BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast

Embracing language, traditions, and folklore are an important part of how chef, author, and gardener Olia Hercules grows and cooks. Discover how her Ukrainian roots, spirit, and connection to the land inspire her passion for growing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The coloured stems of chard are a highlight. They're vivid and glossy and to be honest with you, they're as much at home in a tropical border as they are in a veg garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gardener and veg-grower Amy Chapman shares everything you need to know if you want to grow your own food but aren't sure how to get started, including the easiest vegetables to grow, organic problem-solving tips, and why ducks are the ultimate pest control. Amy talks us through the highs and lows of growing your own food and how we can all have a few more successes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Award-winning garden designer and presenter Arit Anderson discusses how you can get the best from growing plants in pots. She shares tips to help your container displays look beautiful and the secret to keeping your plants healthy. Growing in containers is a lovely way to introduce colour, scent and seasonal interest into your plot no matter what size your garden. From patios and doorways to windowsills and tabletops, there are lots of places where containers can bring colour and joy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sweetcorn is simple and easy to look after and there's no taste quite like a fresh cob taken from the plant and steamed straight away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With increasing climate uncertainties and global environmental challenges, what changes can we make to the way we garden and grow food that can have a positive impact on our local environment, its ecosystems and indeed the health of our planet.  Join ecological horticulturalist and conservationist Jamie Walton to discover how to garden and grow our own food in a holistic and ecological way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Is there a more beautiful thing than a garden in summertime with flowers at their peak, wonderful light evenings, plenty of good weather, and a chance to spend lots of time outdoors. Our gardens really do come into their own in the summer months. Frances Tophill discusses how we use outdoor spaces, and what summer means to her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 The largest of the Daisy family, the oxide daisy is a perennial and native wildflower that can be grown in ornamental flower borders in a meadow and in wildlife corners too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 This year, at BBC Gardener's World magazine, we've spearheaded a campaign called Make a Metre Matter, which is all about transforming just one metre of outdoor space for the good of the planet. Garden designer and Gardeners' World presenter Nick Bailey has lots of inspiration as he reveals plans for his Plant Based Garden at this year's Gardeners' World Live show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 The scent of sweet peas, the sound of buzzing bees, the feeling of grass under your feet, these sensory sensations are all part of a garden in summer. With summer getting into full swing at Longmeadow, discover more about the sights, sense and sounds there and the role they play in Monty Don's garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nasturtiums are easy to grow plants and their cheerful flowers have inspired gardeners of many generations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Jo and Andi Butler entered the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Gardens of the Year competition last year. Find out about their experience of entering the competition, winning the coveted People's Choice Award, opening their garden to the public, and what their gardening plans are for the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Would you believe that your garden, however big or small, could do some good in the face of the climate crisis? That it could help combat habitat and biodiversity loss, and also be a beautiful and personal sanctuary? Well, it's true. And the secret to all this and more lies in taking a regenerative approach to your outside space as  leading landscape architect and horticulturalist Marian Boswall explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the easiest vegetables to grow, beetroot is also incredibly versatile to use in the kitchen and it's packed with nutrients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As gardeners, we all know the environmental impact of peat, and why we need to stop using it. The challenge is how to garden successfully without using peat. Peat-free composts can be variable and more expensive than peat-based options. But award-winning garden designer and long-time sustainability advocate Arit Anderson has some top tips to help us all grow better without peat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is permaculture, and why is everyone suddenly talking about it? To find out, we spoke with veg-growing YouTuber and author Huw Richards. He shows how it's all about following a handful of simple principles – principles that anyone can apply, even on a balcony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Easy to grow and with so many varieties to choose from in many colours, shapes and textures, lettuce is a fabulous vegetable to grow from seed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you know the secret to creating show-stopping planting combinations? Combining plants in ways that means they look good and grow well together. Plantswoman Carol Klein has spent decades growing and exhibiting plants at over 200 RHS shows, winning a slew of gold medals. Her encyclopaedic plant knowledge combined with her artistic flair makes her a master of the art and science of combing plants successfully. Carol reveals how we can all add a little of her planting flair to our gardens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 This year's flower show season is well and truly upon us, and one of the highlights is, of course, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Multi-award winning garden designer and plants woman, Jo Thompson, describes her Chelsea show garden and the story behind it  celebrating the transformative effect of second chances through horticulture. Hear Jo's  experience of designing show gardens and how her innovative, diverse, compassionate, and romantic approach to garden design has helped her forge an inspiring career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Courgettes are a great crop to grow with kids, as they're pretty reliable, and come in wonderful shapes and colours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Famous for designing clothes and home furnishings, discover how Jasper Conran brings his famous design style to his Dorset garden. He also shares his inspiration for creative planting, engaging in the surrounding landscape for a wider garden picture, and his passion for nature and connecting to the countryside. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to start growing but not sure where to start? Martha Swales shares her inspiring tips on what to grow and how to get started, no matter how small your space. Martha also discusses accidentally amassing a following on social media and her passion for turning harvests into delicious recipes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 It's easy to grow these hardy annuals and, if you let them grow and self seed, it's almost impossible not to have them as part of your plot forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you like the idea of becoming more self-sufficient, living more in harmony with nature and in a way that is more environmentally sustainable? Poppy Okotcha gave up a glamorous modelling career, and moved to Devon where she's creating a wild garden, following regenerative gardening principles. Poppy shares what regenerative gardening and permaculture are, how it all works and how we can all bring a bit more wildness and joy into our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adding colour can transform a garden or outdoor space – and it can be a way of expressing personality and creativity, but how do we make sure our colour choices work well in the garden for year-round interest and enjoyment? And that our potentially flamboyant designs don't end up a chaotic mess. Ann-Marie Powell, award-winning garden designer, discusses how to bring gorgeous colour into the garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zinnias are found in the wild in Mexico and southwestern USA. So you instantly know that they love warmth and sunshine. So bring on the long hot summers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the joint challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss looming, how can we gardeners make a difference? To find out, we spoke to Dr Harry Watkins, Director of St Andrews Botanic Garden (a participating garden for this year's GW 2-for-1 Gardens scheme) where he's heading up a novel approach to gardening in the face of these two big challenges, and making some very bold decisions indeed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Enjoying her Somerset estate with her family, Sarah Beeny discusses managing the farmland as well as the garden space. As custodians of the land for now and future generations, Sarah is inspired to encourage wildlife, plant trees and hedgerows and improve soil health. She also delights in time spent in her greenhouse and discloses plans she has for the coming gardening year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When sunflowers start to bloom, there's nothing like it. Their heads light up any garden and are a haven for wildlife. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you know the secrets to getting a good deal at the garden centre? When you're presented with rows of plants for sale, can you pick out the healthy plants that are bursting with life, and avoid the plants that are not going to last. Designer and Gardeners' Question Time-regular Matthew Wilson previously ran London's oldest nursery, and he going to help us choose the best plants on our next trip to the garden centre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you know the secrets to getting a good deal at the garden centre? When you're presented with rows of plants for sale, can you pick out the healthy plants that are bursting with life, and avoid the plants that are not going to last. Designer and Gardeners' Question Time-regular Matthew Wilson previously ran London's oldest nursery, and he going to help us choose the best plants on our next trip to the garden centre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From a single squash seed comes an enormous plant, bearing outrageously beautiful, sometimes rather exotic, and really quite tasty fruits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Do you want to grow your own veg but have limited space? Perhaps you've got room for a window box or a few containers and don't know where to start. Maybe you're dreaming of fresh, homegrown fruit but don't quite know how to fit it into your plot. Gardeners' World presenter Adam Frost reveals how you can grow your own harvests, no matter how small your growing space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Many of us are itching to get out in the garden when spring finally arrives and the weather allows. It feels fantastic to be out in the garden once again, but with much to do and prepare for the coming gardening season, how can we make sure our gardening enthusiasm doesn't get the better of us and we end up with aches and pains or even incur an injury? Gardeners' World presenter and remedial massage therapist Sue Kent offers gardener care advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Onion soup, onion gravy, in our cheese and onion sandwiches, onion bread. You just can't get away from onions. They're a staple in a whole range of dishes and a must grow crop for the garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

April showers, longer lighter days, sunshine and birdsong are all signs that spring is here. There's an energy that's awoken and we're all raring to get out in the garden once again. Plantsperson, author and BBC Gardeners' World presenter, Frances Tophill, shares what we should be doing in the garden in Spring and how to get started for the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spring has well and truly sprung and our gardens are bursting into life. It's a time of excitement and anticipation for the growing year ahead. Monty Don reveals his gardening plans for the year at Longmeadow, what he loves about spring, and shares details about his upcoming Chelsea Flower Show garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Start your gardening year with growing inspiration in the Spring Conversations podcast from BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Discover garden design ideas, the best plants to buy, how to bring colour to the garden, veg growing advice, gardening in urban spaces and ways to engage in the natural world, and more. Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday for all your gardening needs this Spring. Also join us every Saturday as our Sowalong series continues. Sowalong with the magazine team as they sow the seeds supplied in the magazine, along with additional seasonal seeds to try too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Surprise someone with a fragrant bunch of sweetpeas or grow them for yourself. The flowers are just magic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Ask Alan, Alan Titchmarsh gives watering and feeding advice for house plants, discusses the ideal situation including light levels and how to combat bugs, provides help for non-flowering orchids, and more. Don't forget to listen for the Wild Card question to see if it's your's! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How to reduce in size, when to prune, which variety to choose, how can you stop it drying out and can you change it's colour are a few of the Ask Alan questions Alan Titchmarsh answers in this episode on hydrangeas. Don't forget to listen for the Wild Card question to see if it's your's! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Brussels sprouts are one of the more divisive vegetables but they're associated with a reduced risk of developing a wide range of cancers, so sprouts are believed to be very good for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices