Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

This week’s guest is multi-media artist Hanna Varga. Hanna incorporates the natural world into her work and her current projects involve foraging for fibres she turns into both useful and beautiful items. The conversation began with Hanna talking about her work past and present and developed into a really important conversation about the value of items at their more than fiscal level. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Cabbage Whiteflies About Hanna’s ‘Say It With Knots’ Project “Taking as a point of departure an idea that prompted me to embark on a journey dedicated to explore knotted ropes and their agency to convey meaning. What utterly captivated my imagination I first encountered in an essay by Italo Calvino titled Say it with Knots (originally published in 1984). In it he describes an exhibition about knot making and his impressions of the artefacts there as a medium for communication. 40 years later, in 2024, I envision a small travelling solo exhibition to reanimate this ancient tactile craft in order to tell stories of a particular geographical location. I endeavour to create an engaging and urgent body of work in response to our current ecological times. I aim to awaken curiosity and evoke questions about interconnectedness. I'm planning to make a new series of sculptural forms using wild foraged plant fibres. I choose to source my own art materials from the local environment to minimise my carbon footprint. The process of both gathering and making cordage is beautiful, versatile and yields evocative results. The metaphors in language can offer insight into the diverse range of symbols, historical and cultural associations with strings and knots; the important role rope making technologies played in the development of civilisations. I wish to juxtapose this with the natural history of the landscape where the raw materials come from. I will work on the coast of the Scottish Highlands where a long history of shipping and fishing trades have been present. Natural and human history will intertwine in the resulting artworks.” I wish to transport my audience in time - back to the beginning, where it all started by twisting together vegetal fibres into a piece of string. Also, looking ahead into the future, an invitation to imagine new possibilities in tactile dimensions in our increasingly digitised age. How will we continue making meaning with our hands? How can we create in reciprocity with the more-than-human world around us? Links Hanna on Instagram Ash Leaf London Other episodes if you liked this one: Botanical Storytelling with Amanda Edmiston Amanda’s new book - The Time Traveller’s Herbal Making & Using Natural Dyes Patreon

Hello and welcome to this week’s episode where my guest is Gill Perkins, CEO of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. We talk about bumblebee populations and habitats, what we can do to encourage and care for bumblebees in our gardens and about the role of bumblebees in tomato pollination, which came as a complete surprise to me! Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Fuchsia Gall Mite What We Talk About Bumblebee concerns Bumblebee identification Honeybees and beekeeping Encouraging and caring for bumblebees Tomato pollination Links Bumblebee Conservation Trust Bee the Change Managed Honeybees lbka.org Article on beekeeping Honeybees and other wildlife Trouble with beekeeping boom Other episodes if you liked this one: Urban Bees with Mark Patterson Pollinators with Professor Jeff Ollerton Patreon

This week’s episode my guest is Pete Russell, founder of Ooooby, an online platform which matches customers with small scale, local growers. Shopping for food in this way promotes homegrown produce, farm to consumer sales, supports independent growers, helps people to buy local, protects our farming heritage and helps us to move away from the chronically broken food system we currently live under. Listen in as Pete tells us how Ooooby works and how you can get involved if you’re interested. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Allium Leafminers What We Talk About The idea behind Ooooby The value of small scale and local farming Sustainability The range of products available Quality control The cost to the producer Links www.ooooby.com Pete’s Ted Talk More on Ooooby Other episodes if you liked this one: Climate Cuisine with Clarissa Wei Greg Peterson of The Urban Farm Patreon

My guest this episode is New Zealand based landscape designer Jo Wakelin. Jo creates low impact and environmentally conscious spaces and her own garden is a masterclass in water-wise planting that sits lightly within the landscape - beautiful but in keeping with its surroundings both aesthetically and ecologically. We talk about her extensive research and the lessons she’s learnt along the way. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Black Vine Weevils What We Talk About Jo’s work and what she does in her own garden Jo's thoughts on native versus non-native plants in a garden setting How gardens can and should work with their surrounding landscape Current schools of thought in NZ garden design Links Jo Wakelin on Instagram Other episodes if you liked this one: Design Experts - Xanthe White Ecologically Integrated Gardens Patreon

