BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast

Frances Tophill, Gardeners’ World presenter and horticulturist, is passionate about growing delicious vegetables and herbs in an organic, sustainable way, but that also saves her time and produces maximum harvests. Alongside the everyday varieties, she also grows unusual and perennial vegetables for easy results – and even makes the most of the weeds that grow on her plot.Whether you’re taking on an allotment, or just have a few pots at home, you’ll discover her advice on how to make your own organic plant feed, deal with pests and diseases, manage your time if you can’t tend the plot daily – and all you need to know to achieve success with veg, growing in a modern, sustainable way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JJ Chalmers, former Royal Marine, multi-medal-winning Invictus Games athlete and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, reveals how gardening has been part of his healing process after life-changing injuries, suffered while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2011.He shares how it helps him and his family connect with nature, how he overcomes physical challenges that are the lasting legacy of his injuries, and why he thinks gardening can benefit us all. JJ discusses the mental health benefits of gardening and how, after working as a teacher in some deprived areas, he’s observed that it could help more young men and women through their own tough times. Above all, he shares the joy that his garden gives him, sharing it with his young family and passing on to them his lifelong love of being outdoors.This podcast touches on mental health issues, so if you are affected by any of the content, you can find good resources to support you at NHS Every Mind Matters (www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/). And you can contact the Samaritans on 0116 123 for free in the UK, or visit www.samaritans.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A traditional Christmas door wreath is just the thing to give visitors a hearty festive welcome. And even better if it’s homemade with materials foraged from the garden – it’s the perfect way to keep costs down, while making something totally individual to you.Hello, I’m Kevin and I’m joined by florist and gardener, Shilpa Reddy. Shilpa created the beautiful Christmas wreath that features on the front cover of our December issue, and we’re going to recreate it in the studio right now as we record this podcast. Apparently it’s simple and easy enough for even me to have a go at Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can we boost our immune systems and wellbeing through gardening? We hear from TV medic Michael Mosley how gardeners can benefit their health every time we’re in the garden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you create a wildlife garden? Fergus Garrett takes me on a walk around Great Dixter, where we discuss the habitats he and his team have created to help wild species.As we walk around the gardens he points out various habitats that work for different species, including the pond in the Barn Garden where great crested live, the wonderful meadows home to rare orchids and even rarer long-horned bees, and the giant piles of garden waste that serve as nesting and hibernation habitats for all sorts of species, from birds to hedgehogs to snakes.We discuss the trials and tribulations of wildlife gardening, what it means as a wildlife gardener to open your garden to the public, and how we can all take a piece of Great Dixter home with us, and recreate these habitats in our own spaces. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trevor Nelson MBE, BBC Radio 2 DJ reveals how he unsuspectingly became a gardener. He shares his first steps in the gardening world and advice for those looking into getting started themselves. He explains how a garden can be designed for wildlife, as well as entertaining family and friends – plus why short of a holiday (or playing golf), he wouldn’t now want to be anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What’s the secret to success with veg growing? Monty Don shares his tips for great tasting, healthy fruit and veg – and why your best-ever veg year starts not in the new year, but here in autumn. With just a little planning, you can look forward to year-round fresh and healthy harvestsWe caught up with Monty as he was in peak harvest season at Longmeadow – and heard how his veg plot is at the heart of family cooking.He shares why growing food gives him so much pleasure, the tricks he uses to ensure a steady flow of harvests, and why his sowing choices start at the kitchen table.He also reveals why things still go wrong on his plot – and how learning from mistakes rather than striving for perfection are often the best way to improve your veg growing, and tackles the common mistakes that most beginner gardeners make when starting out growing veg. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hilton Carter – author, interior stylist, house plant expert and Instagram star reveals what you need to know to start a house plant collection or take your’s to the next level. He shares the fundamentals of plant care alongside some styling tips to make your house a calmer, greener home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alan Titchmarsh reflects on gardening as a child, how it shaped his life to come and the impact it’s had on his own children and grandchildren. Discover why he believes all children should be given the chance to connect with the natural world – even if that is just a small patch outside a back door – and why it’s the responsibility of schools and parents to make gardening exciting for our young people Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedian Joe Lycett explains his less conventional view of the plant world, what about it makes him laugh, plus his own recipe for perfect compost. He shares recipes for easy to grow veg, gardening tips, and how both he and you can get growing from scratch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices