Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

In this conversation with Graham Burnett, a renowned permaculturist and founder of Spiralseed, listeners explore the transformative power of permaculture. Graham discusses its foundational ethics, including earth and people care, and emphasizes the importance of resilience through polyculture farming. He also shares insights on community gardening, advocating for ecological diversity while engaging communities. Plus, there's a fascinating dive into the misunderstood earwig, highlighting its benefits in the garden and eco-friendly management tips.

This week's guest is Caroline Ball, author of a beautiful book called 'Heritage Apples'. In normal circumstances, this week would have seen lots of events to celebrate Apple Day taking place across the country, but instead, I'm celebrating here on the podcast by delving into some of our lesser known and historic varieties with Caroline, plus there's a very useful bit at the end where Caroline explains the mysteries of apple tree pollination. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Leather Jackets About Caroline Ball "Caroline Ball is an editor, copywriter and occasional translator. She has written on subjects from horticulture and travel to antiques and health, and has contributed to books about William Morris and a guide to historical sites. She is a keen gardener and, having been born a 'Kentish Maid', some of her earliest memories are of apple orchards in blossom." - https://bodleianshop.co.uk/products/heritage-apples What we talk about: What is a heritage apples? The Herefordshire pomona Why should we grow heritage apples? Some of the varieties described in the book; Beauty of Kent, Catshead & Oslin Where to taste heritage varieties Apple tree pollination Links: Heritage Apples by Caroline Ball Paul Barnett's Family Tree

This week I'm speaking to Nick de Rothschild, President of the Nerine and Amaryllid Society and of Exbury Gardens in the New Forest. The gardens play host to a huge range of plants providing interest throughout the year, but one of jewels in the crown of Exbury is the collection of Nerines. There are many types of Nerines planted in the garden and an exhibition is currently underway of one particular species, sarniensis. We talk about the different types, how to grow them successfully and about some of the intricacies and intrigue of plant breeding. (Apologies for sounding muffled, I was wearing a mask!) Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: House Spiders About Nick de Rothschild Nick de Rothschild, President of the Nerine and Amaryllid Society and of Exbury Gardens in the New Forest. Now celebrating more than 100 years, Exbury Gardens encompasses a spectacular collection of woodland, herbaceous, contemporary, formal and wildflower gardens. At over 200 acres, these impressive gardens located in Hampshire, were created and are now managed by the Rothschild family. They boast a number of special collections including world-famous rhododendrons and azaleas, unprecedented swathes of hydrangeas and the National Collection of Nyssa trees - https://www.exbury.co.uk/gardens What we talk about: The different nerine species Growing nerines outdoors and under glass The history of Nerine sarniensis cultivars Breeding Nerine sarniensis Pests and diseases Links: www.exbury.co.uk Nerine & Amaryllid Society

This week I'm speaking to Sue Allen of Microbz, which produces and distributes probiotics for gardens. The concept of probiotics in gardens is new to me, but it dovetails nicely with previous episodes looking at soil health and mycorrhizal fungi so I was delighted to speak to Sue and find out more about how probiotics work in gardens and what we can do to encourage them. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Woodlice About Susan Allen I'm co-founder and co-director of Microbz Ltd, producers and distributors of probiotics for gardens. Most of all I love gardening. I love long summer evenings out on our land nurturing our plants and vegetables, and even cold wet winter days preparing for the next season. Part of the reason I am so passionate about microbes is because I really see the difference that they have made to my garden. They really work. My soil is healthier, my plants are more robust, and the best thing is: it is all natural. I want to share my love of using microbes so that other people feel confident to give it a go. It will benefit their health and the long-term health of soil and plants all over the UK. About Microbz In 2007 my husband was asked to join a philanthropist who travelled the globe looking for solutions to environmental problems. His job was to mediate the potential conflicts of interest between investors and innovators. It was a fascinating time of travel and discovery. When he got home, Jeff described the technology he saw that really excited him: Microbial Balancing Technology. The excitement we both felt for the potential of this 'solution' for the planet, was immediate. We committed to learning more and quickly turned one of our outbuildings into a mini-brewery. The first brews in 5-litre jars were trialled by us, and by friends and family. Now we're up to 100 and 300-litre containers, regular lab tests and a fully functioning business. Our involvement with microbes is all that you would wish a love affair to be, full of enthusiasm to be learning and growing and caring for and nurturing the brews. Our hope is that every person who uses microbes sees a health benefit and is aware that they are contributing to the sustainability of our precious planet. What we talk about: Microorganisms as the fundamental building blocks of life What microbes do in our gardens How do they work Why it's important to have them in the soil What happens when you don't have a diversity of microbes or you use a lot of chemicals in the garden? How does introducing beneficial microbes back into your garden work? How do microbes impact each stage of the cycle of life e.g. seeds, growth, flowering, death, decay, composting, back to new life? Links: www.microbz.co.uk Microbz on Instagram Microbz on Facebook Susan on Facebook Probiotics Research Soil Your Undies Challenge Life at the Edge of Sight by Scott Chimileski, Roberto Kolter The Garden Jungle by Dave Goulson

