Podcasts about garden organic

Sally Nex is a horticulturalist, journalist and environmental campaigner with the Peat-free Partnership, we caught up with her to learn more about the mission of this organisation. Despite the widely recognised environmental damage caused by the use of peat in horticulture, the trade in peat is still ongoing. The Peat-Free Partnership brings together the RHS, the Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB, the National Trust, Garden Organic, Plantlife and many others forming a broad coalition to persuade the industry to adopt peat alternatives. Peat-free Partnership: https://peatfreepartnership.org.uk Plantlife: https://www.plantlife.org.uk Discover more about our hosts: Kate Turner: www.gardenerguru.co.ukPhil Wright: www.wrightobara.com

In this month's Organic Gardening Podcast, Chris Collins chats to Nick Hamilton – son of organic gardening pioneer Geoff Hamilton – and finds out more about his gardening journey and life at his beloved Barnsdale Gardens. We've always had a close relationship with the gardens and Nick, a former Garden Organic trustee, and shared many planting schemes and plant cuttings over the years. Our ‘Paradise Garden' (now part of Coventry University), with its pergolas and pond, was built to commemorate Nick's father and TV gardener Geoff.  More than 25 years ago, Nick had what seemed like an impossible task – taking over a collection of 30 or so organic gardens designed for television and turning them into a visitor attraction aimed at inspiring people to grow organically. In 2023, Barnsdale marked its 40th anniversary.  “I don't have any problem with people referring to me as the son of Geoff as I'm very proud to be his son. The gardens are his legacy…and still rolling on today,” says Nick. “I want to continue to show organic gardening is not complicated or difficult - it's easy! And because you're working in tandem with nature, nature helps you along the way.” Also in this episode… Chris and Fiona chat about our Every Garden Matters research paper – showing small steps in any size garden can have a positive impact on biodiversity. And from the postbag, we tackle how to safely dispose of laurel debris and old garden pesticides, and discuss whether we should feed birds all year round.

To celebrate Food Waste Action Week (18-24 March), Chris Collins and David Garrett join Fiona to bust the myths around composting. If you want to know how, why and what to compost this is a must-listen. David, our head of knowledge transfer at Garden Organic, shares the reasons he loves compost, and talks through the different composting systems at our organic demonstration garden, and how to use them. “We're producing kitchen waste at home so why not process it ourselves and produce compost? It's a circular economy in our own homes,” says David. “We're taking ownership of the waste and not relying on someone else to deal with it for us.” Also in this episode… Chris and Fiona chat about what to sow and plant now and how to care for winter ponds. 

"If you love plants, you're in the right place!”Welcome to the 11th episode of For the Love of Plants. December! In this episode I'll be joined by Anish from Garden Organic. Wishing our listeners, a Merry Christmas if they celebrate Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating if you like what you hear! As always, we'll be discussing plants, plants, plants!! To get in touch you can contact us directly ftloveofplants@aol.com or on our Instagram @ ftloveofplants  You can find us individually on instagram: - Jack is @growing__man - Charlotte is @somepotsofplants  Peace soundtrack - Peace feat N0IZ - NS Production - https://freesound.org/s/617450/Christmas Bells – tripjazz https://freesound.org/s/664697/Angelic Jesus Chords.wav - .Andre_Onate - https://freesound.org/s/155748/

Dig It hosts Peter Brown and Chris Day look at the latest news, views, and gardening tasks to keep you busy, plus the Dig it top 5, and some ideas for getting out and about this month.What's on7 – 11 December Winter Flower Week at the Garden Museum, London. Five floral designers transform the Garden Museum into an environmentally friendly floral winter wonderland.Friday 8th December, 12 noon – 4pm at the Garden Centre we have a wine tasting event with our good friend Tim Chafor from Chafor Vineyard Estate, Gawcott.The RHS are running Glow Events at their gardens at Wisley, 4pm - 9pm, Hyde Hall (5-9pm) in Essex and at RHS Rosemoor (4.40- 8.30pm). Visit the RHS website for details.Dig It top 5 - spring flowering bulbsNo 1 Narcissi 'Tête-à-tête, No 2 Amaryllis ‘Dancing Queen', No 3 Narcissi Mixed 1.5kg bag, No 4 Hyacinth ‘Early Forcing' and at No 5 Tulip ‘Purple Rain'.A ‘lunar halo' was spotted in the night skies in late November and Peter managed to capture the phenomenon which is caused by the refraction of moonlight from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere. // LINK TO PETERS PHOTO //NewsAdam Frost will be at the Gardeners World Live Show in June 2024 with his Chef's Table Garden.Greenpeace freedom of information request highlights the huge waiting lists for allotments.Nearly half of species are threatened according to new Kew research findings.Peat not mentioned in the King's Speech.The RHS publish a list of peat-free nurseries.A new chilli Pepper X is now a new Guinness world record breaker.A new chapter at Hillier Nurseries.Treadstone wins the GIMA Award in the Category Sustainability Champion for their Treadstone Rope TrellisCandide, a dedicated social networking app for plant and garden-lovers, closes on the 7th December.A taster of the 2024 Chelsea Flower Show Gardens.The RHS open their first standalone shop, The Plant Space at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent.Gardeners' World presenter Sue Kent highlights specific Garden Heritage Seed varieties from Garden Organic. Sue visited Garden Organics earlier this year.Horticulture sector needs urgent safeguards, reports House of Lords committeeSir David Attenborough donates Easter Island seeds to Kew‘Darwin's oak' to be felled to make way for Shrewsbury bypassEast Anglian Fens were covered in yew trees 4,000 years ago, study findsThe entire population of Kenya has been given the day off to plant trees Mentions: Sir Harold Hillier Garden, famed winter garden, in Romsey in Hampshire is well worth visiting. The Garden Centre will be donating 50p per Christmas tree sold this year to the charity Ripple Africa who actively promote sustainable tree planting in Malawi.Product mentions: Winter wash fruit trees and bushes with Growing Success Winter Wash, tree ties, tree shelters, check your stakes, insulate outdoor taps against frost, Secateurs Eversharp, Wolf Secateurs or Felco. WD40, Blade sharpening tool/stone. Christmas tree stand with a water reservoir.Plant mentions: Abies nordmanniana, English Oak, Bluebell, Dandelion, fruit trees and soft fruit.Our thanks for Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A chat with Catrina Fenton, Head of the Heritage Seed Library at Garden Organic, a charity promoting organic growing and composting as well as citizen science and research. It's also the home of the Heritage Seed Library and the national collection of heritage vegetables, conserving hundreds of varieties which are not widely available. Listen up for an interesting discussion about why the Heritage Seed Library exists, the unusual varieties it's saving and how we as growers can get involved and support their work. Link: The Heritage Seed Library How to become a Seed Guardian