This week’s episode, my guest is Clive Farrell. Clive is a butterfly expert who established The London Butterfly House at Syon House and has dedicated his life to breeding and studying the butterflies of Britain and the world. His latest project has been to develop the 100 or so acres around his home in Dorset into a haven for insects, that features unusual, even magical elements such as a giant fibreglass dragon, a replica of a Saxon longhouse that is home to a huge bog oak sculpture, a temple dedicated to ravens and a giant’s chair. Clive’s garden is the stuff of dreams to adult and child visitors, but also to the invertebrates which makes their homes amongst this garden which is built for them. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Overwintering Butterflies What We Talk About I’m not telling you, just listen ;-) Other episodes if you liked this one: Butterflies with Peter Eeles Bugs in Your Garden with Dr Ian Bedford Patreon

This episode my guest is Jarema Osofsky, founder of the design studio Dirt Queen NYC and author of Moon Garden: A Guide to Creating An Evening Oasis. Moon gardening is an enchanting way to slow down in the evenings, immerse yourself in nature and cultivate a relationship with your plants and the moon and I’m talking with Jarema about how you can create your own. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Large Hairy House Spiders What We Talk About What is a moon garden? Do they have to contain all white flowers? Should you plant for year round interest? Should the garden be visible from the house? Apart from colour, what else is important in a moon garden? Can you create a moon garden indoors? Can moon gardens benefit wildlife? Night blooming and night fragrant plants How best to enjoy your moon garden About the book MOON GARDEN: A Guide to Creating an Evening Oasis (Chronicle 10/3/23) is a guide to creating a garden that comes alive at night, with night-blooming plants and night fragrant flowers. The book is full of design and horticultural wisdom; planting tips for outdoor, indoor, and container gardeners; and soothing rituals such as journaling and meditations. With beautiful botanical illustrations, Moon Garden encourages readers to approach gardening as a grounding, spiritual practice. Spending time outdoors, and bringing nature into one’s home, is both joyful and healing. MOON GARDEN is part of Jarema’s mission to design beautiful garden spaces that help people cultivate meaningful connections to the natural world, while also benefiting local ecosystems in the process. About Jarema Osofsky Brooklyn-based landscape and interior plant designer, Jarema Osofsky is the founder of Dirt Queen NYC, a garden design and plant care business. Her debut book, MOON GARDEN: A Guide to Creating an Evening Oasis (Chronicle 10/3/23), invites readers to dive into the world of moon gardens and all that they offer. MOON GARDEN is a guide to creating a garden that comes alive at night, with night-blooming plants and night fragrant flowers. The book is full of design and horticultural wisdom; planting tips for outdoor, indoor, and container gardeners; and soothing rituals such as journaling and meditations. With beautiful botanical illustrations, MOON GARDEN encourages readers to approach gardening as a grounding, spiritual practice. Jarema grew up in New York’s Hudson Valley, the daughter of an avid gardener. Throughout Jarema’s life, visiting family in Hong Kong and Arizona sparked Jarema’s love affair with tropical plants, the desert landscape, and unusual cactuses. What started out as a hobby and a “fresh start” after a bad break-up, Jarema began growing plants and sold them in vintage pots in her neighbourhood. She earned her BA in East Asian studies and fine art from Oberlin College and worked as an artist assistant in New York and Los Angeles, where she struggled to find her own form of expression. It was a pivotal moment when she realised that plants were the medium she had been searching for. After developing a strong customer base and advising plant owners, she decided to pour all her energy and passion into starting her own business. Jarema’s design studio, Dirt Queen NYC, works closely with clients to create verdant gardens that offer meaningful and ecologically sustainable connections to the natural world. Jarema’s work has been featured in Architectural Digest, T Magazine, Elle Decor, Apartment Therapy, and others. Jarema currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her partner Adam, and their pup, Esme. A day in the life includes a trip to the local farmers market, walks in the park with her dog, qi gong and evening journaling. Always watering, pruning or propagating in her garden, Jarema also loves to travel and immerse herself in other cultures, landscapes, botanical gardens, art and architecture. Links Moon Garden:A Guide to Creating an Evening Oasis Jarema on Instagram @dirtqueennyc Other episodes if you...

