the happy garden podcast

We talk with Mike Griffin, the CEO of Tools With A Mission. TWAM is a Christian charity that collects unwanted usable tools, refurbishes them, sorts them into trade tool kits and sends them to the developing world for livelihood creation. The work they do is amazing. Andy Lound brings us the fascinating history of pea genetics. We explore PotWatch, set up to detect non native species coming in to the UK via plants and pots. Apologies this isn't a pod discussing David Austin roses and looking back at Gardeners World Live (That will be next week) Life overtook us this week so this is a new podcast but recorded a few weeks ago.

Welcome to an episode covering the magnificent show which is BBC Gardeners' World Live 2024. You'll hear from Adam Frost who has designed the headline show garden at this year's show. Also from Ade Sellars, the Good Life gardener who is hosting the new Urban Gardening stage. Kevin Smith, Editor of Gardeners' World Magazine tells us about the talks in the theatre. There are lots of other people to meet and gardens to see. If you can't get to the NEC, we'll bring it to you!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!