The Organic Gardening Podcast

S4 Ep11: November: How Beth Chatto's Plants and Gardens continues a legacy - with Åsa Gregers-Warg Nov 01, 2024

This month, Fiona meets Åsa Gregers-Warg, head gardener at Beth Chatto Plants and Gardens. They tour the gardens, and reflect on Beth Chatto’s legacy, discussing how we can adapt our gardens to promote resilience and withstand changing environmental conditions.
“We haven't used any herbicides or pesticides for the last few years. And we all have to be water wise these days as well. It started off with the gravel garden being the only part of the garden that was never irrigated. But since a couple of years ago, we don't water the rest of the gardens either.”
Also in this episode…

Fiona and Chris are preparing their gardens for winter, even in the cooler months there’s still plenty to do! In the postbag, the team tackle questions on reusing old compost, dealing with coddling moth, and why it's crucial not to leave soil bare at this time of year.
Thanks again to our sponsors, Viridian Nutrition. Visit their website at www.viridian-nutrition.com.

S4 Ep10: October: What is a resilient garden? With Sally Morgan Oct 01, 2024

It's safe to say the weather has been incredibly unusual this year. A wet cold spring was followed by a slug-filled summer. And here in the Midlands, we’ve already experienced our first frosts!
Sally Morgan, author of the Resilient Garden Handbook, has been tackling these challenges head on. She speaks with Fiona about what makes a resilient garden, and how we can overcome unusual growing conditions.
“We’re perhaps the first generation of gardeners who can't look back to their grandfathers and ask for advice. I know what my grandfather would tell me and it's totally not applicable to today's style of gardening and conditions. So we’re learning on the job. Everybody will be different because everybody's micro-habitat is different to the next.”
Also in this episode…
Fiona and Chris are already planning next year's food growing, and Chris encourages you to keep on sowing - even through the winter months. In the postbag, the team tackle a complicated compost query, and investigate some troublesome tomatoes.
Thanks again to our sponsors, Viridian Nutrition. Visit their website at www.viridian-nutrition.com

S4 Ep9: September: It’s time to embrace the dark! – with Nick Dunn Sep 01, 2024

As the nights draw in, Chris sits down with Nick Dunn, professor of urban design at Lancaster University. Nick is also the founding director of the Dark Design Lab, exploring the impacts of nocturnal activity on nature. Nick enlightens us about the role darkness plays in our gardens and artificial light's impact on the wider environment.
“What light pollution basically does is it alters the way plants and animals behave. The classic example is of moths being drawn to bright lights. But beyond that it's much more serious because it can interfere with important feeding, mating, navigating and also prey-predator relationships”
Also in this episode…

Despite the late start, Fiona and Chris celebrate their growing successes, and tell you why you should try “seed rambling”. From the postbag, the team troubleshoot how to bring life to contaminated clay soil, what you can do with a problematic rosemary bush and how to rescue a diseased rose.
Thanks again to our sponsors, Viridian Nutrition. Visit their website at www.viridian-nutrition.com

S4 Ep8: August - The pesticide problem with Nick Mole, PAN UK Aug 01, 2024

Fiona chats with Nick Mole, Policy Officer from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) UK who shares why pesticides should be banned from use in our urban spaces, and how communities can be affected by pesticide use.
“Knowing that there are alternatives to pesticides that do work, pesticide use in our towns and cities is completely unnecessary. France has banned the use of all non-agricultural pesticides. They have legislation in place and it works. It is often hard, councils are facing all sorts of difficulties. So we do need that support from our legislators.”
Also in this episode…

Chris and Fiona discuss why hardy annuals are popping up in Chris’ allotment now, and look forward to September seed sowing. From the postbag, the team troubleshoot a late flowering courgette, and with the help of listeners, find out what animal was causing last month’s strawberry piles!
Thanks again to our sponsors, Viridian Nutrition. Visit their website at www.viridian-nutrition.com
Sign the petition to ban the use of pesticides in urban spaces https://pesticidecollaboration.org/go-pesticide-free/

S4 Ep7: July - Ditch the plastic this Plastic Free July with Sally Nex Jul 01, 2024

What do bed sheets, hessian and bacteria have in common? They might help us reduce the amount of plastic we use in our veg plots!
Award-winning author, gardener, peat- and plastic-free advocate Sally Nex shares fascinating advice for reducing, reusing and recycling the 500 million pots, seed trays, and other bits of plastic we get through in our gardens every year in the UK.
“When we chip a pot and it goes directly into our soil, it's going to stay there for the next 400 years,” says Sally. “Experiments have shown that earthworms, which are living in soils high in microplastics, lose weight and soil biodiversity is a fraction of what it is in clean soils.”
Also in this episode…

Chris and Fiona chat about the delay in germination and plant growth due to the cool start to the summer – and reassure that it’s not too late to sow now. From the postbag, Anton advises on using organic slug pellets, and the team mull over what creature might be creating ‘strawberry piles’!

S4 Ep6: June - How to be water wise with Jo Osbourn and Sally Morgan Jun 03, 2024

We’ve got a double bill this month to help you save more water in your garden over the summer.
We’re joined by Jo Osborn from the charity Waterwise – who tells us that in England alone, we face a potential water deficit of close to 5,000 million litres of water every day by 2050. She shares how crucial it’s we conserve more of it in our homes and gardens.
And climate change gardening guru Sally Morgan talks rainwater and grey water harvesting. She reveals ways to water plants more effectively, and the importance of soil health.
“No dig is important because we don't want to disturb the fungi in the soil,” she says. “Most plants have a relationship with the mycorrhizal that extends beneath the plant – and it’s this fungus network that does the watering for them, finding water in the soil.”
Also in this episode…

We'll be answering your questions about how to deal with box hedge moth, what to do about allotment-loving ants, and how to tackle chilies that are not hot.

S4 Ep5: May - A trip down memory lane to Barnsdale with Nick Hamilton May 01, 2024

In this month’s Organic Gardening Podcast, Chris Collins chats to Nick Hamilton – son of organic gardening pioneer Geoff Hamilton – and finds out more about his gardening journey and life at his beloved Barnsdale Gardens.
We’ve always had a close relationship with the gardens and Nick, a former Garden Organic trustee, and shared many planting schemes and plant cuttings over the years. Our ‘Paradise Garden’ (now part of Coventry University), with its pergolas and pond, was built to commemorate Nick’s father and TV gardener Geoff.
More than 25 years ago, Nick had what seemed like an impossible task – taking over a collection of 30 or so organic gardens designed for television and turning them into a visitor attraction aimed at inspiring people to grow organically. In 2023, Barnsdale marked its 40th anniversary.
“I don't have any problem with people referring to me as the son of Geoff as I'm very proud to be his son. The gardens are his legacy…and still rolling on today,” says Nick. “I want to continue to show organic gardening is not complicated or difficult - it's easy! And because you're working in tandem with nature, nature helps you along the way.”
Also in this episode…

Chris and Fiona chat about our Every Garden Matters research paper – showing small steps in any size garden can have a positive impact on biodiversity. And from the postbag, we tackle how to safely dispose of laurel debris and old garden pesticides, and discuss whether we should feed birds all year round.

S4 Ep4: April - How to grow pulses with Josiah Meldrum Apr 01, 2024

Chris Collins chats to Josiah Meldrum, co-founder and owner of Hodemedods, about growing beans and pulses in the UK climate.
Josiah explains how Hodemedods works with British farmers to supply pulses, such as lentils and chickpeas, in as sustainable way as possible and often using organic methods.
He shares some varieties that can grow well in our gardens and how they grow more unusual crops such as chickpeas and lentils. He also shows how easy it is for British gardeners to overlook the multiple uses of beans.
“People miss a trick in the UK when it comes to runner beans. We tend to think of them as something you harvest green, but the rest of the world don't do that: they also dry them,” says Josiah.
“In Poland, they've got a fantastic tradition of growing and harvesting these delicious white runner bean seeds…and in Greece, you'll have giant ‘Gigantes’. I would encourage everyone to save beans and eat them. The scarlet runners and the white seeded beans are absolutely delicious!”
Also in this episode…

Anton reveals how to grow ‘green chickpeas’, and whether it’s worth growing a crop of lentils. From the postbag, he discusses how to deal with moss on vegetable plots, and Chris and Fiona chat about the effects of the wet and windy spring.
Many thanks to our sponsor Andermatt Garden, which offers high quality environmentally-sustainable products for the home and garden at andermattgarden.co.uk.

S4 Ep3: March - The ultimate guide to composting with David Garrett Mar 05, 2024

To celebrate Food Waste Action Week (18-24 March), Chris Collins and David Garrett join Fiona to bust the myths around composting. If you want to know how, why and what to compost this is a must-listen.
David, our head of knowledge transfer at Garden Organic, shares the reasons he loves compost, and talks through the different composting systems at our organic demonstration garden, and how to use them.
“We're producing kitchen waste at home so why not process it ourselves and produce compost? It's a circular economy in our own homes,” says David. “We're taking ownership of the waste and not relying on someone else to deal with it for us.”
Also in this episode…

Chris and Fiona chat about what to sow and plant now and how to care for winter ponds.

S4 Ep2: February - The wonders of wetlands with Simon Rose from the WWT Feb 02, 2024

Our CEO Fiona Taylor visits Slimbridge to chat to Simon Rose from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) about ways to create similar habitats in your growing space.
With 75 per cent of wetlands in the UK lost in the last 300 years, Fiona explores the importance of urban bluescapes and bogs as a homes for wildlife.
“Wetlands are really rich in wildlife – in fact 40 per cent of the world's species are reliant in some way on wetlands,” says Simon, who is Head of Experience Development at the WWT, which is based at Slimbridge Wetlands Centre in Gloucestershire. “But they also help prevent flooding and reduce carbon emissions. Wetlands are actually faster than rainforests at locking up carbon.”
Simon and Fiona discuss ways you can mimic these diverse habitats in your own growing space.
“Whenever you introduce water into the garden it's one of the best biodiversity boosters, and that could be anything from a bucket to half a barrel. Dig a hole, fill it with water, put some rocks and some plants in it and I guarantee that within weeks you’ll attract wildlife,” says Simon. “The sediment that settles on the bottom of a pond is another opportunity for carbon sequestration, even in a back garden setting.”
Also in this episode…

Chris Collins and Fiona chat about jobs you can be getting with this month, and Anton Rosenfeld delves into the postbag to help answer your questions. This month, they chew over using woodchip as a mulch, how to tackle rats, and ways to save money in the garden.

S4 Ep1: January 2024 - An interview with the Seed Detective Jan 01, 2024

Join Fiona Taylor as she chats to Adam Alexander, aka the Seed Detective. Adam is a volunteer Seed Guardian for Garden Organic's Heritage Seed Library, and self-confessed seed nut! Adam shares stories of his travels around the world, and why seed saving and sharing is so important.
For information on the Heritage Seed Library and how to get involved, visit gardenorganic.org.uk/what-we-do/hsl
For information on Adam Alexander, visit theseeddetective.co.uk/

S3 Ep12: December - Bring back the butterflies Dec 01, 2023

Our guest this month is Anthony McCluskey from Butterfly Conservation, who shares some fascinating advice about how to support butterflies and caterpillars in your growing space.
We chat to Butterfly Conservation’s urban butterfly project officer about the importance of attracting more butterflies and nighttime pollinators such as moths. And he provides some brilliant advice on things you can plant and do in your garden to help support pollinator populations.
“Recent studies show more than 80 per cent of our UK butterfly species are in decline and a lot of our moths are in decline too,” says Anthony, who is based in Stirling. “If you want to boost butterfly numbers locally, you need to pack your garden with ‘caterpillar plants’.”
Also in this episode…
Chris, Emma and Fiona take time to reflect on their successes and failures this year, and Emma answers questions from the postbag including how to plant wildlife-friendly hedges, tackle leek moth and improve soil in greenhouses.

S3 Ep11: November - How the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is tackling climate change Nov 15, 2023

In this month’s podcast, Chris hops across the border to visit the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to learn more about its conservation work.
He chats to Kirsty Wilson, herbaceous supervisor at the botanic gardens, to discover more about its 350-year-old living collection of plants and its research projects.
Kirsty, a presenter on BBC Scotland’s Beechgrove Garden, explains the steps the garden is taking to help fight climate change, including preserving struggling plants, using green and clean technology and biocontrols for pests.
“We're doing a lot of work conserving Scottish native flora, as well as plants that are dying out in the rest of the world,” says Kirsty. “It’s important to understand biodiversity and plant life – and the species that are struggling - so we can protect them…and raise awareness with governments.”
Also in this episode…

Chris and Fiona discuss the benefits of not being too tidy in the garden, and planting whips for hedging. From the postbag, we offer advice on what to do after tomato blight, ways to tackle invasive weeds and allium leaf miner.

S3 Ep10: October - Pam The Jam shares her preserving secrets Oct 10, 2023

In this month’s podcast, we chat to Pam ‘The Jam’ Corbin about making seasonal jams and chutneys from homegrown produce.
As the UK's leading expert on preserving, Pam shares some of her best-kept preserving secrets in October’s Organic Gardening Podcast.
Pam cemented her reputation as a preserving expert at Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage. And in her latest book, Pam the Jam: The Book of Preserves, she provides detailed instructions for making more than 100 of her favourite recipes from classic pickles to savoury jams.
Fiona caught up with her at her home in the West Country to take a tour of her pretty garden, and find out why she loves to make the most of delicious garden fruit and vegetables.
Also in this episode…

Chris Collins and Anton discuss creating the right conditions for healthy grapevines, friendly ways to tackle box moth caterpillars, and box alternatives, and how to avoid plum tree rot.

S3 Ep9: September - Sustainability in action in Wales Sep 14, 2023

In this month’s podcast, Fiona chats to environmentalist Jane Davidson – our new Vice President - about the impact of climate change on her life and her gardening.
In a fascinating discussion for our September Organic Gardening Podcast, the former Welsh Government minister shares her organic gardening trials and triumphs in North Pembrokeshire, and the importance of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act, which she spearheaded.
“We’ve lost 70 per cent of species in my lifetime…and we’re likely to exceed the crucial 1.5 degrees this year - and that's a massive wake-up call,” says Jane, who is Chair of Wales Net Zero 2035. “I'm absolutely passionate about the idea that if we teach young children about the value of nature, then we actually breed habits that can sustain forevermore.
Also in this episode

Fiona and Chris discuss the effect of this year’s changeable weather on their gardens and crops, looking at what’s done well and what hasn’t.
Chris shares insights into tomato blight, and how to bring a pop of autumn colour into your planting schemes. And from the postbag, Anton discusses harvesting carrots and parsnips and autumn seed sowing.

S3 Ep8: The gluts and the glory! Aug 04, 2023

This month’s delicious Organic Gardening Podcast offers 50-minutes of organic gardening advice and growing stories from our experts at the height of the harvest.
The August garden might be bursting at the seams but now’s a great time to be planning for next year.
Chris and Fiona chat about growing potatoes for a Christmas crop and planting for the hunger gap in early spring. And discuss protecting your soil over autumn and winter with green manures.
Also in this episode

Fiona finds out more about gardening in Scotland with our new Vice President Pam Whittle CBE – including her tireless work as president of The Royal Caledonian Horticulture Society and why accessibility to gardening is key to public health.
“Finding spaces where human beings and nature can coexist is crucial,” says Pam. “And, for me, it’s all about sharing knowledge, not just showing. People learn better when they can do it for themselves.”
From the postbag, Emma and Chris chew over your gardening questions including what causes tomato leaf curl and how to regrow supermarket herbs. And you can discover more about a little weed called nipplewort.

Unpruned - Jack Wallington: A Greener Life Jul 17, 2023

In this unpruned episode of the Organic Gardening Podcast, Sarah Brown sits down for a chat with ecological grower and garden designerJack Wallington about his book, A Greener Life.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener seeking to deepen your understanding of sustainable practices or a beginner eager to embark on a greener gardening journey, prepare to be inspired as Jack imparts his wisdom, revealing his secrets to a more sustainable and fulfilling gardening experience.
From incorporating ecological principles into your garden design to nurturing biodiversity "A Greener Life" aims to empower you to create a garden that not only flourishes but also contributes positively to the environment.
You can follow Jack Wallington on Instagram: @JackWallingtonNature

S3 Ep7: July - Climate change ready gardening Jul 05, 2023

In this month’s podcast, our Head Gardener Emma O’Neill gives us a backstage tour of her brilliant Backyard Biodiversity show garden at Gardeners’ World Live – and the take aways to use in your own garden.
Emma talks to Fiona about the climate-change focus of the silver award-winning garden, which gave gardeners inspiring ideas to help their garden better withstand drought and flooding.
She shares the benefits of permeable paths and gravel gardens for absorbing run off. And growing a short flowering lawn – with beneficial plants - for attracting insects. Fiona and Emma also discuss how low hedges of lavender and herbs can function as pollinator corridors, and which wildlife habitats can be slotted into a small garden.
Also in this episode

Chris Collins and Fiona share tips on conserving water, the importance of nurturing your soil and your front garden.
And from the postbag, you can learn how to use nematodes, prevent blossom end rot and when to harvest your garlic.

S3 Ep6: June - How to build a community garden Jun 15, 2023

In this month’s podcast, Chris Collins chats to the ‘Banksy of Veg’ - food and gardening activist Sara Venn – about the importance of community gardening.
The founder of Incredible Edible Bristol talks us through her journey into gardening and how she realised eco-friendly, organic gardening was the right route.
“I learnt there's an awful lot of horticulture that isn't very good for the planet,” she says. “There's an awful lot of horticulture that's quite posh…and there’s a lot that suggests it’s regenerative but is actually just about shifting people out of the way.”
Over the last decade, Sara has worked with more than 60 communities to create local, cost-effective gardens that give people access to nature, food and wellbeing. And she shares lots of advice for communities thinking about starting an eco-friendly garden in their neighbourhood.
“Let's grow more food!” she says. “Let's make food available to anybody that needs it. But let’s also looks at who we share the planet with. We can't survive without pollinators, however much we think we can. Our garden space is bigger than the space the National Parks cover, so imagine if everybody was gardening.”

S3 Ep5: May - The critical value of gardens to wildlife survival May 05, 2023

Our gardens and growing spaces have never been more important as biodiversity declines. Listen to our fascinating conversation with wildlife gardening pioneer Chris Baines as he discusses the “wildlife revolution” in our gardens and the sea-change in attitudes towards incorporating nature-friendly habitats and techniques.
“Gardens made a big, positive difference [to wildlife] once people started to see them as a place where they could enjoy and encourage wildlife, rather than a place that they needed to keep wildlife out,” says Chris, who suggests creating ‘service stations’ in your garden to influence bird and insect survival.
“The past 60-70 years have been a disaster for wildlife. The one saving grace in the UK has been gardens. Gardens have got better for wildlife, while the wider countryside has got worse. There’s a real growing up of the idea that we can’t just stand back and watch everything disappear, we have to intervene.”

S3 Ep4: April – A deep dive in to the cut flower industry Apr 13, 2023

In this Cut Flower Special of The Organic Gardening Podcast, Sarah Brown chats with Jo Wright from Flowers from the Farm and Debbie Scott, from East Lothian Flower Farm, as they share their experience of growing cut flowers organically, offering valuable insights into the benefits of supporting local flower growers.
“Growing organic flowers made complete sense as we think about what we do very carefully," says Jo. "Cut flowers are a luxury, and we think the onus is much greater on the growers of a luxury crop, to protect the environment. We cannot be wasting resources on something that is primarily decorative."
Our CEO Fiona Taylor catches up with our Head of Horticulture, Chris Collins, and shares top tips for ensuring seedlings thrive and flourish. They also discuss getting the most out of your local garden centre, so you can make more informed choices.
“You do need to be wise about what you’re buying. It’s a question of walking around and seeing what’s native and getting the best out of your shop, getting your money’s worth and supporting biodiversity,” says Chris.

S3 Ep3: March - No sprays and no dig on a visit to Kew Mar 16, 2023

The first day of spring is here and we’re starting to sow the seeds of the gardening year. Chris Collins pays a visit to Richard Wilford at Kew Gardens where he talks about tackling pests and reducing digging.
“Our tolerance of pests has changed,” says Richard. “You’ve just got to accept the fact you’re going getting some aphids sometimes, and not get your sprayer out every time you see one. Allow the garden ecosystem to do what it needs to do…and then you won’t need to worry about pest outbreaks because they’re naturally controlled.”
He talks about his plans for a new Carbon Garden at Kew that will demonstrate which plants can cope with climate change and offset it, and what you can do in your own garden.
“The soil is the most important thing in a garden…and the health of the plants is so much better when you’re not disturbing the soil. It acts as a great big carbon sink,” Richard adds.
Chris also catches up with Garden Organic’s head gardener Emma O’Neill about what she’s doing in our organic demonstration garden this month. They discuss successional sowing - and how important a sowing timetable is for planning vegetables all year round, and share details of their favourite flowers.
“Growing organically is not just about food production but also about incorporating ornamentals,” says Emma. “The more diversity you’ve got in your garden, the more beneficial stuff you’re going to get in including more pollinators.”

S3 Ep2: February - We’re dreaming of a colourful summer garden! Feb 07, 2023

Spring is just around the corner and our Organic Gardening Podcast team are sharing their excitement at the gardening year ahead.
Our head of horticulture Chris Collins chats to Fiona about his love of hardy annual flowers. He discusses how to prepare ahead and get the ground ready, and what to sow for a fabulous display in the summer. At his allotment, he’s making new plants from old by lifting and dividing herbaceous perennials.
And Sarah Brown chats to Jack Wallington about his move from London to an exposed hillside smallholding in Yorkshire.
The ecological grower, garden designer and author of A Greener Life, shares the challenges and joys of gardening in a new location. The focus of his new garden follows the same sustainable principles of his London garden and allotment, with nature at its heart.
“We’re not here to control the garden, it’s the other way around – we’re here to help everything else thrive,” he says. “But you can do something really good for the world by producing a home for insects or growing your own food, so you reduce transport miles and packaging. Organic gardening is core to all of that – better for you and the planet.”