This episode I’m speaking with Kevin Hobbs & Artur Cesar-Erlach, authors of EDIBLE: 70 Sustainable Plants That Are Changing How We Eat which is a beautifully illustrated book looking at edible plants from around the world that are revolutionising how we grow, eat and appreciate food. It tackles important questions like what do we eat when our usual diets are no longer sustainable, how do we future proof food and how can we be more mindful about what we eat and considers what the future of global food production might look like. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Harvestmen What We Talk About The idea behind the book Traditional staple crops Hopniss Great Burdock Cornelian cherry Ebbing’s Silverberry Sea buckthorn Kevin & Artur’s vote for the most under-utilised crop About the authors Kevin Hobbs is a UK-based professional grower and plantsman with over thirty years’ experience in the horticulture industry. He is the author of The Story of Trees and Herbaceous Perennials, Hillier’s Gardener’s Guide. Artur Cisar-Erlach is an ecologist and food expert based in Vienna, whose work spans the fields of food and ecotourism. He is the author of The Flavor of Wood. Katie Kulla is an illustrator, writer and farmer based in Oregon in the United States. Links Edible: 70 Sustainable Plants That Are Changing How We Eathttps://www.summerfieldbooks.com/product/edible-70-sustainable-plants-that-are-changing-how-we-eat/ Lucinda Weldon Coaching Other episodes if you liked this one: Wild Food Tasting Session Edimentals with Stephen Barstow Patreon

This episode, my guest is Susan Poizner. Susan is the author of the award-winning fruit tree care book Growing Urban Orchards and her new book, which is now an Amazon Number One Bestseller, Grow Fruit Trees Fast. Susan trains thousands of new growers worldwide through her award-winning fruit tree care training program and is the host of The Urban Forestry Radio Show and Podcast and an ISA Certified Arborist. She founded the Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard in Toronto in 2009, helps others establish and maintain community orchards and food forests in Toronto and beyond and has won multiple awards for her work. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Ivy Mining Bees What We Talk About Selecting trees for disease resistance and planning for a staggered harvest if you grow multiple trees Choosing a spot for your tree Tree roots as the tree matures Feeding your fruit trees Mulching Success in a community orchard Summer and winter pruning About Susan Poizner Susan is the author of the award-winning fruit tree care book Growing Urban Orchards and her second book Grow Fruit Trees Fast. Susan trains thousands of new growers worldwide through her award-winning fruit tree care training program and is the host of The Urban Forestry Radio Show and Podcast and an ISA Certified Arborist. She founded the Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard in Toronto in 2009, helps others establish and maintain community orchards and food forests in Toronto and beyond and has won multiple awards for her work. Links Growing Urban Orchards Grow Fruit Trees Fast The Urban Forestry Radio Show Great Dixter Charitable Trust Other episodes if you liked this one: Plan, Plant & Maintain Fruit Trees Apples Patreon

This episode, my guest is qualified herbalist Meghan Rhodes. Meghan discusses how we can tap into our gardens for better health, why herbs are good for dealing with conditions that are manifestations of multiple problems, such as stomach issues, the 7 keys tastes you find in herbs and how you can get started on your own journey using herbs for wellbeing. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Spanish Slug Story What We Talk About How herbalism adds another layer of wellbeing to gardening Why taste is baked into our biologies, even if you’re brand new to working with plants and herbs How to recalibrate your palette to be able to detect the 7 key tastes of herbs How understanding tastes helps you make the most of foraged and homegrown herbs About Meghan Rhodes Meghan Rhodes is a qualified herbalist who has helped over 80 people start living herbalism, making healthier, safer solutions for themselves and their families a reality. As the founder of Rhodes Roots & Remedies, she has written 10 course books, authored the books Easy Herbal Remedies for Infants and Slow-Infused Self-Care, as well as developed a unique four season sense-based herbalism course and journey, Awaken Herbal Wisdom. Meghan’s practice of herbalism is rooted in the belief that we must remember, reclaim and relearn our knowledge of our bodies, our autonomy and how to work with plant medicine in order to bring control of our own health back into our families and homes for a sustainable future for ourselves and the planet. Meghan is a member of both the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy and the Ayurvedic Professionals Association. Links Get on the waiting list Exclusive access to exploring one of the seven tastes@rhodesrootsandremedies GreenBlue Urban Other episodes if you liked this one: Sensory Herbalism The Herb Society Patreon

Hello and welcome to Roots and All, where my guest this week is urban apiculturist Mark Patterson. Mark founded and runs Apicultural where he work with businesses and communities to invest in natural capital, improving the environment for pollinators and delivering pollinator monitoring surveys for clients. He provides honey bee hive management solutions, beekeeping training and education and also supplies quality urban honey to a select group of establishments. So you’d think Mark would be all for the idea of urban honeybees, right? Listen on… Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Ear Wigglers What We Talk About How many hives are there in London, does anybody have an estimate? Is it a sustainable number? Where are they foraging for floral resources? Are there enough of these? Are urban conditions more taxing for bees? Do environmental stressors lead to higher incidences of disease, for example? Do managed bees outcompete wild bees when it comes to consuming pollen and nectar? Are managed bees necessary? Useful? Desirable? Filling a niche left by potentially dwindling numbers of wild bees? A useful pollination and food source for humans? Why are commercial beekeeping companies trying to muscle in on the beekeeping tradition in London? Do honeybees count as an ‘environmental credit’ in terms of planning and building? About Mark Patterson After completing a National Diploma in Agriculture, Land use and recreation which included a practical Horticultural course Mark went on to study for an Honours Degree in Countryside Management and Ornithology at Kingston Upon Hull University - an ecology based course of study. It was during this time at University that Mark was introduced to bee keeping by a fellow student. As senior Consultant Mark has amassed over 26 years of experience in the fields of nature conservation and ecology. His past professional positions include marine biologist/ranger on the Farne islands national nature reserve, Countryside Ranger for a local Authority, Nature reserve manager for Durham Wildlife services, Worked on a bird of prey Reintroduction program with the RSPB , Freelance consultancy and 11 years as a project and program manager for a national Environmental regeneration Charity, Groundwork. Having assisted others with their beekeeping for several years Mark began bee keeping on his own in 2010 having attended an introduction course and a seasons mentoring. Since then he has volunteered extensively for Bee keeping associations, serving as elected committee official and Trustee to the LBKA, taught courses and organised forage planting activities for the bee keeping community he serves. Mark spent 3 years working for DEFRA as a seasonal Bee Inspector and currently cares for around 30 colonies of honey bees,10 of which are his own. Mark currently posses the BBKA Bee basic certificate, BBKA Honey bee management certificate, several of the BBKA modular exam certificates and the General Husbandry certificate. Mark has extensive training and experience in notifiable bee diseases diagnosis and management. As well as Honey Bees Mark is also highly knowledgeable about Solitary bees and Bumblebees and teaches Bee identification courses for the Field Studies Council as part of the nationwide BioLinks program. Links www.apicultural.co.uk Mark Patterson on LinkedIn www.howgreennursery.co.uk Other episodes if you liked this one: The Garden Jungle with Professor Dave Goulson Pollinators with Professor Jeff Ollerton Patreon

