Growing Trends

 Gardentopia – Jan Johnsen’s go to landscape book for Homeowners. A few years ago Ann and I were fortunate to interview Jan Johnsen about a fascinating book she had written about gardens. Jan’s book “Gardentopia” for the home owner with 135 lushly illustrated garden and planting ideas that aim to inspire and inform you. They are fun, easy to remember and can be implemented in any size yard. Designed to help you with the process of accessing, sketching, designing, laying out and finally creating their own garden. Jan’s writing style allows the reader to follow the thinking process to such an extent that you are able to ‘join all the dots’ resulting in a much easier understanding of what can be quite a complex process. Jan’s extensive knowledge of plants for a purpose, shines through in the selection on plants she recommends in the closing chapters of this delightfully, inspiring and easy to read book. You can listen – below– to our truly fascinating interview with Jan Johnsen or if you prefer on iTunes at Growing Trends We would love to hear from you, with your comments or ideas for shows write to us at [email protected] Ann and Chris    

 Ann and I were delighted to be able to interview Anurag Agarwal the founder and CEO of www.juniorexplorers.com Junior Explorers motto is “Inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards” come take a listen and hear just how they are achieving this.   ABOUT JUNIOR EXPLORERS Our mission is rooted in the belief that you only protect something that you love and you can only love things you are connected to. From this belief, Junior Explorers was developed as a program to develop kids’ understanding of our planet, its ecosystems and species through fun and interactive missions. We built a program which is truly experiential, is both tactile and digital, and meant for kids to learn while having fun. Junior Explorers is dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards

Ann and I were fortunate to interview Jenny Peterson, just after her new book was published. Jenny is an amazing, extremely positive lady who is an inspiration for us all. A Garden that Heals Pittsburgh, Pa. (October 5, 2015): When Jenny Peterson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, it rocked her world. Her cancer treatment was hard, emotional and often deeply depressing. But Peterson, a garden designer and Master Gardener, did not let the cancer diagnosis define her. She used her desire to garden and dig in the dirt again to pull her out of the darkness. And she discovered that gardening is good medicine –for the body, mind and spirit. The Cancer Survivor’s Garden Companion: Cultivating Hope, Healing and Joy in the Ground Beneath Your Feet (St. Lynn’s Press, January 2016) tells Peterson’s story and explores the therapeutic benefits of this vital “earth connection,” including inspirational profiles of other cancer survivors, both men and women, whose gardens became their partners in healing. With gentle empathy, beautiful photographs and easy how-to steps, Peterson shows others how to create their own backyard haven for healing – a personal restorative garden – with well-grounded guidance about diet, exercise, mental focus and spiritual renewal. Her book adds a fresh voice to the growing fields of horticultural therapy and therapeutic gardens. What others are saying about The Cancer Survivor’s Garden Companion: “Jenny’s tips for incorporating gardening into your life for mind, body, and spiritual health are ingenious! As a cancer coach, I will definitely be suggesting this book to my clients.” – Susan Gonzalez, BSN, CPCC, co-author of 100 Perks of Having Cancer Plus 100 Health Tips for Surviving It, and editor of The Savvy Sister blog “Jenny’s beautiful book reminds us all that life can be found in the healing, meditative act of gardening. By lovingly tending a garden, we can learn to nurture ourselves, restoring our mind, body and spirit in the process.” – Ray Anne Evans, Executive Director, Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas “Jenny’s connection with gardening, garden design, and simply being in nature remained strong throughout her cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. In fact, it was part of what helped her through. And now she is helping others to learn from her powerful experience.” – Naomi A. Sachs, Founding Director, Therapeutic Landscapes Network; co-author, Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence-Based Approach to Designing Healing Gardens and Restorative Outdoor Spaces The Cancer Survivor’s Garden Companion will teach readers how to use the garden to heal, find hope and feel joy. About the Author Jenny Peterson is a landscape designer and Master Gardener specializing in xeriscaping and small urban spaces. She is a cancer survivor who found hope and healing in her garden, even during the darkest days of chemotherapy and radiation. In the process, she made deep connections with the cancer support community, including physicians, nutritionists, bodywork practitioners, psychologists and spiritual counselors. Peterson co-authored Indoor Plant Décor: The Design Stylebook for Houseplants (St. Lynn’s Press, 2013) with Kylee Baumle. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her fiancé, 19 chickens, two dogs, two quails and a goat. You can listen to the interview here :   Interviewing Jenny Peterson If you would like to purchase the book : The Cancer Survivors Garden Companion

