Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

Do you want to know how to grow plants and get the best out of your outdoor space? Do you find traditional gardening media baffling and/or boring? Then you’re in the right place, because the Roots and All podcast is here to dig deep into how to create a successful garden. If you want honest information and insider knowledge about how to get results, join irreverent horticulturist Sarah Wilson as she chats to the best people from the world of plants and gardens. Sarah is on a mission to help you create your own beautiful green environment, with a focus on saving resources and working with nature. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to make sure you don’t miss an episode.

Episode 339: Growing Veg in Antarctica 06/09/2025

Episode 338: Real Organic vs Regenerative Farming 06/02/2025

Episode 337: Orchid Obsession 05/26/2025

Episode 336: Creating an Ark 05/19/2025

Episode 336: Creating an Ark In this episode, I’m speaking with Mary Reynolds—renowned landscape designer, author, and founder of the rewilding movement We Are The Ark. This episode originally aired in 2019 and it’s particularly pertinent as it coincides with the start of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where Mary, won a gold medal winner for her ground-breaking, naturalistic garden which at the time was a revelation. Mary has long championed a shift from traditional gardening to a more nature-centric approach. Her initiative, We Are The Ark, invites gardeners, landowners, and stewards to rewild areas under their care, transforming them into sanctuaries for biodiversity. This conversation delves into Mary's journey, the philosophy behind We Are The Ark, and practical steps we can all take to support nature in our own spaces. As we face increasing environmental challenges, Mary's insights offer a timely reminder of the power each of us holds to make a difference. Whether you have a sprawling garden or a small balcony, this episode provides inspiration and guidance on creating your own "Ark" for nature. Links 1. Official Website – Mary Reynolds Mary Reynolds' official website offers insights into her philosophy, projects, and design approach. 2. We Are The Ark – Rewilding Movement Mary founded the "We Are The Ark" initiative to encourage people to transform their gardens and land into safe havens for nature. 3. Book: The Garden Awakening: Designs to Nurture Our Land and Ourselves In this book, Mary shares her vision of creating gardens that are in harmony with nature, blending practical advice with spiritual insights. 4. Book: We Are The Ark This book expands on the principles of the "We Are The Ark" movement, providing guidance on rewilding and creating sanctuaries for biodiversity. 5. Film: Dare to Be Wild A biographical drama inspired by Mary Reynolds' journey to winning a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Mary Reynolds you might also enjoy this one from the archives: 🌿 Episode 293: The Rewilding of Molly McFlynn with Sue Reed In this episode, Sarah Wilson converses with author Sue Reed about her novel The Rewilding of Molly McFlynn. Set against the backdrop of the rugged Northern landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic, the story follows Molly McFlynn as she reconnects with nature and embraces her identity as an outsider. The discussion delves into themes of personal transformation, the healing power of wild spaces, and how fiction can inspire real-world ecological awareness. 🦔 Episode 21: Wildlife Gardening with Kate Bradbury Summary: Sarah Wilson interviews wildlife gardening expert Kate Bradbury about creating gardens that support biodiversity. They explore essential features to include, such as shelter and specific plant choices, as well as common misconceptions about wildlife-friendly gardening. Kate shares insights from her book Wildlife Gardening for Everyone and Everything, offering practical advice for transforming any outdoor space into a haven for wildlife. Please support the podcast on Patreon /episode/index/show/rootsandall/id/36607985

Episode 335: Japanese Gardens 05/12/2025

Episode 334: Food Farming Revolutionary 05/05/2025

Episode 332: Garden Wildlife Ponds 04/21/2025

Episode 333: Designing for Habitat and Biodiversity 04/21/2025

Episode 331: Doug Tallamy Revisited 04/14/2025

Episode 330: Ecological Art for the People 04/07/2025

Episode 330: Ecological Art for the People Kelly Morse is co-founder of 70|30 Studio—a design practice with a mission to rewild spaces and reconnect people with nature. Kelly’s work blends ecology, sustainability, and creative design to transform how we experience the natural world. We’ll be discussing the philosophy behind 70|30 Studio, the challenges and rewards of integrating wild landscapes into urban environments, and how we can all bring a little more nature into our everyday lives. About Kelly Morse is an ecological landscape designer, writer, and environmental artist. She is an award-winning author and founder of . As co-founder of Symbiocene Project she collaborates with artist and others to create environmental, community-centred art installations, including and . Links Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Kelly Morse you might also enjoy this one from the archives: This week I’m speaking to Dr Mike Edwards, Chief Listening Officer at Sound Matters, a company focussed on using sound and listening to create more sustainable and resilient futures. Sound Matters provided the soundtrack to the Rewilding Britain garden that one best in show at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Mike recently spoke passionately about climate change, soundscapes and landscapes at the Beth Chatto Symposium and wowed a lecture theatre full of rapt listeners with his prowess on the didgeridoo. In this episode, I talk with gardener, TV presenter, and wildlife advocate Chris Baines about the evolution of wildlife gardening since the 1980s. Chris shares his experiences designing the first wildlife garden at the Chelsea Flower Show and offers practical advice on mimicking natural habitats, such as woodland edges, to support biodiversity. We also discuss the importance of documenting garden wildlife and how individual efforts contribute to broader conservation goals. Please support the podcast on /episode/index/show/rootsandall/id/36011930