This week I'm speaking to Joff Curtoys, conservationist, ecologist and founder of Sloemotion Distillery. Saturday just gone saw the launch of National Hedgerow Day, an annual event launched by Joff to inspire people to undertake their own foraging missions to spot what's growing and living in their local hedgerows. Hedgerows are historically important, biodiverse and fascinating, as Joff explains. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Fruit Flies About Joff Curtoys Joff is the founder of Sloemotion Distillery, a family-run Yorkshire business producing small batch spirits and liqueurs, and a passionate advocate of wildlife conservation. He has a background working for the RSPB and his respect for the environment and protection of the countryside is deeply embedded into how Sloemotion operates. The brand has its roots firmly in the Yorkshire countryside and this is a huge influence on the premium spirits they produce providing not only a source of sloes and hedgerow fruits, but also inspiration on their doorstep. What we talk about: The history of hedgerows Hedgerows and biodiversity When and what to forage from hedgerows Managing hedgerows for foraging Links: https://www.sloemotiondistillery.com National Hedgerow Day A Natural History of the Hedgerow - John Wright

This week I'm speaking to Adam Kirtland, who began gardening seriously at the start of lockdown. His initial interest has become a full-blown obsession and we talk about the challenges presented by going back to work full time and having less time to garden. For more seasoned gardeners, this episode may be a useful reflection upon how we communicate with newer gardeners. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Flatworms About Adam Kirtland "Bookseller by day, gardener by night. I work as part of the head office team at Waterstones looking after some of the gifting products rather than books, but it's still the love of books that got me here in the first place. Gardening has always been something that I've used as a tool to relax and wind down but it's only this year, during lockdown that I really found what it was to be a gardener. For me it's not just mowing the lawn every fortnight or doing a bit of weeding, it's become so much more. Making a garden for both me and my family that can be used in all season. Lockdown opened my eyes to the world of Instagram and how huge the community is there and that's where my gardening journey has taken me now." What we talk about: Sources of gardening information Catching the gardening bug Gardening post lockdown and post-furlough Gardening social media Links: Adam's Instagram account - @viewfromthepottingbench Episode 20 - Container Planting with Harriet Rycroft Episode 1 - Dahlias

This week I'm speaking to Philip Johnson of Johnson's Sweet Peas. Philip grows and sells plants and seeds via his website and he sells and exhibits his plants at shows across the country, when they're on! He judges at major shows and has put in 25 years service as a Sweet Pea judge. He is a former chairman of the National Sweet Pea Society/RHS Sweet Pea trials held at Wisley and is currently serving as a member of the RHS Herbaceous Committee. So what Philip doesn't know abut sweet peas you could write on the back of a stamp and still have room to lick it. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Woolly Aphids About Johnson's Sweet Peas Johnson's Sweet Peas is a traditional Sweet Pea specialist, growing their own seeds and plants at their nursery in Kent. Through their extensive breeding programme, they occasionally have brand new varieties available for naming and introduction. Philip grows and sells plants and seeds via his website and he sells and exhibits his plants at shows across the country. He judges at major shows and has put in 25 years service as a Sweet Pea judge. He is a former chairman of the National Sweet Pea Society/RHS Sweet Pea trials held at Wisley and is currently serving as a member of the RHS Herbaceous Committee. What we talk about: When to sow sweet pea seeds Can we succession sow to prolong the season? Pinching out seedlings Deadheading; why? Essential? Why do stems get shorter as the season progresses? Watering, feeding, soil requirements Best kinds of supports for sweet peas Pests and diseases Wildlife value Best varieties for scent Colours in sweet pea flowers Colour trends for next year. Exciting developments on the horizon in sweet pea breeding? Links: www.johnsonssweetpeas.co.uk Philip Johnson on Twitter Johnson's Sweet Peas on Instagram National Sweet Pea Society on Twitter

