In this week's, episode, I head back to the Cotswolds for what is fast, becoming my annual get together with garden writer, Val Bourne. The weather, not on our side, this time, meant we had to record this episode in the lounge of Val's beautiful cottage. We chat about: Writing for a living Val's pretty cottage garden Erythroniums Dahlias Ed Sheeran (!), and, Lots more as always Please don't forget to follow/subscribe as there are more episodes to come. And please do leave a review if you are able. To follow me on my Instagram account tap here. See you next week. Mike ..read more

In this week's, episode of the Mike The Gardener – Gardening Podcast, I chat to my friend and one time tutor, garden writer, broadcaster, and author, David Hurrion.   Twenty years ago, I was lucky enough to have had David as the tutor of my RHS level 1 course. As you will hear in today’s episode, David’s vocation has been to share his vast knowledge of all things, plants, gardening and horticulture with others. He’s also been a journalist, writer and editor, working for publications, including Amateur Gardening magazine and Gardeners’ World magazine.   David’s new book The Raised Bed ..read more

In this week’s episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat with garden writer, veg grower and author, Rob Smith.  Rob’s new book ‘Grow to Eat: Growing Colourful & Tasty Vegetables From Seed’ is published by Quadrille Publishing on 28th March, 2024 and in this episode we chat about: How Rob’s passion for growing veg started His career to date How the book came about The BBC TV programme, The Great Allotment Challenge, which Rob won in 2015 Rob’s plans for the future, and of course lots more.  We also speak to Rob’s friend, gardener, maker, upcycler and lover of ..read more

In this week's episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat with award-winning garden designer, Manoj Malde. We chat about his new book 'Your Outdoor Room' published by Frances Lincoln on 21 March 2024. We chat about: His childhood His career in the fashion industry The book and how it came about Manoj's Chelsea Flower Show Gardens His TV work, and lots more You can find out more about Manoj by clicking here and follow him on Instagram by clicking here You can follow me on my Instagram account by clicking here. Please don't forget to follow/subscribe and leave a review if you ..read more

In this week’s episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat with Lucy Hutchings (@shegrowsveg) about her career to date. In 2018, Lucy took to Instagram to chart her progress growing her own fruit & vegetables. She now has a following of over 180,000.  In this episode, I chat to Lucy about her career to date, including her work as a writer, author, garden designer, and now, entrepreneur as she and business partner, Kate Cotterell have set up the UK Heirloom Seed Company. Lucy also shares exclusively their plans for the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2024. To follow Lucy on ..read more

Hello and welcome back to this week's episode of the Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast. This week, I speak to garden, owner and author, TJ Maher. TJ is an artist who has an incredible eye for using colour, forms and texture in his beautiful Patthana Garden in Wicklow, Ireland. His new book, published by Pimpernel Press on 7th March 2024 is ‘Grounded in the garden - an artist's guide to creating a beautiful garden in harmony with nature’ and looks closely at the creation of the Patthana Garden, including how to use colour, planting and lots more. In this delightfully, intimate interview we ..read more

In this week's episode of the Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat once again to Jekka McVicar whose new book '100 Herbs to Grow' is published 7 March 2024 by Quadrille Publishing. In this fascinating and in-depth chat, we talk about: Jekka's new book, '100 Herbs to Grow'. How to inspire people to grow The future of small and independent specialist nurseries How Jekka spends her ‘me-time’ Her plans for the future, and much more. This is truly another great chat with Jekka, and I am re-releasing our first chat alongside this episode as some of our conversations relate back to our first ..read more

In this week's episode of the Mike The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat with Scotland Grows Editor and Podcaster and freelance writer M.T. O’Donnell.  Amongst many topics, we discuss: MTs, role as Editor and Podcaster for Scotland Grows. The Scotland Grows magazine. The challenges of gardening in Scotland.  The TRELLIS charity - Gardening for Well-Being, and lots more.  You can find out more about Scotland Grows by clicking here. My thanks to MT for taking time out of her schedule to come and chat to us today. You can follow MT on her Instagram account by clicking here. &nbs ..read more

In this week's episode of the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I return to Kingston Maurward, horticultural college, where I learnt my trade many, many years ago. Nigel Hewish, the Head Gardener there, is responsible for the national collection of salvias held within the grounds of the college. What Nigel doesn't know about salvias frankly, isn't worth knowing. In this informative episode, we chat about: Where salvias originate from How to grow them How to propagate them How to get the very best from them Planting companions Pests and diseases, and much more My thanks to Nigel for taki ..read more

Hello and welcome to the Mike the Gardener - Gardening Podcast. In this first episode of Series 7, I'm delighted to be joined by the rather lovely Anya Lautenbach, a.k.a. Anya, The Garden Fairy (Instagram). Anya's brand new book, her first, The Money Saving Gardener is published on 8 February by DK books. We chat about: How the book came about The writing process Anya's first gardening memories How a personal tragedy led to her building a beautiful garden of her own How she got into propagation Her plans for the future, and lots, lots more. You can follow Anya on her Instagram account by cli ..read more