Episode 378: Growing a Sustainable Nursery
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Release Date: 03/30/2026
Episode 397: Britain's Gardening Questions
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Have you ever wondered who answers all those gardening questions that stump the rest of us? This week I'm chatting to Leigh Hunt, Principal Horticultural Advisor at the RHS, about what really goes on behind the scenes of the Society's advice service, the questions gardeners ask most often, and what those thousands of enquiries reveal about the way we're gardening in a changing climate. Benny’s Insect of the Week: Mexican Grass-Carrying Wasp 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 Leigh,...
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Episode 396: Fermenting the Seasons
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Could the secret to better health be sitting in a simple jar on your kitchen counter? Today I'm joined by food writer and fermentation expert Rachel de Thample to explore how fermentation can rewild the gut microbiome, preserve the seasons, and prove that making your own fermented foods is much easier than most of us think. Benny’s Insect of the Week: The Bee Wolf Links Rachel on Instagram - Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you enjoyed this week’s episode with Rachel, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:...
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Episode 395: Small Actions, Big Change
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
The biggest changes in how we care for nature might start just outside our front door. This episode, I'm joined by adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys to discuss his latest book, Unwilding, and explore why reconnecting with the natural world is less about escaping to the wilderness and more about noticing what's already around us—from litter picking to climate handprints, and the power of small, everyday actions. Benny’s Insect of the Week: The Weld Bee Links Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you enjoyed this...
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Episode 394: Keeping Plant Stories Alive
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
What if the plants around us are carrying stories we've forgotten? This week, I'm joined once again by Amanda Edmiston of Botanica Fabula to explore her latest book, a rich blend of folklore, social history and the enduring stories of plants. We talk about how this knowledge is passed down through generations, and why now is the perfect time to start asking the people around us about the plants and traditions they remember. Benny’s Insect of the Week: The Sieve-winged Snailkiller Links Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you...
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Episode 393: My Body is a Meadow
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
What if the biggest barriers to experiencing nature aren't natural at all? Today, I'm joined by author, poet and disability activist Bethany Handley to explore accessibility, belonging, and how redesigning our landscapes could create richer places for both people and wildlife. Benny’s Insect of the Week: The Cinnabar Moth Links The Book Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you enjoyed this week’s episode with Bethany, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives: In this episode, Sarah talks to Sandra Schwarz about...
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Episode 392: Knepp's Rewilded Garden
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
What happens when you stop trying to control a garden and start working with nature instead? This week, I'm joined by Charlie Harpur, head gardener at Knepp, to explore rewilding, biodiversity, and why careful observation and systems thinking can transform the way we garden. Benny’s Insect of the Week: The Pantaloon Bee Links A to all the garden tours and workshops And a to the Knepp garden blog which, written by Moy Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you enjoyed this week’s episode with Charlie, you might also enjoy these...
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Episode 391: Letting the Wild In
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
What if the secret to a better garden is letting go of control? This week I’m joined by gardener and conservationist Sue Mabberley from Nant-y-Bedd in the Black Mountains, where four decades of working with nature have created a thriving wildlife haven. We discuss the value of so-called weeds, gardening for biodiversity, and why even the smallest garden can make a difference. Benny’s Insect of the Week: Yellow Loosestrife Bee 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 Sue, you might...
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Episode 390: Gardens with a Cause
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
Can a show garden change minds as well as win medals? This week, I’m joined by Martha Krempel and Tina Worboys, whose Chelsea gardens championed peatland restoration and dementia research. We discuss whether the impact of a show garden can justify its environmental cost, and explore the power of gardens with a purpose. Benny’s Insect of the Week: Jewel Wasp Links - manufacturers of amber structures in Tina’s garden Please support the podcast on And follow Roots and All: On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn If you enjoyed this week’s episode with Martha Krempel and Tina...
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Episode 389: Down to Earth
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
What if the key to better health, stronger communities and a more sustainable future lies beneath our feet? This week, I'm joined by author Robert Ashton to discuss his new book Down to Earth and explore our relationship with soil. From farming and education to mental health and conservation, Robert reveals why reconnecting with the land could be one of the most important challenges of our time. Benny’s Insect of the Week: The Shieldbug Stalker 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...
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Episode 388: Connecting Through Plant Stories
Roots and All - Gardening Podcast
What if the secret to connecting more deeply with nature lies in the stories we tell about plants? This week, I’m joined by landscape architect and Plant Connection podcast host Lisa Cutshaw to explore how folklore, history, and careful observation can transform the way we see the natural world. Benny’s Insect of the Week: The Harlequin Ladybird 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 Lisa Cutshaw, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives: In this episode, John...
info_outlineWhat does it really take to run a small, sustainable nursery? This week on Roots and All, I’m joined by nurseryman and designer Ben Preston of Cliff Bank Nursery for an honest conversation about the realities of the job—from growing in sand and selling bare root plants to why local nurseries matter more than ever, and why it’s truly a labour of love.
Benny’s Insect of the Week: The Orange Ladybird
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Links
Instagram: @cliff_bank_nursery
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If you liked this week’s episode with Ben, you might also enjoy this episode from the archives:
Episode 284: The Organic Nursery
In this episode, Sarah speaks with Sam Frings about building and running an organic nursery, exploring the challenges of growing plants sustainably, maintaining ethical practices, and creating a resilient small business — making it a perfect companion to today’s discussion on the realities of nursery life.
Episode 175: Seeking Rare Plants
Nick Macer of Pan Global Plants joins Sarah to share his passion for unusual and hard-to-find plants, discussing plant sourcing, selection, and what it takes to run a specialist nursery — an ideal follow-on from today’s conversation about plant choice, diversity, and the role of small growers.