S3 Ep1: January - Even garden pests deserve a meal! How to grow with nature, not against it. Jan 09, 2023

“Everyone deserves a meal” is one of the mottos of organic gardener Sarah Mead as she tackles garden pests – and is the thread running through this month’s podcast.
Fiona takes a tour of Sarah’s beautiful, Soil Association-certified organic garden at Yeo Valley dairy farm in Blagdon, and find out how she works alongside wildlife rather than trying to eradicate pests.
“It’s critical to leave things alone so you don’t break the food chain because once you’ve done that you’ve lost the battle,” says Sarah, who uses sacrificial plants, companion planting and copper tape to help manage whitefly, slugs and other challenges in the six-and-a-half-acre garden.
“Organic gardening is all about being hands off. It’s less work in the long run: less digging, less mowing, less spraying. It can be done on a large scale or a small one. Just start by apply one principle and keep going.”
To mark Veganuary, Fiona and Chris also discuss veganic gardening, and moving away from animal-based ingredients in the garden. They touch on the value of plant-based diets that encourage us to grow and eat more vegetables, which are great for our health and for biodiversity.
And they also share their love of feeding the birds in winter - and look forward to Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of this month.

S2 Ep49: December - Trials, triumphs and the power of produce preservation Dec 02, 2022

Preservation of produce, soil and seeds are some of the topics covered in this month’s podcast. Chris Collins and Fiona Taylor share their experience of storing vegetables such as cabbage and beans over winter, and using up fallen apples.
And our lead horticulturalist for the Heritage Seed Library, Marcin Salnikow, helps answer your postbag questions. This month we look at how and when to prune a wildlife-friendly native hedge and share advice on plants for pond edges.
Fiona also meets chef and passionate organic advocate Sophie Grigson. Having written more than 20 cookbooks, Sophie has always been a vegetable enthusiast and now she lives in Italy, she’s discovering new and interesting varieties. This includes a tasty broccoli called Cimi di Rapa and 60 local varieties of cherry tomato. You can try out two of her delicious recipes below.
Thanks to our sponsors The Organic Gardening Catalogue, visit www.organiccatalogue.com/POD9 to take advantage of their Autumn Bliss raspberry offer.

S2 Ep48: November - taking a worm's eye view of autumn Nov 02, 2022

We get up close to our soil in this month’s Organic Gardening Podcast with a fascinating discussion about protecting soil over winter, warming up wormeries and creating veganic compost.
Fiona joins Chris Collins to share details of her trip to a new compost demonstration site in Cumbria. And discusses how she looks after her wormery in winter to protect her worms and make the most of her vermicompost. And we learn how ‘spraing’ can affect potato tubers.
Dr Anton Rosenfeld pays a visit to Becca Stevenson, head grower at the certified organic Five Acres Community Farm, in Ryton, to find out what’s involved in a community supported agricultural (CSA) farm.
Becca shows Anton how CSA farms allow communities to buy shares in what they produce to get local produce on to local plates, cut down on food waste and increase community engagement with food growing. She talks about the challenges of pests and diseases and getting through the hungry gap with bundles of stored and preserved produce.
Thanks to our sponsors The Organic Gardening Catalogue, visit www.organiccatalogue.com/POD8 to take advantage of their Autumn Bliss raspberry offer.

S2 Ep47: October - rampant squashes, late colour and bumper chilli harvests; autumn has definitely arrived. Oct 01, 2022

Chris and Fiona discuss the highlights of the season, and what’s keeping them busy on the plot, including planting bulbs, looking after dahlias and sowing microgreens for indoor crops.
Fiona shares her tips for making and using chilli oil, including a rather strange combination of peanut butter and chilli oil on toast – if you’ve tried it let us know your verdict!
Chris chats to Stephanie Slater, Founder and CEO of charity School Food Matters. We hear Stephanie’s inspiration behind setting up the charity, the fantastic outcomes they’ve already achieved, and what they plan for the future to connect school children to the food they eat.
“I have the easiest Chief Exec job around, I go to people and I say: Is it a good idea to serve children fabulous tasty nutritious food, yes or no? Is it a good idea that we expose children to the joys of outdoor learning and learning to grow their own food and become skilled individuals and skilled adults? There aren't many people who are going to say no."
Finally, Anton and Chris answer listener questions, including splitting tomatoes, green manures for No Dig growers and organic options for playing field maintenance.
Thanks to our sponsors The Organic Gardening Catalogue, visit www.organiccatalogue.com/POD7 to take advantage of their listener offer of a heated propagator for just £11.99.

S2 Ep46: Organic September - How to plan, plant and nurture your garden after the heatwave Sep 02, 2022

Shoes filled with dust, salads shrivelling, and a bad case of watering can elbow - it’s certainly been one of the most challenging summers for gardeners!
In this month’s Organic Gardening Podcast, Garden Organic Chief Executive Fiona Taylor is joined by Head of Organic Horticulture Chris Collins and Head Gardener Emma O’Neill as they look ahead to spring and share tips for weatherproofing your garden.
The takeaway messages are: embrace the imperfect, don’t be put off if things fail – and just give it a go!
The team talk about the importance of learning about your local conditions, rather than relying on what it says on the seed packet. And building resilience from the ground up by nurturing the soil and choosing a diverse range of plants.
The team will show you how to plan ahead with tips for seed collecting and bulb planting. Including Chris’s ‘bulb trifle’ method!
And to mark Organic September, you can find out why the team chose to go into organic horticulture. And learn what they wished they’d know before they started – all the while busting the myth that organic gardening takes more effort and money.

S2 Ep45: August - Organic Allotment Special with Rekha Mistry Aug 01, 2022

This month sees the return of the National Allotment Week, an initiative let by the National Allotment Society, so we’ve got an allotment special for you.
Chris updates Fiona on how his Mediterranean veg are growing down on his allotment – turns out his gamble on hot weather has paid off! The runner beans are not doing so well unfortunately.
Chris also shares his experience as an allotment holder, balancing the demands of his London allotment with his busy work life. And of course no discussion on his allotment would be the same without mention of his nemesis – horsetail!
Fiona is treated to a tour around the allotment of Rekha Mistry - garden journalist, passionate organic grower, seed saver and volunteer Seed Guardian for our Heritage Seed Library.
Rekha’s inspirational allotment is bursting with life and produce, including Texas Wild tomato, pea bean, Cyprus climbing French bean and Mother’s Six Week been from the Heritage Seed Library collection. Rekha explains how she cultivates such a biodiverse haven on her allotment and shares her solution to overcoming flooding, which happens regularly on her plot/.
Finally, Chris and Anton answer listeners’ questions on how to deal with a new allotment that may have been treated with pesticides, where to start with a new plot that has no water supply and what to sow in August.

S2 Ep44: July - time to take it easy? Jul 01, 2022

July is here and it's time to take your foot of the gas a little. But not too much - there's still plenty to do!
Chris updates Fiona on his allotment and shares his approach to planting, influenced by years of working in parks. They also touch on the different summer growing conditions in Chris’s London home compared to his training days in Scotland.
As Chris and Fiona both pack their bags for a holiday, they discuss essential preparation to keep everything, including houseplants, ticking over for their return.
Sarah returns to talk to Garden Organic’s Director of Horticultural Science, Dr. Bruce Pearce. Bruce tells us about organic growing in the wider sense, focusing on what organic means and why organic farming is so essential for a healthy future.
Sarah and Bruce discuss the challenges of buying organic food when household budgets are stretched and share some useful tips on how to prioritise at the checkout.
Lastly Anton and Chris answer a question from someone struggling with peat-free compost, and share their experiences of growing perennial brassicas.
We're delighted to have The Organic Gardening Catalogue as our official podcast sponsor for 2022. Whether you’re looking for information, ready to take your first step into organic gardening, or planning your next veg plot or flower bed The Organic Gardening Catalogue is the right place for you! They offer a complete range of organic gardening products, including seeds and plants, pest deterrents, feeds, compost, equipment plus much more. Garden Organic members can also take advantage of a 10% discount with any purchase from the catalogue. For this month's special offer on an amazing range of pots and plants go to organiccatalogue.com/POD5

S2 Ep43: June – can we convince you to love your slugs…?! Jun 01, 2022

It’s June – time to start seeing the fruits of our labour as all those seedlings get planted-out. Chris and Fiona compare notes on their most challenging weed – horsetail for Chris, bindweed for Fiona – and share tips to keep on top of them without reaching for weedkiller.
We’re also joined by slug expert Imogen Cavadino, who shares her passion for these less-than-popular gastropods with Sarah.
Finally we answer questions on durable lawns, what to do with excessive grass clippings and planning to grow throughout autumn and winter.
Here are links to more information on some of the topics covered:

If you want to join Garden Organic for more advice please click here, or donate to support our work and help us carry on with projects like our podcast here.

S2 Ep42: May – Marvellous May has finally arrived! May 01, 2022

Join new presenter, Garden Organic CEO Fiona Taylor, as she shares her love of May with Chris. Plus Chris takes a trip to the beautiful Mumbles on the Gower Peninsula to meet Gardeners World presenter and long-time Garden Organic member, Sue Kent, who shows him round her inspirational tiered organic garden.

S2 Ep41: April - it's that exciting time again. Join us as we get outside for Springtime growing. Mar 31, 2022

We discuss success with seedlings, growing salads on a patio, and should we call slugs pests? Plus a visit to a very special healing garden.

S2 Ep40: Unpruned - can you recognise your favourite garden bird songs? Mar 20, 2022

Have you always wanted to tell your blackbird from your thrush? Join Sarah as she listens and learns how to identify our favourite garden bird song.

S2 Ep39: March - the beauty of birdsong, plus how to get ready for the growing season Mar 01, 2022

It's ready, get set, but not quite 'grow'. Here's how to get started in the race towards spring. Plus Sarah discovers the magic behind our songster garden birds.

S2 Ep38: Unpruned: a private tour of Debs Goodenough's garden Feb 18, 2022

Chris visits the private garden of Prince Charles' former Head Gardener, Debs Goodenough.

S2 Ep37: February - successful seed sowing plus Debs Goodenough, gardener to Prince Charles. Feb 01, 2022

Step by step to successful seed sowing. And we hear from former Head Gardener and organic grower, Debs Goodenough.

S2 Ep36: Unpruned: discovering creatures in your soil Jan 16, 2022

We look at the wildlife in your soil. How much do you know about earthworms and moles?

S2 Ep35: January - the secret of good soil. Jan 01, 2022

Discover what makes good soil. It's the secret of successful growing!

S2 Ep34: December: how to grow the perfect Brussel sprout, plus Helen Browning's organic farm Dec 03, 2021

Join us, as we visit Browning's organic farm, and share ideas for Xmas gardening presents.

S2 Ep33: November - climate change gardening plus the wonderful world of bees Nov 01, 2021

How can gardeners can mitigate climate change? And looking at bees with new eyes, with specialist Jean Vernon.

