the happy garden podcast

An allotment special on the happy garden podcast! There are around 330,000 plots in the UK. We talk to the Allotment Society about why plots are so vital to this country in terms of food security, as well as mental and physical health. Andy Lound provides the history of the allotment and we meet Bob who has been on the same plot for nearly 60 years! Lots of you getting in touch with stories and photos too, so do check out the happy garden podcast Facebook page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We meet listener Karen who is opening up her garden for The Nation Garden Scheme for the first time this year. Hear how she's getting ready and why she's so nervous! We catch up with Craighouse Cacti who scooped gold at Chelsea to see how they are feeling and also chat to Buglife to discover which insects we will find in our gardens in June. Questions on non flowering wisteria and bedding plants are answered too. Planting up old underwear also features! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chelsea Flower Show 2024 - what an exceptional show! Mollie went along to see the show gardens, the show displays, and the floral marquee. She chats to Miria Harris who designed the Stroke Association's Garden for Recovery. Hear about Miria's journey. She herself suffered a stroke and the journey to recovery, which is ongoing, is reflected in this wonderful space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Horticulturalist Chris Baines talks about his own garden and attracting wildlife. He also discusses his show garden at Chelsea - the first ever wildlife garden 40 years ago - it had a strange reaction from people who didn't quite understand it at the time. Darren has a hanging basket masterclass. Andy Lound has a VERY sexy horticultural history this week! We'll be answering your gardening questions and having a jolly good giggle too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An awful lot to cover in this episode! We find out about RHS Malvern Spring Show. Listener Penny tells us all about her hydroponic growing system. We find out about the catastrophic results of the Bugs Matter Splatter UK survey and ask what we can do about it. It's national hedge week, so Andy Lound has the history of the hedge. Darren's jokes will have you rolling in the aisles this week...oh and we also discuss the poor crane fly. No mouth. They can't eat, can't speak and their legs fall off very easily. Makes you grateful for every day really.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May is such a beautiful month in our gardens. This weeks we look at which insects we'll see in our gardens in May and what can be foraged. Chris Baines, one of the UK's leading environmentalists will be joining us to tell us all about International Dawn Chorus Day which he founded as a way to celebrate his birthday! Andy Lound has the horticultural history of the apple and we discuss World Naked Gardening Day. All that and a few giggles too, we look forward to joining you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A very important episode this week. After a listener got in touch with a cautionary tail of how a blackthorn thorn in his finger resulted an overnight hospital stay, we talk garden safety. ROSPA join us to tell how we can all keep safe. Darren also discusses the subject of plants responding to music. We find out which plants enjoy which type of music! Lots more, included growing vegetables in small spaces, jobs for the week ahead and Andy Lound has the horticultural history of rhubarb. Lots to enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another jam packed episode. Mollie talks to the RSPB who reveal this years results of the Big Garden Birdwatch - who has done well this year? Darren explains the ins and outs of being buried in your own garden, you'll be surprised at what he has found out! Jimmy the mower talks to us about lawn care in this dreadful wet weather and Darren continues his seed sowing master class. Jobs, jokes, money saving tips and lots of other gardening titbits for you to enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We do like to introduce you to fascinating people and this episode is no different! We meet Jimmy the Mower, who, thanks to one tweet that went viral, is now a turf influencer. The passion Jimmy has for his job is inspirational. Darren continues his series on getting plants started at this time of year. LOTS of reaction from last week's conversation about composting human bodies. Jobs, jokes, a bit of garden poetry, history of the watering can and hose....usual fascinating things! Come and join us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fascinating episode. Mollie talks to the founder of a facility in America that composts human bodies. How? Why? We found out... Darren continues his series in profiling how to grow and prick out seedlings and answers your gardening questions. We also start a monthly foraging slot in an effort to save you some money. Andy Lound has the history of the tulip and we shall have some smiles along the way. Join us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, we're still dodging those showers, but plenty to be getting on with! Darren has his April edible foraging guide, his seed growing masterclass continues and he also answers your questions. Mollie chats to charity Froglife about their campaign "Stop Spawn Sales" raising awareness of selling wild caught spawn and tadpoles illegally. Andy has the horticultural history of carrots and there are plenty of jobs, jokes and smiles along the way. Join us for easter fun! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At last, it is officially Spring! The wonderful charity Froglife join Mollie for a chat to discuss how frogs and toads have fared after what was the wettest February on record. Have they come out of hibernation early? What will that mean for them? Find out in this episode. Darren answers lots of your gardening questions and has a brilliant beginners guide to seed sowing. Lots more on this packed episode to enjoy too. Come and join us! For more information on Froglife, visit froglife.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We chat to the Daffodil Society about these sunny beauties and find out about their annual show. Andy Lound brings us more horticultural history with the fascinating history of the greenhouse! Darren answers your questions and profiles exactly what we can be sowing and growing this week. For more info on the Daffodil Society, visit www.thedaffodilsociety.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, we've had a bit of sunshine this week so we've been inspired to look ahead to the flower shows of 2024. Mollie talks to NGS who are getting ready for their second only show garden at Chelsea and Craighouse Cacti who will also be hoping for another Chelsea gold medal with their stand. Darren proudly profiles his workplace - the amazing Winterbourne gardens in Birmingham. He also answers some of your gardening questions, oh, and there is a surprise appearance too from The House Plant Band :-) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hear from Caroline Quentin as she talks us through creating her fabulous new book Drawn to the garden. Her passion is amazing. Andy Lound guides us through the history of using manure on our gardens. Darren explains care for air plants and lots of other horticultural tit bits to enjoy too! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another pod! We hear from Kaleb Copper from Clarkson's Farm about some of the finds that have come up with the plough. Darren answers some of your gardening questions and Monty Don tells us why we must tolerate badgers and share our garden space. All the usual podcast horticultural bits and bobs thrown in too, thank you for joining us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are joined by the wonderful Pete waterman to discuss a bit of horticulture. He talks about King Charles' garden at Highgrove, trying to keep royal lavender alive and his favourite plant. Darren answers some of your gardening questions. A bit of horticultural history comes from Andy Lound. And there is a bit of laughter :-) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Alice Roberts chats to Mollie about archaeology found in the gardens of the UK and how her garden is her happy place. We hear from listener Rupert who grows Godfrey garlic, a true yet huge variety, he has tips for planting too. Darren answers an interesting question about a neighbour dispute over ivy, there are money saving tips, jobs for the week ahead... and as always, plenty of laughs throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, what a rollercoaster of a podcast. The computer wasn't working properly and then it died altogether. Then Darren had a medical thing which meant he couldn't finish the end of it....oh the jeopardy! But the good news is, we made a fist of it. One listener has sprouting shop bought garlic, is it viable? We talk to a fabulous community charity which plants and looks after dozens of local orchards. Andy Lound brings us some more horticultural history...and there are a few giggles along the way. Join us... For more on the community orchards - www.fruitandnutvillage.org.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another pod! George Plumptre tells us how you can open your garden for the National Garden Scheme - your garden does not have to be perfect! Andy Lound explains the history of wassailing. We meet Simon who runs an onion club down the local pub. Lots of your gardening questions answered, bit of rapping, bit of laughing, the usual thing :-) oh and Darren was high throughout...come and join us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.