  Ann and I had the pleasure of interviewing Linda Stanley  after she had completed this 1000km walk. Linda undertook this walk on her own, it took the best part of 8 weeks to complete and more than three months to prepare for. Linda isn’t your average walker by any means,  she suffered some serious injuries  breaking her back in an accident. Being a somewhat determined lady she set about challenging herself  to literally get back on her feet again. We interviewed Linda in her new home, a beautiful chestnut farm in Nannup, Western Australia just after the launch of  the children’s book she wrote about her journey. ‘Grandy’s Long Walk’ is written for young children, superbly illustrated about her walk. Linda wrote the book out of a concern that children today spending less and less time with nature and more and more time in front of the small screen. She hopes to encourage more children to get outside and discover the same senses of wonder and joy of nature that she had experienced on her long walk in the forest. You can listen to her telling us all about this amazing journey below. We were so curious about this really long walk that during our research we found some youtube videos of other people who travel from all over the world to walk this track. Darren is one such person, he created  a video and kindly gave us permission to include it in this article. His video is just a part of the walk, you can view it here Bibbulmun track video   Darren is raising money for Diabetes  you can see his web site here   Darren’s website There is also a specialist web site filled with information for those who want to plan their own walk..The BIbbulman Track  

Kerry Mendez has a passion for gardening, in her latest book “The right-sized Flower Garden” she discusses how to develop a garden that you can manage, often this will reduce the amount of work involved. As she explains it’s all about making the right choices, whilst at the same time making simple design changes. Here is a practical book with sensible tips, lists, time and energy saving suggestions that will help the beginner and the experienced. Come take a listen, I’m sure you will learn something new.

  Ann & Chris continue their interview with Bill Sosinsky , CEO of Energime University. Bill has recently returned from a trip to China. He talks to us about how the Chinese are adapting, planning and coping with the enormous … Continue reading →

Hello everyone, we hope you like our new logo ? We have some great interviews planned for the next few months. Our first is with Bill Sosinsky , CEO of Energime University. Bill has recently returned from a trip to China. He talks to us about how the Chinese are adapting, planning and coping with the enormous growth the country has seen over the past few years. Cities of 5 - 10 million people built in under 10 years ! This type of growth brings staggering infrastructure issues or as Bill says " This is a big deal !" The interview is one of those must listen to events...  we all have seen or heard of the Great Wall of China, a quite amazing feat of building, as seen here. I wonder how many of us can comprehend the current building program? 100 million homes in the next 5- 10 years...! That's almost one third of the total housing in the USA Truly a monumental task of ingenuity, engineering and collaboration, Ann and I were just amazed  talking to Bill about the growing issues they are trying to solve. We will have two parts to this fascinating interview you can listen to the first part here.... We would love to hear from you with ideas or suggestions on programs, either fill in the form below or just send us an email to [email protected] Ann & Chris

Ann is in Paris, France talking to Valerie Langendorff, President of a Women’s Garden Executive Club. Valerie looks at Garden Centers from the ladies perspective in France, her ladies group have identified a number of interesting trends.. Women make 70% of … Continue reading →

Garden Centers have evolved over the years, there are Independent Garden Centers often in a local neighborhood, there are larger groups with multiple locations. Many of the big box ‘Do it Yourself stores’ have larger and larger ‘Garden Center’ sections. The question recently has been where are they all heading. So Ann asked Sid & John – “If I were to open a Garden Center today what would be your recommendations?” Sid Raisch CEO of Horticultural Advantage (www.AdvantageDevelopmentSystem.com) , providing business expertise and extensive leadership training to small to medium horticultural businesses, primarily retail garden centers and selected wholesale suppliers. John Stanley. International retail guru is what people call me. Specialising in helping retail businesses to grow their bottom line and expand their market base. I work in 26 countries with retailers of all sizes. My expertise ranges from conference speaking to hands on management consultancy. My specialist retail areas are in perishable retailing – anything that will not last long without loving care on the shelf Sid and John discuss future trends for gardens, garden centers, and our urban environment. This fascinating , very informative interview is going to have you thinking. Send us your thoughts to Growing Trends      

