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PODCAST

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

Do you want to know how to grow plants and get the best out of your outdoor space? Do you find traditional gardening media baffling and/or boring? Then you"re in the right place, because the Roots and All podcast is here to dig deep into how to create a successful garden. If you want honest information and insider knowledge about how to get results, join irreverent horticulturist Sarah Wilson as she chats to the best people from the world of plants and gardens. Sarah is on a mission to help you

leisure home & garden

All Episodes

36:48

Episode 406: Should We Stop Feeding Birds?

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/10/12

Could feeding the birds in your garden actually be doing them more harm than good? This week I'm joined by Adrian Thomas from the RSPB to unpack the research behind the headlines, from declining greenfinches and chaffinches to bird feeding hygiene, trichomonosis and how we can help garden birds. Benny's Insect of the Week: Mexican Grass-Carrying Wasp sponsored by Kipos Kipos makes garden tracking social. We house your entire gardening journey in one spot, you can see your hard work, and you get to

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33:34

Episode 405: Reimagining City Spaces

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/10/07

Jon Davies and Steve Williams of Wild City Studio discuss their fresh, unconventional approach to urban horticulture, their collaborative design journey, their experimental playground at Markfield Park, and how embracing a lighter touch can transform rigid cityscapes into thriving ecological havens. Benny's Insect of the Week: The Small Copper Butterfly What You'll Learn Redefining Urban Wildness: How nature-connection and human culture intertwine to make modern cities far wilder than traditional

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24:49

Episode 404: Uncovering the Biodiversity of Gardens...

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/09/28

In this episode of Roots and All, I chat with ecology consultant Johnnie Johnson about his journey into the natural world, his detailed multi-visit garden surveys, and the incredible discoveries he makes in unexpected places. From tracking scarce insects to working with prominent public spaces like the Horniman Museum and John Little's garden, Johnnie Johnson shares how anyone can boost wildlife by embracing structural complexity and natural variation. Benny's Insect of the Week: The Southern Green

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26:48

Episode 403: Climate Adaptation, Plant Evolution &...

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/09/21

In this episode of Roots and All, I chat with designer, researcher, and filmmaker Eliza about the intersection of design, ecology, and the fast-paced realities of plant evolution. Coming straight from her extensive research fields—including tracking wildflowers in the Rocky Mountains with Dr. Diane Campbell and exploring alpine meadow systems in Italy—Eliza shares how climate change is reshaping landscapes, why plants are shifting behaviours, and how gardeners can embrace a more observational,

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30:07

Episode 402: The Art of Cottage Gardening

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/09/14

In this episode, gardening expert and The English Garden editor Clare Foggett joins us to explore what truly defines a cottage garden. We discuss why these spaces are defined by generous planting rather than rigid design, the magic of self-seeding plants, and how this traditional style fits into modern, sustainable, and biodiverse gardening. Includes: Planted, Not Designed: Discover how cottage gardens evolve naturally through a passion for plants rather than a master plan. The Power of

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38:35

Episode 401: Seeing Plants Differently

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/09/07

We tend to think of plants as static things: rooted to the spot, quietly getting on with being plants. But what if, beneath our feet, there's a much more dynamic world of movement, adaptation and decision-making going on? In this episode I'm talking to plant ecologist and artist Curtis Lubbe about roots, bulbs and rhizomes, plant 'animacy' and why changing the way we think and talk about plants might change the way we treat them too. Benny's Insect of the Week: Fig-Leaf Skeltoniser Links Institute

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33:06

Episode 400: Growing a Living Pharmacy

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/08/31

What if your garden could double as a living pharmacy? In this episode, I'm talking to gardener, chef and herbalism practitioner Vanessa Minton about growing medicinal herbs, using them in everyday life, and understanding both the benefits and limitations of herbal remedies. Benny's Insect of the Week: Toadflax Brocade Moth Links From The Garden – Linktree How to Grow Medicinal Herbs: An Illustrated Beginner's Guide to Growing, Harvesting, and Making Herbal Remedies at Home - Vanessa Minton Please

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34:20

Episode 399: Nature Restoration

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/08/24

Can we save nature by putting a quantifiable value on it? Tim Christophersen is a forester, former UN environmentalist and a leading voice in the global ecosystem restoration movement, championing regenerative agriculture and nature-based solutions. With the UK sweltering through multiple heatwaves, we discuss whether investment can really deliver the restoration we need — and what happens when living ecosystems become part of the financial system. Benny's Insect of the Week: Toadflax Brocade Moth

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27:49

Episode 398: Rewilding Childhood

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/08/17

Blending storytelling with facts can encourage children to see the wildlife on their doorstep in a completely different way. In this episode, I'm talking to children's author and wildlife expert Sonia Copeland Bloom about storytelling, wildlife and getting children curious about the natural world. Benny's Insect of the Week: Rock Rose Prickly Leaf Beetle Links Amazing Tales & Truths about Garden Minibeasts by Sonia Copeland Bloom, with illustrations by Nick Page First edition ISBN 978-917673-54-9

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31:21

Episode 397: Britain's Gardening Questions

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/08/10

Have you ever wondered who answers all those gardening questions that stump the rest of us? This week I'm chatting to Leigh Hunt, Principal Horticultural Advisor at the RHS, about what really goes on behind the scenes of the Society's advice service, the questions gardeners ask most often, and what those thousands of enquiries reveal about the way we're gardening in a changing climate. Benny's Insect of the Week: Mexican Grass-Carrying Wasp Links RHS Gardening Advice Please support the podcast on

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33:12

Episode 396: Fermenting the Seasons

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/08/03

Could the secret to better health be sitting in a simple jar on your kitchen counter? Today I'm joined by food writer and fermentation expert Rachel de Thample to explore how fermentation can rewild the gut microbiome, preserve the seasons, and prove that making your own fermented foods is much easier than most of us think. Benny's Insect of the Week: The Bee Wolf Links The Fermentation Year: Everyday techniques and recipes to rewild your microbiome by Rachel de Thample Rachel on Instagram -

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27:09

Episode 395: Small Actions, Big Change

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/07/27

The biggest changes in how we care for nature might start just outside our front door. This episode, I'm joined by adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys to discuss his latest book, Unwilding, and explore why reconnecting with the natural world is less about escaping to the wilderness and more about noticing what's already around us—from litter picking to climate handprints, and the power of small, everyday actions. Benny's Insect of the Week: The Weld Bee Links Alastair Humphreys – Official

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30:19

Episode 394: Keeping Plant Stories Alive

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/07/20

What if the plants around us are carrying stories we've forgotten? This week, I'm joined once again by Amanda Edmiston of Botanica Fabula to explore her latest book, a rich blend of folklore, social history and the enduring stories of plants. We talk about how this knowledge is passed down through generations, and why now is the perfect time to start asking the people around us about the plants and traditions they remember. Benny's Insect of the Week: The Sieve-winged Snailkiller Links Website

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28:02

Episode 393: My Body is a Meadow

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/07/13

What if the biggest barriers to experiencing nature aren't natural at all? Today, I'm joined by author, poet and disability activist Bethany Handley to explore accessibility, belonging, and how redesigning our landscapes could create richer places for both people and wildlife. Benny's Insect of the Week: The Cinnabar Moth Links Bethany's website My Body is a Meadow The Book Please support the podcast on Patreon And follow Roots and All: On Instagram @rootsandallpod On Facebook @rootsandalluk On

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27:26

Episode 392: Knepp's Rewilded Garden

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/07/06

What happens when you stop trying to control a garden and start working with nature instead? This week, I'm joined by Charlie Harpur, head gardener at Knepp, to explore rewilding, biodiversity, and why careful observation and systems thinking can transform the way we garden. Benny's Insect of the Week: The Pantaloon Bee Links Website A link to all the garden tours and workshops And a link to the Knepp garden blog which, written by Moy Please support the podcast on Patreon And follow Roots and All:

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34:43

Episode 391: Letting the Wild In

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/06/29

What if the secret to a better garden is letting go of control? This week I'm joined by gardener and conservationist Sue Mabberley from Nant-y-Bedd in the Black Mountains, where four decades of working with nature have created a thriving wildlife haven. We discuss the value of so-called weeds, gardening for biodiversity, and why even the smallest garden can make a difference. Benny's Insect of the Week: Yellow Loosestrife Bee Links Website Instagram Facebook Visit the Garden / Book Visits & Tours

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35:56

Episode 390: Gardens with a Cause

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/06/22

Can a show garden change minds as well as win medals? This week, I'm joined by Martha Krempel and Tina Worboys, whose Chelsea gardens championed peatland restoration and dementia research. We discuss whether the impact of a show garden can justify its environmental cost, and explore the power of gardens with a purpose. Benny's Insect of the Week: Jewel Wasp Links Martha Krempel Bog in a Box St Pancras Gut-brain health research information Tina Worboys Iota - manufacturers of amber structures in

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28:49

Episode 389: Down to Earth

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/06/15

What if the key to better health, stronger communities and a more sustainable future lies beneath our feet? This week, I'm joined by author Robert Ashton to discuss his new book Down to Earth and explore our relationship with soil. From farming and education to mental health and conservation, Robert reveals why reconnecting with the land could be one of the most important challenges of our time. Benny's Insect of the Week: The Shieldbug Stalker Links Down to Earth by Robert Ashton Please support the

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26:04

Episode 388: Connecting Through Plant Stories

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/06/08

What if the secret to connecting more deeply with nature lies in the stories we tell about plants? This week, I'm joined by landscape architect and Plant Connection podcast host Lisa Cutshaw to explore how folklore, history, and careful observation can transform the way we see the natural world. Benny's Insect of the Week: The Harlequin Ladybird Links Website Instagram Plant Connection Spotify Apple Podcasts Please support the podcast on Patreon And follow Roots and All: On Instagram

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24:02

Episode 387: Lessons from Keyhole Gardens

Roots and All - Gardening Podcast ·

2026/05/31

Could a simple circular garden help solve food insecurity in some of the world's harshest climates? In this episode of Roots and All, I'm joined by Sam Evans, whose dissertation took him to Lesotho to explore keyhole gardens — ingenious compost-fed growing systems that help communities grow food sustainably in extreme conditions. We discuss how they work, the wider benefits they bring, and what they could teach us about growing food in a changing climate. Benny's Insect of the Week: Harlequin

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