Not Just a Garden

You may know him from Home Front, Top of The Pops, Come Dine with Me, Only Fools on Horses, Strictly Come Dancing, Gardening Together, Greatest Gardens... the list is endless, but you may also know him from his incredible and elaborate and fantastical show gardens at Chelsea. So it was an absolute pleasure that Diarmuid could find time to join us for a Chit-Chat.On this episode we take a trip down memory lane to the heady days of working with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, sipping champagne at Number 10, redesigning the Blue Peter garden with Primal Scream and living the rock n roll life alongside Brian Eno and Zandra Rhodes. We also learn about the highs and lows of showing at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the very real future of AI in garden design, and Diarmuid's surprisingly traditional dream garden, with one or two twists thrown in for good measure!Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Portmeirion Village Botanic Gardens Ireland Derreen Garden Architectural Plants Mount Usher Gardens Ewhurst Park A companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strap in for this recap as we follow Gardeners' World 2026 episode 17's flying visit of the first ever RHS Badminton Flower Show. We check out the movers & shakers, the growers & showers, and marvel at cuttings in glass bottles, despite the hot-flushes.And in our CCCUP we hear that Greg Anderton from Leafy Lytham won Best Plant Village Exhibit, and Dan Stearne from Dan's Plants won yet ANOTHER gold for his display. As if that's not enough for one week, Dan's also made it onto the front cover of The Sunday Times Home - with an article telling the story of his journey, from growing sweet peas with Grandma for teachers at the end of school term, to winning multiple RHS Gold Medals. Big congrats to both Greg and Dan!🥂🌿Farida Sober (from ep61 of Chit-Chats) is generously offering our listeners 20% discount on her newly released eBook: THE FERMENTED GRASS METHOD – Bring Your Soil Back to Life with Nature’s Own Fertility Cycle. Use the code SWEETPEA at checkout🌿🥇🥇We also remind our listeners that Dan’s still the man! With another Gold at RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Dan’s Plants is THE plant nursery to buy your plants from this season! Dan’s kindly giving a 10% discount on all his award-winning plants with our exclusive code NJAG10🥇🥇Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renowned Australian garden designer Marylyn Abbott was on Gardeners' World 2025 Winter Special episode 1 when she and Head Gardener Dominic Rendell showed us her spectacular gardens at West Green House. We were thrilled that Marylyn could join us for a Chit-Chat and on this episode we hear about the incredible history of the house and gardens and the hidden obelisks, nymphaeums, bridges, birdcages, follies and more discovered around the grounds.We also find out about how Marylyn became Marketing Manager of The Sydney Opera House, having Nelson Rockefeller and his wife to dinner, the challenges of waterproofing a lake, operas in the green theatre, floods in outback Australia, and the beauty of the original and magnificent bush-houses.  Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Dangar IslandKennerton GreenHighgrove GardensMore Not Just a GardenWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disclaimer: Adam was NOT digging out 200mThis week on our recap of Gardeners' World 2026 episode 16 we finally discover the truth behind Sweetpea and the missing Hidcote White. We also have a healthy debate about what a "more perennial" plant is, relearn the health benefits of mullein, establish the difference between tulip fire and fire blight, and ask why oh why oh why are our courgettes only producing male flowers a second year in a row.On Gardeners' World this week, Adam Frost's on his knees again, before Jamie Butterworth meets with Chantal Sparrow at West Dean Gardens to talk Delphinium elatums. Rajul Shah shows us around her contemporary cottage garden at Le Strange Close in Norwich and Carol Klein gives us a catch up on progress in her place in Devon. Finally Tracey West in Birmingham shows us her garden full of roses with some tips on keeping them so beautiful.🌿Farida Sober (from ep61 of Chit-Chats) is generously offering our listeners 20% discount on her newly released eBook: THE FERMENTED GRASS METHOD – Bring Your Soil Back to Life with Nature’s Own Fertility Cycle. Use the code SWEETPEA at checkout🌿🥇🥇We also remind our listeners that Dan’s still the man! With another Gold at RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Dan’s Plants is THE plant nursery to buy your plants from this season! Dan’s kindly giving a 10% discount on all his award-winning plants with our exclusive code NJAG10🥇🥇Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award winning garden designer Nic was on Gardeners' World 2023 episode 3 when he was visited by Joe Swift at his beautiful 1/4 acre plot in Surrey - the one with the very pink wall! In this episode we learn more about Nic's garden, some of his favourite gardens that he's designed, and also his truly spectacular garden created for The Chelsea Flower Show.We also find out about pruning tips - from Chelsea Chops to Hampton Hacks, a greenhouse the colour of a "brown shiny car", the occupational hazard of spiders, plant finding in Tenerife and Cape Town, the English gardener's suntan, and a tree that's the bee disco of the plant world.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Little OrchardMore Not Just a GardenWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on our recap of Gardeners' World 2026 episode 15, we dig deeper into the difference between cork and a sponge and learn the REALLY good news that pasta can be good for you. We also find out from a listener about Oregon exploding whales and beautiful mixed hedgerows in the USA, whilst also hearing from a couple of the designers from last week's Gardeners' World Live and learning a bit more about their beautiful show garden.On Gardeners' World, Richard Marshall in Bishops Cleeve shares his varied National Collection of penstemon, though we're flummoxed by the Hidcote White🤷🏼‍♀️, and head gardener Selina Ozanne shows Arit Anderson around the beautiful gardens at The Exchange in Erith.The very cool and inspiring Jenny Radbourne from Wensleydale Botanicals gives us a tour of her stunning garden in Wensleydale, before Rachel de Thame heads to Hanham Court - between Bristol & Bath👀 - to look at the natural beauty of self-seeders.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben from Worcester Terrariums was on Gardeners' World 2025 Winter Special Episode 2 during which he showed just a few of his many incredible terrariums whilst giving top tips on creating our own.We were delighted Ben could join us for a Chit-Chat and not just so that Sweetpea could gather intel on her terrarium attempts! We also learned about the various and unique animals Ben has been working with, from land-walking fish to see-through frogs, and some fun-facts about mourning geckos that blew our tiny minds🤯 We hear about Ben's work with Marvel and Disney, the beautiful books he's written, how he navigates the various social media platforms, his interest in some unique Japanese gardening techniques, and how he first entered into the world of horticulture.We also learn about Ben's dream garden which is perfect timing as he makes plans for his soon to be new garden in Stroud later this year! We look at some of the many spaces that are inspiring him, including Nigel Slater's urban sanctuary, DocBlock's botanical garden, and Jake Hobson from Niwaki’s garden, and find out about the very real importance of a shed to beat all sheds.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Bluebell ArboretumDocblock's Botanical GardenTropical Aquarium PlantsMore Not Just a GardenWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on episode 14 we follow Gardeners' World to GW Live and a whistle-stop tour of some of the gardens, border, and barrows at the show, with a plant list available to our subscribers.The show has Sweetpea wondering if it's better to eat more but smaller pieces, or fewer but larger pieces of cake in one sitting, and we consider the pros and cons of using cork, both in the bathroom, in wine bottles, and in the garden, with an underlying question still to be answered.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenBbG5AHGnLMbcfF2riyRBA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A wise man once said, "gardening adds years to your life and life to your years" and on this episode of Chit-Chats, we meet that wise man.James was on Gardeners' World 2026 episode 2 when he and his son Noah gave us a tour of their pretty garden in Weymouth, but you may also know James from his appearance on series 4 of the BBC's The Traitors.In this Chit-Chat, we hear more about James' time as a Faithful, as well as his gardening business and love of the outdoors. Whether it's heading to the beach during his lunch break with flip-flops and towel at the ready, or making regular trips to the New Forest for some therapeutic tree time, it's clear that nature plays a big part in his life.We also take a musical meander, hearing about James' own music career, the "shedudio" where he records, a few gems from his extensive CD collection, and some words of wisdom for Sweetpea.And that's all before we delve into what would make James' dream garden; a magical place of multi-country influences, Eden Project style greenhouses, willow archways to private beaches (strictly pebble not sand), mineral waterfalls, majestic giant redwoods, and more.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/New Forest National ParkMore Not Just a GardenWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on episode 13 of our Gardeners' World 2026 recap we find out the word for slapping someone across the face with a wet fish, before hearing more about stigmatic lips.On Gardeners' World we join Arit Anderson as she meets with Sharon Hockenhull in the stunning wildlife attracting garden she designed 8 years ago, and we consider the importance of our nocturnal pollinating friends. We're given a guided tour of Hayley Holgate's beautiful "Essex Tiny Garden" near Maldon, before Ellen Pye shows us the plans for her Morris Dancing inspired May Morning show border for Gardeners' World Live. Finally Joe Swift takes us to Annie and Jonathan Roberts' fantastic garden in Beaminster in Dorset where we also meet artist Flora Roberts and her son Jesse.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on episode 12 of our Gardeners' World 2026 recap, we get up to speed on what constitutes an aromatic herb (versus their non-aromatic siblings), and we have a quick fact check on last week's episode. In our CCCUP we hear about Gokul Asokan's artwork for Keemar Keemar's Nothing New Under the Sun art exhibition and Farida Sober's fantastic new eBook, with a listener discount available🕺.On Gardeners' World this week Ashley Edwards shows us the gardens at Benton End and chats with head gardener James Horner about the incredible Benton Irises. We name check Steve Bustin & John Williams who show us around their Brighton garden, before Sue Kent meets with John & Judith, Dean Mears, Gary & Claire, and Human Dynamo Sue Lush in their gardens in Penarth. Finally Paul Randall gives us a tour of his tropical garden Brooklands in Dunstable.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on our recap of Gardeners' World 2026 episode 11 we clear up some housekeeping on Madame Clicquot, tonic immobility in sharks, the sugar content of Subway bread, and how Efudix works.In our CCCUP we hear about Farida Sober's eBook progress on the fermented grass method, and Benn Storey's fantastic steep terraced garden opening through the NGS imminently.On Gardeners' World this week, Monty Don's in a spot of bother over his jackets, and Carol Klein chats seeds with Professor Malcolm Bennett from the Hounsfield Facility at Nottingham University. Joe Daniels shows us around his tranquil garden in the Lot region of South West France, and Rekha Mistry shares some tips on growing edibles in pots. Finally, retired gardener Steve Williams gives us a tour of his wildlife friendly garden on the edge of Oxford.🥇🥇We also remind our listeners that Dan's still the man! With another Gold at RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Dan's Plants is THE plant nursery to buy your plants from this season! Dan's kindly giving a 10% discount on all his award-winning plants with our exclusive code NJAG10🥇🥇And don't forget, 15% off tickets to Gardeners' World Live at Birmingham NEC this 18th to 21st June with our code NJAG. Offer closes 10th June.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the absence of Gardeners' World this week, we have a Not Just a Garden Bonus Episode 11. We have a wee look at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and some of our Chit-Chat guests who were involved. We also check out a couple of gardens that caught our eye, including Arit Anderson's award-winning and beautiful Parkinson’s UK – A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey.Next we explore the edibility of bindweed, the origin of ketchup, who invented Dom Pérignon, why vegetarian "meat" was created, the process of making liquid smoke, the amazing world of orcas, the value of radishes, garlic and onions in Egypt, and things take a sudden depressing turn as we discuss the very real threat of an imminent super el niño🌪️Finally, we’re delighted to announce that BBC Gardeners’ World Live are giving a 15% discount to all our listeners on this year’s event. So, if you’re at a loose end anytime between 18th & 21st June, then head over to the NEC in Birmingham!You’ll find some of our guests at the event including RHS gold medal winning Peter & Helleentje Walker from Wack’s Wicked Plants with their carnivorous plants, and Ashley Edwards will be giving a talk on the Thursday morning on Simple design ideas to create a better garden.Other Gardeners’ World presenters giving talks include Sue Kent, Adam Frost, Frances Tophill and of course Monty Don.You can redeem your 15% discount by using our code NJAG when booking through their website - Offer ends 10th June.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/bonus-episodes/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on our recap of Gardeners' World 2026 episode 10, we get the low down on arachibutyrophobia and discuss the difficulties of peanut butter consumption in the family. We also explore nettle pesto, the impact of ultra processed foods on jaw development, mice being born to two mums, botrytis blight, and how spinach leaves are scientifically changing the way we mend broken hearts.On Gardeners' World, Adam Frost shows us progress on his new garden in Lincolnshire, and Liz Knight in South Herefordshire wow's us with lots of foraging tips. David and Gail Sheals in Lupton, Cumbria show us their immense auricula collection, and Frances Tophill is in Berkshire with Estate Manager André Tranquilini, where we hear about biodynamic gardening at Waltham Place.In our CCCU we hear the latest update on Delia May West's book, and find out about Dwayne from Black In Motion and his exciting work at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week. Finally, we have some dates worth putting in the diary from Dean from Hooton's Walled Nursery.🥇🥇We also remind our listeners that Dan's still the man! With another Gold at RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Dan's Plants is THE plant nursery to buy your plants from this season! Dan's kindly giving a 10% discount on all his award-winning plants with our exclusive code NJAG10🥇🥇Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Gardeners' World 2026 Episode 9 Recap the National Highways press office get in touch to set the record straight regarding The Cockcrow Heathland Bridge near Cobham in Surrey. We also learn about the legend Rachel Entrekin and her extraordinary ultra marathon win, how to remove nitrogen from the soil, what makes an Oreo more vegan than a fig, who can run faster out of an ostrich and a horse, and why the Romans ate Romaine lettuce just before bed.On Gardeners' World this week "lover-man" Joe Swift and Rachel de Thame have a look at some of the growers and showers at RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026. We also visit Mike Arthurs and his ducks at his hosta nursery - Mike's Hostas, in Taunton, and Lora Peneva from Urban Greenery in West Sussex shows her preparations for the show. Alina Hibbert near Bristol shares some of the plants she's using in her indoor display Back to Grandma's House, and Marcel de Fossard/Floyd from Floyd's Clematis and Climbers in Chippenham gives a mini masterclass on clematis growing.In our Chit-Chat-Catch-Up this week we hear that Annmarie & Andrew Swift's beautiful tropical garden, Fifty Shades of Green, in Walsall is open through the NGS from 22nd May, and the incredible news about an impending book by Delia May West from Hone Hill Dreaming - soon to be published - hurrah!🥇🥇We also remind our listeners that Dan's still the man! With another Gold at RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Dan's Plants is THE plant nursery to buy your plants from this season! Dan's kindly giving a 10% discount on all his award-winning plants with our exclusive code NJAG10🥇🥇Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Gardeners' World 2026 Episode 8 Recap we reminisce about an old episode of Gardeners' World dating way, way back to the middle ages of... 2005.We also find out how many trees Kew lost in 2022, what Zach Galifianakis has to do with gardening, just how fast crocodiles can run, the incredibly positive impact rose oil has on the brain, how you can catch leprosy from soil, what happened to the first and last sandwich in space, and where the red dye in foods usually comes from.On Gardeners' World Carol Klein shows us how to grow vegetables in a small space in her garden at Glebe Cottage in Devon, and Amy Chapman shows us her lovely roof garden on her narrowboat. Advolly Richmond is at the Backhouse Rossie Estate in Fife and tells us about Sarah Elizabeth Dodgson's daffodils and Caroline Thompson's ongoing work to track down the Backhouse daffodils bred by her ancestors. Finally Eliot Barden at Majestic Trees and Kevin Martin, Head of Tree Collections at Kew, talk to us about native versus non-native trees and the impact of climate change.🌿 We also remind our listeners that Dan's Plants is giving a 10% discount on all his award-winning plants with our exclusive code NJAG10 🌸Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on our Gardeners' World 2026 recap of episode 7 we have a look at the UK’s first heathlands wildlife bridge and compare it to the The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in California, though we struggle to process the contrast in build costs🤷🏼‍♀️We also find out the origin of Caesar Salads, why a pound cake is called a pound cake, the chemistry behind why some people don't like coriander, and we excessively debate how armadillos cross a body of water.On Gardeners' World we visit Beth Chatto's Garden and find out about euphorbias from Jamie Butterworth, and we enjoy a tour of Sandhill Farmhouse Garden with its owner, garden guru, Rosemary Alexander, founder of The English Gardening School. Finally Sue Kent gives us an update from her garden in Swansea before Andrew Mills shows us the incredible anemones at Burncoose Nurseries in Gwennap, Redruth.In this week's Chit-Chat-Catch-Up we find out how Dan Stearne, Peter & Helleentje Walker, and Greg Anderton got on at Harrogate Spring Flower Show.🌿 We also remind our listeners that Dan's Plants is giving a 10% discount on all his award winning plants with our exclusive code NJAG10 🌸Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Gardeners' World 2026 episode 6 recap time and we take a look at dermatology experiences, the unfeasibly long rye grass root systems, Papua New Guinea toxic birds, the benefits of eating ice-cream, the incredible bi-annual Brussels Carpet of Flowers, and how humans could take a leaf out of a Madagascan Fossa's book when it comes to their anatomy design.On Gardeners' World this week we get to have an early viewing of The Queen Elizabeth II Garden at Regent's Park in London, with Monty Don and Adam Frost chatting with the Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy at The Royal Parks - Matt Pottage. Advolly Richmond explores the fascinating and convoluted history of Regent's Park and Head Gardener Fiona Packe gives us an insight into the planting of the garden. Finally Frances Tophill gives us a tour of the magnolias at Liz & John Ravenscroft's Cherry Tree Arboretum in North Shropshire.In Chit-Chat-Catch-Up this week we find out that Dan Stearne from Dan's Plants is leading the charge at Harrogate Spring Show, from 23rd to 26th April. He’ll be in stand PP30 in the Grand Floral Hall on all 4 days. You'll also catch Greg Anderton from Leaf Lytham and Peter & Helleentje Walker from Wack's Wicked Plants showing their plants too, so if you're visiting, pop by and say hello!🌿We also remind our listeners that Dan's Plants is giving a 10% discount on all his plants with our exclusive code NJAG10 - just in time for some spring planting🌸Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Gardeners' World 2026 episode 5 recap time and this week we have a quick look at Spetchley Park Garden, learn about a highly venomous animal's contribution to Ozempic, the frightening world of kamikaze exploding ants, why you should never stand behind or even beside a mule, and how useful hot flushes are for skunk cabbages. We also learn about Gokul Asokan's Masters project which pre-empted the new RSPB guidelines on bird feeding.On Gardeners' World we see Frances and Rua Tophill at Alison and Twiggy's place, Damson Farm, and Mena Wilson gives us a tour of her immense collection of daffodils in her garden in Birmingham. Joe Swift meets with Annie Agnew for a walk around her beautiful Crugsillick Manor Gardens in Cornwall, before Liz Carter shows us her erythroniums at Briarfield Garden in Neston, Cheshire, and Toby Buckland gives us some top tips from his garden in Devon.Lastly, in our Chit-Chat-Catch-Up this week, we have a look at George Lowther's YouTube Channel and see how he's coping in his jungle garden after recent storms caused some unexpected damage, and we hear how Mandy Barber is expanding operations with her Edimentals.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this recap of Gardeners' World 2026 Episode 4, we consider how Alla Olkhovska and her family are coping in Kharkiv, given the latest world events and subsequent rising fuel prices.We also delve a little deeper into how to avoid dehydration in the desert, how our own wisdom teeth can be an insurance against future health problems, which surprising animals are now recognised as sentient beings by the UK Animal Welfare Act, how "fake rock" was once used in gardens across the UK, and what happens if you burp in space.On Gardeners' World, Ashley Edwards gives us a tour of the beautiful Leondardslee Garden in West Sussex, and Hati Colvin in Llandeilo shows us her cut flower farm, The Dahlia Wood Ltd. Tom Stimpson in Ely gives some tips on growing a garden in pots, and Owen, Emily and Leo Driscoll show us some wonderful treasures in their garden in Macclesfield.In our Chit-Chat-Catch-Up this week, we salivate over Geoff Stonebanks' cakes being prep'd for his garden opening through the NGS. We also imagine enjoying one of the two horticultural apprenticeship positions being offered at Ventnor Botanic Garden, as announced by Wayne Williams last week.🌿We also remind our listeners that Dan Stearne from Dan's Plants is giving a 10% discount on all his plants with our exclusive code NJAG10 - just in time for some spring planting🌸Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this recap of Gardeners' World 2026 Episode 3 we challenge Joe Swift's hatred for red robins and channel a more untamed and rugged version alongside a fireworks forsythia in our garden.We also discuss sharks on cocaine, the adaptability of red dung moss, the very real concerns of plastic eating plankton, whether it's safer to drink urine or cactus water if dehydrated in the desert, and vampire moths.On Gardeners' World, Frances Tophill takes us to Dryad Nursery in York to look at a beautiful collection of miniature daffodils, and Milly Proust shows us around Alma Proust near Petworth, West Sussex. Sue Kent takes us to Maggie Carr's garden in Llanelli from where she started the wonderful Incredible Seed Library, and tomato aficionado Lance Turner from Tomato Revolution in Melksham, Wiltshire teaches us a thing or two about, well, tomatoes.In our Chit-Chat Guests Corner this week, we send out our big congrats to Sharnee for her recent wedding to Harry, and we are full of envy at Annmarie & Andrew's incredible recent experience at John Massey's garden with Chris Howell and Clive Nichols.🌿We also remind our listeners that Dan's Plants is giving a 10% discount on all his plants at https://dansplants.co.uk with our exclusive code NJAG10 - just in time for some spring planting🌸Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Gardeners' World 2026 Episode 2 Recap time and with Sweetpea in the middle of 2 days of exams, she watches the show at double speed and is very impressed with just how sprightly Monty is.In this episode we give the low down on mammograms, the extraordinary powers of the Gympie Gympie plant, despite and on account of the extreme pain it causes, why you wouldn't want to confront a honey badger if you're a naked man, and Sweetpea's best cactus-based chat-up line.On Gardeners' World Joe Swift takes us around Mary Keen's garden in Gloucestershire, and Karim Habibi shows us his apples at Keepers Nursery in East Farleigh, Kent. James Baker and Noah from GreenBaker Gardening give us a tour of their garden in Weymouth before Carol Klein has a look at the potager at RHS Rosemoor. Finally Jim Stephens gives us some tips on camellias from his garden in Dobwalls, South East Cornwall.And don't forget this week, on Wednesday 25th March at 8pm, Martin Dohrn's wonderful award-winning film My Garden of a Thousand Bees will be available on BBC Four🐝🐝🎬🐝🐝Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Horticulturist and horticultural therapist Ashley needs little introduction as one of the presenters on Gardeners' World. But not just that, he’s also a member of the DIY SOS team, appears on ITV’s Love your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, is a regular on the BBC Gardeners' Question Time panel, is one of the Ask the Experts team in Gardeners' World Magazine, and is head gardener at Crocus at Dorney Court. *draws breath😮‍💨Not surprisingly, Ashley's been called the busiest man in horticulture and so we were really grateful he could find a moment to join us. In fact Ashley had to fly off for some filming straight after so we do fairly steam through his dream garden, but we still found time for A Good Ol’ Chit-Chat!On this final episode of Chit-Chats for Series 4, Ashley tells us about his varied and exciting route into horticulture and how it took him from the UK to abroad - from US Pennsylvania where summers were so humid, the dahlias would produce aerial roots, to Sicily where he could pluck and eat sweet blood oranges straight from the tree.We also find out about tackling imposter syndrome, manifesting a place in St Lucia, the significance of Japan's cherry blossom festivals, green furry monsters, sunflower borders, mossy mounds, air-frying kale, dance floors in the greenhouse, and Sweetpea and Ashley's shared love for Missy Elliott and Mary J Blige🕺And if you want to get some time with Ashley, then he’s taking tours and having a chat at Crocus at Dorney Court on 28th March (there will be cake), or you can meet and natter with him at both Gardeners' World Spring Fair on 3rd May and Gardeners' World Live on 18th June.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Crocus at Dorney CourtHoratio's GardenLongwood GardensAnna Tasca Lanza Cooking SchoolSyon ParkMore Not Just a GardenWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gardeners' World is back - hurrah - and so are a sleep-deprived Sweetpea and a bemused Bear with an Episode 1 Recap.In this episode we look at the continued success of seed snails, the chicken or egg of Sonic the Hedgehog and protein, gruesome bird-killing trees, beautiful brain healing cock's combs, and the goodest boy ever.On Gardeners' World we kick off with a title shake-up and Monty back at Longmeadow. We get to see a bit of Adam Frost's new garden before meeting alpine legends Bob and Rannveig Wallis in Carmarthenshire. Arit Anderson takes us to Kew to meet plant saviours Carlos Magdalena and Paul Rees before we have a look at the tropical garden of Cathy Smythe, Gary Cattermole, Bowie (as in oh not ow - sorry😔), Dota, Mel & Mojo.Lastly, we've had many animated conversations on a fair few of the pod episodes about wildlife filmmaker Martin Dohrn's fantastic and award-winning film, My Garden of a Thousand Bees. Martin was on Gardeners' World 2025 episode 11 and joined us for episode 39 of Chit-Chats last year where he shared a bit about the intricacies of filming his minuscule subjects. He also talked about the struggles of bringing the film to UK screens given that it was readily available in many other countries around the world but not in the motherland. The good news is Martin's lengthy battle has paid off and it will finally be available on BBC Four at 8pm on 25th March and BBC iPlayer thereafter! We couldn't recommend the film more - spoiler, you will need tissues!And as if that wasn't enough good news, Martin's latest award-winner The Birds, which he also talked about on our Chit-Chat is going to be available on UK screens on Wednesday 18th March on BBC Four at 8pm. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer after🕺🎬🥂Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris was on Gardeners' World 2025 Winter Special Episode 2 when Adam Frost joined him at John Massey's stunning gardens at Ashwood Nurseries near Kingswinford in the West Midlands.On this episode of Chit-Chats, Chris shares his passion for the winter garden and the important part scented witch-hazels play, and we learn about the enormous numbers in John's Garden as well as some of Chris' favourites.We also find out about mosaicing your meadows, using aspirin on the tomatoes, walking trees, what to look out for when buying Wollemi pine seeds, The fantastic Adam Greathead Award, grandma's elderflower champagne, and Chris' penchant for half-mooning.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Ashwood NurseriesBirmingham Botanical GardensWinterbourne GardenGreat DixterJardin Le VasterivalWitch Hazel NurseryPan Global PlantsWest Dean GardensBluebell ArboretumMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Cranham from Tom's Terraria Design was on Gardeners' World 2025, Winter Special episode 3 showing his stunning (and huge!) terraria as well as his exquisite collection of iridescent begonias.On this episode of Chit-Chats, we get an idea of what it must feel like to be walking through the world of Avatar, thanks to the incredible variety and beauty of begonias, and we learn some handy tips on where to start with terraria, from those as small as Sweetpea's teapot terrarium, to glass cabinets to fill a wall.We also hear about the unusual animals Tom has started introducing into the bedroom, the plants he donates to botanical gardens around the country, the advantages and disadvantages of horses, the once in a lifetime trip to Nosy Mangabe, and we find out which jam is the king of jams, especially if you have grandma’s old jam-pan.