Episode 322: Trees and Crops Better Together
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Release Date: 02/10/2025
Episode 322: Trees and Crops Better Together
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Trees and crops—better together! This week on Roots and All, I’m joined by Andy Dibben, co-author of Silvohorticulture, to explore how agroforestry can revolutionise our growing spaces for a more resilient and productive future. Links by Andy Dibben & Ben Raskin Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Andy Dibben you might also enjoy this one from the archives: - My guest this week is Ben Raskin, the Soil Association’s Head of Horticulture and Agroforestry. Ben is the author of several books on gardening, including Zero-Waste Garden...
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Episode 321: Weathering It All
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Join me for a timely exploration of how weather shapes our landscapes, ecosystems, and personal experiences of the natural world. Writer and naturalist Matt Gaw discusses his latest book, In All Weathers. As we face an increasing onslaught of extreme and unpredictable weather patterns across the globe, Matt’s reflections on walking through the elements—be it storm, drought, or downpour—offer both a poetic and urgent perspective on our relationship with the forces that govern life on Earth. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on resilience, adaptation, and the beauty found in...
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Episode 320: Channelling Wild Gods
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Tom 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 Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's...
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Episode 319: New Build Gardens
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Andrew Jackson is changing the future of garden spaces for new builds with his groundbreaking initiative, the New Build Manifesto. Drawing on over a decade of experience as a Director in social housing, Andrew is now channeling his expertise to advocate for better quality garden spaces that benefit both homeowners and nature. His campaign brings together developers and homeowners to create enriching outdoor environments that enhance living experiences and support biodiversity. Links Instagram Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Andrew...
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Episode 318: Care Not Capital
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Returning guest John Little is on a collaborative mission to revolutionise the way we care for green spaces in order to ensure they deliver for people and for wildlife. John has set up a new initiative called Care Not Capital which is about investing in gardeners and recognising them as the key piece they are in the green spaces jigsaw. Links Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with John Little you might also enjoy this one from the archives: - This week I’m speaking to John Little. John founded the Grass Roof Company in 1998 and for the past 20...
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Episode 317: The Lawnmower
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
I'm joined by Clive Gravett, founder of The Budding Foundation and The Museum of Gardening. Clive is a passionate advocate for preserving gardening history, and he's here to share fascinating insights into the history of the lawnmower—an invention that revolutionised gardening as we know it. We also touch on the important work of The Budding Foundation in supporting education and young people through gardening. Links Museum of Gardening: Visit the Museum of Gardening's official website at . The museum is located at the South Downs Heritage Centre in Hassocks, West Sussex, and explores the...
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Episode 316: The Dry Exotic Garden
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Explore the extraordinary world of exotic gardening with Paul Spracklin, author of The Dry Exotic Garden. Paul shares his infectious passion for transforming gardens conditions into lush, visually striking landscapes using drought-tolerant plants. Tune in to hear about the inspiration behind his book, the unique joys of cultivating exotic species, and the techniques that make gardens with drought loving plants not just possible, but breathtakingly beautiful. About The Dry Exotic Garden Discover everything you need to know about designing, choosing and planting cacti and succulents to create a...
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Episode 315: Interview with Mark Gregory
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Prepare to be inspired! I am chatting with legendary landscape designer Mark Gregory, founder of Landform Consultants. With over 35 years of experience and a treasure trove of RHS Chelsea Flower Show awards under his belt, Mark shares his take on creating breathtaking gardens, the artistry of garden design, his career and the landscaping business. This interview is a great insight into a career spent crafting perfection! Links Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Mark Gregory you might also enjoy this one from the archives: - My guest this week...
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Episode 314: Nurturing Growth, Inside and Out
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Get ready for an inspiring journey as I’m joined by RAF Warrant Officer Pete Welsh—a man whose story spans the adrenaline of military life to the quiet power of the garden. While excelling in a remarkable military career and contributing to an RHS award-winning community garden, Pete has also confronted the profound challenges of mental health. Through the therapeutic calm of gardening and the transformative power of community connections, he’s found resilience and growth. Pete’s journey reveals the extraordinary parallels between cultivating plants and healing ourselves. Links...
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Episode 313: Plants for Shade
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Your garden’s shadows can actually be stunning, vibrant spaces! In this episode, I chat with Susanna Grant, author of Shade and founder of the London-based shady plant shop, LINDA. Susanna joins me to discuss shade-loving plants and how to bring life and vibrancy to those darker corners of our gardens. About Susanna Grant Susanna Grant is founder of Linda, a garden designer, planting specialist and writer, author of Shade (Quarto). She organises the Spring Plant Fair at The Garden Museum, and The Autumn Plant Fair at Arnold Circus where she is a volunteer and a trustee. Links Susanna Grant...
info_outlineTrees and crops—better together! This week on Roots and All, I’m joined by Andy Dibben, co-author of Silvohorticulture, to explore how agroforestry can revolutionise our growing spaces for a more resilient and productive future.
Links
Silvohorticulture: A grower's guide to integrating trees into crops by Andy Dibben & Ben Raskin
Other episodes if you liked this one:
If you liked this week's episode with Andy Dibben you might also enjoy this one from the archives:
235: Woodchip - My guest this week is Ben Raskin, the Soil Association’s Head of Horticulture and Agroforestry. Ben is the author of several books on gardening, including Zero-Waste Garden and The Community Gardening Handbook. His latest book is ‘The Woodchip Handbook’, which I was very excited to read and even more excited to speak with Ben about, because I’ve long been a fan of using wood chip in the garden. In the interview, we cover the many uses for woodchip in the garden, how it can help with plant and soil health, what sort of wood makes good chip and the do’s and don’ts of using it.
137: Dr Glynn Percival of Bartlett Tree Experts - This episode is brought to you by the team at The Real Soil Company. Launched to the market in 2020 The Real Soil Company proudly offers new organic, peat-free SuperSoil. Packed full of organic nutrients for optimal plant health, SuperSoil’s natural ‘boosters’ will stimulate quicker plant establishment and better resilience against pests and disease, whilst also enabling edible crops to benefit from nutritional enhancement and a higher crop yield. The enhanced soil also offers better water retention and release for optimum plant growth, whilst providing a more balanced and workable material for gardeners.
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