reflective end-of-year episode, Kelly Baldry takes over as host to ask searching questions about the podcast, changing minds, climate contradictions, and the limits of horticulture as a mental-health cure, alongside a deeper look at my work with Veterans’ Growth and what it really means to create safe, supportive spaces in and beyond the garden. Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn
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Sandra Schwarz talks about her new book Restore, and shares how her research led her to identify six universal qualities that make landscapes restorative. We talk about the complexities of “owning” nature, who restorative gardens are really for, and how designers can create spaces that meet people where they are. It’s a thoughtful, hopeful conversation about greening with intention. Links Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you liked this week's episode with Sandra Schwarz you might also enjoy these ones from the...
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Linden Groves of the Gardens Trust talks about the vital—and surprisingly vulnerable—protections for our historic parks and gardens, and the government’s proposal to remove the Trust’s statutory consultee role. We unpack what this would mean for our green spaces, why it matters to all of us, and how people can help. Links Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you liked this week's episode with Linden Groves you might also enjoy this one from the archives: Sarah speaks with landscape designer and rewilding advocate...
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I’m joined once again by permaculture designer and author Pippa Chapman to explore how beauty, productivity and wildlife-friendly principles can all thrive together in the garden. We dive into her creative approach, the ideas behind her new book, and how small, thoughtful changes can transform any space into a resilient, edible ecosystem. Links Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you liked this week's episode with Richard Hayden you might also enjoy this one from the archives: Sarah speaks with Pippa Chapman about her...
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Richard Hayden of New York’s High Line talks about how the space has grown and transformed—its evolving plantings, newly added areas, and the thoughtful maintenance practices that have helped it become a beloved, essential part of daily life for both residents and visitors. We trace how this once-industrial rail line has matured into one of the city’s most treasured green spaces. Links Please support the podcast on Patreon And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you liked this week's episode with Richard Hayden you might also enjoy this one from the...
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I’m joined by Chris Whitelock, author of Growing Fruit, to explore how modern varieties are reshaping the way we grow fruit at home. We discuss everything from choosing space-saving or container-friendly trees to tackling pests, diseases, and even the challenge of keeping birds off your harvest. Links Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn
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I’m speaking with Karen Hall, Program Director of Ecological Education at the Institute for Applied Ecology, about an inspiring initiative that connects conservation with social rehabilitation. We explore what ecological education involves, the features of the landscape and ecology of the region where Karen works and how changes to funding have affected these conservation in the efforts. Links Staff profile at IAE: — her bio, role description and contact information. Curriculum materials she oversaw: — downloadable education-units with her listed as Program Director. ...
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Nancy Matsumoto discusses her new book Reaping What She Sows, an exploration of the women transforming our broken food system from the ground up. We talk about what an alternative food system really looks like, why women are at the forefront of this movement, and how they’re reimagining the way we grow, distribute, and consume food could offer a more just, sustainable, and human-centric future. Links Other episodes if you liked this one: In this episode, Pete Russell discusses how the platform Ooooby links customers with small‑scale local growers, promoting a shift away from the...
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This episode, Nicolas Salazar of Guardians Worldwide explores the often-overlooked role of rocks in our designed environments. We discuss their carbon storage potential, their deep relationship with plants, and why removing rocks from landscapes may have more impact than we think. It’s a conversation that challenges us to see rocks not as static objects, but as vital, living parts of ecological systems. Links Other episodes if you liked this one: In this episode, host Sarah Wilson speaks to Giles Heap of CED Stone about sourcing natural stone ethically, using materials appropriate to...
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Gardens Illustrated editor Stephanie Mahon has curated the magazine’s first ever book, The New Beautiful — a celebration of gardens that reflect today’s shifting ideas of beauty, sustainability, and design. We discuss what defines a ‘Gardens Illustrated’ garden, how the featured spaces in the book were chosen, about the evolving role of perennials to the challenges of capturing a garden’s true character in a photograph, Stephanie shares insights from her years at the forefront of garden publishing — and offers a glimpse into where garden design might be heading next. Links ...
info_outlineTom Hirons is a poet whose work resonates deeply with the primal and ungovernable forces of nature, the human condition, and the intersections where they meet. His writing, including the much-lauded poem Sometimes a Wild God, stirs something ancient within, reminding readers of the chaos and beauty that lie at the heart of existence. In this conversation, we delve into the inspirations and philosophies behind his work, exploring the wild, untamed forces that shape his poetry and his perspective on creativity.
Links
Instagram @bearspeakstothestars
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If you liked this week's episode with Tom Hirons you might also enjoy this one from the archives:
282: Song of the Garden - This week my guests are Northern California based musical duo Misner & Smith. Sam, who is Misner, and Megan, who is Smith comprise one of the most acclaimed acts in the Americana world. Blending elements of that genre with bluegrass, traditional folk ballads, and more pop leaning ideas, they’ve been described as making music that is gloriously nonconforming. Aside from their musical chops, Sam & Megan are expert gardeners who focus on pollinators, sustainability and community gardening. Listen on to find out how their connection to nature feeds into their music.
219: The Wheel of the Year - My guest this week is Dr Rebecca Beattie. Rebecca has just released a book called ‘The Wheel of the Year’, which is a look at what is happening in nature and in ourselves as the seasons move from one to the other. She suggests tools and rituals to rediscover and appreciate each seasonal festival, giving you a chance to pause, reflect and connect you to the wheel of your own life. As this is the last episode of 2022 and the winter solstice is just 2 days away, I thought this would be a perfect way to wrap up the year and to encourage you to take time to appreciate, well time, as it passes and as things shift from one state of being to another. Christmas can be a frenetic time so I hope you can take half an hour out of your schedule to sit down and listen to Rebecca and to contemplate your place in the wheel of the year.