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Lyon Botanic garden Masoala National Park Trebah Garden Glasgow Botanic Garden  Saihoji Moss Temple ChatsworthMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the final Not Just a Garden Bonus Episode 10 for this series, we are looking at spring in the garden in the form of hyacinths, crocuses, daffs, hummingbird hawkmoths and newts.We also take a look at sonic hedgehog proteins, dogs licking cane toads, a beautiful antidote to AI images, whether AI can be used to help with grief, beaver reintroduction to the UK, the perils of Atropa belladonna in the beauty industry, the tragic catastrophe at Lake Nyos in Cameroon, and some incredible new research on whale sharks.In our final Quazy Quiz, Sweetpea releases Hate, Date or Room-mate on Bear, and on the last Who Am I? we find out which Gardeners' World presenter was bass player in The Tumbling Dice🎸🎲🎲Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/bonus-episodes/More Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor Cochrane was on Gardeners' World 2025, ep28 when she showed us her beautiful late summer jewel borders at The Copper House Garden on the Kent/Sussex border.On this episode of Chit-Chats, not only do we set the record straight on Eleanor's feelings towards yellow flowers, but we also find out about her incredible experiences volunteering at Great Dixter, how she manages her sizeable garden without a greenhouse in sight, how to create a perennial meadow, the fortuitous discovery of their beautiful woodland ponds, and the importance of succession planting.We also hear about Eleanor's hidden stash behind the sofas, her husband's similarities to Aiden Turner, a grave warning if importing topsoil, hoeing in a good way, and what to do if you have bad legs. Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Great Dixter Sissinghurst Beth Chatto The Bumblebee Trust Sarah Raven Dahlias Halls of Heddon Parkers CatalogueMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Not Just a Garden Bonus Episode 9, now that spring is approaching, we consider our seed-snails, Jetfire daffs, Yin Yang beans, and Hobbes' favourite stick.We also explore the variable world of licking toads, active-volcano-dwelling sharks, Portuguese urine toothpaste, bioluminescent honey fungus, and the pitfalls of chewing tobacco leaves, even for cowboys.In our Quazy Quiz, Sweetpea flummoxes Bear once again with her Quazy Quareer but we learn a lot about animal faeces in the process, and we're getting through the last of the Gardeners' World Presenters with another Who Am I?Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/bonus-episodes/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sharon Darlington was on Gardeners’ World 2025 episode 19 when Sue Kent visited her magical millpool. In this Good Ol’ Chit-Chat we learn how Sharon first came across Millpool-by-The-Sea and how she developed it to become the stunning space it is today. We also find out what took Sharon all the way to Anglesey, her natural ability to grow meconopsis with minimal effort, the big plans for her Darlings Buds floristry, and Sharon’s very handy husband who can build anything from planters to jetties, but will always be “The Sower of Cosmos”.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/The Laundry GardenJoseph MassieBodnant GardenHimalayan GardensMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Not Just a Garden Bonus Episode 8 we explore some residual valentine's thoughts, more seed snails, bad decisions, edible sunflower steaks, and a bit more on rape alarms - thank you Penny for sharing! We also take a look at controversial behaviour at the winter olympics involving the male anatomy, road closures on account of breeding toads, why red roses are synonymous with February 14th, and what happens when a whale dies🐋In our Quazy Quiz, we have Plant Name or Sweetpea Being a Pain (in the aster), and can Sweetpea guess our latest Gardeners' World presenter on Who I am?Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Havers was on Gardeners’ World 2025 episode 32 when she showed Carol Klein around the beautiful borders at Waterperry Gardens. Pat joins us for a Chit-Chat and we learn about managing troublesome badgers, the importance of Silent Spaces, clever rose hacks, Pat’s fortuitous route into horticulture, her daughter’s determination in finding the perfect garden gift, and a disembodied voice shares Pat’s prosecco and passion fruit inspired beverage🍸Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Beatrix HavergalSilent SpaceMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On account of slick mother/daughter communication skills we have a partially Valentines-themed Not Just a Garden Bonus Episode 7 this week. We learn about M&S's Only Ingredients range, Google Synth ID, naming a cockroach after an ex, every day items that are worryingly radioactive, the correlation between nuclear weapons and bananas, the wonders of Knepp Farm, how frogs, ferrets, bonobos, crows, spiders, octopuses and clown fish handle sexy sexy time, and a discount from Dan's Plants for all our listeners, right in time for Valentine's Day💕On the Quazy Quiz we find out about another nature-based career, and by process of elimination, Sweetpea guesses another Gardeners' World presenter on Who Am I?Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Houseplant legend Claire Lowrie was on Gardeners’ World 2024 episode 3 when she showed her magnificent Jungle Haven of stunning indoor plants, so we were thrilled that she could join us for a Good Ol’ Chit-Chat about her magical dream “garden”. We learned a top tip for looking after monstera (given Bear’s propensity for laziness), about using semi-hydroponics to make usually hard-to-grow plants much easier, the art of air-layering, how to manage fungus gnats, and which plant provides so much edible nectar that it drips from the flower. We also find out what was involved in making the first ever gold medal winning RHS-judged Indoor Plant Garden.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Video of the making of Claire's RHS Malvern gardenAlan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club Series 2, episode 15Ladybird Plant CareGrow TropicalsWorcester TerrariumsRare Palm SeedsMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus episode 6 from Not Just a Garden and we look at garden, plant and gardening events around the country this month, (including snowdrop gardens through the NGS), giving ChatGPT a piece of our minds, alpine plant hunting, Scotland making bird history, frozen frogs, carnivorous oyster mushrooms, how Tyrian purple is made, Adam Frost's new garden plans, Frances' feature garden at this year's Chelsea Flower Show, and a fantastic offer from Dan's Plants for all our listeners.We have another Quazy Quiz where Sweetpea confuses Bear with her "Plant Name or Sweetpea Being a Pain" quiz and we learn about another highly decorated Gardeners' World presenter in "Who Am I?"Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We were delighted to be joined by plant, garden & social historian, author, and TV & Radio presenter Advolly Richmond OBE, FLS for a Good Ol’ Chit-Chat. We talked all sorts from OBEs and blue plaque high jinks, to making pivotal career changes and writing books. We also learned about Advolly’s dream garden with sentimental Edgeworthia chrysanthas, self-cleaning greenhouses, private pebble beaches, gossip under ancient trees, and ungainly hammock entries, - all of course being powered by prosecco and snacks🥂Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Village WaterReaseheath CollegePainswick Rococo GardensLong barn GardensSissinghurstKewKelmarshSilent SpaceBenmore Botanic GardensWaterperry GardensLloyd Loom ChairsDavid Austin rosesPeter Beale rosesTrevor White rosesMorlas PlantsThe Accidental Seed Heroes, by Adam AlexanderMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not Just a Garden Bonus Episode 5 and we explore the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, octopuses, legless starfish, mushroom bandages, collective nouns for animals, the impact of lightning on shiitakes, and we find out which spring garden shows have early-bird tickets available (if you're quick).On the Quazy Quiz this week we look at a plant Tinder profile and who's their Hate, Date, or Room-mate, and we have another Gardeners' World presenter Who Am I? 🇿🇲🛁📚🧅🥕Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Farida Sober was on our screens for far too short a time back on Gardeners’ World 2024 episode 11, where she showed us her revolutionary and hugely successful seed snails. So we were delighted when she joined us for a Good Ol’ Chit-Chat and we found out all about Vitaly Gennadievich Alifirov tomatoes, the importance of soil health in Farida’s incredibly productive allotment, the great success she’s having with fermented grass for mulching, simplifying gardening when advice can be so over-complicated, and the covert underworld of tomato seed trading🕵🏼‍♂️👀🔎Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Farida's seed shopFarida's eBooksMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus episode 4 of Not Just a Garden and we cover a plethora of topics including; Arit Anderson's exciting plans for 2026, more of the down low on mammalian gestation periods, the incredible work of Franziska Trautman in Louisiana, mind-blowing facts about the volume of bacteria and germs on planet earth, Italy's ban on male chick elimination, zombie ants, sloth myths, and some good news for green turtles and pandas.In this week's Quazy Quiz, is it a plant name or Sweetpea being a pain? And which Gardeners' World presenter is on Who Am I?💃🏼🎬🌿📚 We also find out about the next compilation episode of Gardeners' World.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helleentje and Peter Walker from Wack’s Wicked Plants showed us their beautiful collection of carnivorous plants on Gardeners’ World 2025 episode 28. They join us for a Good Ol’ Chit-Chat and take us on a stroll down memory lane from the UK, to The Netherlands, to Azerbaijan, before settling in Scampston. We also find out about the science of growing melons and chrysanthemums, Capability Brown’s lime tree that sounds like a plane, their national collection of Mexican butterworts, and Uncle Charlie’s oranges.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/ScampstonNational Collection of Mexican ButterwortsCites More Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The third of our Not Just a Garden Bonus episodes and this week we look at cigarettes with asbestos filters, how London Bridge was once inhabited, which guests were on the latest Gardeners' World compilations episode, drunk Australian bees, how the term "horse power" really came about, the fascinating world of fungi, the efficient mechanics of "Josh" and The Ocean Cleanup, and the varied and unpredictable subject of animal gestation periods.In the Quazy Quiz we find out about another highly skilled but also dangerous career in science, and Who Am I? looks at another of the Gardeners' World presenters. We also hear where Frances Tophill and Joe Swift can be found this late winter/early spring.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dwayne Black was on Gardeners’ World 2025 episode 27 showing us his stunning garden packed with lavender paths, grasses and immaculate dahlias. He joins us for A Good Ol’ Chit-Chat and we talk about how Dwayne prep’d for the big day, how the decision was made to add a fountain to the garden, the experience Dwayne has had with social media when it comes to the gardening community, what impact the seasons have on mental health, and a slightly violent technique for opening peonies!Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/All Sorts Youth CharityFountainsPorter HardyArundel CastleAlitex GreenhousesMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another Not Just a Garden Bonus episode and this week we look at which jobs are threatened by AI and which are safest, pursuing careers in arts or sciences or both, which country in the world gets to celebrate the new year first, clever things to do with sunflower stems, a biotechnology company that uses fungi to improve tree growth and their survival rates, some interesting - and funny - gardening books, what slug, snail, cone-snail and squid tongues have in common, clever birds laughing in the face of man-made anti-bird devices, sweating trees in the Amazon, and fish that can produce buckets of slime in an instant.On this week's Quazy Quiz, Sweetpea debuts her new game, Plant Name or Sweetpea Being a Pain and we have another Gardeners' World presenter Who Am I? We also hear some fantastic news about Advolly Richmond.