HortWeek Podcast

HortWeek editor Matt Appleby and senior reporter Rachael Forsyth report on the essential horticulture stories of the week.HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby and Rachael talk about:The "outrageous" ongoing delays and reports of damaged to imported plantsThe latest on the prospective peat banWhat the garden centre of the future might look likeDo check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews with an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.Podcast presenters: Matthew Appleby and Rachael ForsythPodcast producer: Christina Taylor

Andrew Fisher Tomlin, co-founder and director of the London College of Garden Design talks on the HortWeek podcast about his new book, The Modern Professional Planting Designer, was published by Rizzoli New York in October 2025.In the podcast he talks about how the book came about and what impact he hopes it will have, what he thinks of Chelsea designs this year, his views on international garden design versus that of the UK, on horticulture education, trends for 2026, AI and what his favourite plant is.

Garden centre personality Rosie Bone brings her new ideas for garden retail to the HortWeek Podcast this week this week.Founder of the World's End Garden Centre in 1970 with Len Bone, Rosie puts her success in garden retail down a focus on customer service, looking after your staff and above all "value for money". She argues if you get those three right, other considerations such as location are almost irrelevant.She discusses her passion, which is sustainable garden retailing."Profit isn't a dirty word... but I think in this day and age we have to start to recognise that there is an environmental cost to everything any of us do".She says that imports from China cannot be avoided in many product areas, but that carbon footprint could be offset by focusing on plant-based options in the restaurant:"It's not about telling customers what they should and shouldn't eat, but presenting [food] in a way that encourages customers to make [a plant-based] choice for themselves but that can be done with clever marketing, clever menus."After a period away from the industry Rosie reveals the garden business that revived her interest in and passion for it and what they do so well.And she reveals some significant gaps in the market that garden centres, with their large footprints and nature-oriented client base, could capitalise on.

In this episode of the HortWeek podcast, HortWeek editor Matt Appleby interviews horticulturist, garden writer, organic gardening advocate and the new president of the Hardy Plant Society, Val Bourne. They discuss Val's journey in horticulture, her dedication to organic gardening, and the challenges facing plant societies today. Val shares her experiences and insights on the importance of preserving plant diversity and supporting local nurseries and the challenges around going peat-free.Skip to...00:01:27 Val's role in the hardy plant society00:02:11 The importance of plant diversity00:03:57 Challenges facing nurseries00:10:59 Val's journey into horticulture00:14:17 The significance of organic gardening00:20:57 Promoting plant societies00:25:42 Val's future plansPodcast presenter: Matthew ApplebyPodcast producer: Christina TaylorMake sure you never miss a HortWeek podcast! Subscribe to or Follow HortWeek podcasts via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred podcast platform. 

With HortWeek senior reporter Rachael Forsyth fresh from the GrootGroenPlus trade show, we hear how European growers are tackling the challenge of imports/ exports with the UK - with producers saying they would be "delighted" to see the SPS agreement come into force.HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby and Rachael talk about:Inspection regimes and paperwork both sides of the border, and how it is affecting European tradersThe latest round of delays and reports of damaged plants at BCP SevingtonHow 'experiences' could transform the fortunes of garden centres and horticulture showsHow new analysis of horticulture company results is showing who is doing wellDo check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews with an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.

The Biodiversity Net Gain market has come along way since BNG became mandatory in England under the Environment Act 2021. The ruling requires developers to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain for new construction projects.In this week's HortWeek Podcast Rachael Forsyth speaks to head of sales and services Emma Hindle and head of business development Brian Smith at Ground Control, which provides ready-to-buy BNG units as part of a habitat bank.They discuss how the market is developing, the drivers of demand, and shifting balance of supply and demand.Although Government targets and policy for house building is driving construction projects, Brian explains that Ground Control is "not betting the farm on housebuilders" and is keeping it's client base deliberately broad, including utility companies, transport companies as well as corporate clients such as supermarkets. Interestingly, a burgeoning "voluntary market" is also part of the picture, he says, But while developers might, understandably, focus on the immediate costs when deciding on how to approach BNG requirements, a 30-year maintenance lifespan means a "whole life" cost approach is more appropriate, he argues. The market has come on leaps and bounds since 2021, Emma adds, insisting the focus should always come back to nature recovery and the "benefits for the country". Many that had reservations initially are now "taking it seriously", she says, and the prospects for BNG over the next five years are "amazing".  

In this week's News In Focus podcast HortWeek editor, Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury and senior reporter Rachael Forsyth discuss:the eagerly awaited Top 250 Garden Centres 2025some of the garden product highlights from GLEEHow YouTube is 'where it's at' for gardening contentProspects and stresses for the garden retail sector after a busy 2025How changes in peat and coir supply are causing price fluctuations and how division in the industry over the prospective peat ban is hurting horticultureDo check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews - an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.

In the fifth of HortWeek's News In Focus podcasts, we take a deep dive on Groundsfest trade show, with technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and senior reporter, Rachael Forsyth.Topics this week:The trio, who judged the Groundsfest awards, hosted and guested on panels, enthuse about the depth and breadth of the show, which caters for grounds maintenance, landscape contracting, arb and turf contractors. Highlights among the award-winning products and kit, and some of the machines they think should have entered for awards, but didn't.How Groundsfest is driving innovation, healthy competition, and is the perfect showcase for product manufacturers and practitioners across the whole of the landscape maintenance sector and beyond.See all HortWeek's Groundsfest coverage including exclusive videos or products and industry panels at https://www.hortweek.com/groundsfest

Welcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.Topics this week:the latest cabinet and Defra reshuffle and what it might mean for horticulturists.Four Oaks Trade Show judges Sally and Howard give their expert insight into award-winning products and plants from this year's show. Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews with an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.