This week I'm speaking to biologist and ecologist Sophie Leguil. Sophie is an outspoken and passionate advocate for nature, plants and wildlife and can often be found on social media, helping make sense of complex concepts that affect gardeners and their outdoor spaces. We talk a bit about public spaces, a bit about gardens and urban areas and we touch upon what can happen when you try to stand up for what you believe in. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Tardegrades About Sophie Leguil: "Trained as a biologist & ecologist, with experience in horticulture, I am fascinated by the natural world in all its forms. I have a soft spot for plants, from the tiniest orchid at the top of a Vietnamese mountain, to the blousiest iris in a 18th century garden. I currently work freelance in the UK and France, as a writer, photographer, speaker, translator and wildlife tour leader. My BSc research focused on pollens of Psychotria (a fascinating genus with ethnobotanical uses), and my MSc on systematics of a small genus of African orchids. I am particularly interested in the love-hate relationship between plant conservation and horticulture, and more specifically how growing plants can help us better understand, preserve and raise awareness on need to conserve plants." https://naturanaute.com/about/ What we talk about: Rewilding Warren Park Meadows and wildflower planting Sophie's 'More Than Weeds' Project Brownfield sites and their ecological value The future of nature under our current government Links: www.naturanaute.com www.morethanweeds.co.uk Sophie Leguil on Twitter Sophie Leguil on Instagram More Than Weeds on Twitter

This week I'm speaking to garden designer, writer and podcast host Rachel McCartain. Rachel believes the garden should work for you, that it should suit your lifestyle. If you struggle to reconcile the garden you want with the time you have to spend on it, this is the episode for you. Whether you have your own garden or you create gardens for others, Rachel's advice will no doubt prove useful. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Tree Bumblebees About Rachel McCartain: Rachel founded PlantPlots.com an online garden design company which is now one of the world's most popular websites. PlantPlots offers uniquely practical garden design advice, with the aim of making gardening easier for everyone. In addition PlantPlots creates affordable and practical garden design for anyone with a garden. She has designed gardens in both the UK and the USA and presents the popular gardening podcast The Plotting Shed. It was whilst transforming her second garden, she began to wonder why with all the thousands of gardening books available do so many gardens all look the same! A lawn in the middle surrounded by borders hugging the fence and a couple of hanging baskets. It began to dawn on her that the reason was because all these books showed how to make A garden but didn't say how the reader could change THEIR garden - and that's why PlantPlots was founded. To help you make the gardening easier. Rachel currently lives by the sea in West Sussex UK, she is married with 3 children. Although having pets has never been high on her list of must haves, her garden does boast a chicken wire heron named Eric, a shoal of wire 'Michael' fish (named after a departed uncle) and in pride of place a 7-foot sunbathing topiary leopard called Ingwe. Rachel is currently planning whether to 'grow' a giraffe or some antelopes. What we talk about: Useful ways of analysing your garden from a planting and design perspective Having a garden that works for your skills and your schedule Buying plants for your garden Links: I Want to Like my Garden by Rachel McCartain The PlantPlots website PlantPlots on Facebook PlantPlots on Instagram

This week I'm speaking to botanical storyteller Amanda Edmiston. Amanda trained in herbalism and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of historical plants and botanical figures but in this episode, we focus mainly on what Amanda does and her work around Elizabeth Blackwell's book 'A Curious Herbal'. Dr Ian Bedford's Bug of the Week: Conopid Flies About Amanda Edmiston: "Amanda takes people into the stories she tells and brings other worlds, redolent with layers of history into people's lives. Immersion into one of Amanda's stories involves all the senses and often reveals facts which are often threatening to drift from the everyday consciousness. Each session is a magical experience and often stays in participants memories for years. Her work weaves together plants, herbs and flowers with traditional tales, facts and her own stories.Amanda creates an enchanted world to take people into, one that is frequently funny and full of unexpected twists. Her work illustrates and is inspired by oral traditions, history, food, smells, places, objects and the audience themselves. Working with people in museums , botanical gardens, libraries, wherever they are, Amanda's work opens up different possibilities and can enhance a range of events and projects." https://www.botanicafabula.co.uk/about What we talk about: The art of botanical storytelling Elizabeth Blackwell's 'A Curious Herbal' The lost connection with nature? Historical herbals Links: Amanda's website: www.botanicafabula.co.uk The Botanica Fabula Facebook group