There's plenty to be getting on with this month in the garden, despite the clocks going back in the UK. Dig It's Peter Brown and Chris Day help to put some of the garden to bed, plant spring bulbs and get border prepared. There's the usual round-up of topical news from the world of gardening as well as a few important diary dates if you're planning to get out and about this month.What's onSunday 1st October, 10am-4pm, The second day of our Apple Weekend event at the Garden Centre and we will be joined by top apple fruit identification expert Gerry Edwards, apple pressing featuring The Mid-Shire Orchard Group, Garden Organics with Chris Collins, and the local wildlife trust.Sunday 8th October Orchard Open Day at Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire, 10am - 4pm.Thursday, 12th October Ryton Demonstration Garden Tour 10:00am - 11.15am at Garden Organic, Ryton Gardens, Coventry. https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/ryton-garden-tour-12octTuesday 17 October Horatio's Garden Stoke Mandeville (National Spinal Injuries Centre), designed by Joe Swift. Private Tour in aide of the Horatio's Garden Charity, 10.00-11.30am. Booking is essential. All October Looking for local gardens to you for autumn colour then check out the Great British Gardens websiteDig it Top 5 Hedging Plants As next month we officially start the hedging season, here's a reminder of our top sellers last season Top seller at No 1. Quickthorn 2. Hornbeam 3. Green Beech 4. Photinia Red Robin 5. Green Privet.NewsThe world's oldest gardening magazine Amateur Gardening magazine closes after 139 years.Interflora and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust join forces to introduce a bee-friendly Beequet!Top chef Raymond Blanc continues his passion for growing and preserving many of the Heirloom veggies from Garden Organics at his Oxfordshire restaurant.The new RHS Urban Plant Show is set to open at the Depot Mayfield in Manchester on the 18th-21st April 2024.Reduced peat growing of UK houseplants.Nursery growing peat-free houseplants from seed.Be more sustainable by taking cuttings from your own plants says Tony Le Britton.Sculpture garden scoops top accolade.First sensory garden for pets opens in Devon.New study on growing homegrown food is looking for volunteers to help with research. To take part, contact urbanharvest@sheffield.ac.ukTeenager finds seed from world's largest bean pod on beach.Plants mentioned: Holly (Ilex), Potatoes, Tomato, Catnip, Plant garlic (available instore), Stocks, Winter hardy Pansies and Violas, 6-pack Wallflowers, Fuchsias, Pelargonium (geraniums), Alliums, Crocus, Daffodils, Tulips. Indoor Hyacinths and Amaryllis planting time. Nature Love' colour themed bulb packs. Primrose and mini cyclamen for centre bowl planting.Products mentioned: Compost bins, Vitax Greenhouse Fumigator (Insecticide smoke for greenhouses) and greenhouse disinfectant. Horticultural fleece for winter protection. Larger plant labels.Our special thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Collins is Head of Horticulture at Garden Organic .He's also a gardening writer, TV broadcaster, lecturer and horticultural consultant. Chris's books include ‘Grow Your Own For Kids'.Chris Graduated from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and has previously been Head Gardener Westminster Abbey.He's done much TV work including This Morning and being a former Blue Peter gardener.Chris will be on the Let's Grow Stage at the Fair, find out more below.

Chris Collins is a gardening legend – winning a legion of fans from his early days working in amenity horticulture to his big break on Blue Peter, presenting on the QVC shopping channel and being the ambassador to the national charity Garden Organic. In this edition of Dig It Peter Brown and Chris Day chat to Chris - the globetrotting author; TV broadcaster; lecturer and horticultural consultant.Plants mentioned: Ulmus angustifolia (Cornish elm), David Austin Roses, Borage, Poppies, tomatoes, aubergines, spinach, bedding plants, chillis, peppers, micro-greens in a salad bar and bulbs - Alliums, Crocus, Snowdrops, and Tulips. Houseplants: Cycads, Crotons, Ficus benjamina, Pelargoniums, and terrarium gardening.Products and people: David Austin Roses, Whichford Pottery, Trowels, Honda Mower, Percy Thrower, hanging baskets, Obelisks, Maxi crop Seaweed Extract, Q4 pellets, spouts with water bottles. Lawrence Hills, founder of Garden Organics. Horticulture Week magazine, The Plantsman (BBC 2 programme), and QVC Shopping Channel.Places mentioned: Graduate of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Apprentice gardeners at Brighton Parks Department, Limbe Botanic Garden in Cameroon, South arboretum at the Royal Botanic gardens in Kew, Head gardener at Westminster Abbey Gardens, college garden / medicinal garden. BBC Media City, Salford, home of the Blue Peter Garden, and Balcony gardens at Chelsea Flower Show.Desert island luxuries: Felco 8 secateurs and Betula (birch tree), one of the most relaxed ‘unstressed' trees to grow.Chris's gardening book, Grow Your Own For KidsChris Collins's website Facebook and InstagramOur thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Horticulturist Chris Collins, the Westminster Abbey head gardener, talks to the Horticulture Week podcast about the royal wedding and how he would have prepared the gardens for the big event.As a former Brighton Parks gardener, Collins rues the decline in funding for green spaces.And as Garden Organic head of horticulture, he talks about his role promoting organic gardening.The ex -Blue Peter gardener also discusses his campaigning during the annual National Children's Gardening Week, as well as his myriad roles in community and professional gardening in the UK and overseas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Collins is Head of Horticulture at Garden Organic .He's also a gardening writer, TV broadcaster, lecturer and horticultural consultant. Chris's books include ‘Grow Your Own For Kids'.Chris Graduated from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and has previously been Head Gardener Westminster Abbey.He's done much TV work including This Morning and being a former Blue Peter gardener.

The first day of spring is here and we're starting to sow the seeds of the gardening year. Chris Collins pays a visit to Richard Wilford at Kew Gardens where he talks about tackling pests and reducing digging. “Our tolerance of pests has changed,” says Richard. “You've just got to accept the fact you're going getting some aphids sometimes, and not get your sprayer out every time you see one. Allow the garden ecosystem to do what it needs to do…and then you won't need to worry about pest outbreaks because they're naturally controlled.” He talks about his plans for a new Carbon Garden at Kew that will demonstrate which plants can cope with climate change and offset it, and what you can do in your own garden. “The soil is the most important thing in a garden…and the health of the plants is so much better when you're not disturbing the soil. It acts as a great big carbon sink,” Richard adds. Chris also catches up with Garden Organic's head gardener Emma O'Neill about what she's doing in our organic demonstration garden this month. They discuss successional sowing - and how important a sowing timetable is for planning vegetables all year round, and share details of their favourite flowers. “Growing organically is not just about food production but also about incorporating ornamentals,” says Emma. “The more diversity you've got in your garden, the more beneficial stuff you're going to get in including more pollinators.”

Welcome to the Sunflower Allotment Podcast! This week Tim and Rachel visit the Norwich Seed Swap, a fantastic event in the local gardening calendar that really kicks off the horticultural year. Along with swapping seeds, we take a chance to chat to the volunteers, punters and organisations present including Norfolk Organic Group, Garden Organic and speaker Bob Flowerdew!  If you have any questions, allotment stories or acedotes, please don't hesitate to get in touch! Our contact details:Email: sunflowerallotmentpodcast@gmail.comTwitter and Instagram: @sunflowerpod1  Norfolk Organic Group:https://norfolkorganic.org.ukMaster Composters:https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/jobs-training-and-volunteering/work-at-norfolk-county-council/volunteering/master-compostershttps://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/what-we-do/supporting-volunteers/master-composters/norfolk-master-compostersBob Flowerdew:https://bobflowerdew.com/Thanks for listening! 

Planning your dream greenhouse? I get top tips and advice from houseplant expert Raffaelle Di Lallo and Emma O'Neill from Garden Organic.  For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/greenhouses

The mild weather continued into November but plenty of rain and wind brought the garden to a colourful if damp end to autumn. Peter Brown and Chris Day prepare for the bare-root planting season, delve into some of the popular news stories making the headlines, plus a look at some of those pressing jobs in the garden and with our beloved houseplants.What's onMonday 7th November: Wilding Rural Enfield is an online talk by Ian Russell, principal engineer at Enfield Council's Watercourse Team. Open 6-7pm. More details hereThursday 17th November: Gardens in My Life is the title of the 2022 annual lecture of the National Garden Scheme given by garden designer Arabella Lennox-Boyd.In the newsAmersham in Bloom crowned overall winner of this year's RHS Britain in Bloom UK finals.Are gardener's losing their parliamentary voice, asks Matthew Appleby? Featured in Amateur Gardening magazine, 23rd October issue.Garden Organic fighting for the future, plus their excellent Heritage Seed Library.Our Houseplant department at the Garden Centre has received a fantastic makeover. Look out for Beautanic Lifestyle range of hydroculture plants from Javado.Garden visiting remained as popular as ever this year with increased visitor numbers including Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (top spot), RHS Wisley, in the third spot and Trentham Gardens in fifth spot.Do not forget to look for the spectacular magical illumination shows over the next couple of months at Waddesdon Manor, RHS Glow Gardens and the beautiful lakes and gardens at Leonardslee in West Sussex.A reminder about checking for hedgehogs prior to lighting a bonfire in the garden, plus The British Hedgehog Preservation Society are encouraging schools and colleges to take part in their ‘Pick litter to help hogs' campaign.British Garden Centre group increases numbers to 62 with the acquisition of Mirfield Garden Centre in West Yorkshire.Plants mentionedBare-root planting season begins, including native hedges, roses, ornamental and fruit trees.Dahlia, Leylandii, Spotted Laurel, English Yew and Hollies. Plants suitable to take as hardwood cuttings include Willow, Dogwood and Hazel. Continue spring bulbs planting - Tulips, Narcissi and Crocus if you plan to create lasagna bulb displaysSow a few Broad beans (varieties such as ‘Aquadulce' and ‘Super Aquadulce'), pot up bare-root strawberries for an early crop and sow Sweet Peas for earlier flowering next summer.Product mentionsRootGrow (Mycorrhizal friendly fungi). Potting or horticultural grit for soil improvement. Use a net over your pond to clear any leaves and use a wheatgerm feed for your fish. Plants that create aerial roots such as Monstera may need support so install a moss pole, which must be kept moist.Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for providing the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Brown and Chris Day start preparing for winter as well as providing us with a roundup of the latest news and views from the world of gardening.What's onSaturday 1st – Sunday 2nd October: Buckingham Garden Centre's Apple Weekend with Gerry Edwards, The Mid Shires Orchard Group, CPRE The Countryside Charity, BBOWT, Chrissie's Owls (Saturday), plus Junior Gardening Club's children's best dressed apple competition. The North Buckinghamshire Beekeepers Association Honey Show is on the Sunday.Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th October: Waterperry Gardens Apple Weekend.Saturday 15th October, 10am-5pm: Autumn Fair at Harcourt Arboretum, Oxfordshire.Thursday, 20 October, 13:00 - 14:15: Garden Tour at Garden Organic, Ryton Gardens, COVENTRY, Warks, CV8 3LG.In the newsPlants named after the late The Queen Elizabeth II, include Clematis montana var. rubens 'Elizabeth' was bred by Jackmans in the 1950s.The list includes Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth' bred by Lammerts Rosa 'The Queen's Jubilee' was launched to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth II' was bred by Harkness RosesOur Dig It top five apple maiden varieties1 ‘Discovery'2 ‘James Grieve'3 ‘Cox's Self-Fertile'4 ‘Arthur Turner'4 ‘Egremont Russet'In the newsBall Colegrave announce the top varieties voted by visitors to their trade event back in the summer. Last year was the Year of the Courgette and Fleuroselect in conjunction with Royal Horticultural Society grew some 70 different varieties at two of their gardens at Bridgewater and Rosemoor. The plants were judged by the RHS technical committee and these new varieties were awarded the top Award of Garden Merit (AGM) Cucurbita ‘Color', ‘Lorea' and ‘Brice'.RHS Hyde Hall reveals people's choice Viola winnerUpdated - Plants and their toxicity the HTA Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants and now includes pets. You can access it at this linkProduct mentionsHomebase Peat Free, Aldi Peat Free, Westland New Horizon Peat Free (best of the bunch so far) and Miracle Gro Peat Free.Vine weevil Control– opt for Bug Clear Ultra Vine Weevil Killer as a soil drench or look at natural nematotode control.Plant mentionsSpring bulbs including Alliums, Crocus, Daffodils, Snowdrops and Hyacinths for planting now. Tulips often benefit from being planted a little later into the autumn and early winter. Don't delay get your ‘prepared' hyacinths and Narcissi ‘Paperwhite' established if you are looking for Christmas colour. Available in store. Heuchera and Heucherella plants with their decorative foliage work well with bulbs in borders and in containers.As the soil becomes more workable, think about getting your autumn onions and garlic established before the weather turns cold.Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for providing the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Collins - Garden Organic - 2022 Show Preview

Ben is head of Horticulture and Forestry at the Soil Association.  Author or co-author of eight books including Zero Waste Gargenind, The Woodchip Handbook and The AgroForestry Handbook, Ben holds specialist knowledge and experience that includes Community Supported Agriculture, woodchip, and starting up new horticultural businesses.All told, he has been working in horticulture for more than 25 years and has been with the Soil Association since 2006.During that time he has chaired the DEFRA Edibles Horticulture Roundtable, sat on the boards of the Organic Growers Alliance and Community Supported Agriculture Network UK, and on the committee of the Farm Woodland Forum.His own experience includes running a walled garden in Sussex supplying a Michelin starred restaurant, working for Garden Organic at their gardens in Kent and running the 10-acre horticultural production at Daylesford Organic Farm, before moving to the Welsh College of Horticulture as commercial manager.More recently he is project managing an agroforestry planting at Helen Browning's farm in Wiltshire and has acted as Horticultural Advisor and Board Member for the Community Farm near Bristol.This conversation follows on from the one on Regenerative Farming with Caroline Grindod, as part of our ongoing exploration of how we can transform our food and farming systems, heading for the complete paradigm shift that we need to an entirely new system and a new way of being in the world, while allowing farmers, growers and ordinary people to continue to flourish in the existing system. Ben is at the heart of an agro-forestry revolution in the UK and abroad, experimenting and gathering data and experience in the planting of trees as we move deeper into a changing climate. We talk about the practical implications of working with trees that, by their nature, require long term thinking and planning. We learn of the mistakes that have been made, and the accidental discoveries of things that work. We explore the changing face of farming, and how agro-forestry, sylvo-pasture and other ways of farming with trees can transform modern agriculture from being part of the problem, to being part of the solution. Ben's WebsiteBen at the Soil Association Ben at the Sustainable Food TrustBen at LinkedInBen's BooksThe Woodchip HandbookPlant a Tree and Save the WorldZero Waste GardeningBooks mentioned by Ben The Reindeer ChroniclesBarn ClubEvents and Organisations: The Farm Woodland Forum 

Emma O'Neil - Garden Organic - 2022 Show Preview

July is here and it's time to take your foot of the gas a little. But not too much - there's still plenty to do! Chris updates Fiona on his allotment and shares his approach to planting, influenced by years of working in parks. They also touch on the different summer growing conditions in Chris's London home compared to his training days in Scotland. As Chris and Fiona both pack their bags for a holiday, they discuss essential preparation to keep everything, including houseplants, ticking over for their return. Sarah returns to talk to Garden Organic's Director of Horticultural Science, Dr. Bruce Pearce. Bruce tells us about organic growing in the wider sense, focusing on what organic means and why organic farming is so essential for a healthy future. Sarah and Bruce discuss the challenges of buying organic food when household budgets are stretched and share some useful tips on how to prioritise at the checkout. Lastly Anton and Chris answer a question from someone struggling with peat-free compost, and share their experiences of growing perennial brassicas. We're delighted to have The Organic Gardening Catalogue as our official podcast sponsor for 2022. Whether you're looking for information, ready to take your first step into organic gardening, or planning your next veg plot or flower bed The Organic Gardening Catalogue is the right place for you! They offer a complete range of organic gardening products, including seeds and plants, pest deterrents, feeds, compost, equipment plus much more. Garden Organic members can also take advantage of a 10% discount with any purchase from the catalogue. For this month's special offer on an amazing range of pots and plants go to organiccatalogue.com/POD5

Chris Collins - Garden Organic - Gold Award winner

It's June – time to start seeing the fruits of our labour as all those seedlings get planted-out. Chris and Fiona compare notes on their most challenging weed – horsetail for Chris, bindweed for Fiona – and share tips to keep on top of them without reaching for weedkiller. We're also joined by slug expert Imogen Cavadino, who shares her passion for these less-than-popular gastropods with Sarah. Finally we answer questions on durable lawns, what to do with excessive grass clippings and planning to grow throughout autumn and winter. Here are links to more information on some of the topics covered: Growing Winter Veg workshop Tasks for June Organic weed management Making your own plant feeds Organic slug and snail controls Lawn care The Organic Gardening Catalogue If you want to join Garden Organic for more advice please click here, or donate to support our work and help us carry on with projects like our podcast here.

Join new presenter, Garden Organic CEO Fiona Taylor, as she shares her love of May with Chris. Plus Chris takes a trip to the beautiful Mumbles on the Gower Peninsula to meet Gardeners World presenter and long-time Garden Organic member, Sue Kent, who shows him round her inspirational tiered organic garden.

Years ago I had the privilege of interviewing John Whitman about his book "Fresh From the Garden - An Organic guide to growing Vegetables, Berries and Herbs in Cold Climate". Not only does he include 1700 plants but he also busts some garden myths. Find out what they are on today's Garden Bite. Our knowledge of EVERYTHING is always evolving and it's fun to learn other theories too!

From cutting air miles to boosting biodiversity and soil health, nurturing our own fruit and veg garden gives us so much more than just a tasty harvest – so we talk to food policy guru Professor Tim Lang, who's also a gardener, President of Garden Organic and a one-time hill farmer, and has experienced food growing from all sides. He's passionate about the contribution gardeners can make to a better future for food, our soil and our health. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hello and welcome back to Series III of the Mic the Gardener Gardening Podcast. I'm delighted to be back after the New Year break. In this first episode I go back to the most fundamental and important component of our gardens…. soil. Without soil we have no plants, trees, shrubs, vegetables, fruit, perennials or bulbs. My parents used to tell me to spend a pound on the hole and a penny on the plant. That's so true.. Our gardens, containers and balconies will only truly flourish if the soil is healthy. In this episode I chat to Dr Anton Rosenfeld, from Garden Organic who tells us everything we need to know about our soil. He tells us: How soil is made How to identify what soil type we have How to improve our soil and keep it healthy by incorporating organic matter Why mulching our soil is so important What green manures are and their benefits to our soil How to make & use leaf mould What the benefits of 'no-dig' are Why earth worms are so important What the acidity or alkalinity of our soil means Its a fact-filled episode and really is the starting point of any garden, irrespective of whether you're growing your own or maintaining a beautiful ornamental garden, or indeed both. You can find out more about your soil and growing organically at www.gardenorganic.ork.uk. If you wish to contact me, please email micthegardener01@gmail.com or you can follow me on my Instagram account (@mike_thegardener) where you can also message me directly. Please don't forget to FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to the Mic the Gardener Gardening Podcast to make sure you don't miss out on the fun and of course the great gardening content. And perhaps you'd be kind enough to leave a review and tell your friends about the podcast See you next week. Mike

WHY GROW YOUR OWN FOOD? There are a lot of reasons to grow your food. Here are five motivating reasons to grow your food. 1. FRESH AND HEALTHY FOOD 2. GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 3. GREATER CHOICE OF VEGETABLES & FRUITS 4. GOOD EXERCISE FOR HEALTH 5. FUTURE IS ORGANIC GARDENING FRESH AND HEALTHY We are all well aware that the route to good health is through eating more fruits and vegetables, but you may not have considered the direct benefits of growing them yourself. Vitamin and antioxidant levels are at their highest when crops are first picked, with the levels falling by half after a week or so. In shops, you can rarely tell how long ago “fresh” produce was picked or how well it has been stored, especially if it is imported or kept in refrigeration. When you have your own wigwam of runner beans, or a big pot of tomatoes on your patio, you can harvest and eat them within hours, or even minutes. GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Our planet is overheating and, we should concern about the impact of food production on the environment, especially in terms of the “food miles” that build up when we import crops over huge distances. When you grow your own, food miles are reduced to zero, and the carbon footprint is negligible. Fundamentally, the world's population has to feed, and by cultivating whatever space you have, you are making a small step to reduce the stress on global supply. If you wish, you will also be able to choose to grow your food organically. Life revolved around are changing, and there is no better way to discover the seasonal nature of food crops than to grow your own all year round. GREATER CHOICE In shops, you have a limited choice of types of strawberries, broccoli, or carrots, for example, because commercial growers are motivated by yield, shelf-life, and uniformity and grow vast monocultures of just a few varieties. When you grow your own, there are thousands of different crops and combinations to try with qualities suited to your tastes. You may never see 'Yin Yang' French beans or 'Double Red' sweetcorn in the supermarket, but you can grow them yourself. GOOD EXERCISE FOR HEALTH If you feel a bit confined in a gym, gardening provides a great alternative to exercise. One hour's digging can burn off more than 300 calories, and light pottering, weeding, mulching, watering, and planting involves lifting, stretching, and bending. It's the perfect workout. (Chamberlain 2020) THE FUTURE IS ORGANIC GARDENING Organic food is widely available in supermarkets and specialty stores; many governments support organic farming and research. More and more people are turning to organic methods of gardening. Every time there is another food scare or another pesticide's dangers come to light, more people turn to eat and grow organically. As climate change's effects become more prominent, and we are encouraged to reduce our “carbon footprint,” organic gardening offers practical ways to do this in the garden. (Garden Organic, DK Publishing, Inc 2008) References Chamberlain, L. (2020). RHS step-by-step veg patch: A foolproof guide to every stage of growing fruit and veg / Lucy Chamberlain. Dorling Kindersley. Garden Organic (Organization); DK Publishing, Inc. (2008). Grow organic (1st American ed.). Dorling Kindersley. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/organicguru/message

Replay of The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener Radio Show from 4-20-19 Heard on 860AM WNOV & W293cx 106.5FM Milwaukee, WI Saturday mornings 9-10AM CST Heard on WAAM 1600 AM Ann Arbor, MI Sundays 7-8AM est Heard on WWDB 860 AM Philadelphia, PA Sundays 7-8AM est Heard on KMET 1490 AM Tuesdays 9 - 10 AM pst Banning, CA listen here during show hours for your station: WNOV https://tinyurl.com/y8lwd922 WWDB: https://wwdbam.com/ WAAM https://tinyurl.com/p68cvft Check out https://thewisconsinvegetablegardener.com/ Contact Joey and Holly: Email them at TWVGshow@gmail.com Reach the show anytime through the Instant access text hotline 414-368-9311 Thank you for listening and downloading the show. In segment 2 Joey and Holly talk about how bad garden tips on Social media. Mounting little planters, vertical strawberry, rain gutters, etc - little soil Potato box Planting in egg shells/egg cartons Seeds that seem too good to be true Companion plantings Volcano mulching Stop slugs having a ball The tip Copper is reputed to repel slugs, so take an old bowling ball (you’ve got one of those lying around, right?), glue pennies (or 2p pieces) to it, so they cover the surface, and use it as a decorative garden object that doubles as a slug barrier. (And if you want it to shine, soak the coins in cola first.) The catch Not only is it debatable how decorative this actually looks, it’s also hard to be convinced by its efficacy as an anti-slug device. These days, British 1p and 2p “coppers” are made from copper-plated steel, plus there is at best only patchy evidence that copper repels slugs in the first place. Dr Ian Bedford, head of entomology at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, has lab-tested copper slug repellers and found no evidence that they work. And even if copper did dissuade slugs, you’d need a whole bowling alley’s worth of coin-covered balls to have any meaningful effect. As Bedford points out, “You put a bowling ball in the middle of your lawn, but what’s to stop them eating the plants in your border?” Advertisement The alternative Go ahead and make your ball; just don’t expect it to deter slugs. For that, use a biological control such as Nemaslug or a nightly slug patrol. Nail those blue hydrangeas The tip Gather up those rusty nails from the back of the shed and put them in the ground around hydrangeas to correct an iron deficiency, increase acidity in the soil and, in the process, turn their blooms from pink to blue. The catch None of it works. Here’s a mini-science lesson from Guy Barter, the RHS’s chief horticultural adviser: “Almost all soils contain a lot of iron, but it becomes unavailable to plants – especially ericaceous ones such as rhododendrons – in alkaline soils,” he says. “Adding iron nails to alkaline soil merely slowly adds a very small amount of iron to the pool of chemically locked-up iron in the soil. It is soil aluminium that influences hydrangea flower colour, and aluminium is most available to plants in the acid soils associated with blue hydrangeas.” The alternative Add sulphur dust, not nails, to soil to increase acidity. Aluminium sulphate, often sold as hydrangea-blueing compound, is the best product to change flower colour in hydrangeas – try Vitax’s Hydrangea Colourant. Plants with iron deficiency suffer yellowing patches between the veins. Barter recommends treating them with chelated iron, an organic compound that prevents lock-up in the soil, allowing plants to absorb the iron they need. Dish it out to the weeds The tip Kill weeds by spraying them with a homemade brew of vinegar, epsom salts and washing-up liquid mixed with water. This mix of ingredients commonly found in our homes is touted as safer for pets and children than shop-bought weed treatments. The catch Home remedies such as this are often billed as “all-natural”, but have you looked at the ingredients of washing-up liquid recently? Plus, it’s illegal under EU law to concoct homemade weedkillers from household ingredients (what happens after Brexit is a moot point). Linda Chalker-Scott, associate professor at Washington State University’s department of horticulture, spends her life arguing against such poor gardening advice. She points out that household products aren’t formulated for this kind of use: “You have a concoction that will strip away the protective layers of plants and associated organisms, which is not a sustainable way to approach weed control,” she says. The alternative If you choose not to garden organically, buy a proprietary weedkiller and follow the instructions to the letter. Organic gardeners can control weeds with hoeing, mulching and hand-pulling. To remove weeds between paving slabs and other tricky-to-treat areas, Garden Organic recommends a flame weeder that uses propane or paraffin to kill weed plants and seeds. check out highlights of past show podcast and video https://thewisconsinvegetablegardener.com/video-series/highlights-podcast/ Tweet us at #twvg or @twvgshow The show runs March - Oct Check out the following sponsors that make the radio show possible: Thank you Power Planter of www.powerplanter.com IV Organics of www.ivorganics.com Dr. Earth of www.drearth.com organic Root maker of www.rootmaker.com Flame Engineering Inc. of www.flameengineering.com Use coupon code WVG19 to get free shipping. Pomona Universal Pectin of www.pomonapectin.com Bobbex of www.Bobbex.com: Beans & Barley of www.beansandbarley.com MIgardener of www.MIgardener.com Outpost Natural Foods Co-op of www.outpost.coop Root Assassin of www.rootassassinshovel.com . Handy Safety Knife of www.handysafetyknife.com Use promo code WVG to get 10% off &free shipping one time use only BioSafe of www.biosafe.net Save 10% on your next order use coupon code TWVG at checkout Chapin Manufacturing Inc. of www.chapinmfg.com Pro Plugger of www.proplugger.com Dharmaceuticals of www.dharmaceuticals.com Soil Savvy of www.mysoilsavvy.com Use coupon code TWVG19 to save 10% at checkout Tomato Snaps of www.tomatosnaps.com Drip Garden of www.dripgarden.com Drip Garden The Madison Greenhouse Store of www.madisongreenhousestore.com Standard Process Inc. of www.standardprocess.com Big Fat’s Hot Sauce of www.bigfatshotsauce.com Soil Diva of www.soildiva.net World’s coolest floating rain gauge of www.WorldsCoolestRainGauge.com Clyde’s vegetable planting chart of www.clydesvegetableplantingchart.com NuNu Natural Healing of www.nunuhealing.com RowMaker of www.rowmaker.com Eco Garden Systems of www.ecogardensystems.com Use coupon code (wiveg2019) and get $295 off the list price of $1,695 PLUS free shipping (a $250 value). 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Replay of The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener Radio Show from 4-20-19 Heard on 860AM WNOV & W293cx 106.5FM Milwaukee, WI Saturday mornings 9-10AM CST Heard on WAAM 1600 AM Ann Arbor, MI Sundays 7-8AM est Heard on WWDB 860 AM Philadelphia, PA Sundays 7-8AM est Heard on KMET 1490 AM Tuesdays 9 - 10 AM pst Banning, CA listen here during show hours for your station: WNOV https://tinyurl.com/y8lwd922 WWDB: https://wwdbam.com/ WAAM https://tinyurl.com/p68cvft Check out https://thewisconsinvegetablegardener.com/ Contact Joey and Holly: Email them at TWVGshow@gmail.com Reach the show anytime through the Instant access text hotline 414-368-9311 Thank you for listening and downloading the show. Topics: Joey and Holly talks Talk about in segment 1 - vegetable and herbs you can grow in Partial shade. Plants you can grow in partial shade Mint Mint is probably a best choice for shaded position. If you think to plant it in your shady backyard, just grow it in a confined space. Otherwise it will spread like a weed. Malabar Spinach Malabar spinach is a climbing spinach grows in tropics. It grows in part shade and moist soil, you can grow this green leafy vegetable in shade year round if your climate is frost free, otherwise grow it as annual Pak choi/bok choy/ asian greens Pak choi or bak choi is also called Chinese cabbage, a diverse plant you can grow from spring to fall. It likes cool weather, you can grow it in shade easily. Cherry tomatoes Arugul Asparagus Beets Bok Choi Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celery Chinese Cabbage Garlic Horseradish Kale Kohlrabi Leeks Lettuce Mizuna Mustard Greens Parsnip Peas Potatoes Radish Rhubarb Rutabaga Scallions Spinach Swiss Chard Turnip Tips for Growing Vegetables in Shade: Use Good Soil: If you are going to challenge your shade-tolerant crops to grow in partial shade, provide them with good-quality soil with plenty of nutritious compost. If tree roots are a problem, consider using a raised bed or growing vegetables in containers. Moisture Requirements: The watering needs of your shade garden will be different than a garden in full sun. Moisture doesn’t evaporate as quickly in shade so you may not need to water as often. However, if your shade garden is near trees, you may need to water more frequently since your plants will be competing with trees for moisture. Also the leafy canopy can prevent rain from reaching your plants. Water when the soil feels dry and mulch to conserve moisture. Watch for Pests: Shady and cool areas are very welcoming to slugs and snails. Consider using a border of crushed eggshells to deter slugs or provide a hospitable living area to Attract Frogs and Toads to Your Garden. Maturation Times: Vegetables that prefer more sunlight but can grow in shade will grow slower. Expect to wait for a little longer for the plants to mature than what is indicated on the seed package to make up for the less than ideal growing conditions. Start Seedlings Indoors: Start your own transplants from seed indoors and plant them in your shade garden when space opens up with these 10 Steps to Starting Seedlings Indoors. Direct Sow Seeds in Your Garden: Some crops are easy to grow from seeds planted directly in your garden. Here are 13 Easy Vegetables to Direct Sow Succession Planting: Keep your garden beds producing throughout your growing season with these 3 Succession Planting Tips to Maximize Your Harvest. Experiment with a small shade garden and see which vegetables succeed. Also try growing in containers that can be moved to different locations. Knowing the type of vegetables that grow in shade will help you make the most out of your gardening space. White walls If possible white wash your walls and use other light colors around the plants. As a result, the light will reflect back better and your plants will get more indirect light. Reflective Mulching Do reflective mulching for the plants grown in part shade. It will reflect the light and heat on plants. Moisture In the shade you need to be careful as moisture quickly develops all kinds of diseases. Provide good ventilation and drainage to plants and do not place them too close together. Patience Patience is must when you are growing plants in shade. Generally plants grow weaker in shade except those who love shade naturally. It is normal that they will grow little more slowly. Darker and Bigger Leaves Plants in shady areas tend to have darker and bigger leaves than those that grow in the sun and there is nothing to worry about this. In segment 2 Joey and Holly talk about how bad garden tips on Social media. Mounting little planters, vertical strawberry, rain gutters, etc - little soil Potato box Planting in egg shells/egg cartons Seeds that seem too good to be true Companion plantings Volcano mulching Stop slugs having a ball The tip Copper is reputed to repel slugs, so take an old bowling ball (you’ve got one of those lying around, right?), glue pennies (or 2p pieces) to it, so they cover the surface, and use it as a decorative garden object that doubles as a slug barrier. (And if you want it to shine, soak the coins in cola first.) The catch Not only is it debatable how decorative this actually looks, it’s also hard to be convinced by its efficacy as an anti-slug device. These days, British 1p and 2p “coppers” are made from copper-plated steel, plus there is at best only patchy evidence that copper repels slugs in the first place. Dr Ian Bedford, head of entomology at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, has lab-tested copper slug repellers and found no evidence that they work. And even if copper did dissuade slugs, you’d need a whole bowling alley’s worth of coin-covered balls to have any meaningful effect. As Bedford points out, “You put a bowling ball in the middle of your lawn, but what’s to stop them eating the plants in your border?” Advertisement The alternative Go ahead and make your ball; just don’t expect it to deter slugs. For that, use a biological control such as Nemaslug or a nightly slug patrol. Nail those blue hydrangeas The tip Gather up those rusty nails from the back of the shed and put them in the ground around hydrangeas to correct an iron deficiency, increase acidity in the soil and, in the process, turn their blooms from pink to blue. The catch None of it works. Here’s a mini-science lesson from Guy Barter, the RHS’s chief horticultural adviser: “Almost all soils contain a lot of iron, but it becomes unavailable to plants – especially ericaceous ones such as rhododendrons – in alkaline soils,” he says. “Adding iron nails to alkaline soil merely slowly adds a very small amount of iron to the pool of chemically locked-up iron in the soil. It is soil aluminium that influences hydrangea flower colour, and aluminium is most available to plants in the acid soils associated with blue hydrangeas.” The alternative Add sulphur dust, not nails, to soil to increase acidity. Aluminium sulphate, often sold as hydrangea-blueing compound, is the best product to change flower colour in hydrangeas – try Vitax’s Hydrangea Colourant. Plants with iron deficiency suffer yellowing patches between the veins. Barter recommends treating them with chelated iron, an organic compound that prevents lock-up in the soil, allowing plants to absorb the iron they need. Dish it out to the weeds The tip Kill weeds by spraying them with a homemade brew of vinegar, epsom salts and washing-up liquid mixed with water. This mix of ingredients commonly found in our homes is touted as safer for pets and children than shop-bought weed treatments. The catch Home remedies such as this are often billed as “all-natural”, but have you looked at the ingredients of washing-up liquid recently? Plus, it’s illegal under EU law to concoct homemade weedkillers from household ingredients (what happens after Brexit is a moot point). Linda Chalker-Scott, associate professor at Washington State University’s department of horticulture, spends her life arguing against such poor gardening advice. She points out that household products aren’t formulated for this kind of use: “You have a concoction that will strip away the protective layers of plants and associated organisms, which is not a sustainable way to approach weed control,” she says. The alternative If you choose not to garden organically, buy a proprietary weedkiller and follow the instructions to the letter. Organic gardeners can control weeds with hoeing, mulching and hand-pulling. To remove weeds between paving slabs and other tricky-to-treat areas, Garden Organic recommends a flame weeder that uses propane or paraffin to kill weed plants and seeds. In Segment 3 Joey and Holly welcome their guest Author Ellen Zachos of https://www.backyardforager.com/ Ellen Zachos is passionate about foraging, plants and food. She wants to share that passion with you. Are you curious about foraging? Are you passionate about food? Are you nervous about getting started? Ellen is willing to show you and teach you how to do it right here new book She had wrote a number of great book including Backyard Foraging The Wildcrafted Cocktail,Growing Healthy Houseplants to name a few she also has online courses videos and podcast to learn from. Here website is www.backyardforager.com 1.It sounds like a simple question but what is foraging and how did you get into the are of foraging ? 2.I will loop myself (Joey) into this category when I hear the term foraging I think about walking way back in the woods and looking to wild edibles. But that is not so much the case you can look at the plants you have growing around your home or street. What are some overlooked items we can forage for that are very close to us (hostas and daylilies milkweed) , 3. What is the best way to be 100% sure of identification of the plants you are foraging for? We are talking with Ellen Zachos author podcaster garden speaker foragor 4. Let talk about Orchids for a moment you have wrote a Orchid Growing for Wimps: Techniques for the "Wish I Could Do That" Gardener. We have heard the Orchid are very hard to grow how true or untrue is that statement 5. Where can we find more about you get your books podcast online courses at? Segment 4 Joey and Holly answer gardeners questions Q:So I just transplanted my starts about 3 days ago. They all now look sad. Will it just take a few days for them to perk back up after roots set? Also after transplanting they take up a lot more room, this in turn has them spread out a bit more then what i think my grow lights cover. im in zone 5a with a last frost of may 11th roughly. Is there a way to test the light at my plants to make sure they get enough? if not when can i start hardening them off and taking them out to my unheated greenhouse? A: Typically yes they will look sad for a few days after transplanting do to rood shock just keep them watered and warm and they should come back if you did not damage the roots. There are light meter they can be bought to test the light strengths. You can also put your tomato plants the farthest away from the lights because if they do get leggy you can just plant deeper. I would not take plants out to the greenhouse until the night temps are 50F steady in the greenhouse they maybe enough warm gathered during the day to keep it that at night but also day time temps may get very hot too. Q: Newbie here! My hubby and I are experimenting (me with soil/him with hydro)We built a raised bed 4'x4'x16" and filled with garden soil from a local nursery and topped with compost from horse/cow barn. I plan to put 4-5 Early Girl tomato seedlings in it soon. Would it be too much to add some summer squash zucchini plants between them? I have a house rabbit and will have plenty of season long pellets to add if needed Just worried about crowding roots. Q:Johnny I'm confused about sometimes hearing that there are things that can be planted as soon as the ground can be worked...I live here in southeastern Wisconsin as well and I have everything prepped for planting and ground is thawed...Can I sow radish and beet seeds right now even though seed package says after danger of frost ? Thanks A:Yes you can radish and beets as Colder temperatures (26-31 degrees F.) may burn foliage but will not kill broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, and turnip. The real cold weather champs are beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, collards, kale, parsley, and spinach.and beets Q: Kim ask Another indoor seed starting question--plants are coming up and are under grow lights. Do they still need the warming pads or can I use the warming pads to start some more seeds? A: once the seeds have come up you do not need the heating mat anymore check out highlights of past show podcast and video https://thewisconsinvegetablegardener.com/video-series/highlights-podcast/ Tweet us at #twvg or @twvgshow The show runs March - Oct Check out the following sponsors that make the radio show possible: Thank you Power Planter of www.powerplanter.com IV Organics of www.ivorganics.com Dr. Earth of www.drearth.com organic Root maker of www.rootmaker.com Flame Engineering Inc. of www.flameengineering.com Use coupon code WVG19 to get free shipping. Pomona Universal Pectin of www.pomonapectin.com Bobbex of www.Bobbex.com: Beans & Barley of www.beansandbarley.com MIgardener of www.MIgardener.com Outpost Natural Foods Co-op of www.outpost.coop Root Assassin of www.rootassassinshovel.com . Handy Safety Knife of www.handysafetyknife.com Use promo code WVG to get 10% off &free shipping one time use only BioSafe of www.biosafe.net Save 10% on your next order use coupon code TWVG at checkout Chapin Manufacturing Inc. of www.chapinmfg.com Pro Plugger of www.proplugger.com Dharmaceuticals of www.dharmaceuticals.com Soil Savvy of www.mysoilsavvy.com Use coupon code TWVG19 to save 10% at checkout Tomato Snaps of www.tomatosnaps.com Drip Garden of www.dripgarden.com Drip Garden The Madison Greenhouse Store of www.madisongreenhousestore.com Standard Process Inc. of www.standardprocess.com Big Fat’s Hot Sauce of www.bigfatshotsauce.com Soil Diva of www.soildiva.net World’s coolest floating rain gauge of www.WorldsCoolestRainGauge.com Clyde’s vegetable planting chart of www.clydesvegetableplantingchart.com NuNu Natural Healing of www.nunuhealing.com RowMaker of www.rowmaker.com Eco Garden Systems of www.ecogardensystems.com Use coupon code (wiveg2019) and get $295 off the list price of $1,695 PLUS free shipping (a $250 value). 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Replay of The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener Radio Show from 6-9-18 on 860AM WNOV and W293cx 106.5 FM Milwaukee WI, listen here during show hours Saturdays 9-10 am CST https://tinyurl.com/zvh5kaz Topics: Joey talks bout Problems you are having in your Garden and how to solve them, Organic bug control blogger podcaster Melissa K Norris of https://melissaknorris.com/ 5 problems you are facing in your vegetable gardening and how to solve them Bio Safe Garden line offers a diverse array of eco-friendly products to support all facets of plant life, products that do not leave a lasting footprint Save 10% on your next order use coupon code TWVG at checkout. June bugs Weeds Watering Bolting plants Animals in the garden 3 methods of organic pest control Keep the plant watered Use your figures Us other bugs lady bugs praying medizes birds Blast with a hose Harvest regular leafy greens this apples to leafy greens kales swiss chard leaf Lettuce early on Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, spine soldier bugs and lacewing, feed on eggs and the young larval stages. Melissa is a homesteader, podcaster and blogger from Washington state. She loves learning new skills, adding to her old ones, and more. 1. You had a cancer scare and that helped you make some changes – can you tell us more about that and those changes and benefits? 2. You have a radio show/podcast too….what kind of topics do you cover and what is the format? 3. You have a great recipe for a dandelion salve on your website. Many people don’t realize how beneficial they are and quick to spray them. What are some benefits of dandelions for us as humans and even some of our insect friends? 4. You have a post on garden myths on your website – we love talking about gardening myth – whats one you learned and really benefitted from? 5. What are you ideal ways to amend your soil if its either too acidic or too alkaline? 6. Why do you grow organically ? 7. How can we find out more about you? https://thewisconsinvegetablegardener.com/radio/ check out highlights of past show podcast and video https://thewisconsinvegetablegardener.com/video-series/highlights-podcast/ Email your questions to TWVGshow@gmail.com tweet us as #twvg or @twvgshow The show runs March - Oct Saturday morning’s 9-10am cst Check out the following sponsors that Make the radio show possible: IV Organics: http://ivorganics.com/ MI Gardener: http://migardener.com/ Use coupon code SHARE10 to save 10% off your 1st order. Beans & Barley: http://www.beansandbarley.com/ Bobbex: http://www.bobbex.com/ Rootmaker: https://rootmaker.com/ Plant Success organics: https://plantsuccessorganics.com/ Woodmans Food Stores: https://www.woodmans-food.com/ Root assassin shovel: https://rootassassinshovel.com/ Bluemel's Garden & Landscape Center Family owned, independent garden and landscape center that has been servicing the metro-Milwaukee area since 1955. 4930 W. Loomis RD. 414-282-4220 http://bluemels.com/ Hoss Tools of www.hosstools.com Tree Diaper of www.treediaper.com Seedling Square of www.seedingsquare.com Rebel green of www.rebelgreen.com Use coupon code WIVEG15 to save 15% at www.rebelgreen.com/shop Dripping Springs OLLAS of www.drippingspringsollas.com Saz Products of www.sazproducts.com Shield n seal of www.shieldnseal.com Pomona Universal Pectin of www.pomonapectin.com Flame Engineering Inc. of www.flameengineering.com Eco Garden Systems of www.ecogardensystems.com Made of recycled materials in the U.S It is a raised garden bed offers sustainable organic gardening that is environmentally sound. Use coupon code Wiveg125 to save $125 & Free Shipping (a $250 vale) on the Eco Garden Original Garden unit only in stone color must be purchased through the Eco Garden Systems website www.ecogardensystems.com/store valid thru Dec 31 2018 Outpost Natural Foods Co-op of www.outpost.coop Manure tea of www.manuretea.com The Gardener's Hollow Leg of www.thegardenershollowleg.com Save 10% use veggies at checkout Handy Safety Knife of www.handysafetyknife.com Use promo code WVG to get 10% off and free shipping one time use only. Bio Safe of www.biosafe.net 10% on your next order use coupon code TWVG at check out Chapin Manufacturing Inc. of www.chapinmfg.com The Plant Booster of www.plantbooster.net Tall Earth of www.tallearth.com save 15% on orders placed on, TallEarth.com. use WISCONVEG at checkout Purple cow organics of https://www.purplecoworganics.com

220: Ben Raskin on Practical Advice for Community Gardens In This Podcast: For those envisioning a perfect community garden, Ben Raskin has put together a fabulous resource to guide, inspire, and empower the designers and leaders of future neighborhood plots. He tells Greg about the purpose he had for writing his latest book and some of the lessons he's learned during his years of farming. Organizing a community garden from scratch with smart planning and long-term goals.      Ben has been working in horticulture for more than 20 years and has been with the Soil Association in the United Kingdom, since 2006. His own experience includes; running a walled garden in Sussex which supplied a Michelin starred restaurant, and working for Garden Organic at their gardens in Kent. He also set up and ran the 10-acre horticultural production at Daylesford Organic Farm before moving to the Welsh College of Horticulture as commercial manager. Ben also works on a range of other projects and over the years these have included working as Horticultural Advisor and founder Board Member of The Community Farm near Bristol, and running a program of biochar trials with organic growers. He is currently managing a new agroforestry planting on Helen Browning's farm near Swindon. He is also a board member of the Community Supported Agriculture Network UK and committee member for the Organic Growers Alliance.  With all of this experience, he is also an author and has written The Community Gardening Handbook, and two family gardening books titled Grow, and Compost.