Episode 329: Wildlife Garden, Australia Style 03/31/2025

Episode 329: Wildlife Garden, Australia Style I’m joined by the brilliant AB Bishop, a passionate advocate for wildlife-friendly gardening and author and journalist. We dive into the incredible ways AB has transformed her outdoor space into a thriving habitat for native birds, insects, and other creatures. If you’re keen to make your patch more biodiverse and buzzing with life, plus find out about Australia’s incredible flora and fauna, this one’s for you! Links AB Bishop is a renowned horticulturist, conservationist, and writer specialising in Australian native plants and wildlife-friendly gardening. Here are some of her notable works: This comprehensive guide offers practical advice on designing, planting, and maintaining gardens that support local wildlife. It emphasizes understanding the interconnectedness of backyard ecosystems to create authentic habitats. (co-authored with Phillip Withers) This book provides inspiration and guidance on transforming outdoor spaces into naturalistic Australian gardens. It focuses on plant selection, materials, wildlife habitats, soil information, and design principles to establish thriving environments. As the horticultural editor, AB Bishop has contributed numerous articles covering topics such as composting, pruning native plants, and garden design. Her writings offer valuable insights and practical tips for gardeners. Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with AB Bishop you might also enjoy this one from the archives: Episode 38: Wildlife Gardening with Kate Bradbury In this episode, I speak with wildlife gardening expert Kate Bradbury about creating gardens that support and attract wildlife. We discuss the best practices for designing wildlife-friendly spaces, including plant choices and features to include, as well as common mistakes to avoid. Kate shares insights from her book Wildlife Gardening for Everyone and Everything, offering valuable advice for gardeners looking to make their outdoor spaces more hospitable to various species. Episode 160: Making a Wildlife Garden with Chris Baines In this episode, I talk with gardener, TV presenter, and wildlife advocate Chris Baines about the evolution of wildlife gardening since the 1980s. Chris shares his experiences designing the first wildlife garden at the Chelsea Flower Show and offers practical advice on mimicking natural habitats, such as woodland edges, to support biodiversity. We also discuss the importance of documenting garden wildlife and how individual efforts contribute to broader conservation goals. Please support the podcast on /episode/index/show/rootsandall/id/35919245

Episode 328: Soil, Health and Nutrition 03/24/2025

Episode 327: Following in the Footsteps 03/17/2025

Episode 326: Glyphosate 03/10/2025

Episode 325: Growing in the Garden 03/03/2025

Episode 324: Kitchen Garden Living 02/24/2025

Episode 323: Wildflowers, Community and Urban Nature 02/17/2025

Episode 322: Trees and Crops Better Together 02/10/2025

Episode 321: Weathering It All 02/03/2025

Episode 320: Channelling Wild Gods 01/27/2025

Episode 320: Channelling Wild Gods 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 episode with Tom Hirons you might also enjoy this one from the archives: - 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. - 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. /episode/index/show/rootsandall/id/34998345

Episode 319: New Build Gardens 01/20/2025

Episode 318: Care Not Capital 01/13/2025

Episode 317: The Lawnmower 12/16/2024

Episode 316: The Dry Exotic Garden 12/09/2024

Episode 316: The Dry Exotic Garden 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 drought-tolerant garden in this lavishly illustrated guide with experts forecasting reduced summer rainfall, xeriscaping – the practice of landscaping with minimal water – is now a popular choice for many gardeners. Links : A Gardener’s Guide to Xeriscaping with Succulents by Paul Spracklin Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Paul Spracklin you might also enjoy this one from the archives: - This week’s guest is Philip Oostenbrink, Head Gardener at Walmer Castle and Gardens, Collections Coordinator for Plant Heritage in Kent, Plant Trials committee member for the RHS and self-confessed jungle plant nut. Philip has just published a new book titled ‘The Jungle Garden’ and in this interview, I talk to him about what a jungle garden is, whether they can work in shady and sunny aspects, easy jungle plants, rarer ones, plant hardiness, seasonal and winter interest and where to get plants. - This week’s guest is Nick Macer, plant hunter, self-taught botanist, rare species expert and owner of Pan Global Plants, a nursery based in the Severn Valley, which, to quote the website, offers “a selection of the finest, most desirable and often rarest plants capable of growing on these isles”. And that’s key – Nick hand selects plants, in the past, directly from where they were growing in the wild and brings them into cultivation. He’s renowned for choosing sublime varieties and for openly sharing his knowledge and experience. I did intend to talk to Nick a bit about his plant hunting trips, but as a stop has been put to these recently due to rules around the transportation of plant materials, the conversation went in other directions. /episode/index/show/rootsandall/id/34333520

Episode 315: Interview with Mark Gregory 12/02/2024

Episode 314: Nurturing Growth, Inside and Out 11/25/2024

Episode 314: Nurturing Growth, Inside and Out 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 Veterans' Growth: A charity focused on providing horticultural therapy to veterans dealing with mental health challenges. You can visit the official site at Tadpole Garden Village: This community initiative has a focus on gardening and sustainability. You can find more information about their activities and community updates through their dedicated website at Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Pete Welsh you might also enjoy this one from the archives: - This episode my guest is Alan Heeks, former corporate world inhabitant, organic farmer, coach and author of the book ‘Natural Happiness’. After his transition into organic farming, Alan realised that “a cultivated organic ecosystem is a profound guide to tending human nature, and that organic growth methods have parallels for people: such as composting your stress, and using crop rotation to avoid burnout.” We explore the idea further… - In this episode I’m speaking to horticultural therapist Carol Sales. Carol headed up a therapy garden in a prison, before moving over to lead the Therapy Garden at Headley Court, a rehabilitation centre for injured military veterans. Carol is featured in many books, including Head Gardeners by Ambra Edwards and Sue Stuart-Smith’s The Well Gardened Mind and she was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2019. /episode/index/show/rootsandall/id/34119091

Episode 313: Plants for Shade 11/18/2024

Gardening for Amphibians 11/11/2024

Episode 311: Radical Rest 11/04/2024

Episode 311: Radical Rest What if rest could be a radical act of resistance? In this episode, I talk with Evie Muir, author of Radical Rest, who challenges the myth that burnout can be cured by self-care alone. Evie offers a bold vision of rest as a communal, transformative practice grounded in Black Feminist and abolitionist thought. Tune in to explore how rest and time in nature can lead us from exhaustion and grief toward joy and resilience—and what it takes to build a world where we can all thrive. About ‘Radical Rest: Notes on Burnout, Healing and Hopeful Futures’ We’re burnt out—drained, anxious, overworked, and unsupported. The answer cannot lie in occasional self-care practices when our exhaustion points to a much deeper societal problem. Self-improvement cannot truly help us within a system that demands so much while giving so little in return. Instead, we need a full reimagining that prioritises a thriving, abundant life. Through a Black Feminist, abolitionist, and nature-focused perspective, Evie Muir invites us to envision a world rooted in radical rest. Muir explores what genuine rest would feel like and how it would reshape our experiences. They examine burnout’s core emotions—rage, grief, anxiety—and imagine the transformation toward hope, joy, and abundance that meaningful change could bring. Muir speaks with those most affected by and resisting burnout: Black, queer, disabled activists of colour. Through their lived experiences, a vision emerges of a world where radical rest is communal, grounded in connection—with each other, our bodies, and the natural world. Links by Evie Muir Evie Muir on Instagram: Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Christian Douglas, you might also enjoy this one from the archives: - This week’s guest is poet and scholar Camille Dungy. Camille has documented how she diversified her garden to reflect her heritage in her book ‘Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden’. We talk about the politics of gardening, planting a nature garden and how nature writing has influenced our gardens in the past and how it can shape the way we do so in the future. - This week I’m talking to anarchist organiser, agroecologist and grassroots herbalist, Nicole Rose. Nicole runs the Solidarity Apothecary, an organisation supporting mainly prisoners and refugees either by supplying herbal remedies or by facilitating the growing and making of these. We talk about Nicole’s work to help prisoners, refugees and other facing state repression by helping them with their physical and mental wellbeing through a connection to nature. /episode/index/show/rootsandall/id/33764532

Episode 310: Designer Food Garden 10/28/2024

Episode 310: Designer Food Garden Christian Douglas is redefining vegetable gardening with a focus on style and functionality. Drawing on examples from urban and rural gardens, including his own garden in Marin County, he offers practical advice on growing a variety of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Christian talks about how to assess lighting and soil, pick plants suited to the climate, and discover creative edible alternatives to traditional landscape plants. Looking at spaces from small city gardens to large rural plots, and even a rooftop space, his new book 'Food Forward Garden Design' offers guidance on how to create a purposely designed and beautiful kitchen garden. Links by Christian Douglas, foreword by Tyler Florence Christian Douglas on Instagram: Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Christian Douglas, you might also enjoy this one from the archives: - This week’s guest is permaculture designer and author of ‘The Plant Lover’s Backyard Forest Garden’, Pippa Chapman. Growing our own food is becoming more and more important, and Pippa has tips on creating a year-round food forest that is low-maintenance and good for wildlife, that can work in a variety of aspects and that is an enjoyable and beautiful space for people too. - This week I’m speaking to Alex Mitchell, aka the Edible Gardener. Alex is the gardening columnist for the Evening Standard and author of five books on gardening, including her latest ‘Crops in Tight Spots’. I speak to Alex about growing edibles when space in tight and she has some brilliant tips and tricks about how to grow, what to grow and what not to bother with. Alex’s book is based on years of experience and I respect her approach of trialling, experimenting (including catching pupae in jars and observing them as they hatch!) and just giving things a go. As a result of this hands-on experimentation, she’s developed some nifty time, money and space-saving methods and she shares some of those with us in the episode. For the rest, you’ll just have to buy the book! /episode/index/show/rootsandall/id/33627652

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

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