Episode 323: Wildflowers, Community and Urban Nature
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Release Date: 02/17/2025
Where will the horti cool kids be in September?
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
I’m joined by designer Will Tomson, whose work blends creativity with a deep commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. We chat about some of his exciting projects involving recycled aggregates, who inspires him, his Talking Plants events which he runs with Amy Langron and Katy Merrington, plus we lift the lid on a new and exciting event happening this September for anyone interested in practical, hands-on gardening tips from the best in the game. Links Talking Plants website Talking plants instagram @talking_plants_sheffield Will Tomson/Creative Cultivation instagram Amy...
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Episode 345: GMOs in the Garden
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Pat Thomas is Director of Beyond GM, and we explore the hidden realities of GMOs, the implications of new "Precision Breeding" legislation, and how these changes could affect gardeners, small-scale growers, and our food future. From campaigns like Stop Hidden GMOs to looking at the global landscape regarding GMO policies, Pat offers essential insights and practical advice on where to learn more and how to take action. Links You can help fund the legal case by donating at Check out the Stop Hidden GMOs for more information Read more about GMOs at Other episodes if you liked this one:...
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Episode 344: Lee Miller - Chef and Gardener
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Lee Miller lived many lives—model, surrealist, war correspondent—but it was in the kitchen and garden at Farleys House that she found a kind of peace after the chaos. In this episode, Lee’s granddaughter Ami Bouhassane discusses her book Lee Miller: A Life with Food, Friends and Recipes, and offers an intimate portrait of her grandmother’s postwar years. We explore how cooking became a creative outlet, the mystery of the unpublished Entertaining Freezer, and the role of the garden in shaping Lee’s later life. Links ) – Explore her life as a surrealist, model, war correspondent,...
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Episode 343: Lines Across the Wild
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Writer and naturalist Julian Hoffman joins me for a dive into his latest book Lifelines, exploring the fragile beauty of threatened landscapes, the deep connections between wildlife and culture, and what it means to belong—to a place, to a species, to a song. From regent honeyeaters losing their voices to the shifting borders that divide both people and animals, Julian shares stories that remind us of what’s at stake, and what still remains. Links Other episodes if you liked this one: 🎧 Episode 53: “Irreplaceable” with Julian Hoffman In this earlier visit, Julian explores the...
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Episode 342: Healsville Sanctuary: Creating Habitats
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Episode 342: Healsville Sanctuary: Creating Habitats Luke Boyle is the Horticulture Manager at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia—a leading conservation zoo nestled in native bushland, dedicated to protecting and showcasing Australia’s unique wildlife. We chat about the incredible work Luke and his team are doing to ensure the sanctuary is not just a safe and enriching haven for animals, but also an inspiring and welcoming place for human visitors. Links Zoos Victoria “Fighting Extinction” Program Learn how Healesville Sanctuary is part of statewide efforts to...
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Episode 341: Sun Safety for Gardeners
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
I’m joined by Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, and horticulturists Rachel Reynolds, Paul Kimberley and Jenny Warner, who share their personal experiences with skin cancer. With temperatures on the rise, we explore why sun safety is essential for anyone working outdoors, how to protect yourself effectively, and the serious risks of not taking the sun seriously. Links Melanoma Focus is a national charity dedicated to providing help and support to melanoma patients and healthcare professionals as well as raising awareness of melanoma, the 5th most common cancer in the UK. As...
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Episode 340: The Nature of Resilience
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Author Nic Wilson speaks about her memoir, Land Beneath the Waves. We delve into how her relationship with the natural world has provided insight and resilience in the face of chronic illness, and how our surroundings can shape and reflect our inner landscapes. Links Official Website – The central hub for Nic’s writing, including her memoir Land Beneath the Waves, Guardian Country Diary contributions, newsletter subscription (“Only Connect!”), book tour dates, and the Peat‑Free Nurseries list. A central portal with quick links to her website, book launch, newsletter, and...
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Episode 339: Growing Veg in Antarctica
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Lockie Scicluna is part of the crew living and working at Australia’s remote Mawson Station in Antarctica. Lockie is closely involved in the station’s hydroponic growing setup — an ingenious system that allows the team to produce fresh vegetables in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. We talk about the challenges of growing food without soil or sunlight, and why having a growing operation might matter more than you might think. Links Lockie on Instagram Other episodes if you liked this one: 🌱 Episode 226: Soil Bacteria & Rhizophagy Summary: In this episode, I delve...
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Episode 338: Real Organic vs Regenerative Farming
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
I’m joined by Dave Chapman, host of the US chart-topping Real Organic Podcast. We dive into the rise of “regenerative” as the latest industry buzzword, the troubling reality of corporate consolidation in agriculture, and how antitrust issues are threatening the future of truly organic food. We also explore the key differences between organic food markets in the U.S. and the EU—and what they might mean for growers and consumers alike. Links Other episodes if you liked this one: 🌱 Episode 334: Food Farming Revolutionary with Joshua Sparkes Summary: In this episode, I speak with...
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Episode 337: Orchid Obsession
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
I’m joined by author Sarah Bilston to explore the strange allure of orchids and the daring—and often destructive—pursuits of the plant hunters who sought them. We delve into the economic and ecological entanglements of botany, the lasting impacts of orchid mania on countries like Brazil, and what we risk losing when we oversimplify the tangled roots of horticultural history. Links by Sarah Bilston Other episodes if you liked this one: 🌱 1. Episode 154: Modern Plant Hunters with Dr. Sandy Primrose In this episode, Dr. Sandy Primrose discusses the legacy of Victorian-era plant hunters...
info_outlineI’m joined by Richard Scott and Polly Moseley from the Scouse Flowerhouse to explore the transformative power of community gardens. They share insights on using wildflowers to create vibrant, biodiverse spaces that benefit both people and wildlife, as well as the challenges and rewards of managing community green spaces. Listen on to discover how their work is weaving nature into urban communities.
Links
Other episodes if you liked this one:
If you liked this week's episode with Richard Scott & Polly Moseley you might also enjoy this one from the archives:
1. Episode 275: Community Gardening
Synopsis: This episode delves into the world of community gardening, exploring how shared green spaces can foster community spirit, provide fresh produce, and promote environmental stewardship. The discussion highlights the benefits and challenges of managing communal gardens and offers insights into starting and sustaining such projects.
2. Episode 173: Sharing and Borrowing Gardens
Synopsis: In this episode, host Sarah Wilson speaks with Joyce Veheary, founder of Lend and Tend, an initiative that connects garden owners with individuals who lack their own gardening space. They discuss how this platform facilitates the sharing and borrowing of gardens, promoting community engagement and making gardening more accessible to everyone.
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