S2 Ep32: Unpruned interview - George Anderson in his garden Oct 15, 2021

Join Chris and George as they stroll around George's much loved Edinburgh garden, full of rare varieties.

S2 Ep31: October - joyful autumn tasks plus George Anderson, doyen of Scottish gardening Sep 30, 2021

As autumn sets in there's plenty to do. Plus a lifetime of gardening with the irrepressible George Anderson, and what to do with all those green tomatoes!

S2 Ep30: September - Dave Goulson talks about Silent Earth: an insect apocalypse. Sep 01, 2021

What can we gardeners do to prevent insect disaster? Plus tips on storing your harvest, bare root planting and celebrating Organic September.

S2 Ep29: Nematodes and others - our practical guide to bio controls and stimulants Aug 08, 2021

Following last week's look at biocontrols and stimulants, we now get practical. How can gardeners use them? And should we?

S2 Ep28: August - bio controls and stimulants, what are they? Jul 31, 2021

Sit back and join us for an in-depth discussion on this fascinating subject.

S2 Ep27: July - how green is your garden centre? Plus summer weed control, and other inspiring organic growing advice. Jul 02, 2021

Can garden retail become more sustainable? Plus your July jobs in the garden.

S2 Ep26: Healing herbs from the garden - how they work Jun 19, 2021

Can elderberry cure a virus? How does lemon balm make you calm? We chat with Viridian Nutrition to find out more, in this tiny goody bag episode.

S2 Ep25: June - join us for a private view of Garden Organic's new demonstration gardens May 31, 2021

Chris enjoys a tour of the new organic demonstration gardens at Ryton; plus growing jobs galore in the busy month of June.

S2 Ep24: Frances Tophill on Rewilding Your Garden May 15, 2021

Join us as Frances talks to Sarah about rewilding, and why you should bring the wild into your growing space.

S2 Ep23: May - a glorious growing month, plus special guest 'Love Your Garden' Frances Tophill Apr 30, 2021

Chris and Sarah share gardening tasks in May, and we meet the private side of TV gardener Frances Tophill.

S2 Ep22: Unpruned interview - Dr Ian Bedford on garden insects Apr 10, 2021

Ian is one of the country's top entomologists. He tells us the startling facts about insect decline, and how gardeners can help.

S2 Ep21: April - the start of an exciting new growing season! Plus extraordinary facts about garden insects, with Dr Ian Bedford. Mar 31, 2021

We celebrate getting outside with Spring growing advice. And Chris meets Dr Ian Bedford to discuss how we can help stop the devastation of garden insects.

S2 Ep20: March - simple ways to make seed sowing successful. Plus Mark Lane, an inspirational garden designer. Feb 28, 2021

We show how to make every seed-sowing successful. Mark shares with us his design secrets and his plans to put 'ability' into 'disability'.

S2 Ep19: February - feeling good during winter lockdown, plus Danny Clarke, The Instant Gardener Jan 31, 2021

We share our tips to lift you from lockdown gloom and Chris meets Danny Clarke, a ray of welcome sunshine.

S2 Ep18: January - planning for your growing year, plus lockdown gardening. Jan 02, 2021

How to plan this year's veg patch. We also hear from two growers new to gardening during lockdown.

S2 Ep17: December - the best of bare root planting, and gardening inspiration from Don Murray, Garden Organic's new Director of Horticulture Dec 01, 2020

Join Chris and Sarah in our award winning podcast for tips and advice on organic growing.

S2 Ep16: Unpruned interview - Tony Kirkham, Head of Arboriculture at Kew Nov 15, 2020

Join us for the full interview with Tony, his life in trees, and special planting and tree care advice.

S2 Ep15: November - the joy of trees with Tony Kirkham at Kew, plus this month's jobs preparing for winter. Nov 01, 2020

Organic growing tips from your favourite gardening podcasters - Chris Collins and Sarah Brown. Nominated as 2020 gardening podcast of the year.

S2 Ep14: October - the joys of autumn tasks and we get serious about pesticides. Sep 30, 2020

Practical organic gardening advice - from making leafmould, to saving seeds and planting bulbs. Plus a serious look at the dangers of pesticides.

S2 Ep13: September - Chris talks to garden historian, Caroline Holmes, & we share tips for new growers to keep the interest through the autumn Sep 01, 2020

This month, Chris and Hannah, Sarah’s colleague and presenter for this episode, chat about September in the organic garden, and take time to reflect on the successes and failures of the year and so far. We also talk all things houseplants, including how valuable they are as therapeutic greenery for those with little or no outside space.
Chris enjoys an enthusiastic chat with garden historian and GO ambassador, Caroline Holmes, who shares her passion for gardens through history, and in particularly Monet’s garden. Chris and Caroline also get very excited about dung!
Finally, Anton and Chris answer questions from members covering the challenge of bare soil, seed saving and whether woodlice are friends or foes.

S2 Ep12: August - our summer special includes a chat with Mark Diacono, of Otter Farm and River Cottage fame. Jul 31, 2020

Chris meets Mark Diacono, and the two old friends chat about the joys and frustrations of working with tv crews, how to grow pecan nuts, and Mark's delicious new cookbook Sour

S2 Ep11: Unpruned interview - Jekka McVicar, Queen of Herbs Jul 17, 2020

Join Chris as he and Jekka walk around her herb farm. This is for real herb lovers - with over 70 different sorts of thyme, other exotic delights, and how Jekka grows her healthy plants.