My guest this week is David Hedges-Gower. David is a prominent figure in the UK's lawn care industry, known for his expertise and dedication to promoting sustainable lawn care practices. He wrote the book ‘Modern Lawn Care’, is the Chairman of The Lawn Association, founded the world’s first lawn care qualification and works tirelessly to promote responsible, sustainable lawn care practices that benefit the environment and homeowners. What David has to say on lawns certainly challenged my notions on what lawn care involves, whether they’re a sensible option to those concerned about wildlife and the environment and what they can and should be like from a horticultural perspective, so listen on with an open mind… Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Horse Chestnut Moth What We Talk About Lawns and their uses Do lawns have to be high maintenance? Ideal grass species for sustainable lawns Do you have to feed a lawn? Can lawns be of use to wildlife? Artificial lawns About David Hedges-Gower David Hedges-Gower is a prominent figure in the UK's lawn care industry, known for his expertise and dedication to promoting sustainable lawn care practices. His background in greenkeeping, including his role as Superintendent at the prestigious Oxfordshire Golf Club, provided him with a strong foundation in turf management. After recognizing the need for better information and knowledge in the lawn care field, David transitioned into lawn care and authored a book titled "Modern Lawn Care" in 2014. This publication served as a valuable resource for those seeking to improve their lawn maintenance practices. In addition to his book, David has been actively involved in educating people about proper lawn care through training days, seminars, and advisory services. He is a trusted source of information, having accumulated 43 years of experience in the field. He often serves as an expert for publications, radio channels, and other advisory bodies, helping to disseminate his knowledge to a wider audience. One of David's notable achievements is founding the world's first lawn care qualification, which caters to both homeowners and professionals. This qualification helps individuals gain a better understanding of modern and sustainable lawn care practices, contributing to the overall improvement of lawn maintenance. David Hedges-Gower is also the Chairman of The Lawn Association, an organization dedicated to promoting the value of living lawns and distinguishing between genuine sustainable lawn care and marketing tactics that claim sustainability without delivering on it. The association collaborates with significant horticultural bodies like English Heritage to educate staff, trainees, and apprentices on sustainable lawn care methods. Recently, David launched the True Garden Range, a groundbreaking product in the form of 2-in-1 fertilizers and soil conditioners made from composted recycled food waste. This product addresses the need for sustainable lawn care options in the retail market, providing a more environmentally friendly choice for gardeners. David's passion lies in making sustainable lawns a priority, countering the practice of franchises that prioritize profits over the health of lawns. He envisions sustainable lawns as not just a feature of our surroundings but a necessity, and he works tirelessly to promote responsible lawn care practices that benefit both the environment and homeowners. Links www.davidhedges-gower.com Modern Lawn Care by David Hedges-Gower www.lawnassociation.org Other episodes if you liked this one: Tapestry Lawns So & Mo Patreon

This week, my guest is Andrew Bullock, who runs The Lavender Garden Nursery. Andrew holds the National Collection of Buddlejas and grows a huge range of lavenders and buddlejas from his nursery in The Cotswolds. We talk about how to attract pollinators to your garden, when and how to prune your buddlejas and lavenders, whether buddlejas are invasive, why lavenders are sometimes short-lived and anything else you ever wanted to know about these two plants for pollinators. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Mosquitoes What We Talk About Which is better for bees - buddleja or lavender? The best varieties for bees/butterflies/pollinators in general Night time pollinators How to grow lavender and buddleja When to prune and how much to take off Buddleja - invasive? Causes of short-lived lavender Links The Lavender Garden Contact Andrew on the phone: 01453 860356 or 07837 582943 www.premierpolytunnels.co.uk Other episodes if you liked this one: Pollinators & Pollination Bugs in Your Garden Patreon

Several years ago, Penn Allen inherited a collection of diaries that had been meticulously maintained by her great grandmother. Penn discovered the diaries documented the building of her great grandmother and grandfather’s Arts and Crafts house and the development of the garden that followed. She uncovered an untold story of her family, of plant hunting and of rock gardens - one that has significance to the wider world of horticultural history and in fact, goes some way to rewriting it. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Buddleias and Butterfly Tongues What We Talk About What the book is about and why Penn felt it was important to write it How the garden helped heal; through providing a space to contemplate, a space to communicate, a distraction… Alpines and rock gardening Plant hunters Reginald Farrer Will Purdom What became of house and garden About Penn Allen Having spent most of my life in the UK, I moved permanently to the beautiful Lot region in SW France with my husband around fifteen years ago. I have a passion for my garden and the outdoors and can generally be found either striding over a windswept hillside or upside down in my flower beds, always with a Labrador or two by my side. The Lost Garden of Loughrigg is my first story, though hopefully not my last! Links The Lost Gardens of Loughrigg by Penn Allen Tickets to see Penn Allen at the Kendal Mountain Book Festival Twitter @PennAllenwrites Instagram penn.allen www.modicagardens.com

My guest this week is Amy Anthony, a certified clinical Aromatherapist and Aromatic Gardener. In addition to that, Amy is an aromatherapy educator, podcaster, herbalist, certified master composter, and artisanal distiller and is one of New York’s top aromatherapy practitioners. We talk about the importance of connecting with nature through scent, how aromatherapy can support wellness and vitality and how you can become an aromatic gardening practitioner yourself. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Rosemary Leaf Beetles What We Talk About What is aromatherapy? What is aromatic gardening? What’s the difference between plant aromatics and synthetics? What are best essential oils for supporting wellness and vitality? Do you need to be careful with any aromatic oils? What are safe and practical approaches to aromatherapy? How are you connected to plants from your culture? “Aromatherapy is not a consumptive exercise.” Why? What can we do about this in our own gardens? How is aromatherapy linked to the moon? Where to find out more About Amy Anthony Amy is a certified clinical Aromatherapist and Aromatic Gardner who left her career in marketing research to pursue what is closest to her heart: working with plants. As a certified aromatherapist, aromatherapy educator, herbalist, gardener, certified master composter, and artisanal distiller, Amy is one of NYC’s top aromatherapy practitioners. Host of the Essential Aromatica podcast, Amy also tends her own aromatic garden on the North Fork of Long Island where she distills her unique products. Listed as one of America’s most influential aromatherapists, Amy Anthony is currently the New York State representative for the Alliance of International Aromatherapists and has her private practice called NYC Aromatica which includes one-on-one customized aromatherapy sessions, online class offerings, corporate consulting and article writing. Links Essential Aromatica Podcast NYC Aromatica Other episodes if you liked this one: Scent Magic with Isabel Bannerman Gardening for Your Senses Patreon

This episode, my guest is green roof guru, urban designer, photographer, birdwatcher, punk ideologist and all-round straight talker Dusty Gedge. We talk about green infrastructure, encouraging species back into landscapes, how to maintain landscapes for habitat value and what’s being and can be done to up the green value of public spaces. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Woodlice What We Talk About Brownfield gardening Biodiversity in decline The problems faced by birds in urban environments What initiatives Dusty is most excited by What happens if biodiversity starts causing a problem? Maintaining green roofs as habitats About Dusty Gedge Links www.dustygedge.co.uk Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Collecting the Love 1 Collecting the Love 2 Other episodes if you liked this one: The Botanical Mind Public Green Spaces Patreon

This episode is an interview with environmental landscape artist, TED Speaker and art21 Educator Tobacco Brown. Tobacco connects art and environmental justice and is a visual artist, digital storyteller, master gardener, social practitioner, cultural historian and intuitive environmental advocate. We talk about community green spaces, how humans connect with the land and why it’s so important that we do. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Beewolf What We Talk About What can gardens teach us about ourselves? Lessons we can learn from a garden that help us live our lives well Are there lessons we can take from life that will help us be better gardeners? Wisdom residing in the soil Land justice Communication blight remediation How gardens grow with you as you go through life About Tobacco Brown Links Email tobaccobrownartist@gmail.com Tobacco Brown What Gardening Taught Me About Life - Tobacco Brown’s TED Talk On Instagram art21 Other episodes if you liked this one: The Botanical Mind Public Green Spaces Patreon

My guest this week is Blanche Cameron, who leads UCL Bartlett School of Architecture's Environmental Design and Greening Cities modules, and is an urban green infrastructure advocate who works closely with industry and the government on urban greening issues. To say our towns and cities are not always good examples of environmentally sound design and biodiversity would be quite the understatement, but Blanche is one of a group of outspoken advocates for nature inclusive design who are are working towards better outcomes in this regard. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Dagger flies What We Talk About The built environment and biodiversity collapse Landscaping in towns and cities How good design can help mitigate biodiversity loss and climate change Vertical planting and green roofs Do we need a coherent plan or is it up to individuals to start changing their landscapes? “Productising” and the construction industry’s need for homogeneity Where does technologically fit in? About Blanche Cameron Blanche leads UCL Bartlett School of Architecture’s Environmental Design and Greening Cities modules and contributes to other modules and programmes, including the Landscape Architecture and Sustainable Heritage MSc.She coordinated the Living Landscape Strategy for UCL’s £1Bn UCL East development, and sits on UCL’s campus greening ‘Wild Bloomsbury’ steering group. Blanche is an urban green infrastructure advocate, working closely with industry and government, bringing practitioners into the heart of teaching, including John Little, biodiverse landscapes innovator, and Dusty Gedge, living roofs expert and founder in 2004 of the independent advisory organisation, Livingroofs.org. Blanche edited the GLA's 2019 10-year update report on the impact of a decade of urban greening since the London Plan's Green Roofs and Walls 2008 policy, co-written by Dusty Gedge and Gary Grant. Links Blanche on LinkedIn www.naturalgrower.co.uk www.veteransgrowth.org Other episodes if you liked this one: John Little Green Roofs with Dr Anna Zakrisson Patreon

This episode I’m speaking with author and expert gardener Maggie Stuckey about growing food in containers. We talk about growing a container garden of vegetabhttps://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/episode-52-grow-fruit-vegetables-in-pots-with-aaron-bertelsen/les, herbs, and edible flowers and the inspirational history of wartime Victory Gardens and their legacy for today’s gardeners. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Painted Lady Butterflies What We Talk About Victory gardens Growing food in containers With container space at a premium, how can you choose what to grow? Essential equipment Cool season and warm season plants Maggie’s neat trick for planting garlic cloves Root vegetables in containers Should you try to focus on one type of plant or can you grow a mixture of things? Succession planting About Maggie Stuckey Bestselling author Maggie Stuckey is an expert in the art of growing good things to eat in containers. For more than twenty years, Maggie has been enjoying vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers grown in her own container garden — and inspiring others to transform even the tiniest spaces into vibrant personal foodways. In her book The Container Victory Garden, Maggie shares practical and comprehensive tips and techniques for container gardening alongside the rich history of the original wartime Victory Gardens, which date back to 1917. Links The Container Victory Garden: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Your Own Groceries by Maggie Stuckey - HarperCollins Focus, April 2023 Move with Adele Other episodes if you liked this one: Fruits and Vegetables in Pots Container Planting with Harriet Rycroft Patreon

This episode I’m speaking with Seb Stroud. Seb is based at Leeds University and is part of the Ecology & Evolution Group, where his research looks at many different topics including botany, freshwater ecology, ecosystem structures and urban landscapes. He recently co-authored a research paper which looks at the state of botanical education and that’s what I was particularly interested in chatting about today. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Woolly Aphids What We Talk About What is the extinction of botanical education? Why is it happening? The effects of losing our tradition of botanical education Plant blindness The UN’s sustainable development goals and future funding The impact of botanical education extinction on climate change, food security and our economy What is actually being done about it? Natural history GCSE Equity and accessibility in environmental education The UK as a nation of gardeners and nature lovers…? About Sebastian Stroud Links Botanical education paper Seb Stroud on Twitter Botanical University Challenge Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh RBGE’s PropaGate Learning - Online Courses BSBI Kew’s Grow Wild Botanists are Disappearing with Seb Stroud - The Conversation, July 2022 CW Studio Other episodes if you liked this one: Modern Plant Hunters The State of Horticulture Patreon

My guest this episode is urban smallholder Sara Ward. Sara runs Hen Corner, a backyard smallholding in London. Her website Hen Corner has a wealth of information on growing and making food, she runs courses, sells products from her bakery and has just published a book ‘Living the Good Life in the City’. I began by asking Sara what prompted her to follow in the wellieprints of Barbara Good. Dr Ian Bedford’s Bug of the Week: Gardening for Nature What We Talk About What prompted Sara to set up Hen Corner How much can you grow in your average urban garden? Keeping animals Getting rid of waste from the garden Preserving food Looking after things when you're away About Living the Good Life in the City Sara Ward has transformed her Victorian terraced house in London into an urban smallholding, ‘Hen Corner’, and in Living the Good Life in the City she shares some of the ways she and her family have brought city and country together, and shows that you, too, can make a difference to how you live and the food you eat. Divided into sections covering Make, Grow, Preserve, Keep and Celebrate, Living the Good Life in the City is packed full of recipes, stories, tips and tricks including baking bread, making your own jam, pasta, sausages and cheese, keeping bees and livestock, preserving, foraging, harvesting and celebrating with food. Links Living the Good Life in the City by Sara Ward - Pimpernel Press, July 2023 www.hencorner.com Digital Fuse Other episodes if you liked this one: Huw Richards on Veg Growing Food Forest in Your Garden with Alan Carter Patreon