It’s not often you find a garden that was founded in 1673. Which is when the Apothecaries’ Garden was formed. Ann was on a trip to Europe recently and dropped in on the beautiful Chelsea Physic Garden. Situated on the side of the River Thames in London. The gardens original purpose was to train apprentices in identifying plants. With the gardens location close to the river creating a warmer microclimate. This significantly increased the many non-native plants that could be grown.     In 1700 the garden had started an international botanic garden seed exchange system, which continues to this day. The gardens cover some four acres and are leased on what is known as a peppercorn ( very low) rent in perpetuity. They are with out doubt one of London’s secret ‘gems’ and thoroughly worth a visit. The gardens mission  ” Linking people with plants and nature” The interview starts with Ann talking for around 8 minutes to a group of school children on a field trip, the gardens have over 100 such visits a year.  Ann then talks to Michael a very knowledgeable and extremely helpful member of staff. We kept all the typical inner city sounds on the recording – the enthusiasm of the children is very heartening. Integrated pest management is the preferred method of bug control… They have a project called “Shelf Life’ it is just an incredible way to show children where their food comes from You can also listen to Ann’s interview on iTunes at Growing Trends We would love to hear your comments and suggestions for a show… just send us an email to Growing Trends

Ann and I interviewed John Stanley of John Stanley Associates  recently about his new book, he jointly wrote with his wife Linda,  Food Tourism – A Practical Marketing Guide. The fastest growth in tourism today is the culinary sector. Listen … Continue reading →

A few years ago I read a paper about how grasses 'moved' to music, then I read about the effects of harmonious sounds on plant growth. Why do I mention this ? Well a few weeks ago we were talking … Continue reading →

There has been quite a revival or is it renaissance  in growing herbs and vegetables at home recently ? The beauty of growing at home is that the gardener knows where this food has come from, what he has used to grow it. (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/mel1.jpg) The produce tends to be fresh, packed full of nutrients, tastes delicious. More and more people are joining in this healthy pursuit. There are a number of experts in the field of 'How to Grow ' today we are interviewing  the Square Foot Garden Guru - Mel Bartholomew (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/sfg1.jpg) It's been a few years since Mel introduced us to his space saving vegetable and herb growing system. Today it seems even more appropriate as a way to "Garden in Less Space with Less Work using less Water". We hope you enjoy this first interview with Mel, do let us know what you think and please send us your ideas, suggestions, comments and requests to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). You can find out more about Mel's books Here Ann & Chris Growing Trends You can also listen to the interview  on iTunes at Growing Trends. (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-trends/id959387230?mt=2)  

Today’s interview is really fascinating, our friends Bill Sosinsky and Rich Sapienza of Energime University discuss, coming trends, in particular the growing sense of community involvement. Community gardens - the modern name for an ‘Allotment’ is a case in point. (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/allotment.jpg) The growing popularity of farmers markets, are helping to provide locally grown produce, that is grown in season, rather than having all food always available. There are some real benefits to eating ‘for want of a better word’ the right vegetables for the season. (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/20140802_081355.jpg) We talk about water usage and the changes coming. To how we will all have to change some of our habits in these new times. In the meantime we all need to reconnect with nature, spend time to just take a stroll in a garden or park. (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/tree-lined.jpg?w=634) If you enjoy our interviews with these fascinating people, do drop us a line with ideas or suggestions to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Growing%20Trends%20comments) or better still like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GrowingTrends)  Ann & Chris

When we started this latest series of interviews with Bill Sosinsky and Joe Ravet we soon realised how important Algae is to life on our planet. (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/algae-3.jpg?w=300&h=225) We never realised how interesting or how much interest these interviews would generate. (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/algae-5.jpg?w=300&h=199) Here’s the second part, it’s fascinating, informative and what the future holds for us all. (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/algae-6.jpg?w=634) Have a listen then drop us a line with your thoughts we would love to hear from you. You can hear our latest interview here - just click on the bar below or on iTunes at Growing Trends We would love to hear from you with ideas and suggestions, just drop us a line at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])  

Our interview this week is with Bill Sosinsky and Joe Ravet, it's all about the amazing properties of algae and  the work being done today that could transform many areas of our lives. This fascinating interview is in two parts, with the second part coming next week. (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/algae2.jpg)   Algae has some fascinating uses :- As an Energy Source -  a 737 plane flew from Houston to Chicago on fuel derived from algae, way back in 2011 (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/algae-for-jet-fuel.jpg?w=300) As a Fertilizer - from as long ago as the 16th century, seaweed has been used a fertilizer. As a source of Nutrition - China has been consuming Algae for over 2000 years, they harvest over 70 species as does Japan, Ireland, Chile, Wales,Korea, California, New Zealand, Hawaii, Scotland, Greenland and Iceland to name a few. It was an ingredient in Aztec foods. Oils obtained from some algae  have high levels of unsaturated fatty acids,others essential omega 3 fatty acids. As a Pollution control -  treating sewage with algae, reducing the use of toxic chemicals that would be used. They can absorb fertilizer run off from fields. Aquariums can be filtered by algae As a Pigment  - alternative to chemical dyes As a Medicine - helping fight malnutrition, immune health, reducing cholesterol (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/algae-3.jpg?w=300) Amazingly  there could be more than 72000 algae species worldwide. You can hear our interview with Bill Sosinsky and Joe Ravet on iTunes at Growing Trends (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-trends/id959387230?mt=2) or here on our podcast just click below to hear  We would love to hear from you, our email address is  [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Questions%20from%20Algae%20interview)

It's that time of year again, as we move from Spring into Summer all sorts of tasty treats abound in our gardens, our interview today is with a lady who has taken this to a new dimension. (http://growingtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Eat-your-roses002-300x243.jpg) Ann & I caught up with Denise Shreiber recently to interview her about her fascinating book, all about edible flowers. Being a transplanted 'Brit' it was interesting to hear that her book was born after a trip to England where she sampled 'Rose Petal Ice Cream', Here I was, under the illusion that everyone visited our wonderful gardens and stately homes for the good old English cuppa with perhaps a scone, butter, jam and clotted cream ! You can listen to Denise here...

It’s allergy awareness week in  England . (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/aaw15poster.jpg?w=211&h=300) A subject that has become more and more important to my family over the past few years. My grandson Callum was born with severe allergies , which appear at the slightest opportunity, so much so that my daughter Nathalie has developed a huge number of allergy free recipes, started a company to help others with young children with allergies, has been featured in the newspapers, magazines and on television. You can read more here – The Intolerant Gourmand (https://intolerantgourmand.wordpress.com/) This prompted Ann and I to start some research to see how many children and adults are affected. We were really surprised at how many people suffer severe allergic reactions, how this has exploded across the whole of the USA, partly it seems due to the demise of the Elm trees. You can hear more about this from Tom Ogren in our latest interview. Nathalie  had explained  Callum, was a baby boy with severe eczema & food allergies,makes for an interesting journey of discovery! (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/cropped-cropped-381352_10150993423326157_773607328_n22.jpg?w=300&h=176) We found only one food pantry offering  exclusively gluten free and allergy free food in the USA. in OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – It’s opening next month in Overland Park, Kan. The ReNewed Health Food Pantry, it’s located at 87th and Antioch, will be holding its grand opening on May 13th. In England rules for premises selling food changed back in December 2014, This has resulted in all premises selling food, whether freshly made or packaged, to provide details of any of the top 14 allergens used. It is still early days, and there has been some resistance, but there are signs that eating out with allergies is improving. The medical profession in England is also beginning to realise the prevalence of allergies and how many more people are now presenting with serious allergic reactions in hospital – 20,000 attendances last year alone, with over 12,500 of those being an emergency situation! Here in the USA , Ann and I were fortunate to interview Tom Ogren about his fascinating , very informative book  about Allergies in the garden, this is a must read for avid gardeners everywhere. (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/allergy-fighting-garden-cover.jpg?w=246&h=300) You can hear our interview with Tom  at www.growingtrends.org (http://www.growingtrends.org/) or on iTunes at Growing Trends (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-trends/id959387230?mt=2) We would love to hear your thoughts and comments,  

(http://growingtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Children-eating-salad-300x300.jpg) Is this really salad ? it tastes so good like this ! Ann & I were fortunate to talk to three amazing ladies from Tennessee a little while ago. They wanted to start a school garden at their school, here is their story, the school garden is now in its third year. (http://growingtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Cuttings-22060_2595531c-300x187.jpg) Some of the main points we heard were:- It's essential to have teacher as well as parent support. Take time to plan carefully Initially growing from seed is harder , due to the school calendar.  Choose plants that will fit into this schedule. The children want to take ownership of their plants ! Educating children in the different choices of produce increases the varieties they will eat. Children really take pride in taking home to their family the produce they have grown. In a blind radish test, the children could tell which were home grown as opposed to store bought and much preferred home grown ! (http://growingtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/strawberry-picking.jpg) Ann & I would love to hear from you.  [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=School%20Garden%20Projects) If you would like us to put you in touch with these wonderful ladies,or if you would like more information on starting your own school garden just send us an email to Growing Trends (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Information%20on%20School%20Gardens)and we will be in touch. If you would like us to interview you, send us a picture of your garden along with contact details, we will be adding a section to our web site www.grotrends.com (http://www.grotrends.com)specially on School garden projects. Thank you Penny, Peggy and Emily, this was a fascinating interview. Ann & Chris