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Curator of Entomology Ashleigh Whiffin from National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh was on Gardeners' World 2025 episode 26 where she showed us the transformation of surrounding land from lawn to floral diversity. She joins us for a Good Ol' Chit-Chat and we find out about how Ash became curator, the intriguing world of forensic entomology (not necessarily for the faint-hearted☠️), the ingenuity of leafing mining insects, the lesser known migratory habits of marmalade hoverflies, and how bee-flies aren't quite as cute and cuddly as we first thought.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/National Museums Collection CentreButterfly Conservation websiteAsh's butterfly Get Ready With MeIllustrator Ed HarrisonNational Museum of Rural LifeNational Museum of Flight, East LothianMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first of our bonus episodes to tide us over until Gardeners' World is back on our screens. This week we discuss the absolutely mind-blowing attributes of the Eastern Emerald Elysia sea-slug, the serious concern with golden oyster mushrooms all over the world, a lesser known but world-changing Chernobyl event, plants that can count, interesting careers in the natural world, and some fun-facts about the Gardeners' World presenters - who is it this week?👀Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jamie Quince-Starkey from Down to Earth Derby was on Gardeners’ World 2025 episode 19 sharing a glimpse of Electric Daisy, and he joins us for a very inspiring Good Ol’ Chit-Chat. We find out about Jamie’s Ready-Fire-Aim philosophy, working with Tim Smit from The Eden Project, nature-based regeneration, how Nev helped shape Electric Daisy, and Jamie’s future plans including fungus inspired tattoos.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Down to Earth DerbyElectric DaisyEden ProjectNev’s Native Biota More Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final episode of Gardeners' World 2025 as we have a look at the last Winter Special Episode 4. This week we look at apple allergies, unnamed and undescribed plants, ingenious Swiss drive-over bridges, some Humber oyster news, fire amoebas, the incredible benefits of English ivy, the awesomeness of mangroves, and electric eels.On Gardeners' World we have two national collections to look at; Frances Tophill shows us the holly at RHS Rosemoor in Devon and Helen Barlow at Shortgrove Manor Farm shows us her citrus. Arit Anderson is at Old Park Barn having a look around James and Emily Chua’s garden in Buckinghamshire, and Toby Buckland is at Will Young's new garden in Wiltshire. Finally Rachel de Thame shows us a thing or two about containers for Christmas.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harriet Rycroft was on episode 6 of Gardeners' World 2023 sharing her extensive collection of beautiful pots. She joins us for A Good Ol' Chit-Chat and we learn not just about the wide array of containers one can use in the garden and how to maintain them, but also what would make it into Harriet's fantastical dream garden. We hear about childhood memories of treehouses and rope ladders, imaginary parrots, hedgerows that can be retracted at whim, rotating summerhouses, and the famous pink sheep of Somerset.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Pots, by Harriet RycroftWhichford PotteryCotswold Wildlife Park & GardensThe Cotswold Wildlife Park, A Celebration of the Gardens, by Harriet Rycroft with Tim MilesDiarmuid Gavin’s Heath Robinson GardenKeder GreenhousesGarden Media GuildMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Gardeners' World 2025 Winter Special Episode 3 Recap we talk about the wonders and perils of garlic, how Finland is utilising datacentre heat, the sad demise of the world's loneliest tree, how AI is saving rhinos, the marvel of resurrection spikemoss, and the rare Crikey steveirwini.On Gardeners' World Adam Frost introduces Andrew and Janet Rowe in Leicestershire and their incredible collection of snowdrops, and Carol Klein and David Glass show us around Bowood House Walled Garden. Jamie Butterworth and Alice Ward-Thomas have a look at her stunning garden in Bury St Edmonds, and Tom Cranham shares his beautiful terraria and iridescent begonias. Finally Rekha Mistry meets Chris, Emily, Pat, Farid and Sarah at the inspiring Woodseats Allotments in Sheffield.Relevant links can be found on our website here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/recaps/To help make this podcast happen, please visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/notjustagardenMore Not Just a Gardenhttps://notjustagarden.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pippa Chapman from Pippa Chapman Permaculture was on Gardeners' World 2025 episode 21 where she showed us her productive permaculture garden packed with insect life. She joins us for A Good Ol' Chit-Chat and we hear all about what would make it into Pippa's beautifully appointed dream garden with Wales-inspired views. We also find out about how to quickly disguise a neighbour's ugly fence, breeding tomatoes, making moisturiser from lard, food forests and Pippa's growing collection of half-whittled spoons.Some mentions from our guest, links can be found here: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/gardens/Pippa's bookThe Forager's GardenJohn Little’s GardenHarlow CarrThe Soap CalculatorMaking shampoo barsMore Not Just a GardenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NotJustaGarden/homeWebsite: https://notjustagarden.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notjusta_garden/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notjustagarden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotJustaGardenA companion podcast for Gardeners’ World viewers, featuring weekly recaps and Chit-Chats with guests & presenters from the programmeJoin the community for episode plant lists, discounts, recommendations, blogs, links, photos, & more by subscribing at https://notjustagarden.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.