S2 Ep10: July - we have the Queen of Herbs, Jekka McVicar, plus summer fruit and how to keep that veg coming! Jun 30, 2020

Join us for a summer gardening tasks and the best organic tips on how to manage your plot. Plus Chris spends time with Jekka McVicar, the glorious doyen of herb growing.

S2 Ep9: Unpruned interview - Stephanie Hafferty on the organic home and garden Jun 19, 2020

Join writer and grower Steph Hafferty, as we explore ideas of how to use plants in the home and kitchen. Based on her book The No Dig Organic Home and Garden.

S2 Ep8: June - watering, managing summer pests, and loving your weeds. Garden designer Jack Wallington joins us. May 31, 2020

How to water well, summer seed sowing, and dealing with summer pests the organic way. Jack Wallington joins us to talk about his book Wild About Weeds.

S2 Ep7: Unpruned interview - Charles Dowding on No Dig May 15, 2020

A chance to hear the full interview with Dowding, when we explore No Dig, how plants get their nutrients, and how to get started yourself.

S2 Ep6: May - No Dig with Charles Dowding, plus more tips on lockdown gardening Apr 30, 2020

We discuss No Dig, as well as organic slug pellets, making compost and dealing with aphids. And we're here to help with your garden during lockdown.

S2 Ep5: Unpruned interview - Catherine Dawson on peat-free potting composts Apr 02, 2020

Catherine is Technical Director at Melcourt. For over 20 years she has researched and refined their excellent peat-free growing mixes. We learn the secrets behind what goes in the bag.

S2 Ep4: April - gardening during lockdown. Spring seed sowing, and potting composts. Mar 31, 2020

A lockdown special, with tips to help you make the veg garden productive. Plus everything you need to know about potting composts.

S2 Ep3: March - with Joe Swift; how to sow seeds; getting ready for Spring. Mar 01, 2020

A bumper episode with a seed sowing masterclass and interview with Gardeners' World presenter, Joe Swift.

S2 Ep2: February - enjoyable winter tasks plus a look at agroforestry with Ben Raskin, Soil Association Feb 01, 2020

A month for frost protection, winter pruning, planning your planting and clearing the allotment. We explore how trees can help farmers and your own plot.

S2 Ep1: January - we celebrate Veganuary, by going vegan in your garden. Plus planning for the year ahead, and enjoyable cold weather tasks. Jan 01, 2020

How to go vegan in your garden with writer Matthew Appleby. Chris and Sarah also share ideas for the new growing season ahead, and get you inspired for those cold weather jobs.

S1 Ep14: December - the world of houseplants plus a greener Christmas Dec 01, 2019

Jane Perrone joins us to discuss the huge popularity of houseplants, with tips and advice. Can you have a greener Christmas? Plus top gardening books of 2019.

S1 Ep12: November - bringing wildlife into your plot, with Kate Bradbury. Nov 01, 2019

How to share your plot with wildlife, plus making a pond, protecting your plants from frost, and deciding what's safe to put on the compost heap.

S1 Ep11: 'Unpruned' interview - Lucy Start, aka 'Shegrowsveg' Oct 07, 2019

Lucy Start - best known as @shegrowsveg - has over 45000 followers on Instagram, where she aims to challenge the orthodox gardening advice, making growing more accessible to a wider audience. She is also ambassador - on social media - for the Heritage Seed Library.

S1 Ep10: October - autumn tasks and seed saving Oct 01, 2019

A bumper harvest of Autumn tasks, plus the fun of saving your own seed. We take a special visit to the Heritage Seed Library

S1 Ep9: September - picking and storing, plus sowing nature's green manures Sep 02, 2019

Time to enjoy your harvest and start autumn sowing. We have expert advice on blight and other diseases, and Chris meets plantsman Adam Alexander.

S1 Ep8: August - organic food. Is it really better for you? Aug 01, 2019

We know organic food tastes better, but is it really better for you? Chris and Sarah examine the evidence, speaking with chefs and scientists with up to date research and recipe tips.

S1 Ep7: 'Unpruned' interview - Professor Tim Lang Aug 01, 2019

Garden Organic’s President, Professor Tim Lang talks about food policy. We discuss food security, obesity and malnutrition - and the vital role food policy has in our health, society, economy and environment. Prof Lang is Head of City, University London’s Centre for Food policy, and has advised governments around the world on food matters.

S1 Ep5: July - gentle summer maintenance, plus climate change gardening Jun 30, 2019

Summer is here! Chris and Sarah help you to enjoy summer tasks in your organic growing area. We also discuss climate change gardening, and the best plants for bees.

S1 Ep4: June - watering, pests and diseases, and healthy growing Jun 03, 2019

The lovely month of June is for flowers, strawberries, and managing your watering. We are joined by an expert on pests and diseases to discuss how to deal with aphids and problems in the greenhouse. We hear about Garden Organic’s inspiring work around the country – from food banks in Southwark to school children in Worcestershire. And there’s everything you wanted to know about nematodes.

S1 Ep3: May - sowing outside, dealing with weeds, and No Dig May 02, 2019

As the weather warms we prepare the ground for sowing outside. Weeds - love them and manage them, and we discuss the No Dig technique. Hear also how a large online seed and plant merchant is embedding organic principles into the business - and how they research the perfect tasting tomato, and breed plants for the future.

S1 Ep2: April - slugs, seeds and seedlings Apr 04, 2019

Spring is here. We get excited about seed sowing, the perfect plant comfrey, and we discuss slugs and slug pellets. Listen also to the inspiring work of an organic gardener working behind prison walls, helping offenders with substance abuse.

S1 Ep1: March - Why organic? Mar 01, 2019

We explore why organic is important, and give advice for your own organic growing journey.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Organic Gardening Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected