The Plant Based Podcast

Latest Episodes:

All the hot horticultural topics with Matthew Appleby from Hort Week Jun 07, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Ellen Mary and Michael turn the tables on someone who is usually the one asking the questions! For many years, Matt Appleby has been one of the most influential voices in UK horticulture, steering the editorial direction of Horticulture Week and covering everything from commercial growing and retail trends to environmental policy, plant innovation, labour challenges and the future of the industry itself.

Matt has interviewed countless growers, breeders, garden designers, retailers and industry leaders. But for a change, he's in the hot seat. During this chat we explore some of the biggest debates facing horticulture right now: the future of Chelsea Flower Show, whether the peat-free transition is delivering on its promises, the economics of growing in Britain, labour shortages and wages, the search for genuine new plants and the uncomfortable truths the industry doesn't always like to discuss. It's juicy!

Series 20 of the podcast is sponsored by Garden on a Roll - the perfect solution for beautiful, ready-made garden borders. If you love the look of professionally designed planting but don't have the time, knowledge, or patience to plan it yourself, Garden on a Roll has you covered. Each border is expertly designed by Award Winning Garden Designer Antony Henn and delivered with a simple, pre-planned biodegradable template you can roll out and plant in one go. No guesswork. No stress. Just follow the instructions and enjoy the results.

Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.

Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

www.gardenonaroll.com

Planting by numbers with Antony Henn, owner of Garden on a Roll May 31, 2026

Show notes

Antony Henn has a long history in horticulture. His family started The Dutch Nursery, one of the UK's first garden centers, in Hertfordshire in 1959. Antony along with his siblings helped to develop the business through the 80s and 90s, and it is still run by the family today. More recently Antony leads the innovative company, Garden on a Roll which is a little like planting by numbers - but for adults who need an easy and cheaper way to design a garden border.

Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.

Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

www.gardenonaroll.com

Horticulture and Social Media with Adam Marshall and Michael Perry May 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Michael is joined by Adam Marshall, known as Green Fingered City Boy on social media. Adam has taken social media by storm over the past few years with his honest, fun and educational content. He's grown a huge audience and designed award winning show gardens. Hear Michael and Adam chatting about gardens and social media in horticulture to help you grow your own (pun intended).

Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.

Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

www.gardenonaroll.com

Planting design with renowned designer Andrew Fisher-Tomlin. May 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Ellen Mary and Michael Perry are stepping into the world of garden design with guest, garden designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin. In this episode hear about Andrew's approach to design, how he thinks about space, planting and sustainability, plus what it really takes to transform an idea into a living, evolving landscape. We'll also talk about inspiration, trends and practical insights for anyone looking to create their own garden - no matter the size.

Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.

Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

www.gardenonaroll.com

RHS Chelsea Special 2026 May 10, 2026

Show notes

This episode is all about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026. With four designers covering three of the show gardens, hear all about the gardens and charities involved. First is Patrick Clarke designer of The Children's Society Garden who is on a mission to restore optimism and hope in young people. Next it's The Plant Heritage Garden from Will Murray and Sally Anne Rees who are two of the three designers for the garden and lastly hear from Darren Hawkes designer of The Lady Garden highlighting gynaecological cancers.

Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.

Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

www.gardenonaroll.com

Nick Cutsumpas aka Farmer Nick on gardening, sustainability and plant based living. May 03, 2026

Show notes

Nick Cutsumpas, also known as Farmer Nick, joins Ellen Mary and Michael for this episode. Nick is a passionate grower, educator, environmentalist and advicate for plant based living. With practical gardening advice blending in a deeper message about sustainability, resilience and positive climate action, Nick has taken horticulture and social media by storm. This episode is full of tips, advice and lots of plant based chat.

Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.

Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

www.gardenonaroll.com

Right Plant Right Place with the owner of Creake Abbey and Plant Lovers Day Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Ellen Mary chats with Diana Brocklebank Scott, owner of Creake Abbey in Norfolk which is holding a Plant Lovers Day for the 19th year on 16th May 2026. Hear more about it having the opportunity to chat with the experts at the plant filled day and get plenty of tips from Diana about the importance of planting the right plant in the right place.

Find out more: www.creakeabbey.co.uk

Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.

Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

www.gardenonaroll.com

Hear from plant collector, educator and enthusiast Jonny Balchandani, The Bearded Plantaholic. Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

Today's guest is someone many of you will already know from Instagram — a passionate plant collector, educator, and all-around plant enthusiast who has built a thriving community around a love for houseplanys. With a feed full of lush houseplants, practical tips, and honest moments from life as a self-confessed plant addict, Jonny Balchandani has inspired thousands to bring more plants into their homes and lives.

You might know him better as The Bearded Plantaholic.

In this episode, we're talking about how his plant journey began, how social media helped grow his community, the realities of caring for a serious plant collection, and of course a few favourite plants along the way.

Michael and Ellen then proceed to gossip as usual, from feeling defeated during a drought and taking up drawing. There might be some chat about plants but who knows!

Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.

Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

www.gardenonaroll.com

A chat with the editor of the worlds oldest gardening magazine Apr 11, 2026

Show notes

In this lively episode of The Plant Based Podcast, Michael sits down with the wonderfully candid Kim Stoddart, editor of Amateur Gardening magazine, for a chat that's equal parts insightful and delightfully gossipy. They dig into Kim's journey through the horticultural world, her passion for resilient, climate-friendly gardening, and what really goes on behind the scenes of one of the UK's most beloved gardening publications. Along the way, Kim shares her thoughts on the trends shaping modern gardening, from sustainable practices to the renewed love for growing your own food. But it wouldn't be a proper catch-up without a bit of juicy industry chatter! Expect plenty of laughs, honest reflections, and a warm, down-to-earth conversation that feels like a good natter over a cup of tea—perfect for anyone who loves plants, people and the stories that connect them. Series 20 of the podcast is sponsored by Garden on a Roll - the perfect solution for beautiful, ready-made garden borders. If you love the look of professionally designed planting but don't have the time, knowledge, or patience to plan it yourself, Garden on a Roll has you covered. Each border is expertly designed by Award Winning Garden Designer Antony Henn and delivered with a simple, pre-planned biodegradable template you can roll out and plant in one go. No guesswork. No stress. Just follow the instructions and enjoy the results. Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round. Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life. www.gardenonaroll.com

AI Talking Plants Exhibition with Cambridge University Botanic Garden Apr 05, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever heard a plant talking? To kick off series 20 of the podcast Ellen Mary and Michael Perry visited Cambridge Univeristy Botanic Garden to chat with Raffy and Kathryn about the Talking Plants Exhibition. Imagine a Jade Vine chatting or an Ant Plant explaining how it grows! Running until 12th April 2026, this exhibition is about using AI for education and engagement at the garden. Find out more: https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/talking-plants/

As always, Ellen and Michael have a gossip about anything and everything but there is always plants involved...at some point!

Series 20 of the podcast is sponsored by Garden on a Roll - the perfect solution for beautiful, ready-made garden borders.

If you love the look of professionally designed planting but don't have the time, knowledge, or patience to plan it yourself, Garden on a Roll has you covered. Each border is expertly designed by Award Winning Garden Designer Antony Henn and delivered with a simple, pre-planned biodegradable template you can roll out and plant in one go. No guesswork. No stress. Just follow the instructions and enjoy the results. Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round. Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

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